How are commercial vehicles able to exceed payload

[moose074]

So I have been doing a lot of driving on I-10 lately and have seen several DWD and a few SWD trucks hauling 3-5 cars on a trailer. Virtually everyone of them basically had a car or two sitting over the tow vehicle. Being commercial trucks don’t they have to stop at weigh stations. I went to the internet for pics because I never get one while driving

[ependydad]

I know that in Maryland, you could register the truck for any specific weight you wanted to. As long as you're under that registered weight, I imagine you're good when you roll across the weigh stops.

BUT- I'm *guessing*.

[Homebrew]

Most of those vehicles are only 5-7 thousand pounds each.
Most DRW are rated for that weight.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by Homebrew

Most of those vehicles are only 5-7 thousand pounds each.
Most DRW are rated for that weight.

And Only a percentage of that total weight is on the vehicle per se.. So with a heavy truck loaded backed on, that rear end would be considerably lighter than the front end with the cab, motor, etc..

[2Evil4U]

They aren't allowed to exceed ratings and I'd wager neither of those rigs is even close. My 4x4 dually has a payload of 5650#. A comparable 2WD would be around 6k+. Those are light trailers and light loads.

Though on a different topic, I've often wondered why class 8 rigs don't have a GCWR.

[jkoenig24]

Delivering trailers / vehicles / RVs etc ARE considered commercial use (as opposed to PRIVATE RV use). Being a commercial operation, they ARE subject to laws governing commercial operation. More and more weigh stations now post WEIGHT LIMITS (instead of the word "Commercial" or "Trucks") so, technically, many vehicles ARE required to pull into a weigh station. SO FAR, this does NOT seem to be strictly enforced BUT, with revenues shrinking, I can see the day where there will be greater enforcement of more Vehicle & Traffic Laws. Right now, even VERY heavy RVs are not expected (or wanted) to pull into a weigh station. As more inexperienced RVers hit the road and, don't bother to get the training needed to SAFELY operate these behemoths, the number of BAD accidents will increase and, I expect enforcement re: RVers will rise to combat those accidents. New RVers SHOULD take RV training classes. RV Boot Camp is a GREAT start as is a session booked with a PROFESSIONAL Driver Trainer. Such training WILL pay BIG dividends and make RVing MUCH more enjoyable.

[Oaklevel]

Both of the loaded trailers pictured are more than likely under 15,000 lbs or not much over. A fifth wheel camper is commonly about that as well.

Most of the hot shots like pictured drive F450 and F550s not F350s. Most of the trailers are three axle.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by jkoenig24

New RVers SHOULD take RV training classes. RV Boot Camp is a GREAT start as is a session booked with a PROFESSIONAL Driver Trainer. Such training WILL pay BIG dividends and make RVing MUCH more enjoyable.

This is a great idea but training for RV driving / towing is rare and in this area non existent.

[tonyb1725]

Class 8 trucks are limited to 80,000 Gcwr interstate
Intrastate (In state ) weights are administered by the state you are in and sell permits for about any overweight or oversize combination you can come up with the limiting factor is generally tire capacity which is why you may see rigs with 9 or more axles and in this case 32 tires.
Living in Wny and traveling through Canada I have never seen an Rv pulled over by police for a weight check
Canada does actively do safety checks on even small U haul trailers if needed

[moose074]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

Both of the loaded trailers pictured are more than likely under 15,000 lbs or not much over. A fifth wheel camper is commonly about that as well.

Most of the hot shots like pictured drive F450 and F550s not F350s. Most of the trailers are three axle.

Both those pictures are advertised for sale as 350 both older models so the payload is not as great as newer trucks. Also I would think by the axles being so far back. That the last vehicle is not removing as much weight off the truck as the middle vehicle is adding. I had an older dodge pass me in Odessa had a rack over the cab as well. I didn’t see if it had the 5.9 or 6.7 but it sounded like a 5.9.
I asked DPS friend across street he does DOT he says they basically enforce road weight limits and not the Payload sticker in door jam

[jdbunch1630]

First of all, these trucks are required to pull through weight stations, at least they were when I drove one back in 2008, the truck I drove was tagged in NC for a total weight of 30000. I had to have a CDL A drivers license to drive one. They enforce tagged weights, not payload stickers, You can also have your stock payload added on by adding springs or other items and licensed shops can issue a new payload sticker for the truck

[moose074]

