Is any one towing anything around 20-21000lb consistently /with their 3500?

If so how is the rear end/trans holding up?

No problems at all for the most part for most everyone.
Do a search and you will see only the modded trucks have a few tranny problems.
If yours is stock you should be fine.

Is any one towing anything around 20-21000lb consistently /with their 3500?

If so how is the rear end/trans holding up?

The key word is consistently. These trucks are not built to tow that much weight, which would be about 7,500# over GCWR. You might be able to do it for a while, but, if it was my truck, I would not do it very often.

I pull a lot at max weight. Could I benefit from a custom tune towing without damaging my truck? I've read about turbo braking with efi live tuning. Would really like to see more mpg. I get 7.9 pulling at 65 and 14.5-14.9 running empty at 65. I plan on straight piping and egr block soon. Don't really want the noise but lower egt's would benefit.

I just got a tune from Danville for my 3500 with turbo braking. I haven't had it long enough to report mileage but the turbo braking works awesome!!!

Is any one towing anything around 20-21000lb consistently /with their 3500?

If so how is the rear end/trans holding up?

i have 22k on my 08 and about 10k of that is towing my 24000lb 5th wheel. no issues yet i have put the transgo jr kit in it and its tuned when towing with a 40hp tune no DPF. I have done 2 trans services and once on the rear end all looks great.

i have 22k on my 08 and about 10k of that is towing my 24000lb 5th wheel. no issues yet i have put the transgo jr kit in it and its tuned when towing with a 40hp tune no DPF. I have done 2 trans services and once on the rear end all looks great.

Your towing a 24,000# 5er with the 3500 Dually:eek: So "right off the bat", your, let's say if your truck weighs 8,000#, your only 8500# over your trucks GCWR...SON!!, no way, no how, no matter what anyone said, no matter who said they were doing this would I EVER try to tow a 24,000# 5er with my dually...call me chicken....That is Class 6 or 7 territory. I'd like to be in the area, but well off the road and watch you take that combo over the mountain on I26 from NC into TN, or better yet, tow that 25,000# 5er UP that mountain with the dually...don't know, just think it would be something to behold...Just doesn't make a lot of sense.....

i have 22k on my 08 and about 10k of that is towing my 24000lb 5th wheel. no issues yet i have put the transgo jr kit in it and its tuned when towing with a 40hp tune no DPF. I have done 2 trans services and once on the rear end all looks great.

You have a 5th wheel that weighs in at 24K?
What is it?
Mine is big but it only weighs 13K

He might be towing a toy hauler, I could see 38ft hauler coming around that weight if the cargo was considered.

Im sure my truck would pull it, but I dont think I would want to do it often.
Im just happy with my 11,800 that I currently tow. no issues with that at all, even ran through the Rockies with it this summer, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons last summer..
Now those are mountains, makes these east coast "Mountains" look like the foothills.

Some Teton Homes units are in that weight range.

The Royal has 4 models that have GVWR of 24K.
Crazy but they are out there.

http://www.tetonhomes.com/royal.htm

He might be towing a toy hauler, I could see 38ft hauler coming around that weight if the cargo was considered.

Im sure my truck would pull it, but I dont think I would want to do it often.
Im just happy with my 11,800 that I currently tow. no issues with that at all, even ran through the Rockies with it this summer, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons last summer..
Now those are mountains, makes these east coast "Mountains" look like the foothills.


;)

Man that is a heavy fiver. I thought mine was heavy at 17.5. How many axles is that on?

My trailer weighed just under 17k before options- With options I am about 18k (generator...) and loaded up about 22-23k depending on toys- If I hauled water/fuel I would be in the 24k range easy.

Hauled the whole thing to Utah and back (was like 110 degrees when I hit the Baker grade) without a hiccup.

IMO it is too much weight for everyday towing. Truck will do it no problem but it will wear out a lot sooner than a bigger truck.

I would buy a new Ford 450 for everyday towing that much weight- or better yet a Freightliner with the Mercedes motor.

My trailer weighed just under 17k before options- With options I am about 18k (generator...) and loaded up about 22-23k depending on toys- If I hauled water/fuel I would be in the 24k range easy.

Hauled the whole thing to Utah and back (was like 110 degrees when I hit the Baker grade) without a hiccup.

IMO it is too much weight for everyday towing. Truck will do it no problem but it will wear out a lot sooner than a bigger truck.

I would buy a new Ford 450 for everyday towing that much weight- or better yet a Freightliner with the Mercedes motor.
I looked at a F-450 just a week or so ago, It had the same drive train as the 250 or 350. Maybe you can order it with something a little bit bigger?

The key word is consistently. These trucks are not built to tow that much weight, which would be about 7,500# over GCWR. You might be able to do it for a while, but, if it was my truck, I would not do it very often.


GCRW of the Dually is 23,500 , My toy hauler loaded and the truck put me at 24,800, 37k on the truck, works great, good milage. All the truck does is tow, edge evo on tow, transgo JR, and tripple lock converter are my mods from stock.

I looked at a F-450 just a week or so ago, It had the same drive train as the 250 or 350. Maybe you can order it with something a little bit bigger?

No, you can't and that is the one weak link of the F450. I love my rig but the 6.4PSD is not as strong as the rest of the truck and needs 2000rpm to make peak tq. Also,with my 4.30s I'd love to have 6-speed auto rather than the 5 that the current Torqshift gives.

Now, I still love this truck and the HUGE brakes and Wide Track front end make towing incredibly stress free no matter what weather conditions are encountered.

Is any one towing anything around 20-21000lb consistently /with their 3500?

If so how is the rear end/trans holding up?

The Allison 1000 in the 2500HD/3500HD is in the medium duty Kodiak 4500/5500 so there is ZERO problem with the rear end and tranny holding up to a 20k load. In fact, I'd be happy hauling 30k with that drivetrain... but the rest of the truck (if a 3500) would be panting...

-Rob

No, you can't and that is the one weak link of the F450. I love my rig but the 6.4PSD is not as strong as the rest of the truck and needs 2000rpm to make peak tq. Also,with my 4.30s I'd love to have 6-speed auto rather than the 5 that the current Torqshift gives.

Now, I still love this truck and the HUGE brakes and Wide Track front end make towing incredibly stress free no matter what weather conditions are encountered.
This is what I was looking at (http://www.ronbortnickford.com/details.php?&VIN=1FTXW43R58EA42726).

I figured My 3500 dually would pull the 12000 lbs better than the 450.
More weight and maybe I would think harder.

The drive train of the GM is not the weak link- it is the brakes, frame, front end...

The Ford is a lot stouter in the brakes/frame/front end department.

This is what I was looking at (http://www.ronbortnickford.com/details.php?&VIN=1FTXW43R58EA42726).

I figured My 3500 dually would pull the 12000 lbs better than the 450.
More weight and maybe I would think harder.

Good find, that's a lovely rig. I think you made the right decision as the D/A is a superior powertrain and the GM 3500 is a really good tow pig. I need this thing as I pull a backhoe around so above 20k every week. As has been said a million times, would love to create a Frankenstein F-450 with the Allison and the Cummins:)

Good find, that's a lovely rig. I think you made the right decision as the D/A is a superior powertrain and the GM 3500 is a really good tow pig. I need this thing as I pull a backhoe around so above 20k every week. As has been said a million times, would love to create a Frankenstein F-450 with the Allison and the Cummins:)
yep, but there is no denying that that 450 is one pretty truck inside and out.
except the back seats, my 3500 has nicer back seats.
but still, it sure is pretty.

I like fords, ran my 86 bronco to 323,000 miles on the 302 and sold it two years ago still running.

(when around my friends with the fords, I must say that my GMC is far superior to their trucks.)

You have a 5th wheel that weighs in at 24K?
What is it?
Mine is big but it only weighs 13K

i have a 48ft Weekend warrior toy hauler. i have had it weighed and my figures are right on but dry the traier is 17k this thing is friggen heavy. but i live in so cal and tow mainly to glamis very little hills.

