GCWR ratings & limitations

[rskeans]

I have a '14 RAM CC DRW 6.7L 4x4. We just sold our truck camper 'cause the DW wants her 5er again. Looking seriously at the 36RL.

I live in CA but the unit will be registered in AZ. Have a house there also. The RAM is very heavy due to a 70 gal replacement fuel tank, xtra overload springs, and 5th wheel tool box.

In CA I have to get a Class A endorsement on my DL for anything over 15000#. It's actually worse in AZ since they require that the GVWR of the Truck and 5ver be added to not exceed 26000# or else a true CDL is required. It is conceivable that my GCW could exceed 26,000 with the RW 36RL.

My question is what kind of problems, if any, have the users had with any on the road weigh stations or traffic stops where the officer checks the GVWR of both the tow vehicle and the RV.

[Titan Guy]

12 states, 7,000 miles since May. No issues at all. I am heavy, right at 26,000 GCW.

[atom ant]

None here - but I don't get out some some of the full timers.

I'm 26,300 - and technically should not exceed 45 mph on some of the mountain passes as I learned this year by passing a sign on Wolf Creek.

[Dave&Ginny]

I have mine loaded down to 26,500 and I haven't had any problems at all. I've been almost coast to coast. Don't stop at weight stations unless your told to.

[Oriana]

We are below 24,000 lbs and have completed 10,000 miles up and down the West Coast and completely across country. Been through CA & AZ and never been stopped or asked to go to a weigh station.

[piper guy]

Same here. I'm at 26,400 and have towed over 13,000 miles and never been looked at. To my knowledge, RV's are not required to stop at weigh stations.

[mhs4771]

Same here approx 26500 give or take a little, depending on what we have packed. Left Florida in early May, Been across the Northern States, up to Alaska, down the West Coast, now traveling around the South West and have never been checked. Plus, weight is not included on Florida Reg for the RW and the TV is Reg'd at 14999 Lbs, and I have removed the sticker from the side of the RW since RW would not issue me a new one to account for the increased capacity of the Mor/ryde IS.

[rskeans]

Many thanks for all of your inputs. I'm uncomfortable pushing the limits. I'll just have to play dumb. I won't have to work very hard doing that.

[Titan Guy]

You should be within limits. Rear axle GAWR is 9,750 and you should come in around 7,500. GCWR is 30,000 and you should be prox 26,500.

[almcc]

I've been hauling 5th wheel RV's since the late 1980's and I haven't been stopped once for a weight check, our travels include an annual trip across the US from Canada and back and have included trips down the pacific coast of Mexico (where we've been stopped for other kinds of checks!).

I have heard that in British Columbia the police are stopping RVers and checking vehicle weights, but I believe that they are looking for folks with the truck's GCWR lower than what they are hauling (i.e: overloaded). It makes sense in the Rockies.

Andy can confirm.

[Oriana]

Al,

Haven't seen an RV being stopped, but we have lots of mobile commercial inspectors that set up temporary stops for commercial vehicles. They pull them over, weigh each tire and inspect the brakes. Often see many trucks taken off the road at these stops. But haven't seen them pull an RV over, yet.

[atom ant]

We have those too Andy - they can be set up in about an hour, and move around for random pullover sites. But no RVs.

I actually pulled into a weigh station years ago to see if they would weigh me, and I got chewed out and sent on my way

[rskeans]

Originally Posted by Titan Guy

You should be within limits. Rear axle GAWR is 9,750 and you should come in around 7,500. GCWR is 30,000 and you should be prox 26,500.

Saw your post this morning but had to head toward LAX. About 100 miles to the West. Your comment on the GCWR being 30,000 seemed incorrect. So, I searched the truck's door panels and there is no mention of GCWR. I pulled out the RAM brochure and for my truck show the GCWR at 37,500# with a towing max of 29,000#. That says RAM thinks my truck should weigh 8500#.

If it is not on the door panel I would have no idea how a weigh station would know if I'm within any legal limits. It should be stand alone on the truck. But it isn't. FWIW.

[Titan Guy]

You are right, the Aisin option capacities are much higher.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by rskeans

Saw your post this morning but had to head toward LAX. About 100 miles to the West. Your comment on the GCWR being 30,000 seemed incorrect. So, I searched the truck's door panels and there is no mention of GCWR. I pulled out the RAM brochure and for my truck show the GCWR at 37,500# with a towing max of 29,000#. That says RAM thinks my truck should weigh 8500#.

If it is not on the door panel I would have no idea how a weigh station would know if I'm within any legal limits. It should be stand alone on the truck. But it isn't. FWIW.

Pretty awesome tow ratings - and no, the GCWR won't be in the door, only the GVWR, GAWR for front and rear, and on the tire sticker you'll see a max payload or cargo capacity.

[lwg]

Originally Posted by atom ant

Pretty awesome tow ratings - and no, the GCWR won't be in the door, only the GVWR, GAWR for front and rear, and on the tire sticker you'll see a max payload or cargo capacity.

That's because the GCWR is essentially a made up number by the engineers AND the marketing department. But I digress...

[rskeans]

Originally Posted by lwg

That's because the GCWR is essentially a made up number by the engineers AND the marketing department. But I digress...

It would appear that the GCWR is more of a calculated number. Since the tow rating is 29,000# and the truck weighs 8500#, that calculates to a GCWR of 37,500#. Now, if the tow rating is the made up number - - -

[Dan]

Originally Posted by almcc

I have heard that in British Columbia the police are stopping RVers and checking vehicle weights, but I believe that they are looking for folks with the truck's GCWR lower than what they are hauling (i.e: overloaded). It makes sense in the Rockies.

Andy can confirm.

Yup here in BC there has been lots of RVs stopped for overweight. There is a spot just outside Campbell River on Vancouver island that they set up a checkpoint. They get lots of overweight truck campers and trucks pulling 5th wheels and boats. They have also been known to setup a checkpoint at the base of the Coquihalla. I think its a good idea especially given the mountains we have and it gets a lot of junk off the road

[atom ant]

What do they do if you are overweight?

[Dan]

Originally Posted by atom ant

What do they do if you are overweight?

Brad
They can't go any further if you're overweight. You got to go and get a truck that will handle your unit. In Campbell river where they do the checkpoint there is a parking lot full of units. They get a lot of locals.