Question about GVWR.

TomG2 wrote:
As others have stated, only the manufacturer knows where gvwr number comes from. Feel free to change any component you want. I hope that it is the weak link that the builder is aware of. Simply changing brakes or frame thickness may be all it takes. Good luck with your experimenting.

MDT/HDT this happens ALL the time. One could also do this very easy with a chassis cab light duty truck too. As typically the door tag is put on by the after market bed manufacture. So THEY can legally put on things like tag, drop axels and other ways and means of carrying more than the chassis came out of the factory rated too.

Light duty there is a one size fits all category mentality. When the reality is, it is way more varied than that. Along with warranty issues which I do not recall being mentioned. That is really all the manufactures door sticker gvwr is for, along with meeting certain government specs as built and finished. After that, anything goes as far as what and how you use the rig.

I've been pulled over upwards of 150% of my manufacture gvwr in rigs, so far, no overweight tickets! As I have been under my paid for license tag, along with the engineer specs of how much the road bed can handle. THIS is what the weight cops are enforcing. THere is NO enforcing of the manufactures ratings per say. If a state does less than the federal bridge law amount, that state can lose federal highway funding.

As has been noted before in these discussions. you can have an axel rated to say 30K lbs including tires springs brakes etc. ALL you will get to carry on that axel is 20K lbs, or 17500 if part of a tandem setup. It does not due one any good to have an axel rated to much more than 21K lbs in reality.

I can legally run down the road at around 20K lbs with a single wheel pickup. Not saying it is smart, safe etc. BUT if I had the correct license, I would be legal. On the other hand, I would probably still get a ticket for not meeting my states braking requrements which is for me to stop with in 25' from 20mph on a level surface. I would get red tagged, told not to drive the rig until the brakes meet spec, or off load weight so I meet spec. THIS ticket is a moving violation, it will follow me! An overweight ticket has no bearing on my insurance, driving record etc! it is a non moving violation!

My swag on the light duty trucks having axel ratings more than the gvwr is to meet certain DOT ratings specs as mentioned. Most of us in reality, can not legally per our HOA rules assuming you live in one, park your dually or single wheel rig with a manufacture gvwr of 10K or more! Which in reality, makes it a DOT class 2 or 3/4 ton truck, not a 1 ton/DOT class 3 truck. Many 35's are in reality, class 4 trucks these days too!

Enjoy the thoughts, there is no right or wrong on this, other than making sure you are under a legal wt amount, and an amount you feel safe from getting sued in a court. Then getting sued this way, the guilty line is much lower than from a legal standpoint!

Marty