Your towing a 24,000# 5er with the 3500 Dually:eek: So "right off the bat", your, let's say if your truck weighs 8,000#, your only 8500# over your trucks GCWR...SON!!, no way, no how, no matter what anyone said, no matter who said they were doing this would I EVER try to tow a 24,000# 5er with my dually...call me chicken....That is Class 6 or 7 territory. I'd like to be in the area, but well off the road and watch you take that combo over the mountain on I26 from NC into TN, or better yet, tow that 25,000# 5er UP that mountain with the dually...don't know, just think it would be something to behold...Just doesn't make a lot of sense.....

I have had it weighed and im right on the weight. I live in so cal not many hills. I just go to glamis and have towed it thru some moutains and it does just fine but BOY IS IT HEAVY. its a 48ft Weekend Warrior toy hauler.

Man that is a heavy fiver. I thought mine was heavy at 17.5. How many axles is that on?


on my 48ft Weekend Warrior i have 3 axle 7.5k each. when i had it weighed it had 0ver 19k on the wheels and almot 5k in pin weight. Ya its friggen HEAVY

on my 48ft Weekend Warrior i have 3 axle 7.5k each. when i had it weighed it had 0ver 19k on the wheels and almot 5k in pin weight. Ya its friggen HEAVY

48ft? Whoa, that's longer than my flatbed let alone my TT. Surprised pin is as much as 5k given it's a tri-axle....

-Rob

I have had it weighed and im right on the weight. I live in so cal not many hills. I just go to glamis and have towed it thru some moutains and it does just fine but BOY IS IT HEAVY. its a 48ft Weekend Warrior toy hauler.


You got more guts than I do, but at least we're not on the same side of the country, so it should be ok.....Your so far over it really doesn't matter what you "study" or "try to do"...your "off the chart's...and people from California say this kind of thing is discouraged??? Wouldn't take a rocket scientist to see this combo coming down the road to know it would be scary overweight, but hey, it's your truck, your rig, your family and your money....enjoy......

oh, I also see you "modified" your sig........

48ft? Whoa, that's longer than my flatbed let alone my TT. Surprised pin is as much as 5k given it's a tri-axle....

-Rob


ya for some reason they placed the wheels kinda on the rear part of the trailer. witch puts a lot of weight on that pin. I had a single wheel truck at first towed once freaked me out and got the dually.

ya for some reason they placed the wheels kinda on the rear part of the trailer. witch puts a lot of weight on that pin. I had a single wheel truck at first towed once freaked me out and got the dually.


Once you realize just how overloaded and dangerous what your doing now is, you should be "freaked out" all over again.......

:shootself:shootselfOnce you realize just how overloaded and dangerous what your doing now is, you should be "freaked out" all over again.......

oh i know how loaded i am. but since you know it all to make statments like how dangerous it is and how happy you are far away from me why is it so dangerous. It cant be from the 19.5 wheels that i have that totaling over 22k weight capacity and the 21k worth of trailer tires. oh ya maybe the larger brakes and rotors tahat i put on it. no cant be those things. maybe its the axle, no cant be that since its the same one they put on larger truck. So since you seem to know it all please inform me.

:shootself:shootself

oh i know how loaded i am. but since you know it all to make statments like how dangerous it is and how happy you are far away from me why is it so dangerous. It cant be from the 19.5 wheels that i have that totaling over 22k weight capacity and the 21k worth of trailer tires. oh ya maybe the larger brakes and rotors tahat i put on it. no cant be those things. maybe its the axle, no cant be that since its the same one they put on larger truck. So since you seem to know it all please inform me.


Tim,
the weight "police" are rampant on here. They are the same guys that buy a dually to haul a pop tent trailer. I'm not scared with what you are doing, rock on! Probably because I am overloaded too! The way I see it, if you have the tires and brakes to handle the load what is the problem? You are going to run out of tire capacity long before the axle gives up. I know your trailer is equipped to handle it's weight, and sounds like your truck is too.


PS I would like to see some pics of your set up.

:shootself:shootself

oh i know how loaded i am. but since you know it all to make statments like how dangerous it is and how happy you are far away from me why is it so dangerous. It cant be from the 19.5 wheels that i have that totaling over 22k weight capacity and the 21k worth of trailer tires. oh ya maybe the larger brakes and rotors tahat i put on it. no cant be those things. maybe its the axle, no cant be that since its the same one they put on larger truck. So since you seem to know it all please inform me.


No, I'm done, it's obvious you and several others in here know it all and when something starts failing on your truck or you are, heaven forbid, in an accident because your so much overweight it's scary, let me know about it. Oh, and the post went the way they always do, those that knowthey're over just start the name calling, "weight police"...wow, some comeback...same two words I used when I was told I was well over my trucks capabilities..I did the same thing several of you all do, called people the weight police, basically told them they didn't know what they were talking about, but a little research proved they were right and I was wrong....no matter what you do to the truck, YOU can't change those stickers on your truck that gives it's towing capacities..."IF" you did all those mods, of couse they cost nothing, I'd spent the money on a truck that would have been capable of towing a 24,000# 5er in the first place, but that makes too much sense. Hey, you win, your safer than most on the highway out there, keep telling yourself that...ya.

All you guys that are proudly towing way over weight need to talk to an attorney. Ask him/her what will happen if you are in an accident, at fault, and over weight.

As for the evil weight police...they are the ones smart enough to check various capabilities BEFORE buying a truck or trailer. And smart enough not to tow over weight.

All you guys that are proudly towing way over weight need to talk to an attorney. Ask him/her what will happen if you are in an accident, at fault, and over weight.

.

It can get worse then that, Lets say Im towing overweight, and YOU cause an accident 100% your fault,,,,,, its still on me.

Ive seen it happen and it gets ugly !!!!

All you guys that are proudly towing way over weight need to talk to an attorney. Ask him/her what will happen if you are in an accident, at fault, and over weight.

As for the evil weight police...they are the ones smart enough to check various capabilities BEFORE buying a truck or trailer. And smart enough not to tow over weight.
Nothing, Been there. Being over weight in itself is not an issue, speed, etc are. All they care is if you are plated for the weight you are hauling.
Local truck co was waaayyy over his tags, car pulled out, he squashed it, they sued, they got nothing cause they failed to yield.
If you have proof of some one getting sued and loosing in a crash situation because they were over weight, please share.


Manufacturers weight rating are just that, they are for the sole purpose of limiting warranty payments. Sure its better to be close to the speced ratings, but in some cases you are over. That said in Wisconsin as long as I am plated for the weight I am towing there is no issue. Been to the Ins co, the attorney, the state DOT and the state PD.

on my 48ft Weekend Warrior i have 3 axle 7.5k each. when i had it weighed it had 0ver 19k on the wheels and almot 5k in pin weight. Ya its friggen HEAVY

You must have the same or very similar trailer as me!

I pull a 38ft enclosed trailer and a 22ft trailer with two skid steers non stop. Avg weight of 19k-21k My stock trans is still holding in there, rearend is still turning (no noises, slop, or leaks) and I get around 11.0-12.5 towing, 23mpg empty. Running the quadzilla on 2 and edge on 1.

