Forum Discussion
- legolasExplorer
bmaccue wrote:
I just bought a new camper with a UVW of 8130# towing with a 2008 chevy 1500 4x4 w/5.3L motor and 3.73 gears. Do you think I will be all right towing this?
NO.......you will be pushing hard up against 10,000lbs when decked out for camping..... - TOOBOLDExplorerBumpy, sorry for this misquote.
Terry,
I live in California and do most of my camping here and our state does require license endorsements if towing a 5th wheel over 10,001 GVWR but between 15,000GVWR. California also requires Non Commercial Class A for 5th wheels 15,001 GVWR and over. That would be pretty easy to prove if the driver had the proper license all you'd have to do is look at the trailers weight rating sticker. - TerryallanExplorer II
Bumpyroad wrote:
Terryallan wrote:
I don't think the manufacturers can write law in any state. Not sure there are states that require you to get a special license to tow, I know they do to drive a 26001lb MH. As for it being too wide. Are there any RVs that are too wide???
How many speed cops want to waste their time hanging out in a court room to testify on a ticket they know is not going to make it? Cause they got to show up.
many states require special licensing for 26001 lbs. as you say. I have read here that CA, and maybe others, have special requirements for over 40 ft. I have seen highways, 15 in some areas along river in PA that had an 8 ft max width so a 8 1/2 footer would be illegal. and if you get one of these tickets in BF Utah on your way through, would you really go all the way back and fight it? I used to tell trainees to write it up and we will worry about fighting it later.
bumpy
IF it meant wining a lawsuit. Yep. - Mr_BeeboExplorer#1 Know your payload and then start calculating the weight of what is going in the cab and the truck bed.
#2 Know your towing capacity, then your trailers weight and then start calculating the weight of what you will be going inside of it.
#3 Figure your tongue weight and understand it will change depending of what you put inside your camper and where. - BumpyroadExplorer
Terryallan wrote:
I don't think the manufacturers can write law in any state. Not sure there are states that require you to get a special license to tow, I know they do to drive a 26001lb MH. As for it being too wide. Are there any RVs that are too wide???
How many speed cops want to waste their time hanging out in a court room to testify on a ticket they know is not going to make it? Cause they got to show up.
many states require special licensing for 26001 lbs. as you say. I have read here that CA, and maybe others, have special requirements for over 40 ft. I have seen highways, 15 in some areas along river in PA that had an 8 ft max width so a 8 1/2 footer would be illegal. and if you get one of these tickets in BF Utah on your way through, would you really go all the way back and fight it? I used to tell trainees to write it up and we will worry about fighting it later.
bumpy - TerryallanExplorer II
Bumpyroad wrote:
Terryallan wrote:
Officer's Answer to Question 1. No. Answer question 2. No. Answer question 3. I have no way of knowing. The manufactures tow rating are not a legal weight, since manufacturers do not write law. All I do know, Is that it is not over the actual DOT axle weight laws.
As mentioned. Towing a RV with a over loaded TV is NOT smart. But is not illegal either. Question for your lawyer. Was the TT weighed at the accident scene?? No? Case dismissed
wouldn't the answers depend on what state this occurs in? the object is to put some doubt into the investigating officers mind. I think to CYA they would err on the side of issuing a ticket. My neighbor is an ex police chief and I asked what the requirement was for coming to a complete stop. I had heard that if your car settles back on the rear axle, it is. I was told that was left to the discretion of the officer, charge it and let them fight it out in court.
bumpy
I don't think the manufacturers can write law in any state. Not sure there are states that require you to get a special license to tow, I know they do to drive a 26001lb MH. As for it being too wide. Are there any RVs that are too wide???
How many speed cops want to waste their time hanging out in a court room to testify on a ticket they know is not going to make it? Cause they got to show up. - BumpyroadExplorer
Terryallan wrote:
Officer's Answer to Question 1. No. Answer question 2. No. Answer question 3. I have no way of knowing. The manufactures tow rating are not a legal weight, since manufacturers do not write law. All I do know, Is that it is not over the actual DOT axle weight laws.
As mentioned. Towing a RV with a over loaded TV is NOT smart. But is not illegal either. Question for your lawyer. Was the TT weighed at the accident scene?? No? Case dismissed
wouldn't the answers depend on what state this occurs in? the object is to put some doubt into the investigating officers mind. I think to CYA they would err on the side of issuing a ticket. My neighbor is an ex police chief and I asked what the requirement was for coming to a complete stop. I had heard that if your car settles back on the rear axle, it is. I was told that was left to the discretion of the officer, charge it and let them fight it out in court.
bumpy - jaycocreekExplorer IIInteresting.. I would rather see an old pro or seasoned TT hauler haul at max or slightly over max than a new rver going all out to the wind not knowing of the consequences.
Kind like driving on snow with a 4x4, some think there invincible because they have 4 wheel drive and the seasoned vets know different.
A 3/4 ton or 4X4 does not make up for lack of common sense and experience. - TerryallanExplorer II
Bumpyroad wrote:
TOOBOLD wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
Never heard of anyone involved in a civil suit either for recreational towing overweight.
If you were ever involved in an accident where you were hit by someone towing what appeared to be an overloaded tow vehicle would any of you ask the policeman and the insurance to run the specs on the combo?? How many would ask if the driver had the right licensure? Would you ask if the tires had the load capacity for the combo?? Might be a real easy way to prove liability. Food for thought
whoa, wrong person quoted.
"bid_time wrote:
Never heard of anyone involved in a civil suit either for recreational towing overweight."
bumpy
I guess that proves that it has never happened."
but yes, I certainly have a list of questions for the investigating officer. 1) isn't a special license required for something that heavy/long? 2) isn't that too wide to be driven on this road? 3) Is that vehicle rated to tow something that heavy. 4) etc.
bumpy
Officer's Answer to Question 1. No. Answer question 2. No. Answer question 3. I have no way of knowing. The manufactures tow rating are not a legal weight, since manufacturers do not write law. All I do know, Is that it is not over the actual DOT axle weight laws.
As mentioned. Towing a RV with a over loaded TV is NOT smart. But is not illegal either. Question for your lawyer. Was the TT weighed at the accident scene?? No? Case dismissed - BumpyroadExplorer
TOOBOLD wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
Never heard of anyone involved in a civil suit either for recreational towing overweight.
If you were ever involved in an accident where you were hit by someone towing what appeared to be an overloaded tow vehicle would any of you ask the policeman and the insurance to run the specs on the combo?? How many would ask if the driver had the right licensure? Would you ask if the tires had the load capacity for the combo?? Might be a real easy way to prove liability. Food for thought
whoa, wrong person quoted.
"bid_time wrote:
Never heard of anyone involved in a civil suit either for recreational towing overweight."
bumpy
I guess that proves that it has never happened."
but yes, I certainly have a list of questions for the investigating officer. 1) isn't a special license required for something that heavy/long? 2) isn't that too wide to be driven on this road? 3) Is that vehicle rated to tow something that heavy. 4) etc.
bumpy
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