Skalleknull
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Re: Actual federal weight law rules, some questions and answers
gdavidg wrote: _Adam_ wrote: Two things... First... editted... Wasn't inteded to start a flame war. Second... I have a dodge truck and the RAWR on the door jamb sticker is far less than what the actual manufacturer specifies to to be - In this situation, who is the manufacturer, Dodge or AAM, and whose specification is right or most correct? what is AAM and where do I go to look at the axle rating for my 3500 srw 2010 Dodge diesel? Who are the regulating authorities in the State of Washington for commercial vehicles? Thanks for your input,. AAM 11.5" is between 11k and 12k from AAM. Dodge derates it for a number of reasons. Two main reasons is Hardware around it and Marketing (Gives them room to grow as the competition grows). The AAM 11.5" is used on Dodge 2500, 3500 SRW, and 3500 DRW. GM uses a 14bolt that is basically the same axle.631Views0likes0CommentsRe: Keystone Raptor axles/tires rating
The way it reads on the website is that "It was Proposed". I believe that is why it is not enforced. Its not a law. What the change was that the Load Carrying Capacity (Payload) must be on teh GVWR sticker, Manufacturer selected tire size with matching tire, and that any options added effecting the weight must have the GVWR sticker revised reflecting the new dry weight and payload capabilities (But that has not been the case) 1. NPRM--In the NPRM, We proposed to amend FMVSS No. 120 to require that the sum of the GAWRs of all the axles on a motor home and that the sum of the GAWRs of all the axles on a ``travel trailer'' plus the ``tongue load rating'' not be less than the GVWR of each respective vehicle. We noted that the proposed requirement would not prevent individual tires on motor homes and ``travel trailers'' from being overloaded. That leads me to believe it has not been passed, only propose. Mind you if this would pass this is only concerning Motor Homes and Travel Trailers . With that being said is a 5th wheel RV even considered a "Travel Trailer". Could they be referring to only bumper pulled trailers?? But what you are saying it states it but I think something is missing. Because Manufacturers dont like to break Federals Laws that can lead to public civil lawsuits. If this is the case, this would extremely expose to said manufacturers of RV's to lawsuits. SO either this was only proposed and never passed or it only pertains to Motor Homes and Bumper Pull RV. This is no different then needing a Non-CDL Class A for GCWR of 26,001 or higher on some rigs. People believe they are immune because they tow a RV. Weight is weight and it does not matter who is driving for what reason. I wish the Law would crack down on it. I have way less faith in people that tow RV's then anybody else that is on the road towing legally. But I am going to look into this more. But thank you for showing me that website. It is alot easier to read then the one I was reading earlier today about it.761Views0likes0CommentsRe: Keystone Raptor axles/tires rating
GVWR and GAWR are two totally different numbers. The FMVSS 571 does not mandate the GAWR and GVWR be the same thing. The GVWR is the maximum weight that the Chassis of said vehicle is allowed. This includes the Pin/Tongue Weight, Axle Weight, and/or If resting on the front jacks those weights as well. Because the GVWR (Also referred to as GTWR being that we are referring to a trailer) is a shared weight with the Tow Vehicle and the Trailer Axles it can/will differ from the GAWR. Most Triple axle RV such as Toy Haulers have a Chassis rated for 18,000lb, which is why they have a GVWR of 18k. Being that they also use 6k axles the GAWR also is a 18k GAWR. This is very common for trailers to have matching GAWR and GVWR. Toy Haulers are allowed to go up to 25% over the GAWR to identify what the GVWR is. Now that is not a governed number but a sort of "rule of thumb" As that weight will be transfered to the TV through the Pin. I just sold a 35ft gooseneck that carried a 25,900 GVWR and only had (2) 12k axles under it. But like I said, there is no mandate that forces the GAWR to match the GVWR. IF that was true you would see the Logistics/Trucking Companies go on strike in the US. Matter of fact my GVWR and GAWR are both 14,000 on my trailer. Which is incorrect. Heartland is sending me a new Sticker that reflects the correct GVWR of 16,000. Look at Landmark trailers, they all have (2) 7klb axles and carry a 16,250 GVWR Yes, All of these trailers handle their portion of the GVWR. IT is utterly impossible to apply 100% of the GVWR to the trailer axles. There is always going to be shared weight. It will either be through the Hitch if connected to a TV or on the Jacks if unhitched from a TV. It is up to you to load a trailer properly in order to meet the weight requirements over the axle and over the hitch for even weight distribution. Now some trailers manufacturers purposely match the GVWR and GAWR because of weight distribution and payload can very a large amount. Such as a Cattle trailer (Stock Trailer). These are trailers that tend to be overloaded. Carrying a matched GVWR/GAWR will help prevent that Here is a simple website to help understand the difference between GVWR and GAWR GVWR definition761Views0likes0CommentsRe: Keystone Raptor axles/tires rating
mneibuhr wrote: Hello, sorry for such a long post. But I have some serious concerns about trailer axle and tire weight ratings. I have a 2011 Keystone Raptor 300mp. Recently while on only the 2nd trip with this, I had 3 tire issues. first was a leak on the passenger side rear axle that a tire dealer patched. Second was a "tread separation" on the driver side rear axle, that was unable to be repaired. Two days after getting a replacement tire, it also started losing air. Turns out that the rim had a small crack/defect that was slowly leaking. The crack was approximately 1 inch in length almost dead center on the inner hub and almost impossible to see. Tire shop said it was probably a manufacturing defect. Wheel was ultimately replaced under warranty. Needless to say, I got very proficient in changing tires. I also started paying attention to tires and axle weight ratings. Dry weight is approx. 11,250 lbs, 3,150 lbs for cargo etc. and a hitch weight of around 2400lbs. During my troubles the trailer had two harleys in it (1500lbs) virtually no water (110 gal cap), waste tanks empty and the 30 gallon fuel tank with 3-5 gallons. Hardly fully loaded in my opinion. After the troubles, I went across a Cat Scale and the trailer axles were 12,156 lbs. The problem is the axles are 6000 lb GAWR and the tires are 235 80 R16 E rated for 3050 lbs each. According to the specs, I am not anywhere near fully loaded, but the math isn't working for me. This seems like a serious problem. Am I missing something? thanks Mark What you have forgotten about when weighing the Trailer Axle. Is the weight of the four tires and rims is also added to the 12,156lbs. The weight of the wheel/tires are not being carried by the axle. A Towmax 235.80.16 E weighs 36lbs to give you an idea of tire weight. rim is probably good for about 20lbs. You just need to be sure that the tires are rated to handle 12,160lbs. If your GVWR is 14,000lb or 14,500lb then the 6klb axles are perfectly fine. Toy Haulers GVWR is figured with a King Pin Weight of 20-25% of the GTW. As GVWR is the total weight that will be applied on the Chassis, Bumper to Bumper. Includes the King Pin weight.761Views0likes0Comments
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