TT Weight limits: theory and reality

JIMNLIN wrote:

Of course, we are not discussing massive overloading where springs bottom out under normal driving conditions. I'm referring to overload by 10 to 20 percent of the GMVWR. From a liability perspective, it would be nuts to suggest that people overload by any amount, but I wonder from a practical point of view if there is any real evidence that a 10 to 20 percent overload is going to either damage the truck or pose a threat to the people in it. What do you think?

Liability ?? Oh boy.
I like salt free with lite butter on my popcorn. Better ice down two six packs on this topic. :B

Here's what I think.
Some RV folks worry way too much about being over a GMVWR. Who knows what it is anyway. :)
I've got over 800k mile pulling trailers commercially (legally) and never heard of a GMVWR. IMO you may mean the truck makers GVWR ?? Or is it a registered gross weight of some type ??

I also know from actual experience being over the trucks GVWR doesn't mean mule poo when we use the same truck commercially so why would using a same truck pulling a RV make any difference.

Its been my experience using the same truck commercially pulling up to 26k-32k combined I and other experienced owners/operators run up into the 200k-400k miles before major repairs start to pop up.

Its rather amusing when a poster on a RV website says "please tell us which roads you drive on ....." or "your going to kill someone" when another member is a bit over a GVWR. And they think nothing of sharing the road with a one ton dually with a dot number legally pulling a 20k-22k GN trailer with dual tandems at 35k gross combined.

Sure at some point the size trucks we use can become overloaded to the points its illegal and dangerous. Thats usually when the trucks axle/tire load limits were exceeded. I've got over 800k mile pulling trailers commercially (legally) and never heard of a GMVWR. IMO you may mean the truck makers GVWR ?? Or is it a registered gross weight of some type ??

I also know from actual experience being over the trucks GVWR doesn't mean mule poo when we use the same truck commercially so why would using a same truck pulling a RV make any difference.

Its been my experience using the same truck commercially pulling up to 26k-32k combined I and other experienced owners/operators run up into the 200k-400k miles before major repairs start to pop up.

Its rather amusing when a poster on a RV website says "please tell us which roads you drive on ....." or "your going to kill someone" when another member is a bit over a GVWR. And they think nothing of sharing the road with a one ton dually with a dot number legally pulling a 20k-22k GN trailer with dual tandems at 35k gross combined.

I've read all of the posts up to the last page and I think this is one of the best answers. Ther are a lot of other good answers but this really hits the point home. I don't think it could be said better so I won't belabor the point.

I do want to point out what I think is a fallacy though. This argurment about "having sufficient braking" to slow the trailer. Trailers have brakes for a reason (stating the obvious). If one fails to conect the plug, that is just a crash waiting to happen if not cought. Your truck brakes aren't gonna mean a hill of beans should you have to make a "pannic" stop, doesn't matter if you have a 3/4 ton or 1 ton if pulling any significant weight, even what a 1/2 ton might be at GCWR.

Here's my point, take a semi tractor & trailer. 80,000 pounds gross and 80% of that is on the trailer alone. Lose trailer brakes and that combo is like a freight train, it's already a lot to recon with when roll'n and it ain't gonna "panick stop" either, especially with out trailer brakes.

A lot more could be said but again, I think this post says a lot. In the end, one has to be comfortable in their own skin. Experience is the best teacher. Those that drive the 3/4 & 1 ton trucks in many ways come across as "superior" by virtue of having a "bigger one" (forgive me LOL). Bigger may be better but it is not always necessary nor safer as pointed out by this poster.

Last thing, can we stick to what the known ratings are? I agree, what is GMVWR? Sure, we can figure it out (I think) but the known ratings are GVWR, GAWR (front & rear) and GCWR. More than that, what else is there other than made up terms?