...and as stated by several, 5000# pinweight is really no big deal..just have a license plate stating such and there you go. Toss the family in and head down the road @ 60-65 mph well over your RAWR & well over your GCWR because nothing is going to happen to you anyway and if it does, no one will be hurt, no property damage will occur because I have a license plate that say's I can tow that kind of weight, I mean hey, truthfully, the weights on 1/2 tons, 3/4 tons and 1 ton SRW & DWR trucks really don't mean anything....no safety factors, no harm will come to your truck, just buy a license plate stating you can tow "X" amount of weight and your ready to go. One can save a lot of money like that if you think about it. Me, towing in these sometimes very long and steep curvy mountain roads, I'll try to use some common sense and figure those GVWR,RAWR & GCWR numbers were put on the vehicle for a reason and will try to stay within or very close to those numbers, you know, per chance some of you might be wrong SHOULD something happen. I'm not going to be the guina pig in that one. This past summer on I 40 in Asheville a gentlemen was towing a 34' TT with his Dodge Durango, witnesses say it appeared he lost control of his vehicle, TT started fishtailing, he slammed into a guard rail and his teenage son was killed....the family was from Michigan, never heard much more about it...google it, let me know what someone found. Last word reported on WLOS newscast was that "charges might be pending", the State Troopers who did the investigation were thinking about fining the driver for being overweight....don't think it ever happened. I saw the torn up trailer and Durango in a lot where they were towed...Doesn't matter, the son is dead and the daugher was in the hospital...again, look it up for yourself. I 40, Dodge Durango, TT, Asheville NC, this summer, family from Michigan, son killed, daughter hospitalized. Don't know why we never read about a follow up, I was reporting on it on rv.net...but hey, if the guy was over, then nothing to worry about, except a dead son....This is fact, not made up, I'd truly like to know what happened. After what happened to the guy, most hoped he wouldn't be ticketed after the fact. Having seen the lengh of the TT and seen the Durango, I wouldn't have tried towing with that combo, but hey....if a license plate will let you tow any weight you want, what difference does it make...
Hey, with the right license plate, we could can all the big semi's out there on the road and tow with 1 ton dually's and maybe use some 450/4500's or 550's and 5500's to tow those big boxes that we see those semi's towing all over the country ...sure would make things easier and, hey, it would be legal, just buy a license plate that "makes it so". Don't need to worry about "safety on the road" or safety involving you or your family or better yet, being a safety concern for me and my family. Hey, "if it feels good, do it!!" Nothing is going to happen anyway and I'm a good driver and I'm careful and those weights don't mean anything anyway and I'll do what I want to do because no one is going to be hurt by any of this right?...right?? Guess I'll be one of those, "better safe than sorry" guys, you know...just..in..case? I'm not a gambler when it comes to family or personal property, and really, I don't want to find out "the hard way".

In California they have been lately creating a revenue stream from overweight RV'ers. Mostly on the I-5 up north and the I-10 in the south. No class A non-commercial and you are dropping the trailer right there before proceeding. Nice 4 digit fine too, or so I've been told (your fine may vary).

Sounds like a nice trailer though! Wow!

I see way too many unsafe rigs going down the road. I only tow 12,000 lbs behind my 4500 and I like it that way!!! It's nice to know I can stop it in a hurry if I have too!!

In California they have been lately creating a revenue stream from overweight RV'ers. Mostly on the I-5 up north and the I-10 in the south. No class A non-commercial and you are dropping the trailer right there before proceeding. Nice 4 digit fine too, or so I've been told (your fine may vary).

Sounds like a nice trailer though! Wow!

Exactly why I went out and got my non-commercial class A!

...and as stated by several, 5000# pinweight is really no big deal..just have a license plate stating such and there you go. Toss the family in and head down the road @ 60-65 mph well over your RAWR & well over your GCWR because nothing is going to happen to you anyway and if it does, no one will be hurt, no property damage will occur because I have a license plate that say's I can tow that kind of weight, I mean hey, truthfully, the weights on 1/2 tons, 3/4 tons and 1 ton SRW & DWR trucks really don't mean anything....no safety factors, no harm will come to your truck, just buy a license plate stating you can tow "X" amount of weight and your ready to go. One can save a lot of money like that if you think about it. Me, towing in these sometimes very long and steep curvy mountain roads, I'll try to use some common sense and figure those GVWR,RAWR & GCWR numbers were put on the vehicle for a reason and will try to stay within or very close to those numbers, you know, per chance some of you might be wrong SHOULD something happen. I'm not going to be the guina pig in that one. This past summer on I 40 in Asheville a gentlemen was towing a 34' TT with his Dodge Durango, witnesses say it appeared he lost control of his vehicle, TT started fishtailing, he slammed into a guard rail and his teenage son was killed....the family was from Michigan, never heard much more about it...google it, let me know what someone found. Last word reported on WLOS newscast was that "charges might be pending", the State Troopers who did the investigation were thinking about fining the driver for being overweight....don't think it ever happened. I saw the torn up trailer and Durango in a lot where they were towed...Doesn't matter, the son is dead and the daugher was in the hospital...again, look it up for yourself. I 40, Dodge Durango, TT, Asheville NC, this summer, family from Michigan, son killed, daughter hospitalized. Don't know why we never read about a follow up, I was reporting on it on rv.net...but hey, if the guy was over, then nothing to worry about, except a dead son....This is fact, not made up, I'd truly like to know what happened. After what happened to the guy, most hoped he wouldn't be ticketed after the fact. Having seen the lengh of the TT and seen the Durango, I wouldn't have tried towing with that combo, but hey....if a license plate will let you tow any weight you want, what difference does it make...
Hey, with the right license plate, we could can all the big semi's out there on the road and tow with 1 ton dually's and maybe use some 450/4500's or 550's and 5500's to tow those big boxes that we see those semi's towing all over the country ...sure would make things easier and, hey, it would be legal, just buy a license plate that "makes it so". Don't need to worry about "safety on the road" or safety involving you or your family or better yet, being a safety concern for me and my family. Hey, "if it feels good, do it!!" Nothing is going to happen anyway and I'm a good driver and I'm careful and those weights don't mean anything anyway and I'll do what I want to do because no one is going to be hurt by any of this right?...right?? Guess I'll be one of those, "better safe than sorry" guys, you know...just..in..case? I'm not a gambler when it comes to family or personal property, and really, I don't want to find out "the hard way".
x1000 people think because they have a dually or even a 2500 they can tow anything.. that makes absolutley no sence at all. I dont tow over 14k with mine.. and thats rarely.. I have bigger trucks to tow that heavy with..

x1000 people think because they have a dually or even a 2500 they can tow anything.. that makes absolutley no sence at all. I dont tow over 14k with mine.. and thats rarely.. I have bigger trucks to tow that heavy with..

I agree. Way too many people out there make the mistake of listening to an RV or truck salesman, most know much less than the average guy on this forum. All they want to do is sell something...and will tell you that anything with a diesel engine will pull anything.

I agree. Way too many people out there make the mistake of listening to an RV or truck salesman, most know much less than the average guy on this forum. All they want to do is sell something...and will tell you that anything with a diesel engine will pull anything.

It will PULL anything. It's stopping it and controlling it that's the issue. ;)

-Rob

You must have the same or very similar trailer as me!

your a brave man posting that you have the same thing as me because the weight police are gonna come get you. HA HA. But boy that thing is heavy isnt it.

In California they have been lately creating a revenue stream from overweight RV'ers. Mostly on the I-5 up north and the I-10 in the south. No class A non-commercial and you are dropping the trailer right there before proceeding. Nice 4 digit fine too, or so I've been told (your fine may vary).

Sounds like a nice trailer though! Wow!

Ya i am fully aware of this my family friend is a 25 year CHP and works DOT now. But i got my class A non-commerical about 3 years ago when i had my 15k pull trailer witch in CA requires the same LIC. ANd ya i love my trailer

