TX and CA (and other states) use the GVWR and/or GCWR of various RV's (motorhomes, TV's and trailers) to determine whether a state issued Class A/B/C (non-DOT) license is necessary. It would seem, at least in some states, the DMV and law enforcement view GVWR/GCWR as a bit more than arbitrary and/or a "warranty number".
California like all state don't use a GVWR to determine any truck gross weight or axle/tire loads.....nor will they use a GCWR as its not on any truck in the USA.
This is a paste and copy email that gets posted quite often when the GVWR/GCWR topic comes up on a RV website. Its long so I snipped for content (and no its not my email).
Question to CA DOT;
Q: “Many of the owners travel over their tow vehicle GVWR and /or
GCWR. Are there any state laws against this? Or does the owner just
take the risk if they wish?”
Answer from S. B. DOWLING, Captain;
*Section 1085(d) of Title 13 California Code of Regulations prohibits
the loading of tires above the maximum load rating marked on the tire,
or if unmarked the maximum load rating as specified in the applicable
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, or in a publication furnished to
the public by the tire manufacturer. This would most likely happen in
the case of a pickup truck towing a large fifth wheel travel trailer, as
those types of trailers tend to transfer a larger portion of their
weight to the last axle of the towing unit causing that axle to exceed
the tire load limits.*
As you see in CA or any state GVWR doesn't determine how much load any truck can carry which is along the line of a 3/4 ton truck and how much pin weight it can legally carry...which is the last axle/tire load ratings of a 3/4 ton truck.
In the case of a truck pulling a trailer my state also is just like CA and uses axle/tire load rating as we have no weight for registration purposes on a non commercial vehicle.
