The confounding 3/4 ton truck...

demiles wrote:
I like to look at it in the following way. Towing safe, towing legal, and towing within manufactures limits are three different things.
Towing safe is in the head of the driver.
Towing legal are limits set by federal, state , and local govs, can apply to RVs depending.
Towing within manufactures limits are staying within GVWR, GAWR, and GCWR as set by them

All three matter for different reasons so it’s best to strive to satisfy all of them.

So do you think hotshots loose warranty for being over manufacturers GVWR, GAWR or GCWR? Do you know any RVer that has had their warranty voided for being over the manufacturers GVWR, GAWR or GCWR?

Everyone has to decide for themselves which 'ratings' define SAFE

Search for any LAW/Statute that covers GVWR/Payload Ratings....good luck with that

Easy to find DOT Laws/Statues that pertains to Axle/Tire Load Ratings.


For ME..my personal CHOICE is to use the Axle/Tire Load Ratings and NOT exceed those ratings

GVWR/Payload are NOT 'LEGAL' issues.

I like to look at it in the following way. Towing safe, towing legal, and towing within manufactures limits are three different things.
Towing safe is in the head of the driver.
Towing legal are limits set by federal, state , and local govs, can apply to RVs depending.
Towing within manufactures limits are staying within GVWR, GAWR, and GCWR as set by them

All three matter for different reasons so it’s best to strive to satisfy all of them.

You do have a horse in the race. Otherwise you wouldn’t have posted.

Some quotes from LEO Wadcutter, who is a member of this forum.

"Manufacturers do not make the law. Legislatures make the law. The sticker doesn't mean anything about what is legal to haul. It's like the tag on your mattress. It tells you what the vehicle is about.
I taught truck and vehicle law for over 20 years and was recognized by the courts in truck weights. I didn't get my knowledge by listening to some fat guy around a campfire like a lot of the 'experts' on this forum. "

"Another one who stayed at a Holiday Inn or listened to the fat guy around a campfire.
Not at all true. The above doesn't even make any sense. Weight laws apply to all vehicles on the road. Doesn't matter if private or commercial.
Does anyone think their E rated pickup tires will support 20,000 lbs on a single axle? Seriously? Do you think your pickup will haul 40,000 lbs? 20,000 is generally max axle weight limit.
Does anyone think their tandem axle 5er weighs anywhere close to 34,000 lbs? 34,000 lbs is generally the max tandem axle weight limit.
For a pickup pulling a 5er do you really think your total weight is anywhere near 74,000 lbs?
If anyone thinks they are then they really aren't too sharp on comprehending weight numbers. Think about it. I know all those big numbers confuse some people. Your ton pickup is going to weight around 8000 lbs. Your big 5er is going to weigh 15,000 lbs, maybe, most likely less. 23,000 lbs total, maybe. You're no where even close to the max axle weight limits. "

"Legal axle weights are generally 20,000 on a single axle, 34,000 on a tandem axle, and 80,000 lbs on 5 axles. Do you really think you exceed any of those weights? Seriously? All those 'big numbers' confuse people. Let's put this in perspective since people apparently have a real difficultly comprehending weights.
Look at that truck tractor semi trailer running down the road. Empty weight on that rig is going to be about 23,000 lbs.
Now look at that ton pickup with a 40 ft 5er for example. The pickup will weigh about 8000 lbs. The 5er loaded may weigh 14,000 lbs. Total weight, loaded, 22,000 lbs.
So you're loaded 5th weighs less than that empty semi truck you see on the road. That empty semi will weigh more on 1 axle than your entire ton pickup.
You think you're overloaded with E rated tires on your pickup and maybe G rated tires on your 5er? You're not even close. Your tires would never support the weight to be overweight. Overweight? Let's be realistic folks. You're not even close."

"I weighed trucks for a lot of years. I taught weight laws for a lot of years. The courts recognized my training and experience as an expert in weight laws.
You're not going to be overweight so quit worrying about it. You're not going to have to unload your wife's rock collection. No one is going to get a ticket. You're not going to jail."

The big problem is that trucks any more come with multiple trim levels and those often have different payloads and tow ratings. You need to find out the EXACT information for the EXACT vehicle you are looking at, don't just take the first number that pops up in Google.

IMHO you can't ignore any of the numbers. You are limited by the lowest value, whether that is cargo capacity, tow rating, or axle rating.