Originally Posted by jdbunch1630

First of all, these trucks are required to pull through weight stations, at least they were when I drove one back in 2008, the truck I drove was tagged in NC for a total weight of 30000. I had to have a CDL A drivers license to drive one. They enforce tagged weights, not payload stickers, You can also have your stock payload added on by adding springs or other items and licensed shops can issue a new payload sticker for the truck

So if true and my research looking up payload stickers in state law and based on my conversation with DOT DPS. Then half of the payload conversations regarding 1/2 ton and 3/4 trucks are pointless from the “ weight police “ for being over payload

[Jim34RL]

If you are driving a pick-up truck for commerical use with a CDL. The truck displays the appropiate DOT numbers and requirements on your vehicle. Also compling with the DOT safety requirements plus the truck is license with a Flat Rate Plate paying the appropiate fees along with not exceding your tire loads than you are legal in IL.

This plate is required for anything over 10,001 LBS in vehicle weight. You simple register the pick-up truck for what every weight you want in 2,000 to 4,000 LB increments and pay the appropriate fees for the licenses plate.

That's how they can tow those loads in IL. If you are legal in your state than you are legal in all other states.

[Hersbird]

Side question, what are those things on the back of the 2nd pic?

[Lins]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

Side question, what are those things on the back of the 2nd pic?

Derailing the thread, but I was wondering that too. Some kinda gokart or park ride/vehicle?

[upflying]

IIRC, a single axle could not exceed 20,000 when going through a scale. No doubt the F350/450/550 the Hot Shots drive are not exceeding that axle weight. Yes they are commercial drivers and must have a class A to pull that trailer. You can see the ICC and PUC numbers on the side.
I too am curious what those 3 white suvs are , no clue what they are never seen them before.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

Side question, what are those things on the back of the 2nd pic?

They are VPG MV-1..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_Production_Group

[jkoenig24]

"This is a great idea but training for RV driving / towing is rare and in this area non existent."

Lets see; a newbie is going to spend many thousands (or hundreds of thousands) of dollars on an RV. You're saying someone who will spend that kind of money will balk at a ONE TIME expense to travel to attend a MAJOR RV rally where RV Boot Camps and Professional Driver Training WILL be available? MANY people fly or drive into a major rally and stay at a local motel JUST to get said special training which WILL make them SAFER RVers and SMARTER RV buyers (YES, spots can and should be made IN ADVANCE).


Before settling on the purchase of a Class 7, Freightliner based HDT (Heavy Duty Truck based Super-C RV, I DID drive from NY to TN to attend the HDT~ECR (Heavy Duty Truck~East Coast Rally). I stayed in a Camping Cabin and, what I learned there, enabled me to make a MUCH more informed buying decision. In addition to getting educated, I had a GREAT time!

[Qwkynuf]

Originally Posted by jkoenig24

"This is a great idea but training for RV driving / towing is rare and in this area non existent."

Lets see; a newbie is going to spend many thousands (or hundreds of thousands) of dollars on an RV. You're saying someone who will spend that kind of money will balk at a ONE TIME expense to travel to attend a MAJOR RV rally where RV Boot Camps and Professional Driver Training WILL be available? MANY people fly or drive into a major rally and stay at a local motel JUST to get said special training which WILL make them SAFER RVers and SMARTER RV buyers (YES, spots can and should be made IN ADVANCE).


Before settling on the purchase of a Class 7, Freightliner based HDT (Heavy Duty Truck based Super-C RV, I DID drive from NY to TN to attend the HDT~ECR (Heavy Duty Truck~East Coast Rally). I stayed in a Camping Cabin and, what I learned there, enabled me to make a MUCH more informed buying decision. In addition to getting educated, I had a GREAT time!

Is there something wrong with your Caps Lock key?

[moose074]

Many of you have hit on my points of emphasis. I know these guys have to go thru weigh stations. I also know it’s incredibly unlikely that they are under the payload sticker on the door. While I have read but highly doubt that RV are being pulled over and weighed. Only to be left on the side of road because truck doesn’t have the payload or the driver doesn’t have some obscure license to drive the truck. Living in west Texas I see heavy loaded hot shot drivers daily. If being registered as a commercial vehicle is all it takes then wouldn’t all California trucks be excepted from payload sticker. Since supposedly all trucks are registered as commercial. Anyway I have read more than one thread where someone traded in for a bigger truck because they got pounded about their lack of payload and all the laws they were breaking.