Old trucks can still tow! My numbers

[LHF2019]

For the great state of PA. Here is the breakdown. My truck is 4A or 4 on the sheet. Farm plate is cheaper. But notice for 1 or 2 they make a farmer pay more. Have to pay attention. They'll get you. You'll also notice we can pay for a 2 year registration but it's double. Not even a discount to take your money.

https://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/dvspubsforms/BMV/BMV%20Forms/mv-70s.pdf

 

[WinterDeere]

Wow. I never heard of registration options by GVW. Everywhere I’ve lived, they charge registration by private or commercial use and by truck category: 1/2, 3/4, 1 ton, ect…

Basically the same thing, as they're simply adjusting fee to GVWR. And I looked it up, the class rating is Federal, not a PA thing:

What is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)? Guide - MPC

For truck trailer manufacturing businesses, it’s important to learn the ins and outs of gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). To learn more, read our GVWR guide.

www.mpofcinci.com

PA may be unique in using vehicle class for setting registration fees, although I honestly find it hard to believe any state is charging the same fees for class IV as class I.

 

[jyoutz]

Basically the same thing, as they're simply adjusting fee to GVWR. And I looked it up, the class rating is Federal, not a PA thing:

What is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)? Guide - MPC

For truck trailer manufacturing businesses, it’s important to learn the ins and outs of gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). To learn more, read our GVWR guide.

www.mpofcinci.com

PA may be unique in using vehicle class for setting registration fees, although I honestly find it hard to believe any state is charging the same fees for class IV as class I.

It seems a bit different because you are saying they make fine distinctions between different 1/2 ton trucks?

 

[WinterDeere]

It seems a bit different because you are saying they make fine distinctions between different 1/2 ton trucks?

Good question, but I suspect all 1/2 ton trucks made today are class-II, so they probably all pay the same price. There may be some older 1/2 ton trucks that max out in class-I, but probably nothing made today. Some sites have the class-I limit listed at 5000 lb, but that last link from LHF2019 shows it at 6000 lb.

Where the waters may get a bit more muddy, is that I think you can register a vehicle lighter than it's GVWR, as long as you don't load it above registered class. This would probably only be worth it on a dedicated work truck of a higher class, where the fees are a bit higher, if you know you'll never be loading it above a certain weight. Classes 10 - 25 run $1k - $3k/year, the big boys club.

Down in 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton, these fees aren't exactly hundreds of dollars. It's close to $80/year for class-I, and just over $100/year for class-II. The total difference is $28. The big jump is going from a passenger vehicle ($37) to any pickup truck ($77 - $105, class-I / II).

Also, I was talking about fees, not fines, but I wouldn't be surprised if fines (eg. speeding tix) were also scaled with class. It would make sense to hit a heavy truck harder for excessive speed, than a sprite little Porsche 911.

 

[jyoutz]

Good question, but I suspect all 1/2 ton trucks made today are class-II, so they probably all pay the same price. There may be some older 1/2 ton trucks that max out in class-I, but probably nothing made today. Some sites have the class-I limit listed at 5000 lb, but that last link from LHF2019 shows it at 6000 lb.

Where the waters may get a bit more muddy, is that I think you can register a vehicle lighter than it's GVWR, as long as you don't load it above registered class. This would probably only be worth it on a dedicated work truck of a higher class, where the fees are a bit higher, if you know you'll never be loading it above a certain weight. Classes 10 - 25 run $1k - $3k/year, the big boys club.

Down in 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton, these fees aren't exactly hundreds of dollars. It's close to $80/year for class-I, and just over $100/year for class-II. The total difference is $28. The big jump is going from a passenger vehicle ($37) to any pickup truck ($77 - $105, class-I / II).

Also, I was talking about fees, not fines, but I wouldn't be surprised if fines (eg. speeding tix) were also scaled with class. It would make sense to hit a heavy truck harder for excessive speed, than a sprite little Porsche 911.

Are these fees in addition to the licensing/registration? Ours is just registration, no additional fees.

 

[WinterDeere]

Are these fees in addition to the licensing/registration? Ours is just registration, no additional fees.

That is the registration fee. It's not a fee in addition to the fee, it is just the cost of registering the vehicle. $37 for passenger cars, $77 for class-I trucks, $105 for class-II trucks.

I think you're getting hung up on the word "fee" or "fine". To say "just registration" and "no fees" doesn't make sense. Registration is a fee.

fee = a payment for services (e.g. vehicle registration)

fine = what you pay when you screw up (e.g. traffic ticket)

 

[D'oh]

I have owned a 2002 chevy Silverado 4.3L WT single cab long bed since new, but have never used it for anything other than normal homeowner hauling. I had access to larger trucks (rollbacks, medium wreckers) for any of my heavy needs. Over the past few years I lost access to the heavier trucks and now find myself needing to use the truck for towing. I was/am tempted to buy a newer larger truck but the sticker prices chase me off.

For recent projects I have acquired a Bobcat 743 skid loader. (just what every suburban homeowner needs!) I recently started moving and towing the loader and just decided to dive into the data to see how safe or unsafe the rig is in respect to towing...boy was I surprised.

This is all at home DYI weights with a set of portable scales; which are out of their calibration date--but still seem accurate but are close enough for good directional info.
The truck does not have stated tow rating like modern trucks on the door, just GVWR and axle capacities. GVWR is 6400lbs, the front axle is rated at 3150lbs, and rated at 3686 lbs. I am cheap and have the truck registered for 5000lbs for cheaper registration, instead of the 6400 lbs.

Details
Trailer 14' 10,000 Hudson equipment trailer it weighs in about 1950 -2000lbs; 1000lbs on each axle ~200lbs tounge weight
Skid loader 1987 Bobcat 743 weighs 5150lbs with bucket and forks.
Truck unlaiden is ~4700 lbs. ~2550 lbs on the front, and~2150 rear.

Loaded is what makes me happy for a lowly optioned WT with a little N/A V6 in it. This is with a weight distribution hitch but not optimally adjusted.
Trailer is ~6560lbs. 3350 front, 3200 rear; ~600 lbs tounge weight.
The truck weight in 5200 lbs. 2600 front and 2600lbs rear.
Granted I am slightly above my registered 5.2 k vs 5k eight but only by ~4%

if I follow the numbers if I were to totally load the trailer to it's 10k limit, my truck could haul it within it's ratings. Each trailer axle would be ~5k, and my truck would add ~ 1000 lbs to it's curb weight at (4700+1000)5700lbs. Granted I would be over my registered limit of 5k but I would still be within the door GWVR of 6400lbs.

Overall not bad for an ol' work truck. I don't think I need a new shiny toy since this can safely tow what I need as a homeowner.

Your Numbers leave out 1 Important Fact. GCWR. (Gross Combination Weight Rating)

Your 2002 1500WT V6 Be it a 4x4 Automatic (highest Tow Rating) 3.73 Ratio, has a 5300lb Tow Rating. Manual or 2wd is Lower.

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Your Trailer is 1950lbs Empty, the BobCat another 5150lbs, leaving you -1800lbs before adding a Driver, Chains, and Equipment