THANKS

Man that is hella sad, I saw a Suv like a Subaru Tribecca pulling a tripple axle Air stream and I thought what a dam idiot!!...and as stated by several, 5000# pinweight is really no big deal..just have a license plate stating such and there you go. Toss the family in and head down the road @ 60-65 mph well over your RAWR & well over your GCWR because nothing is going to happen to you anyway and if it does, no one will be hurt, no property damage will occur because I have a license plate that say's I can tow that kind of weight, I mean hey, truthfully, the weights on 1/2 tons, 3/4 tons and 1 ton SRW & DWR trucks really don't mean anything....no safety factors, no harm will come to your truck, just buy a license plate stating you can tow "X" amount of weight and your ready to go. One can save a lot of money like that if you think about it. Me, towing in these sometimes very long and steep curvy mountain roads, I'll try to use some common sense and figure those GVWR,RAWR & GCWR numbers were put on the vehicle for a reason and will try to stay within or very close to those numbers, you know, per chance some of you might be wrong SHOULD something happen. I'm not going to be the guina pig in that one. This past summer on I 40 in Asheville a gentlemen was towing a 34' TT with his Dodge Durango, witnesses say it appeared he lost control of his vehicle, TT started fishtailing, he slammed into a guard rail and his teenage son was killed....the family was from Michigan, never heard much more about it...google it, let me know what someone found. Last word reported on WLOS newscast was that "charges might be pending", the State Troopers who did the investigation were thinking about fining the driver for being overweight....don't think it ever happened. I saw the torn up trailer and Durango in a lot where they were towed...Doesn't matter, the son is dead and the daugher was in the hospital...again, look it up for yourself. I 40, Dodge Durango, TT, Asheville NC, this summer, family from Michigan, son killed, daughter hospitalized. Don't know why we never read about a follow up, I was reporting on it on rv.net...but hey, if the guy was over, then nothing to worry about, except a dead son....This is fact, not made up, I'd truly like to know what happened. After what happened to the guy, most hoped he wouldn't be ticketed after the fact. Having seen the lengh of the TT and seen the Durango, I wouldn't have tried towing with that combo, but hey....if a license plate will let you tow any weight you want, what difference does it make...
Hey, with the right license plate, we could can all the big semi's out there on the road and tow with 1 ton dually's and maybe use some 450/4500's or 550's and 5500's to tow those big boxes that we see those semi's towing all over the country ...sure would make things easier and, hey, it would be legal, just buy a license plate that "makes it so". Don't need to worry about "safety on the road" or safety involving you or your family or better yet, being a safety concern for me and my family. Hey, "if it feels good, do it!!" Nothing is going to happen anyway and I'm a good driver and I'm careful and those weights don't mean anything anyway and I'll do what I want to do because no one is going to be hurt by any of this right?...right?? Guess I'll be one of those, "better safe than sorry" guys, you know...just..in..case? I'm not a gambler when it comes to family or personal property, and really, I don't want to find out "the hard way".

I've tried to find some more information on what happened after the wreck. the family was from Michigan, They couldn't drive the Durango home, the son died, the daughter was in serious condition and it was possible that "charges were pending"......that was it...never heard another thing and I checked with the local newspaper and television station, but never heard or read another word about it. Sad way to end a camping trip....don't know what his TT weighed, but looking at the length of it compared to the Durango, it definitely looked like you could have had a "wag the dog", fishtailing experience. Witnesses stated he was moving from one lane to another, just a little faster than traffic was moving when the rear of the TT started fishtailing and...well you know the rest.. Just another reason that I think one should try to at least "keep it close" to the weights that the manufacturer has recommended when towing...I doubt that gentlemen ever thought his trip would end the way it did. Towing 5,000# over ones GVWR is also just a bit scary and probably not very safe.......

your a brave man posting that you have the same thing as me because the weight police are gonna come get you. HA HA. But boy that thing is heavy isnt it.

Sure its heavy but no big deal- I guess some of these guys probably are afraid to remove their mattress tags too!:D

Sure its heavy but no big deal- I guess some of these guys probably are afraid to remove their mattress tags too!:D



My tags are gone! LOL!!

Sure its heavy but no big deal- I guess some of these guys probably are afraid to remove their mattress tags too!:D
That would be a cool dieselplace club! I call Mattress Tag Remover #1 :D

My tags are gone! LOL!!

NICE!!!

Actually, a lot of people don't do much reading, which seems to be one of the problems,(ie owners manuals, mattress tags,etc...) "tags can be removed by the owner of said mattress".:rolleyes: You can also set your clocks "back an hour" or "ahead one hour" when DST comes in or goes and you
don't actually have to wait until 2AM that morning, and the "so called" time police won't break into your home and arrest you...common sense, it's out there, just doesn't seem to be something that is used very much anymore, especially when it comes to towing well over ones truck capabilites, but hey, "everyone does it", "don't even know it's back there", "stupid weight police", "I have air bags", "I'm careful", "I know my trucks limitations", "in reality, my 3/4 or 1 ton is the same as a 1 ton or a 450/4500", are all very good credible, justifiable reasons to exceed ones trucks capabilites....I left out making fun of others for bringing this subject up in the first place, but figured that part of all this discussion "went without saying"......oops, I said it anyway....:D

Actually, a lot of people don't do much reading, which seems to be one of the problems,(ie owners manuals, mattress tags,etc...) "tags can be removed by the owner of said mattress".:rolleyes: You can also set your clocks "back an hour" or "ahead one hour" when DST comes in or goes and you
don't actually have to wait until 2AM that morning, and the "so called" time police won't break into your home and arrest you...common sense, it's out there, just doesn't seem to be something that is used very much anymore, especially when it comes to towing well over ones truck capabilites, but hey, "everyone does it", "don't even know it's back there", "stupid weight police", "I have air bags", "I'm careful", "I know my trucks limitations", "in reality, my 3/4 or 1 ton is the same as a 1 ton or a 450/4500", are all very good credible, justifiable reasons to exceed ones trucks capabilites....I left out making fun of others for bringing this subject up in the first place, but figured that part of all this discussion "went without saying"......oops, I said it anyway....:D

Well- then you can't join our club! :D

I'll get over it..............

We should start an overweight "in your opinion" club!

I'm member number #1!
signguy can be #2

Who is next for the over weight club?

I saw some idiot towing a huge airstream like the guy said on the previous page with a chrysler intrepid. The sad part is you can't just let people like that figure it out for themselves, because its almost always at someone elses expense.

We should start an overweight "in your opinion" club!

I'm member number #1!
signguy can be #2

Who is next for the over weight club?

"Opinions are like, well, you know...bottom line, fact is fact, "IF" you ARE actually overweight, opinion has now become fact, then you can also start a new club and call it, "fact: I AM overweight club, but don't really care and it's really no ones business". With the "Fact" club there may be more or less members, but enough to hold a meeting no matter how you look at it. Opinions don't mean much, but when one comes on here and say's they're towing a 24,000# (loaded) 5er with a 3500 Dually, it doesn't take much more than a 6th grader who can read and do a little math to know that it is FACT that this person is towing well over their trucks capabilities, guess if you want to be a charter member of that club, it's cool.......

Another fact you can add to your books is this. When I tow I am not over weight on any axle. The DOT looks at the weakest link in the chain, which is the tires. When loaded, I am 200lbs away from max on my rear tires and about the same on the front. If my axle weights are good enough for the DOT, it's good enough for me. This does put me over on the manufactures recommended GCWR, but the DOT does not go by those figures. Fully loaded I scale about 26K, and am comfortable being so. All my axle weights are under and I have brakes on all axles. With the Dmax and 10 brakes, I can go and stop comfortably.


Hi, my name is Tiny, and my truck is overweight. Meeting ajourned.

We should start an overweight "in your opinion" club!

I'm member number #1!
signguy can be #2

Who is next for the over weight club?
I'll be #3. I run around empty alot :D.

I'll be #3. I run around empty alot :D.


AAAHHHHHH!!!!!! I get it, you are #3 my chubbie buddy! LOL!

Wow! This reminds me the other day when I heard my girlfriend's coworker traded in a minivan on a dually to feel 'MANLY' when he goes camping in a tent with his kids! One idiot behind a safely loaded vehicle is still an idiot in an overloaded vehicle. I own a construction company and haul a dump trailer min once a week... always different weights, always loaded different and my biggest on scale was 40,380 sure the truck is capable and I am capable to haul it, but they would have put me under the jail if I was stopped. Manufactures warnings and warranties are so under rated to cover their azzes from negligence. The people that sue for hot coffee dumped in thier lap would be the same to sue an auto mnfgr for an overweight incident. Wonder why they have those stupid warning labels to NOT STICK YOUR HAND INTO SHREDDER most have resulted from law suits. Some peoples kids :duh:

Another fact you can add to your books is this. When I tow I am not over weight on any axle. The DOT looks at the weakest link in the chain, which is the tires. When loaded, I am 200lbs away from max on my rear tires and about the same on the front. If my axle weights are good enough for the DOT, it's good enough for me. This does put me over on the manufactures recommended GCWR, but the DOT does not go by those figures. Fully loaded I scale about 26K, and am comfortable being so. All my axle weights are under and I have brakes on all axles. With the Dmax and 10 brakes, I can go and stop comfortably.


Hi, my name is Tiny, and my truck is overweight. Meeting ajourned.

