air bags on truck

[beaudin12]

We were told that by adding air bags to our truck we could pull a 5th wheel that is heavier than the manufacturers recommendations. Does anyone know about this? We have been told by more than one RV dealership that this is so.

[dfb]

On the same note, not to be sexist. However if 6 fat chicks are in a small Toyota, and kill someone,will you go after them for being "overloaded?".i have discussed this issue with my agent. They don't care how much you weigh.. The manufacturer does for your warranty. But no insurance company cares. Personally, we are not overloaded.dodge cummins 3500 dually. 4:10s six speed stick.. Gvwr of 12200... Gcvwr of 23000 lbs,,, tow capacity of 15250....I tow 59 mph.. Now if the gentleman family hit us and killed us... I'd sue! Wait a second,,, that does not make sense..LOL

[magic43]

I first put airbags on a 2002 Toyota Tundra, and now have them on an F250. Put cattle feed, fertilizer, or seed in the back....level it up. Hook up to a trailer of firewood....level it up. Load the truck camper....level it up.

They do not change the Manufacturer's specs. but they do level it up.

[SH]

Just got mine...looking forward to installing during Spring Break! 🙂

[Cummins12V98]

Ok you win.

[drfife]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
...Yup and when a death is involved it's easy to win. If Joe RVer has a 250/2500 SRW and he installs air bags and 19.5's and tows my Mobile Suites that weighs over 20K there is enough evidence that proves his TV was not up to the task to begin with. My example does exist they are out there every day.

Anyway this is a no win argument on here but I really suggest people quit putting bandaids on their TV's and get the proper TV to match their RV choice.

Please post verifiable court cases of deaths and accidents caused by overloaded, non-commercial, RV tow vehicles.

Lots of fear mongering spouted on the forums.

No verifiable facts provided by these fear mongerers.

[Allworth]

Popcorn!

Popcorn!

Get your popcorn here!

[Cummins12V98]

Bionic Man wrote:

drfife wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
...Well Sir if you are over your weight ratings and you kill one of my family members I will drain your insurance coverage then I will go after you personally. And I will win and you will have nothing.

So if you want to play roulette by towing over your limits you better have a huge umbrella policy.

There is no way you could prove it in court.

You can try that tactic regardless of the weight of the rig. You might win. You might not. I have never seen, nor heard of an actual first hand account where being over the manufactures rated weight created a larger settlement.

Welcome to America, where people can, and will, sue over just about anything.

Yup and when a death is involved it's easy to win. If Joe RVer has a 250/2500 SRW and he installs air bags and 19.5's and tows my Mobile Suites that weighs over 20K there is enough evidence that proves his TV was not up to the task to begin with. My example does exist they are out there every day.

Anyway this is a no win argument on here but I really suggest people quit putting bandaids on their TV's and get the proper TV to match their RV choice.

[rhagfo]

drfife wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
...Well Sir if you are over your weight ratings and you kill one of my family members I will drain your insurance coverage then I will go after you personally. And I will win and you will have nothing.

So if you want to play roulette by towing over your limits you better have a huge umbrella policy.

There is no way you could prove it in court.

Fault would also have to be proven first.

What did you use to tow with your 12V???

[Bionic_Man]

drfife wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
...Well Sir if you are over your weight ratings and you kill one of my family members I will drain your insurance coverage then I will go after you personally. And I will win and you will have nothing.

So if you want to play roulette by towing over your limits you better have a huge umbrella policy.

There is no way you could prove it in court.

You can try that tactic regardless of the weight of the rig. You might win. You might not. I have never seen, nor heard of an actual first hand account where being over the manufactures rated weight created a larger settlement.

Welcome to America, where people can, and will, sue over just about anything.

[Paul_Clancy]

Better call Saul.

[drfife]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
...Well Sir if you are over your weight ratings and you kill one of my family members I will drain your insurance coverage then I will go after you personally. And I will win and you will have nothing.

So if you want to play roulette by towing over your limits you better have a huge umbrella policy.

There is no way you could prove it in court.

[Cummins12V98]

dfb wrote:

krazymatt wrote:
Depending on your tow vehicle there's probably no doubt that it will pull it especially if its' a diesel but the problem arises if you get in an accident where someone gets hurt or killed and the lawyers will have a field day with you for negligence.

Not true! Insurance pays if the fault is yours. No regards to weight. If the other party is at fault, the weight of your vehicle is not relevant. In either case, you and your vehicles are insured. The only issue is who is at fault. Weight is not an issue. Where does thus stuff come from?

Well Sir if you are over your weight ratings and you kill one of my family members I will drain your insurance coverage then I will go after you personally. And I will win and you will have nothing.

So if you want to play roulette by towing over your limits you better have a huge umbrella policy.

[wandering1]

beaudin12 wrote:
We were told that by adding air bags to our truck we could pull a 5th wheel that is heavier than the manufacturers recommendations. Does anyone know about this? We have been told by more than one RV dealership that this is so.

You have been told wrong!!! You are legally responsible for having an adequate tow vehicle. RVers with inadequate tow vehicles involved in accidents where there were injuries have ended up in jail with felony charges. The only thing that will stand up in court is the manufacturers tow specifications, not dealership or personal opinions.

[JIMNLIN]

beaudin12 wrote:
We were told that by adding air bags to our truck we could pull a 5th wheel that is heavier than the manufacturers recommendations. Does anyone know about this? We have been told by more than one RV dealership that this is so.

Its done every day. BUT...the devil is in the details. Much depends on the size of the truck/year model/engine/tranny/etc. Half ton trucks are very limited in how much weight they can safely carry.

However adding bags is like adding more springs to the rear suspension ...and you will need to upgrade tires and wheels also.

Check out our truck camper forum as those guys know how to safely mod a truck to carry more weight plus weight police types aren't as noisy.
Its common to add more rear suspension/19.5" wheels and tires to a 3/4 or one ton truck to carry more weight but not exceed the axle ratings.

I hauled commercially legally with several different one ton DRW trucks. We kept air bags on all the 4wd models to keep the truck level. Many 4wd one ton DRW sit level and sag a bit when weight is added. A sagging truck draws dots attention around a scale house so its easier to add air to keep the truck level.

Air bags threads are a hoot on a rv forum.