I have a dot number and get stopped all the time and go across scales, etc. I have never seen them look at the door tag. Their number one priority is that you don't weigh more than you are registered for. That equals big money for them if you are. One thing I have seen them check on several occasions is that you are not over tire weight ratings. They will take and axle weight and divide it by the number of tires on the axle and see if you are under the stamped rating on the tires. I have been over the door plate numbers several times when inspected by the dot and as long as I was registered for it and tires were capable they didn't care.
What weight can my truck legally pull?
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Diamondpilot
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This is regional I guess. Across the scales they check as you stated, plated weight, but at stops they always check tires, axle ratings, GVWR of truck and trailer, tie downs, ect. They usually don't check GCWR but I know a few that have been asked to show it and even citations issued for not having that information avaliable.
It's not as bad around here the last few years ago but 3 years ago about every 5th time I pulled I got checked.
I will say condition of equipment goes a long way. Newer equipment gets a quick once over. Older stuff they always find something wrong. Even dirty trucks get it tougher than a clean rig. First impression thing!
Chris
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ZAR2USA
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Could you elaborate a little more on the registration process please. Here are pictures of what I got.
Listening to everyone, I took pictures of every item, trying to find the weakest link in the chain.
Given what I got here, how do I determine the maximum trailer weight for conventional and fifth wheel? (Exclude the trailer weight and tire ratings, since I can order as needed to be sufficiently covered and within DOT regulations).
1) I would guesstimate, my "18k ball hitch adapter" would be the limit for conventional towing, but what about the Ford table that shows 14k limit? Is it truly 14k, 18k or can the trailer be heavier since some of the weight is actually transferred to the truck axles? Can this only truly be done with weight scales then?!
2) Fifth wheel hitch limit from Ford is 18k, again what is the maximum weight, is it in excess of the 18k?
Door jam location (GVWR 11500 LB).
Door jam location.
Tire rating (3750/3415 lbs)
Tire rating (E Ply).
Factory installed hitch (19k).
Ball Hitch Adapter (18k).
Ball rating (20k).
Factory installed fifth wheel (18k).
LD1
Epic Contributor
The GVWR is 11500. The tire sticker that shows max load of 3133#
Doing the math, puts your truck weighing ~8367# empty.
I thought they used to put the GCWR on the door sticker? Guess not. But the earlier table that shows 15,700 + 8367 truck weight,I would guess your GCWR is 24k.
I would guess you can tow up to your hitches rating and not have any issues. The problem becomes what is legal? And I honestly think that is going to be different for just depending on who you get stopped by?
There are alot of laws on the books. And alot of them are not even enforced, but some are. And which ones are depends on where you are located. Sure makes it difficult.
Example, Your truck is an 11.5k GVWR. If your GVWR of the truck + GVWR of the trailer exceed 26k, Technically you need a CDL. Even though you can be towing UNDER 26K, if the truck and trailer combo are registered over 26k.....CDL.
So that would limit you to a trailer with no more than 14.5k GVWR. It would technically be illegal for you to hook to (even an empty) 20k trailer. But that is one that isnt enforced. (at least in my area.)
And just looking at the vast number of differing posts here, from members in different locations of the country, it is clear that nothing is black and white when it comes to what is legal or not.
Doing the math, puts your truck weighing ~8367# empty.
I thought they used to put the GCWR on the door sticker? Guess not. But the earlier table that shows 15,700 + 8367 truck weight,I would guess your GCWR is 24k.
I would guess you can tow up to your hitches rating and not have any issues. The problem becomes what is legal? And I honestly think that is going to be different for just depending on who you get stopped by?
There are alot of laws on the books. And alot of them are not even enforced, but some are. And which ones are depends on where you are located. Sure makes it difficult.
Example, Your truck is an 11.5k GVWR. If your GVWR of the truck + GVWR of the trailer exceed 26k, Technically you need a CDL. Even though you can be towing UNDER 26K, if the truck and trailer combo are registered over 26k.....CDL.
So that would limit you to a trailer with no more than 14.5k GVWR. It would technically be illegal for you to hook to (even an empty) 20k trailer. But that is one that isnt enforced. (at least in my area.)
And just looking at the vast number of differing posts here, from members in different locations of the country, it is clear that nothing is black and white when it comes to what is legal or not.
OP
ZAR2USA
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I hold a Class A CDL, with double trailers and Hazmat, covered there, but a valid and good point.