All your facts are fine and dandy...bottom line...you're overweight by more than a ton. If I was in your position, I would not be worrying about the DOT, but a lawsuit.

I am at a campground right now and have seen alot overweight rigs. Most notably, a
90's Dodge Caravan pulling a Wells Cargo trailer for the scouts. That minivan needed some airbags and better driver. Man I hate the scouts for reasons like that and others like little kids running under the awning of our travel trailer.

Oh yeah, #3 of the Overweight Rig Members signing out!

good brakes make a big diiference when towing heavy. i haul scrap metal with my truck an see 45k quite often on the scale. the rearend has taken a beating but the rest of the truck has held up well with 120k miles so far. has anyone actually taken a 11.5 aam axle an seen what it will hold for pin weight. mine occasionaly sees close to 8k on the gooseneck plus the hauler bed. the truck is far stronger than gm rates it for

In California they have been lately creating a revenue stream from overweight RV'ers. Mostly on the I-5 up north and the I-10 in the south. No class A non-commercial and you are dropping the trailer right there before proceeding. Nice 4 digit fine too, or so I've been told (your fine may vary).

Sounds like a nice trailer though! Wow!

I am up the grapevine every other month camping I-5, and out to alm Desert/Springs every other month of that camping. I have NEVER seen any 5er's in there. I am not heavy only 12k5-er, but still haven't seen any.

#1 on the pillow tag remover....:):o::o:

#2 pillow tag remover! Man, I'm gonna have to keep track of all these new clubs I'm in. LOL!

I am up the grapevine every other month camping I-5, and out to alm Desert/Springs every other month of that camping. I have NEVER seen any 5er's in there. I am not heavy only 12k5-er, but still haven't seen any.

#1 on the pillow tag remover....:):o::o:



Are you serius ? You don't see any fivers here in the desert? I see them all over the place, and here at my house too.

rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble. That is all I hear from this. The heaviest I've heard of is a guy, pretty well thought of on here, but I wont name names, who towed a flatbed loaded, hit the scales at a whopping 36,740 LBS!!! If he's ok with it, then I would be completely comfortable towing up to that weight.

my gcw is just shy of 30k pulling a teton 5er full time coast to coast since 01. brake rotors crack, trany slips in 5th, rear end sags, 34G fuel tank = short range. not bad imo though i get a little nervous over 50k, trading in makes sense especially if it's the only ride + roaming.

I know a guy not well thought of on here.. said to have pulled 50k a few miles.. his motor oh'd trans burnt, crappy hitch pulled thru the frame, the g80 locked up.. ..

he said it pulled it like it wasnt there.. :o::o::o::o:

I've pulled a 18 ft trailer with 5k of cargo on it with my dually and the electric brakes were not working. Just that amount of weight probably close to doubled my stopping distance. On I-285 around Atlanta, traffic can go from 60-0 in a snap as you come around a curve. I seriously doubt than anyone that is 5k pounds over-weight could get their rig stopped in time not to hit someone else. Just remember if you have electric brakes you are a blown fuse away from having to stop close to 30k pounds with just your truck brakes.

I've pulled a 18 ft trailer with 5k of cargo on it with my dually and the electric brakes were not working. Just that amount of weight probably close to doubled my stopping distance. On I-285 around Atlanta, traffic can go from 60-0 in a snap as you come around a curve. I seriously doubt than anyone that is 5k pounds over-weight could get their rig stopped in time not to hit someone else. Just remember if you have electric brakes you are a blown fuse away from having to stop close to 30k pounds with just your truck brakes.


EXACTLY... these people are kidding themselves if they think differently.. and honestly.. why would anyone want to be overweight?... for what reason.. Its crazy.. get a bigger truck..

The funny part about the weight police is that they all think the ratings the manufacture supplies are what is legally allowable. That is simply not the case.

Also- the truck to trailer weight ratio of a tractor trailer is not any different than what some of the guys are doing with their 3500- and we are not doing it every day for a million plus miles!

I swear- some of the people on this board would complain if they were hung with a new rope.

Maybe we should start one more club for all the people with way more truck than they need for their little trailers- I mean think of all the fuel they are wasting as well as all the harm they are doing to the environment- these guys are a real danger to us all! I mean every time they start their truck it is like pulling the trigger on a panda, polar bear... These guys should be ashamed of themselves for getting a big truck when they really ought to be driving a minivan or import truck.

Maybe we could call these members something like Global Road Warmers or Hunters With Keys.

Ummm no weight police here... do whatever makes you happy..whatever floats the boatI guess. Just like a few feel about"WEIGHT POLICE".... many others would not want to be thousands of lbs overloaded or want to be on the same road as the few that think its ok.. Its odd thou.. comparing a truck tractor to a dually.. oh my.. lets compare a riding mower to to a 200hp farm tractor.. kinda same senario.. even if its on a once a year basis. People are getting fined more and more these days for being overweight. Can you do it and get away with it?... sure for a while...

The funny part about the weight police is that they all think the ratings the manufacture supplies are what is legally allowable. That is simply not the case.

Also- the truck to trailer weight ratio of a tractor trailer is not any different than what some of the guys are doing with their 3500- and we are not doing it every day for a million plus miles!

I swear- some of the people on this board would complain if they were hung with a new rope.

Maybe we should start one more club for all the people with way more truck than they need for their little trailers- I mean think of all the fuel they are wasting as well as all the harm they are doing to the environment- these guys are a real danger to us all! I mean every time they start their truck it is like pulling the trigger on a panda, polar bear... These guys should be ashamed of themselves for getting a big truck when they really ought to be driving a minivan or import truck.

Maybe we could call these members something like Global Road Warmers or Hunters With Keys.

Did I miss the part in your bio that says you are a licensed attorney? You might want to talk to one before dispensing information about which you obviously know nothing.

How 'bout a club for environmental wackos...who can protect the pandas, polar bears and snail darters from the evil diesel truck owners?

Ummm no weight police here... do whatever makes you happy..whatever floats the boatI guess. Just like a few feel about"WEIGHT POLICE".... many others would not want to be thousands of lbs overloaded or want to be on the same road as the few that think its ok.. Its odd thou.. comparing a truck tractor to a dually.. oh my.. lets compare a riding mower to to a 200hp farm tractor.. kinda same senario.. even if its on a once a year basis. People are getting fined more and more these days for being overweight. Can you do it and get away with it?... sure for a while...

Dave- That's where you don't get it. The folks who get fined do so for not having the correct license for the weight they are hauling. With 22k-24k behind my truck I am 100% legal.

Did I miss the part in your bio that says you are a licensed attorney? You might want to talk to one before dispensing information about which you obviously know nothing.

How 'bout a club for environmental wackos...who can protect the pandas, polar bears and snail darters from the evil diesel truck owners?

Hooker- No legal Eagle here- although I sure spend a lot of $$$ on legal fees every year!

At any rate- my only point is that the ratings supplied by the mfg. warranties for continuous duty and not the maximum weight the truck can haul legally.

I still have yet to see any proof of these over weight lawsuits. People are so paranoid, they are afraid to fart anymore. A factory rating is not a law, its a rating. The DOT has the authority, not manufacturers, to decide on the law. If you are not overweight, over length, or over width, by DOT standards it is called LEGAL. All you lawyer wanna bee's can haul your tent trailers with a Kodiak if you want, for all I care. It is a waste of time to debate this with you, until you have a badge and the ticket book, then we will see what a judge has to say.

I'm not afraid of lawsuits, it the not coming home to my family part that scares me. Or me not getting stopped in time and killing someone else. If you have ever been around 285 in Atlanta you would understand how fast traffic can come to a complete halt. If these big TT's had air brakes it would be much better. A few weeks back an unloaded log truck hit a school bus on a rainy day because he did not know the area and did not realize there was a blind curve with a bus stopped ahead.

The funny part about the weight police is that they all think the ratings the manufacture supplies are what is legally allowable. That is simply not the case.

Also- the truck to trailer weight ratio of a tractor trailer is not any different than what some of the guys are doing with their 3500- and we are not doing it every day for a million plus miles!

I swear- some of the people on this board would complain if they were hung with a new rope.

