Manufacture tow ratings and dot regulations

Why would you need a small freightliner to pull a 17k load? A one ton dually diesel will handle it just fine, imho.

 

No. You can not.

 

I believe it is done every day of the week. There are endless threads about the 35k and 45k LBS hotshot guys grossed, many of them posted before Dodge were rated at 33k and fords now 40k gross ratings.

 

As with anything, you have to know your limits. And respect them.

 

To the OP, you can pull anything you want but when you get pulled over, the guy/gal enforcement officer takes a look at your door sticker and then what you are pulling, he/she may not agree with you and it is their decision, not yours you have to live with.

Better to be safe than sorry about it, get the right tool for the right job. If you are going to pull heavy weights, even rv trailers, than get something that can pull it easily, not marginally. As mentioned a small freightliner is a good start, cheap, easy to find and gets about the same mileage.

 

Kowclub173, If you end up buying a used freightliner? Read up on new emission laws before you buy one. If you plan on running into, or out of California at anytime make sure the truck is CARB Compliant.

 

Short answer, open the drivers door and look at the factory sticker, exceed it and dot can get.you.

 

They won't let you exceed the tire manufacturer's limitations or the axle manufacturer's limitations, why would they let you exceed the truck manufacturer's?

 

If this guy is a mechanic lets talk in technical terms. You wouldn't buy big block pistons for a small block motor, why would you buy a small truck for big truck work. Why do you think a majority of the rollbacks that tow cars into shops are on international or freight liner chassis? Bigger truck for bigger work. It's the same reason you don't use a 1/4" drive ratchet for changing tires. Buy the right size tool for the job. If you are a technician and not a parts changer this should be any easy contcept to understand.

Adam