[sbbtmatt]

I am looking at both the Ford and Dodge class 5 truck. I was just wondering if there is any reason the GCW on the dodge is 7k lower than the Ford. Is it purely for CDLs, is it not to compete with Freightliner, or is there a week point of the truck keeping it that low?

My other question is for all the guys hauling and dealing with the DOTs BS. What do you have your trucks registered at and how are you weighing out at the scales. Do the DOT boys give you a hard time for being over the factory GCWR?

My last question is what are the possible legal issues of going over the factory GCWR? If god forbid there were to be an accident and the truck is towing 21k 3k over the rating would insurance not pay up. Could I be sued? arrested?

 

[skirsman]

i think is have to be related to the diff capacity

 

[redfuel]

If your trailer is over 10,001 gvw you got to have a class A cdl. If your truck is over 10,000 gvw you got to have a medical card. Its just a card saying that you are physically capable of driving a vehicle over that weight. Just a bunch of extra junk to clutter your wallet. I get into alot of arguments about if you should have these certifications. but once the DOT guys see i got them they usually let me go. I got a class 5 sticker on my truck just because its as light as I could go I usually never tow over a 16,000 trailer plus my truck which is somewhere around 7300 so thats 23,300 GCW and they leave me alone

 

[pepsi71ocean]

Its just how much money they want from you, All DOT cares about is that you pay for what you run. I can register my 08 for 30,000 GCWR so i can tow a 20,000 lbs 5th wheel camper, and be "legal"

I haven't done it because it costs to much, but haven't had any issues with DOT or the police.

 

[Rhyno]

When did the weight requirements change for the Drivers License?

It used to be a CDL was required if you had a combination of things. You had to have two or more of the following. An example was 26,001 pounds (16,001 in some states) or more, air brakes, 9 passengers or more, certain amounts of Haz mats, certain lengths, etc.

-Rhyno

 

[bloodyknuckles]

rhyno you are correct if it is a combination over 26001 lbs with air brakes you need a cdl class a

 

[Carl L]

I am looking at both the Ford and Dodge class 5 truck. I was just wondering if there is any reason the GCW on the dodge is 7k lower than the Ford. Is it purely for CDLs, is it not to compete with Freightliner, or is there a week point of the truck keeping it that low?

My other question is for all the guys hauling and dealing with the DOTs BS. What do you have your trucks registered at and how are you weighing out at the scales. Do the DOT boys give you a hard time for being over the factory GCWR?

My last question is what are the possible legal issues of going over the factory GCWR? If god forbid there were to be an accident and the truck is towing 21k 3k over the rating would insurance not pay up. Could I be sued? arrested?

Stick within tire and axle ratings and close to GCWR and you'll be okay. There's no weakness in the Dodge or GM trucks which stops them being capable at 33kGCWR, it's all about licensing costs and regs.

DOT weigh axles and check tires so you'll be just fine with 21k instead of 18k on a 1.5 tonner. The ones they want are guys in 1500-series trucks towing 15k campers, not you.

Think about it, every sedan on the road loaded up with a family and luggage is over its GVWR and most Ford Explorer's towing a U-haul trailer are over their GCWR. Pickup trucks are passenger vehicles too as much as many on here would like to believe they are driving a Peterbilt.

Where the weight argument changes is if you're commercial. If so, I'd follow all sticker ratings to the nearest pound.

 

[LaFrance454]

I got my truck registered at 13k and the trailer 13k. I do hot shot and haul alot of trucks and heavy things and mostly all the time Im over weight. I do get stopped alot and questioned about my weight by D.O.T and even town cops belive it or not.

 

[LittleOleHotShotter]

Registered for 36,000 on my 1 ton!! I come close to that alot. Once in awhile I get asked for papers on the scales but always get the go ahead. Crap, 99% of the time, I get the bypass on the scales. As for local cops in towns in stuff, they never even bother me. But then again, my trucks are all lettered up so I look legal too!!

 

[Jcard]

Scale I pass all the time only cares about axle and tire ratings. Stickers on my trucks only state GVW not GCVW.
Both brands will pack the weight and more.

 

[sbbtmatt]

I test drove the Ford F550 today and was very impressed. The thing rode horrible but it was a bare unloaded chassis cab. It felt like I was driving my 6500 GMC, definitely heavier than my 3500 Rams. The turning radius was amazing too. I just need to test drive the Dodge 5500 now, no dealer near me has them though!