Wait a second. You have a class A with endorsements and you don't know the answers to your questions.....
motownbrowne
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This is by no means legal advice.
I'd think, going by what seems to be the weakest link, the ball hitch adapter at 18k, you could bumper pull an 18,000lb trailer. You could put 1800lbs, or 10% of the total trailer weight on the tongue; of course you'd need a weight distributing hitch. Your truck and all its equipment would be towing at the maximum amount possible, but I don't see why it'd be illegal as long as you don't trigger a requirement for CDL or other inspection procedure.
I don't know much about 5th wheel.
I'd think, going by what seems to be the weakest link, the ball hitch adapter at 18k, you could bumper pull an 18,000lb trailer. You could put 1800lbs, or 10% of the total trailer weight on the tongue; of course you'd need a weight distributing hitch. Your truck and all its equipment would be towing at the maximum amount possible, but I don't see why it'd be illegal as long as you don't trigger a requirement for CDL or other inspection procedure.
I don't know much about 5th wheel.
LD1
Epic Contributor
Towing an 18k trailer, would require an 18k trailer.
And 18k + 11.5k for truck = 29.5k GCWR and that is CLD territory.
You can (without CDL) legally tow a 10k load on a 14k trailer and be fine. But you cannot tow a lesser load on a bigger trailer.
I know we have had alot of these threads in the past. And to me, it is still a grey area. Every time one of these threads come up, there are different answers. And even people reciting what their local LEO's told them is different.
I have two trailers. A 10k bumper pull, and a 24k GN. I tow my 5000# tractor alot. It is my inderstanding that I would technically need a CDL A to tow that load with the larger GN, but not with the BP. My truck is 12.2k GVWR
Too much mystery around what "is" legal.
Earlier we eluded to towing a 40k load behind a 1-ton. And weather that would be legal IF the truck GVWR and GAWR was not overloaded, and the trailer was rated for it. Who knows. Sure dont sound safe. But I cannot cite a law that says its "illegal" if you are registered for it. Which I think is what it all comes down to. They dont really care weather you are safe or not. But only care weather you are paying for it VIA registration.
And 18k + 11.5k for truck = 29.5k GCWR and that is CLD territory.
You can (without CDL) legally tow a 10k load on a 14k trailer and be fine. But you cannot tow a lesser load on a bigger trailer.
I know we have had alot of these threads in the past. And to me, it is still a grey area. Every time one of these threads come up, there are different answers. And even people reciting what their local LEO's told them is different.
I have two trailers. A 10k bumper pull, and a 24k GN. I tow my 5000# tractor alot. It is my inderstanding that I would technically need a CDL A to tow that load with the larger GN, but not with the BP. My truck is 12.2k GVWR
Too much mystery around what "is" legal.
Earlier we eluded to towing a 40k load behind a 1-ton. And weather that would be legal IF the truck GVWR and GAWR was not overloaded, and the trailer was rated for it. Who knows. Sure dont sound safe. But I cannot cite a law that says its "illegal" if you are registered for it. Which I think is what it all comes down to. They dont really care weather you are safe or not. But only care weather you are paying for it VIA registration.
Diamondpilot
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Honestly none of that tells us a thing. We must look at the proper table for both types of towing in the trucks manual to determine it.
Chris
The registration process at least in Texas is simple. You can register your truck and or trailer for any weight you want. When you go to get your plates you tell them you want to specify a weight. I did this on two trucks just last week. We bought a couple 2015 f-250's and from the dealer the registration had the gross registered weight on them around 8k. I have no idea how they come up with this number but I bumped them both up to 10k. I doubt I will have more than that on the trucks.
Texas doesn't have linear fees for registration it is based off of bracketed ranges. Anything up to 10k costs the same to register which is around $70. If you go over 10k but less than 20k(guessing here not sure of exact boundary) the costs double. If you ever get stopped and they weigh you and your weight is over the registered weight be prepared to get out your wallet.
I don't know why everyone with a pickup doesn't at least register for 10k at a minimum because the cost is the same.
Texas doesn't have linear fees for registration it is based off of bracketed ranges. Anything up to 10k costs the same to register which is around $70. If you go over 10k but less than 20k(guessing here not sure of exact boundary) the costs double. If you ever get stopped and they weigh you and your weight is over the registered weight be prepared to get out your wallet.
I don't know why everyone with a pickup doesn't at least register for 10k at a minimum because the cost is the same.
