Overweight

[Tractorganic]

I took my 10K trailer to the public scale loaded up with TC40D, BH, chains & binders, and with the bucket & forks in the dump bed of my Fuso FG140 (GVWR: 14050; GCVWR: 17040). Weighed in @ 18930, almost 1 ton over. I can trim down by removing components e.g. bucket & forks, side board and tail gate, maybe even go w./ lighter chains & binders (grade 120 is half the weight) and as last resort drop the BH (1000 lbs.) but; I'd have a real hard time loading this stuff for a second trip after dropping off the tractor 'cuz I have no hoist or gantry. Any Ideas?
I really worry that even if I get the GCVW down below 17040, CT. D.O.T.d still find me over even when empty, since the trailer plate is rated 10K.

 

[JB4310]

I don't get it it, your truck's gvw is 14,050 but you GCWR is only 17,040? My 3500 Ram's GVW is only 12,500 but my GCWR is 23,000!
I'm not that familiar with the Fuso's but something doesn't add up.
One issue for sure is the 18,000 lb threshold that you are over, making it required that you get a CDOT number, with $750,000 min liability, med card and log journal kept when operating over the 18K. If your using it for business at any time.
JB,

 

[Builder]

My state doesn't require a DOT # unless I'm in interstate commerce. Since I'm intrastate commerce, I'm not required to have one.

You GCWR does seem out of whack. Should be higher.

 

[dgl24087]

Those are the numbers from Mitsubishi's website: http://www.mitfuso.com/pdf/07_FG140.pdf

 

[john_bud]

Those are the numbers from Mitsubishi's website: http://www.mitfuso.com/pdf/07_FG140.pdf

Yeah, but what's on the plate in the vehicle? Odd as it may seem, companies do put out more than one version of the same vehicle....

jb

 

[dgl24087]

Yeah, but what's on the plate in the vehicle? Odd as it may seem, companies do put out more than one version of the same vehicle....

jb

True, but the FG140, as per the Mitsubishi web site, is available in only one configuration. The OP has an FG140.

 

[john_bud]

True, but the FG140, as per the Mitsubishi web site, is available in only one configuration. The OP has an FG140.

Well, then it looks like he has his work cut out getting the total weight down!

It is wierd that they only have a combined total of 3000ish over the truck alone. I would still like to have a peek at the tag in the truck as the mitsu site also lists "specs subject to change" in the fine print. And who trusts the marketing types that put those slick glossies together?

It is a neat looking rig that's for sure, but it would about scream "commercial". Don't know how the CT boys in blue are about that, but most east coast cops are pretty hard butt about stuff with all the "guff" they take daily.

jb

 

[em14]

As I thought about the GCVWR as compared to GVWR it looked to me as though the MFG ( Mitsubishi ) doesn't want trailers pulled by this truck!
Leo

 

[JB4310]

As I thought about the GCVWR as compared to GVWR it looked to me as though the MFG ( Mitsubishi ) doesn't want trailers pulled by this truck!
Leo

Yup, that's what it looks like and after looking at the specs I think I may know why.
Like most Japanese vehicles these things are known for being extremely efficient and reliable, and have a pretty high GVW compared to it's curb weight and engine output.
But that may be the limiting factor, it's engine's power output. It's only a 4.9 liter 4 cylinder 147 HP and 347 TQ.

It would probably blow away all our domestic trucks in efficiency up to it's 14,050 lbs GVW but leaves very little in reserve for anything else (heavy trailer towing).
When these trucks first came on the scene they were all small box delivery vehicles, which they're perfect for, only fairly recently have they become popular with contractors, they'll just have to start putting bigger engines in some as an option.
JB,

 

[FredH]

Geez , What a toy . Need something more along the lines of this .







Fred H.

 

[drtydeed]

Your GCWR doesn't surprise me at all. Mine is GVWR of 15K, and I'm told that my GCWR is somewhere around 19K. I can not find my GCWR anywhere, including several calls to GMC. They are assembled as chassis/cab, so GVWR is listed, not GCWR. Therefore, when I registered it, I did not assign a GCWR value.

I guess we'll see what happens if I get pulled over.

 

[Tractorganic]

If "toy" classification means I don't need DOT numbers, I'll take it; besides, mine's got 4x4, gets 12mpg and cost only $47K and is not for business, just farm related stuff e.g. I need cross the border into NY. for 3yds. organic compost/topsoil mix and don't want to get busted on the way back for possession of manure with intent to distribute. I checked out that FedDotRegquiz website and it seems to want to include (suck in) everyone. I have commercial plates but am not in business and do not haul for $ or barter.
Anyway, the plate inside the truck door says exactly what the Fuso site says but there is no mention of the 17045 GCVWR, neither does my registration. My intention is to stay within weight restrictions thus the post.
I ordered a hydraulic hanging scale 2000lb. range so I can parse out components to stay under but; like I said, I'll need to make more trips and don't know how I'll load up once I drop off the tractor.

 

[Builder]

Guys, remember that only your trucks' actual weight counts against you. So if you have a truck with a GVWR of 15,000 lbs and a GCWR of 22,000lbs, it doesn't mean you're limited to a 7,000lb trailer. It means if your truck actually weighs 10,000lbs at the time you're pulled over, you have a limit of 12,000 lbs for the trailer.

dyrtydeed,

I think you'd be more like 23-24K. That's a heavy duty truck you have there with plenty of available pin weight!

