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shum02 wrote:

Nvr2loud wrote:

Dog Trainer wrote:

Nvr2loud wrote:
Capable and legal are two different words.

Obviously any 1/2 ton can pull up to it's maximum rated weight provided that tongue weight, payload, max axle ratings, and combined vehicle weight ratings are not exceeded.

GENERALLY speaking I have found that most 1/2 ton trucks can pull about 6000 lbs maximum travel trailer with the proper WDH. Obviously some can pull much less, others can pull much more.. but 6K is a pretty good rule of thumb.

So please explain where it is illegal to tow The average and maybe not so average TT with a 1/2 ton. Remember that towing beyond the stated maximum of the door sticker is not illegal. Maybe not smart but not illegal.

Let me understand your question... are you suggesting that exceeding the maximum axle rating on ANY vehicle is legal?

I can't speak for every state, but here in Ontario the door sticker is the bible for the weight police (Ministry of Transportation Roadside Inspection). Only the original equipment manufacturer (GM, Ford, Dodge, Toyota, ect) or an upfitter that starts with an incomplete vehicle (specialty shops that create customized for work, disabilities, special vehicles) can create / rate the vehicles final axle ratings. The addition of any device (extra springs, air bags, ect) by any person or business can not increase the maximum axle ratings. The only effective way to increase payload, is to decrease existing weight (removing bumpers, back seats, spare tires, ect)

In Ontario, you can and you will get a ticket for exceeding any axle rating.

For a private citizen towing a RV, not for business? Never happen, regardless of being illegal or not. If that was the case every minivan in Brampton would have to be pulled over on a Saturday afternoon and tagged/towed away. Private cars and trucks are constantly overloaded.

I stay away from Long Weekend MTO RV inspection blitz's. Usually a bunch of auxiliary OPP officers with no clue about what it is they are looking for outside of obvious vehicle defects. Been through one, 2 hours of my life I'll never get back and it killed my Friday evening :M

I agree that the probability of a private citizen being asked to weigh the vehicle(s) while travelling in Ontario is very slim (I also have only had to do that once in my private truck) and much more likely in a commercial vehicle (that happened several times to me) however the argument is about legality, not probability.

I have a 2011 Sierra 4x4 Crew Cab rated to pull 9500 lbs, with available payload of 1420 lbs. Once I hook-up my 6006 lb trailer, my wife, my three young children (roughly 60, 50, and 35 lbs), bikes, dog, and firewood.... I have exceeded my 1420 lb payload by a little bit and am over the rear axle rating. I'm not afraid of getting caught, and I'm not very concerned that I will have a massive mechanical failure due to the slight over-loading.

What I said in my original statement was CAPABLE (clearly my truck is capable since I do it without any issues) and LEGAL are two different words. If I was involved in a serious incident, my overloading MAY be held against me legally. Not likely, but possible.

Since it appears that most 1/2 ton trucks fall in the payload range of around 1200 - 1600 lbs (with extreme exceptions above and below) and a 6000 lb travel trailer uses approx 800 lbs of that payload (plus hitch component weight)then it is generally true that 6000 lbs is the average limit. Reduce weight in the truck, and increase trailer max weight or vice-versa and reduce max trailer weight.