Maybe we should start one more club for all the people with way more truck than they need for their little trailers- I mean think of all the fuel they are wasting as well as all the harm they are doing to the environment- these guys are a real danger to us all! I mean every time they start their truck it is like pulling the trigger on a panda, polar bear... These guys should be ashamed of themselves for getting a big truck when they really ought to be driving a minivan or import truck.

Maybe we could call these members something like Global Road Warmers or Hunters With Keys.

yeah, it's me again, the "weight police', I left after the thread turned into a silly boys club talking about pulling tags off of a mattress, which is perfectly legal when it's been sold:rolleyes:

You've stated nothing that most in here don't already know, most DO know that there are "safety margins' built into a manufacturers numbers that they give on GVWR's, GCWR's and RAWR's. They don't want sued everytime someone overloads their vehicle, should something happen and said owner tries to blame it on the manufacturer, BUT, why do you think they've used the numbers they did? Some of it has to do with the engineers who help design these trucks. How do YOU know what the Max limits are??? You a design engineer or an R&D engineer??? You don't post like one...you make excuses to be on the road towing over. I didn't jump in all this mess until one poster "boldly" stated he was towing a loaded 24,000# 5er with the same kind of truck I have...I know the weights I'm towing, I know going down Saluda grade on I26 when the stupid 5er's plug in came unplugged, how "white knuckled" I was trying to pull over so I could hook it back up, by the time I got stopped you could smell the brakes on the truck and that made me a believer on stopping one of these bad boys "IF" the brakes did go out on them, ie, blow a fuse, cable come unplugged or they just stop working.
Again, as I stated earlier, a guy's son died in a wreck when he lost control of his TT while towing it with a Durango...most said he started fishtailing while passing someone and moving back into the slow lane, hit the guard rail...now last I heard, "charges were possibly pending"...never heard nothing else, I hope nothing else happened, BUT HIS SON IS DEAD!!
No gloom and doom here, but if he EVEN THINKS the wreck was caused by something he did wrong, guess it'll be something he'll live with for the rest of his life...no scare tactics, those you you who are on the border line of your truck when towing, or a "little over", hey, I'm with you, I believe you'll be ok...but 5,000#!!! or more....I don't know, just keep making excuses for why it's ok and make fun of those who are trying to warn you that it isn't a very smart practice...Convince yourself "everybody else is doing it", so it's ok, or GM/Ford and Dodge have built in safety margins...YO, HOW MUCH!!! What IS the limit...I'm not going to gamble with my family's welfare, safety or my personal property that I paid good money for....don't want to see it spread over the highway because I was towing 5,000# plus over trucks limits...but hey, if I have the right license..it's ok:eek:...son, what kind of reasoning is that??? Go ahead and go with the "if it feels good, do it", or "everyone else is doing it", crowd, even make fun of the "weight police" and laugh it up, and hopefully you'll never find out the hard way...it really does only take ONE time to learn from an experience.

Another silly statement, think about what your saying, "complain about being hung with a new rope"...makes absolutly no sense whatsoever..yet another excuse to try to make others look silly that backfired..

Absolutely NOTHING has been said on this thread about using too much truck for a trailer, 5er etc...most of the weights mentioned being towed in here either matched up well with what one was towing with, or was so grossly overweight that, some should be driving a Class 6 or 7 to tow with, if you don't believe it, frequent some sites on Mobile Suites, Teton Homes and/or on the Carriage sites and see what most of them are towing with once over the 17,000# + GVW of a 5er...oh wait, they'll all be wrong and won't know what they're talking about, or they're the weight police, never mind, you might actually learn something and we don't want that to happen.

Now your going "green" on us...panda bears, wow, got to admit, never heard that one used....I don't call a 1 ton dually a "big truck", just big enough for "MY" application...A 24,000# loaded 5er..sorry to say, it is inane to tow it with a truck like mine...no way are you towing it and enjoying the towing experience in the mountains of WV, TN or NC...scary thought to say the least......

The green thing was a joke- Obviously a bad one.

Never pulled in the mountains back East but I was in Utah, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico last Summer without a problem- Maybe your mountains are bigger or steeper?

At any rate- Everyone does it different. I can tell you I am very comfortable with my set-up and 100% legal. If I was not comfortable or legal I would get another truck.

In the meantime- there is nothing like having 48 feet of pure comfort to enjoy in the middle of nowhere!

Happy Travels

So if your legal, and I have no reason to question that, where is your dog in this fight? I've not said anything to anyone who is towing "responsible". Why would you condone someone towing a 24,500# 5er when the loaded 5er alone has already eclipsed the GCWR of the truck, not even counting the weight of the truck. Not saying for one minute that our mountains come close to what your mountains are like, but it's nothing to tow up or down 7-9 miles and further of nothing but up or down curvy roads with 7-9% grades in quite a few places, even on the interstates. Coming off I26 leaving NC into TN is a steep grade, 8% and steeper in places that "goes on" for about 8 miles...oh, it's also curvy..I've pulled it as well as went down it and you really need to pay attention to what your doing. To put a 24,000# 5er on my truck and tow down it....don''t know if I could control the speed all the way down that mountain, and it's not as bad as the one on I64 in WV from Beckley to Sandstone Falls. Could really be a hairy experience. It's bad enough if one has his family in this type situation, but to subject it to other peoples safety is downright negligent. Don't know, guess I'm one of these "better safe than sorry" individuals, and again, it only takes "one time" to make it a really bad experience. I'm not going to "take a chance" and "gamble" that it's ok to do this because of silly, flimsy excuses like, "everyone else does it" or "the weights of the trucks are really underated"....do I want to subject my family's safety to those types of speculation......not even hardly.......I'll just drive defensively and try to stay away from those towing well over their vehicles capabilites and hope they cause no harm to me or my family when being negligent.

We should start an overweight "in your opinion" club!

I'm member number #1!
signguy can be #2

Who is next for the over weight club?


Can i be # 3

So if your legal, and I have no reason to question that, where is your dog in this fight? I've not said anything to anyone who is towing "responsible". Why would you condone someone towing a 24,500# 5er when the loaded 5er alone has already eclipsed the GCWR of the truck, not even counting the weight of the truck. Not saying for one minute that our mountains come close to what your mountains are like, but it's nothing to tow up or down 7-9 miles and further of nothing but up or down curvy roads with 7-9% grades in quite a few places, even on the interstates. Coming off I26 leaving NC into TN is a steep grade, 8% and steeper in places that "goes on" for about 8 miles...oh, it's also curvy..I've pulled it as well as went down it and you really need to pay attention to what your doing. To put a 24,000# 5er on my truck and tow down it....don''t know if I could control the speed all the way down that mountain, and it's not as bad as the one on I64 in WV from Beckley to Sandstone Falls. Could really be a hairy experience. It's bad enough if one has his family in this type situation, but to subject it to other peoples safety is downright negligent. Don't know, guess I'm one of these "better safe than sorry" individuals, and again, it only takes "one time" to make it a really bad experience. I'm not going to "take a chance" and "gamble" that it's ok to do this because of silly, flimsy excuses like, "everyone else does it" or "the weights of the trucks are really underated"....do I want to subject my family's safety to those types of speculation......not even hardly.......I'll just drive defensively and try to stay away from those towing well over their vehicles capabilites and hope they cause no harm to me or my family when being negligent.

Your truck will hold back 22k plus the trucks weight on a 7% grade at 8% I am using the brakes every half mile to slow about 5-7 mph- at least that is what I have to do.

I don't really have a beef except to say that heavier loads can be carried by these trucks legally and safely even though they exceed the mfg. suggested ratings.

Will the truck wear out sooner? Absolutely

http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

Paranoid really sums all this up! These trucks are capable of alot more than what people use them for... thats one reason why diesel is so high b/c of the demand, where as people could get away with alot less truck, each there own. Everytime I touch my boat Im overlength and overloaded on most every trailer I own, but they sell permits for that (not that I pull them) The mnfgrs have tow ratings for warranty purposes and negligence. Somebody keeps mentioning the lawyers, lawsuits, and attorneys about some glorified "IF" accident... well, I hope you get rest at nights

All I can say is it's a good thing Christopher Columbus didn't think sailing a small boat was too dangerous and he could get sued. If he did he may have just stayed home.