 

[drtydeed]

I think you'd be more like 23-24K. That's a heavy duty truck you have there with plenty of available pin weight!

Yeah, I know. Rear axle GAWR is 11K. Truck weighs 10K. Trouble is it's got a stock 6.5L TD. I'm sure the 5.13's help, but I need to lose the "Kitty" and run a 4" exhaust.

It needs to earn it's keep since I just bought it before it get's any mods...

 

[Builder]

Yeah, I know. Rear axle GAWR is 11K. Truck weighs 10K. Trouble is it's got a stock 6.5L TD. I'm sure the 5.13's help, but I need to lose the "Kitty" and run a 4" exhaust.

It needs to earn it's keep since I just bought it before it get's any mods...

Engine power is actually a small factor. Brakes, springs, frame strength are the big factors. I've had 185hp medium duty dumps that are rated to pull a full size backhoe.

Wow, she weighs 10K empty? More than I thought.

 

[Renze]

As I thought about the GCVWR as compared to GVWR it looked to me as though the MFG ( Mitsubishi ) doesn't want trailers pulled by this truck!
Leo

Most 4x4 trucks i know in Europe, have a lower tow rating than their 2wd brothers... 4wd puts bigger strain on the drive components because wheelspin isnt a torque limiting factor on the driveline anymore.

 

[JB4310]

Engine power is actually a small factor. Brakes, springs, frame strength are the big factors. I've had 185hp medium duty dumps that are rated to pull a full size backhoe.

Normally those are the safety limiting factors, the factors that keep the truck in control of the trailer, but that truck is only a 4 cylinder, like you said his truck is pretty heavy duty so in this case IMO it has to be a power limit factor.
Our little 3/4 ton domestic pick ups pull 5 ton trailers no problem, but some of them have a full 2 times the engine power output than that 4 cylinder.

Tractorganic,
How did your truck pull when loaded up to that 18,930 pounds, I'm sure it wasn't a speed demon but was it able to safely get out of it's own way? I think in your case being over on the GCWR, there wont be the issue of slowing the load down and controlling it but more getting it moving, like pulling hills and merging into traffic.
John,

 

[Tractorganic]

I live on a steep hill too tough for bicyclists. The truck and trailer brakes had no problem going down hill on the ride to the CAT scale w./ 18k+ gross. Across the CT River I have to climb a long steep grade to Rt. 9 and I crawled down to 40 in the 50 zone. After that pretty smooth sailing at 60 down 9 to 95 west to the Branford TA scales. On the return I used flashers once when I bogged down to 50 on a highway hill.
I made a run West on I-84 with a significantly lighter load (about 5k gross) of a car on this trailer so I could drop the Fuso and trailer at the dealer for work and drive the car home. Those I-84 hills are a killer and I used flashers a lot, but so were other rigs.
By the way home to dealer is 80 miles and if I had CT farm plates I'd be limited to 50 mile range to dealer so I'd have to put the Fuso on a trailer to stay legal!

 

[john_bud]

If "toy" classification means I don't need DOT numbers, I'll take it; besides, mine's got 4x4, gets 12mpg and cost only $47K and is not for business, just farm related stuff e.g. I need cross the border into NY. for 3yds. organic compost/topsoil mix and don't want to get busted on the way back for possession of manure with intent to distribute. I checked out that FedDotRegquiz website and it seems to want to include (suck in) everyone. I have commercial plates but am not in business and do not haul for $ or barter.
Anyway, the plate inside the truck door says exactly what the Fuso site says but there is no mention of the 17045 GCVWR, neither does my registration. My intention is to stay within weight restrictions thus the post.
I ordered a hydraulic hanging scale 2000lb. range so I can parse out components to stay under but; like I said, I'll need to make more trips and don't know how I'll load up once I drop off the tractor.

Given what you wrote, you NEED USDOT numbers.

The federal government has proclaimed that 10,001 pounds and over means you need the numbers for commercial.

You have commercial plates - you're commercial -> duh. Try telling the smiling man in blue your are personal only with commercial plates. Let us know how that one turns out!

You are doing "Farm related stuff" - that's commercial by definition.... but might just might have an exclusion from the USDOT number BS.

You are crossing state lines. Any farm exclusion is lost when crossing state lines as federal and not state statutes apply.


Good luck!

jb

 

[Rara Avis]

If "toy" classification means I don't need DOT numbers, I'll take it; besides, mine's got 4x4, gets 12mpg and cost only $47K and is not for business, just farm related stuff e.g. I need cross the border into NY. for 3yds. organic compost/topsoil mix and don't want to get busted on the way back for possession of manure with intent to distribute. I checked out that FedDotRegquiz website and it seems to want to include (suck in) everyone. I have commercial plates but am not in business and do not haul for $ or barter.
Anyway, the plate inside the truck door says exactly what the Fuso site says but there is no mention of the 17045 GCVWR, neither does my registration. My intention is to stay within weight restrictions thus the post.
I ordered a hydraulic hanging scale 2000lb. range so I can parse out components to stay under but; like I said, I'll need to make more trips and don't know how I'll load up once I drop off the tractor.

Why exactly do you have commercial plates?

Because like John Bud says...you are a dead duck if you are stopped...