Help me understand some weight numbers?

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by 24kHotshot, Jun 11, 2019.

  1. 24kHotshot

    24kHotshot Heavy Load Member

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    So I ordered a 3 car trailer with a rating of 14k. I'm already shopping for the next trailer. A 4 car belly loader but I am having some difficulty understanding the truck's tow limit and gcwr.

    Truck is rated for 14k. Ram website says it can tow 25k by the vin number. Combined that should be 39k but some websites say the truck's gcwr is only 33k. So can I tow 25k and register for 39k or is the 33k all I can register for and tow 19k?

    Any input would be appreciated.
     
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  3. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Your door stamp plate should have the GVW and GCVW

    Your post is difficult to understand.

    If you take a tractor (Truck) trailer and weight it empty at a company scale, cat scale etc full fuel and you in it. You will understand exactly how much you weight empty.

    Take away the Gross Combination Weight Rating from the door stamp and subtract the total empty weight. The net figure you have left in this answer is the weight you can haul.

    My post is subject to correction, I get confused easily when I deal with smaller vehicles.

    This is assuming you are using a 5th wheel made for trucks in the bed. If you tried pintle hook or hitch off frame/bumper your weight ratings will be less.
     
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  4. 24kHotshot

    24kHotshot Heavy Load Member

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    The sticker on my trucks door stamp says GVWR is 14,000 lbs. It doesn't show the gcvwr. Ramtrucks.com, the dealer's website, when I put in my vin number shows a tow capacity of 25,130 lbs. Dealer website and the owners manual don't show a number for a gcvwr.

    My truck's curb weight (empty weight) is 9300 lbs, but my question is what is the vehicles max allowed registered weight. The max allowed weight I can register for at the dmv. What does the dmv go by?
     
  5. npok

    npok Light Load Member

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    The DMV will go by how much you pay for your tag. They don't care about the ratings.
     
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  6. dibstr

    dibstr Road Train Member

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    Depends on the state, but many will not let you to register it above the GVWR. If your combined ratings or weights are over 26,000 and you are in interstate service IRP applies and a registered weight is irrelevant.
     
  7. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    You need to combine the truck & trailers GVWR, then weigh empty. Then subtract your empty weight from your GVWR combined truck & trailer.

    For example:
    Truck GVWR sticker on door: 14,000
    Trailer GVWR sticker on tounge usually: 20,000
    Total GCVWR: 34,000

    Truck, trailer, equipment, supplies & driver etc weight (your empty weight at scale): 22,000

    34,000 - 22,000 = 12,000

    12,000 of cargo is what you can carry..... maximum. Of course all this depends on many things like individual axle weights & how you have your cargo loaded etc.
     
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  8. 24kHotshot

    24kHotshot Heavy Load Member

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    Thanks, I understand how to calculate the actual weights and find out how much I can carry. Was trying to figure out the max weight I can register my combination vehicle for legally.

    I'll try npok's idea and see if they will let me register for 39k gcvwr when the time comes.
     
    Grumppy Thanks this.
  9. singlescrewshaker

    singlescrewshaker Road Train Member

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    Your truck is 14k, as is your trailer..?
    Tag for 28,000lbs. That is all you can legally gross until you get a bigger trailer..

    Also if your saying your Ram is only good for 25,130lbs that means it was spec'd with 3.42 gears. Those are the worst for towing, but it will still drag 35,000lbs down the road. Factory tow ratings are pretty much BS.. Make sure to stay out of 6th gear if it's an auto while towing..
     
  10. 24kHotshot

    24kHotshot Heavy Load Member

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    The trailer I ordered and will be using now is 14k and I will be registering for 28k.
    Was trying to figure out a 4 car trailer for the future.
    The towing capacity is 25,130 lbs. Max tow package with 4.10 gears. Not the gcwr, just the tow capacity.
     
  11. singlescrewshaker

    singlescrewshaker Road Train Member

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    You can register for 80,000lbs if your willing to pay for it. IRP office has no say in what you want to plate your combination at. Don't exceed axle, or tire ratings & your good to go..
     
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