Truck payload question

[RandyBell]

I work in a gravel yard and see plenty of overloaded trucks, of all makes. Unless it is really a light duty 1/2 ton they all seem to handle 1-1 1/2 tons well, 250s you can gain another 1/2 to 3/4 ton. 350s at least duallies go a bit more, I have hauled 5 ton of gravel and 2 driveway slabs of concrete on my K3500 Dually 62 miles on the freeway and other than riding smoother there really wasn't a big change. The big part of hauling a load is to keep the weight forward where it can be spread out, doing this I can haul 3/4 ton on my 01 Tacoma 4x4 the same 62 miles comfortably. The gvw on the vehicle is a safe number for acceleration and stopping under normal driving habits, hauling heavier you have to adjust this allowing more distance for stopping.

 

[jejeosborne]

I always do 3/4 full because I never let my truck go below 1/4 tank when towing. So that is right in the middle. Say you have a 30 gallon tank. Each 1/4 is 7.5 gallons @ 6# per gallon or 45#. So 3/4 tank is 135# and a full tank is 180#. Splitting hairs if you are worried about 45#. Chris

Still don't get it. I am not trying to split hairs just wanting to know a logical reason why someone would not fill the tank. What is 3/4 of a tank in the middle of? Are you saying you don't fill your truck up?

On a side note, being a fellow pilot, hopefully you treat payload calculations differently with aircraft. Just kidding.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Still don't get it. I am not trying to split hairs just wanting to know a logical reason why someone would not fill the tank. What is 3/4 of a tank in the middle of? Are you saying you don't fill your truck up?

On a side note, being a fellow pilot, hopefully you treat payload calculations differently with aircraft. Just kidding.

I just have always done it this way. No rhyme or reason. I always fill up my truck and try to never get below 1/4 tank.

No right or wrong answer here. I guess I just look at it as a 15,000# rig rolling down the road in the case of my Titan and Boat being 40# overweight at the start is not a big deal. Or my 24,000# F350 and boat being 40# overweight at the start is not a big deal either.

Kind of like max ramp weight and takeoff weight.

No, I never fly the airplanes over weight.

Chris

 

[BHD]

If your worrying about the weight of a 1/4 tank of fuel you need a larger truck.

Gasoline weighs about 6.5 pounds a gallon so say a 20 gallon tank you have 32 pounds,

so if your fretting over 30 pounds you need a better truck

 

[mikehaugen]

If your worrying about the weight of a 1/4 tank of fuel you need a larger truck.

Very true!

I had a trucker trying to tell me that at the scales you are allowed up 1000# over for fuel.

 

[aczlan]

So true, I put the insurance companies in the same spot as lawyers. No common sence and all about the $$$. Funny a 1/2 ton rated at 11k towing is legal with no trailer brakes pulling a fifthwheel but me with my gooseneck at 16k with everything functioning and safe but 3k over the manufactures RECOMMENDED tow rating is illegal. Welcome to stupidity at it's finest. Thats why the gooseneck is gone. I'll tow with my tags from now on, draws less attention. CJ

Can you show me a state where one can legally tow a 5th wheel travel trailer with no brakes?

Aaron Z

 

[Diamondpilot]

Can you show me a state where one can legally tow a 5th wheel travel trailer with no brakes?

Aaron Z

Kansas, Oregon, Wyoming, Missouri require no brakes on trailers. I am sure there are a few other states that don't require brakes also. Not smart but legal.

Massachusetts does not require them until 10,000#

Most states require them on trailers over 3000# gvwr but some are as low as 1000# like New York and North Carolina. Texas is 4500# and many states in the south like Tennessee and Georgia are 1500#

Chris

 

[CJONE]

Can you show me a state where one can legally tow a 5th wheel travel trailer with no brakes?

Aaron Z

Sure can, Diamond just did and in Michigan anything with 1 axle requires no brakes. But you are missing my point. Many times these trailers have brakes but they do not work, more people than I care to admit have no idea what a brake controller is, starting to see my point? Just because I am towing over my manufactures RECOMMEDED tow rating should not make it illegal. When I exceed the tire/axle/brake ratings then things should be illegal. Another thing if you are depending on your tow vehicle stopping your tandem or triaxle trailer then you should not be towing period. Ever wonder how a 20,000lb tractor can safely tow 140,000lbs?? The trailers do the stopping, it should be the same for everything. Just because it is legal does not make it SAFE!!! CJ

 

[Diamondpilot]

Sure can, Diamond just did and in Michigan anything with 1 axle requires no brakes. But you are missing my point. Many times these trailers have brakes but they do not work, more people than I care to admit have no idea what a brake controller is, starting to see my point? Just because I am towing over my manufactures RECOMMEDED tow rating should not make it illegal. When I exceed the tire/axle/brake ratings then things should be illegal. Another thing if you are depending on your tow vehicle stopping your tandem or triaxle trailer then you should not be towing period. Ever wonder how a 20,000lb tractor can safely tow 140,000lbs?? The trailers do the stopping, it should be the same for everything. Just because it is legal does not make it SAFE!!! CJ

Actually my towing law book states that brakes are required in Michigan on any trailer with a gvwr of 3000# or more. Granted, most single axle trailers are rated at 2999# even though they have a 3000# rated axle to skirt by the law.

About 3/4 of the states have the 3000# gvwr rule.

Chris

 

[hawkeye08]

Trucks, guns, politics, HST vs Gear, orange vs green... some very interesting comments here.

I traded up to GMC 2500 to get better towing for my 7000 lb travel trailer. My old tow rig was 1500 class, had P metric tires, very nice ride, but was not as comfortable towing as we wanted. We had tried to do both daily driver for my wife and towing and it just didn't work as well as we had hoped. We have had the truck for almost 3 years now and I enjoy towing with it. We even take it on trips without the trailer, but we have a small SUV for daily driver around town..

I tell everyone I know that is truck shopping to get the highest number (lowest gearing) rear end you can. It ups you tow rating usually and will only help gas mileage. All the trucks you are looking at probably have at least 6 speed transmission. You have plenty of overdrive in transmission and by running the lower gears (wish I had gotten 4.10 instead of 3.73) you get more use out of the 6 speeds in the transmission.

I recommend 250/2500 series for your 8500 lb trailer, unless you are also commuting with it. If you commute daily with your truck and only tow a few times per year (and not in the mountains), then you might be happier with the 150/1500 series.