AndyW wrote:
I think I started the thread OP is referring to. I took mine to a heavy truck shop, they put in two crossmembers, a 10k hitch, and re-did the frame extension welds. Said I should be good to tow up to the chassis limits structurally, but that rear axle weight or possible front/rear balance would become the limiting factors and to make sure I visited a scale with whatever I was intending to pull.
It's hard to get a definitive answer on the legality, but if I'm within the GCVW, axle weight, and receiver hitch limitations I think someone would have a difficult time making the case that I was negligent in any way. Vehicles get modified all the time for various uses.
You are correct that vehicles get modified and that IF you stay within you limits you are good to go.
The legal problems enter if modified and and you are OVER your
certified weight. Only a DOT certified upfitter that meets
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), can make changes
and re-certify the vehicle for a new legal limit.
Some view added springs as something that increases capacity
beyond what is certified by the builder. They then overload
beyond that the engineering certification is for. Law-suites
then become a circus if something happens.
Upfitters certified by manufacturers:
Ford
https://www.fordtoughtruck.com/UpfitterPage/SpecialtySearch.aspx
Dodge
http://m.dodge.com/en/business/upfits/?ref=bl
GM
http://www.gmfleet.com/specialty-vehicles/locate-manufacturer.html
Specialty
http://www.upfitters.com/
Standards for upfitters
http://www.ntea.com/content.aspx?id=9004
