burningman wrote:
. . . Where you’re being mislead is on the total GVW number. It does seem reasonable to assume that’s a real number from the engineering dept indicating what the truck is safely capable of.
But it isn’t. It’s an arbitrary number slapped on so the truck fits a certain licensing classification . . .
From a purely mechanical perspective, I completely agree with you. Especially when you look at the 10,000 lb. GVWR placed on all late model 3/4-ton trucks. Does anyone really believe the Big 3 doesn't have the technology to make a 3/4-ton truck with a GVWR higher than 10,000 lbs.--lol?!
Regardless, some folks, understandably, aren't willing to take that leap of faith that common sense will play out in the event of an accident where axle ratings were met, but the GVWR may have been exceeded. What I find interesting, is that in all these years of reading these online debates about GVWR, I can't remember anyone quoting any legal precedent that established anything one way or another. Sure, there were mentions of court cases involving folks who may have been "overloaded", but no clear explanation of how the court defined being overloaded (GVWR, GCWR, RAWR, FAWR, etc). Maybe I missed it.
