Re rating the GVW

The only thing you will get from MFG is what was on their when it left the factory new.

 

I think every manufacturer is different but I know when we put a 20k front axle and lift on a Kenworth we built into a heavy haul truck we were able to get new spec stickers for the truck through our kw dealer, I believe it all went through their engineering department and took a little time to get but it wasn't a big deal.

 

Mine was added by a company in Indiana and they added a supplemental sticker that shows the updated GVWR.

 

You don't need it, you just need to document what you changed, make sure the front axle has the tag and model number on it and you have those numbers on hand for an inspection, make sure that the tires are rated for the increased weight capacity.

The same goes for the drop axle, you need to know first how much more capacity you have with it using a bridge formula and make sure that you have the model number, and know where the tag is. The same with the tires, you have to know what the tires are rated to which is the limit to what its capacity is.

 

I suggest you thoroughly research this because each state does their own thing regarding this. It's about the way the state recognizes how your vehicle is titled.

So there are some states and I'm not quite sure but maybe Alabama or some states like that you can take a tractor and toss a dump bed on it and make whatever modifications you want and apparently nobody bothers you.

Here in the great restrictive state of pennsylvania, you positively cannot add axles or add weight or do any of that type of thing yourself.

In Pennsylvania you also cannot lower the weight of your truck. Whatever is on the original GVW sticker on your truck is exactly how they recognize that truck no more no less. So if you have a 30,000 lb truck and you register it for 26,000, they will tell you that is a commercial vehicle you cannot use it or operate it under any circumstances unless you have a CDL. I think even for non-commercial use, you still have to have a CDL even if you are not following all the regulations for commercial use. I have been told if you want the truck to be a lower GVW you have to go through whatever that process is and then the state will send you a reconstructed title that the truck is no longer a Ford or Freightliner or whatever it is it's a Pennsylvania special vehicle number whatever with a reconstructed title.

Here, any changes that are done like adding axles or weight has to be done by a certified body builder and then you have to get an enhanced inspection to verify that the axles and frame Etc will be safe. I don't even think you are permitted to do the work yourself and then go get it certified in pennsylvania.

I'm also not sure if they send you a reconstructed title in Pennsylvania for that or how that works, but here it is a big mess.

So just check with your state and make sure whatever you do is legal for them because at least here it's very problematic.

 

Went through our local dealer, We told them what we wanted and all the axle info and they took care of the rest for us. Back when we did it we had good people at the dealer that really took care of their customers so that helped aswell no doubt.