All I can say is it's a good thing Christopher Columbus didn't think sailing a small boat was too dangerous and he could get sued. If he did he may have just stayed home.


Son.....old Chris got lost...if he hadn't stumbled upon these shores, someone else would have...oh, they did....some say it was a Viking.....you've gone to the inane to give a comparison. Some will possibly only learn the hard way, some will never learn at all...just make fun and say what they think are clever silly things because they can't think of anything else to say to justify something that really isn't very safe...hey, your family, your property, have at it.................

Paranoid.....not hardly...only when I was in Nam....call it what you will though...any justification to say towing over "X" amount of pounds is just fine, make fun of people, come up with ridiculous comparisions...I don't know, guess it'll work for some of you...never said a word about lawsuits or anything to that extend, just that I'm not going to go out of my way to put my familys welfare in jeopardy....oh that's right.....absolutely nothing is going to happen...., but what "IF"....oh, I forgot we can't say that around here, no way, no shape no how is anything ever going to happen by me towing 5,000# over my trucks capacity....the truck can handle it..famous last words...."hey!!! look at this.................................

I never said all of this was you. That may be your own paranoia? Life is full of "what if's" You are well within your rights to think how you do. But it does not give you anymore wisdom than the next guy. You are just as convinced that you are correct, as are we. Just because you report about a terrible accident does not mean it will fit into other towing situations. I respect the fact that you are cautious with your family. I feel I am with mine as well. Plenty of people get hurt everyday, should we analize and not do any of these things?

I'm not afraid of lawsuits, it the not coming home to my family part that scares me. Or me not getting stopped in time and killing someone else. If you have ever been around 285 in Atlanta you would understand how fast traffic can come to a complete halt. If these big TT's had air brakes it would be much better. A few weeks back an unloaded log truck hit a school bus on a rainy day because he did not know the area and did not realize there was a blind curve with a bus stopped ahead.


Air brakes never fail?

I never said all of this was you. That may be your own paranoia? Life is full of "what if's" You are well within your rights to think how you do. But it does not give you anymore wisdom than the next guy. You are just as convinced that you are correct, as are we. Just because you report about a terrible accident does not mean it will fit into other towing situations. I respect the fact that you are cautious with your family. I feel I am with mine as well. Plenty of people get hurt everyday, should we analize and not do any of these things?

Your exactly right, for your family and lifestyle...not for mine. Never said I had anymore wisdom than anyone else, a lot of "life experiences" and I have used a lot of "common sense" in a lot of my decisions over the years I've been around, but agree with you, you have your opinion and guidelines and I have mine based mostly on fact and common sense. Your right again, people get hurt every day....they don't plan on it, but it happens and quite a few of those times, it could have been avoided "IF" some common sense had been used, or certain practices had been followed. Should we analize why? Of course we should to keep from repeating them. Should we not do some of these things?? Should we not do some of what things???? I'm still going camping, I just try to be safe about doing it...I go hunting and fishing, I just try to be safe when I do it. Common sense and being safe is just some practices that, to me, should be utilized in everyday life, but that's just me.

rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble; sorry, but really thats all this has become.

thanks for the intelligent contribution though, if this thread is just rabble, why did you even bother to stop by and post? Seems like a real waste of your valuable time.:confuzeld

because I was initially curious about the topic, and wanted to add some numbers that I have heard of in the past, but now this isn't even a useful thread, Its just people like you arguing back and forth about who is negligent and who is a coward. GET OVER IT. And don't even try to get smart with me, I have attacked no one on this thread, and it's you guys who are wasting every ones time with this crap. This is a forum for information, not arguing whether who's right or wrong.

because I was initially curious about the topic, and wanted to add some numbers that I have heard of in the past, but now this isn't even a useful thread, Its just people like you arguing back and forth about who is negligent and who is a coward. GET OVER IT. And don't even try to get smart with me, I have attacked no one on this thread, and it's you guys who are wasting every ones time with this crap. This is a forum for information, not arguing whether who's right or wrong.

You've attacked no one on here yet called someone a "coward"???

If you've been on this forum, or any forum for any length of time at all, you should know that there has always been, on occasion, disagreements about some subject matter and "arguments" have arisen. One very good example was the very heated 'exchanges" over the LLY overheating issues" to name just one, and not just this forum, but also several rv forums.

No one is getting smart with you, but I would like to know who your calling a "coward".


You stated:
"It's just people like "YOU" arguing back and forth about who is negligent and who is a coward".

I hope your not inferring that "I'M" a coward. I spent 11 months in combat in Viet Nam that say's otherwise, I'm no coward. If your saying one is a "coward" because they don't tow well over their trucks GRAR or GCWR, that is your opinion but unlike some in here, you've resorted to name calling in the process. I've called no one any names.


I'm over it.............

OMG!!! You've got to be kidding me. What ever dude, I'm not even going down to that level, so Have a good life, and i hope you all the best. And thanks for serving.

And by the way, I was using the term coward, referring to when guys were throwing around the "weight police" term. I was not "myself" calling anyone a coward.

And the "You" was a vague term representing everyone involved in this spat, not just YOU NCHauler.

Have a nice day.

Are you serius ? You don't see any fivers here in the desert? I see them all over the place, and here at my house too.

Yea, they are all over the "desert=meth-labs"... oops my bad that is up in HYSTERIA/CRAPPYVALLY and I'm positive near/in 29-STUMPS... LOL.. No I mean in the weigh station. I haven't seen one in there during any of my travels...

Yea, they are all over the "desert=meth-labs"... oops my bad that is up in HYSTERIA/CRAPPYVALLY and I'm positive near/in 29-STUMPS... LOL.. No I mean in the weigh station. I haven't seen one in there during any of my travels...


You forgot about Landers! the land of labs and disposed of bodies.
Fivers are not required to go through the DOT scales, so I agree with you on that.

Air brakes never fail?

Well when you lose air pressure, the brakes lock up. When you lose electric power you have no way to make the brakes stop you. Air brakes also have much more clamping force. Why do you think big rigs use air brakes and not electric or electric over hydraulic?

Well when you lose air pressure, the brakes lock up. When you lose electric power you have no way to make the brakes stop you. Air brakes also have much more clamping force. Why do you think big rigs use air brakes and not electric or electric over hydraulic?


Air brakes do fail, that is why there are "runaway truck ramps". Not all air brakes apply when they fail or have a leak. Air brakes are also slower to react than electric brakes. There all all sorts of things that can go wrong in an air brake system. I have lots of experiance with them. Yes they do apply more clamping force, the are much bigger. An air brake system is just not prctical on a pick up.

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when you lose air pressure.. the rear brakes... the maxi's lock up.. also the trailer brakes on a tractor trailer combo.. the trailer maxi's will engage and lock the wheels..

yes things go wrong with all kinds of breaking systems.. but a HUGE difference between air brakes, hydraulic, and crappy trailer electric brakes

Air brakes do fail, that is why there are "runaway truck ramps". Not all air brakes apply when they fail or have a leak. Air brakes are also slower to react than electric brakes. There all all sorts of things that can go wrong in an air brake system. I have lots of experiance with them. Yes they do apply more clamping force, the are much bigger. An air brake system is just not prctical on a pick up.


The runaway truck rams are usually for when the trucks brakes have gotten so hot they no longer work. Do you think electric brakes are superior to air brakes then?

Been in T/T 40 ton leanin on the brakes... OK literally STANDING on them... Not 1 set of tires locked up..... Empty no prob...

they were either real hot or way out of adjustment.. if you ride any brakes long enough all will get hot and fade.. I drive triaxel dumps pulling equipment trailers with big excavators and dozers in tow.. DOT Pre inspection trip before you get in the truck in the morning requires a walkaround and a manuel and visual check of the slack adjusters among other things.. if the slack adjusters (brake adjustment) is correct.. the brakes will lock up to stop you.. unless someones been riding the brakes instead of gearing down.. And if it loses air pressure for some reason the eb will kick in the maxis will lock the rear wheels up.. and yes the reaction time is a tad slower for air brakes then hydraulic.

