Help with Weight limits

Knowing your rig's empty weight to within 10 pounds with full fuel (And you in it) will help you know what you can load legally.

You do not carry that much fuel to matter fooling with it as we do sometimes can to load more.

For that you need a CAT scale. Those are usually but not always calibrated to a Master in Chicago or one of 19 other masters to compare itself to.

 

You need to understand that your truck and trailer were manufactured with data plates/stickers, that tell you what the weight capacity is. But look at it this way, you state that trailer has 2 12,000lbs axles. That’s 24,000lbs . If trailer weighs 9500 pounds, the freight can weigh 14,500

As to what you can legally haul depends on other factors. If you don’t have a cdl, you cannot weigh more than 26,000 lbs. if you have cheap tires, that have a weight limit of 1200 lbs, you could not put but 100 lbs in freight on trailer. Cause 1200 lbs X. 8 tires equals 9600 lbs.
If you are registered for 26,000 lbs and we already know your rig weighs 20,400, you can legally haul 5600 lbs

You must also understand, that a Dot officer may use axle capacity, and wheel/tire capacity to determine allowable weight. IN THE ABSENCE of manufacturers data plate.

In all my years, if you have the proper cdl, for it. The weight is under what you have it registered for, and the tires have the capacity for it, you’ll be just fine.

 

Well said Stubby,,,, well said...

 

One should seriously know the specs and capacities. Of truck and trailer.

Then figure out the legalities. License and registration.

 

When I had my crappy 2001 Ford F350 with a 53' wedge trailer, I too was confused on what my legal weight limit because the sticker on the door says i can tow maximum of less than 10k lbs. My trailer with 3 cars will be way more than 10k lbs.

I called around 2016 to a North Carolina scale house and spoke to a Sergeant in Commercial Vehicle enforcement and here are the facts in NC.

- Weight Sticker on 1 ton pickup is ignored for weight limit.
- Dually axle on pickup can have 20k lbs because it have 4 tires.
- On Trailer, weight will be based on axle rating.
- Gross rating must not exceed your Weighted License Plate (NC have fees on base plates based on weight above 6k lbs) or declared Weight on License Plate with IRP.
- In NC, if your gross weight is over 26k, You better have an IRP plate with Declared weight to support it or fines will be issues.

Troopers use this as a general guide line but if they choose, they may use the rate ratings on tires. In this case, the 4 tires on the dually will not support 20k lbs because my tires were around 3500lbs each.

**** Very important in NC. If trailer have gross rating above 10k lbs even if empty and under 26k lbs, you need CLASS A License or big fine.

With my 2001 F350 (no bed) and 53' Kaufman wedge trailer, my empty weight was around 15K lbs. I bought and tag it for 40k lbs gross declare weight with an IRP.

 

With the info above, I am very confused on how anyone can use a 5 car trailer with a 1 ton pickup. Most tires that I have seen have less than 4k lbs rating in a dual configuration. Wouldnt the steer axle be overweight ?

Yet plenty of guys are able to run a 1 ton pickup with a Kaufman 5 car trailer even in California. Cops must not be looking at the actual tire ratings.

 

235/80r17 load range E are what comes on the Rams, & GM duallys.

3085 single, 2835lbs in dual. That leaves 11,340 on the drive. Should be close, but the AAM 1150 axle is rated 4950kg(~10,900lbs) & rated by dodge for 9750lbs in the door jam.

'13 & newer Ram one tons have a steer axle of 5500lb 2wd, & 6000lb on the 4wd. It's really hard to get more than that up there..

I despise seeing 5cars behind the 1ton pickup. I think a 4500, or 450 is the minimum I'd use to pull one.

I know you said NC said it's up to officer discretion, but I'd be writing tickets if it was up to me. Plenty of other coops outside of NC will check that axle rating & write fines, or shut down trucks for exceeding the limits..

I bet a lawyer would have a field day with anyone involved in an injury accident with the rear over that 9750lb door sticker too..

 

Dodge is boasting up to 35k pounds towing on the new 1 tons. 1,000 feet of torque.

Up to 43k on the 4500.and 5500 chasis models.

Would have to build and price to find the specs.

 

Dont all of the 3500, 4500 use the same tire size and rating ? Or do the 4500 series get bigger tires with higher weight ratings.