The runaway truck rams are usually for when the trucks brakes have gotten so hot they no longer work. Do you think electric brakes are superior to air brakes then?



I do not think electric brakes are superior to air brakes. Air brakes are just not practical on a pick up truck. Not all air brakes are a "spring" brake. Some of them are single acting. Which means no air no brakes.

I do not think electric brakes are superior to air brakes. Air brakes are just not practical on a pick up truck. Not all air brakes are a "spring" brake. Some of them are single acting. Which means no air no brakes.

Electric over hydraulic? Ease of electric with power of hydraulic.

Straight hydraulic would be the best. Its just not as practical as electric. You would think that with all the advancement in technology, that electric brakes would have been improved upon.

I pull a 22,500 lb cat dozier on a 7000 lb flatbed sometims 3 times a week and less others on an 07 classic. used to stock but now a good tow program but always lookin for better. gettin the efi live..

With my truck I am more worried about getting the teeruk stopped them moving. A good trailer brake system helps a ton.

I pull a 22,500 lb cat dozier on a 7000 lb flatbed sometims 3 times a week and less others on an 07 classic. used to stock but now a good tow program but always lookin for better. gettin the efi live..

ABSOLUTELY CRAZY pulling that type of weight with a pickup truck---ANY pickup for that matter.Besides it being completely illegal anywhere,you're risking lives here big time.Simple--i've said it often--it takes weight to pull weight----AND-to stop it.You need more,much more ass under you for what you're doing.I pull similiar weight with a 7500 Chevy dump and I'm just barely legal----AND safe!!!!

Most 1 ton hotshot drivers are licensed to scale out at 36000. So if the truck is lets say 8500 lbs. then it can legally pull 27,500. As for air brakes I've been in a dump that failed with no backup, luckily we found an angled driveway. As for air vs. electric I'd rather have no breaks at 65mph than having the breaks lock up. I drive a Freightshaker for a company and almost lost everything having the truck shut off at 55mph with no power steering and 100psi to make my stop. 78,900 lbs the scale sheet read, luckily I was going up hill.

Most 1 ton hotshot drivers are licensed to scale out at 36000. So if the truck is lets say 8500 lbs. then it can legally pull 27,500.

Not quite true.

Legal in the sense that the state will license you to pull that much. If you'll check the fine print, that legal document does not cover exceeding the weight limits of your vehicle...they could just as easy give you a license to haul 50k. They are making the incorrect assumption that drivers are smart enough not to do that. All the state wants is more revenue by charging for a higher tow limit. If you want to talk "legal" and you are towing 36k with a GM dually, you are "legally" 12,500# over weight. Go ask an attorney what your liability issues are if your at fault in an accident and 12.5k over weight.

ABSOLUTELY CRAZY pulling that type of weight with a pickup truck---ANY pickup for that matter.Besides it being completely illegal anywhere,you're risking lives here big time.Simple--i've said it often--it takes weight to pull weight----AND-to stop it.You need more,much more ass under you for what you're doing.I pull similiar weight with a 7500 Chevy dump and I'm just barely legal----AND safe!!!!

S110 rear axle, 15.4" brakes and widetrack front axle ensure my F450 pickup handles 22-24k just fine. My trailer is rated to 26k and my GCWR runs to 32k, 1k below GCWR. The engine puffs a little if moving from a rest on an incline but other than that the truck couldn't handle it with more ease. Now, if you'd said "pulling that weight with a 1 ton dually is crazy" I'd have to agree.;)

-Rob

I do similar on a weekly basis. My trailer weights around 8500lbs and and my pickup 8000-8500lbs and I'll load 20K-25K on it putting me at 35K-40K gross. 35,500lb is max legal for my setup but I rarely go by the DOT. I've learned how to avoid them ;). Anyway it tows fine but you learn where and how to stop and leave lots of room to do so. I'm about to put on an exhaust brake and I hope that helps cause I can't justify a 5500 4x4 yet :(. Been doing it for 3yrs now with a 2500HD and 3500 so if anyone says it can't be done for extended periods they are mislead cause I do it for a living.

I pull a 22,500 lb cat dozier on a 7000 lb flatbed sometims 3 times a week and less others on an 07 classic. used to stock but now a good tow program but always lookin for better. gettin the efi live..

I do similar on a weekly basis. My trailer weights around 8500lbs and and my pickup 8000-8500lbs and I'll load 20K-25K on it putting me at 35K-40K gross. 35,500lb is max legal for my setup but I rarely go by the DOT. I've learned how to avoid them ;). Anyway it tows fine but you learn where and how to stop and leave lots of room to do so. I'm about to put on an exhaust brake and I hope that helps cause I can't justify a 5500 4x4 yet :(. Been doing it for 3yrs now with a 2500HD and 3500 so if anyone says it can't be done for extended periods they are mislead cause I do it for a living.

Hopefully you will never have to say any of this quote in the court room should your ''reasoning'' backfire and you hurt/kill someone.The DA's would pick your bones apart with that defense.You really are playing with fire pulling all that weight wth a pickup--only a matter of time before the DOT has a field day with you.

I'm DOT legal to 35,900lbs. The pickup has a GVW of 11,400 and the trailer has a GVW 24,500. The DOT plainly told me that one day when they pulled me over to check me one day. Do your math or call the DOT and they'll give ya the same answer ;).

Hopefully you will never have to say any of this quote in the court room should your ''reasoning'' backfire and you hurt/kill someone.The DA's would pick your bones apart with that defense.You really are playing with fire pulling all that weight wth a pickup--only a matter of time before the DOT has a field day with you.

Easy way to say this......... Just don't get caught.......

Is any one towing anything around 20-21000lb consistently /with their 3500?

If so how is the rear end/trans holding up?

I use my truck for work every day. Normally hauling a 30' Eliminator loaded with tools longhaul. Around the plant, I use the truck to move pup trailers as necessary, & most of the time they're loaded. Although my truck is an exception to the rule because we've gone through and replaced axle shafts, drive shaft and trans components from the jump. We very rarely have any issues.

I'm DOT legal to 35,900lbs. The pickup has a GVW of 11,400 and the trailer has a GVW 24,500. The DOT plainly told me that one day when they pulled me over to check me one day. Do your math or call the DOT and they'll give ya the same answer ;).

2 and 2 doesn't always add up to 4 here.You probably dodged a bullet that day--next time you might get a DOT officer with a little more savvy and a whole lot more attitude.By your reasoning,you probably are thinking you can pull a 40 ton lowboy hauling a Cat D8.The bottom line here is if you cause an accident,your GCWR is going to be examined and you are carrying beyond GM's ratings.You simply need a larger horse--PERIOD.

Wow, a lot of stuff on this thread. I am buying a 2007 or 08 3500 Dually, Duramax. It's a stock truck. I just bought a 2010 Keystone Fuzion 403 Toy Hauler. Weighs 13,201 dry, about 1,217lbs of ATV's will be in it, 1,000lbs of water at times. So, total around 15.5 + cloths and dishes, etc. Maybe 16.5-17.0 total.

Will my Dually be okay for this???

Wow, a lot of stuff on this thread. I am buying a 2007 or 08 3500 Dually, Duramax. It's a stock truck. I just bought a 2010 Keystone Fuzion 403 Toy Hauler. Weighs 13,201 dry, about 1,217lbs of ATV's will be in it, 1,000lbs of water at times. So, total around 15.5 + cloths and dishes, etc. Maybe 16.5-17.0 total.

Will my Dually be okay for this???


I am going to say yes. I haul equal to and heavier with my SRW 3500.

Wow, a lot of stuff on this thread. I am buying a 2007 or 08 3500 Dually, Duramax. It's a stock truck. I just bought a 2010 Keystone Fuzion 403 Toy Hauler. Weighs 13,201 dry, about 1,217lbs of ATV's will be in it, 1,000lbs of water at times. So, total around 15.5 + cloths and dishes, etc. Maybe 16.5-17.0 total.

Will my Dually be okay for this???

Shouldn't be a problem. I'm at 70,000 miles most of it towing more than that and have had no problems.