Am I going to have to sell my fifth wheel?

[tmsbandman]

LOL. That's the funny thing about these forums. So many differing opinions. Seems like there are plenty of people who would support either decision I make. I'm taking the trailer to get the brakes fixed, and will see how it feels from there. Even if it feels right, there's always that "what if"

[Sunseeker24]

Talk to a frame shop. They specialise in legally increasing gvw on trucks. I am quite sure they cam make you legal amd provide the proper paperwork as proof.

[The_Rhino]

Originally Posted by tmsbandman

Unfortunately, I have discovered that my CVWR is 20,000#. I went through a scale with the trailer, and was at 22,300 total....

I have a CDL & more trailer towing/maintenance experience than most... I'm serious about the 16 year-old brake lines, etc., especially when you intend to operate 2,300 lbs. over GCVW for thousands of miles of varying terrain & road conditions...

YES you can absolutely get a lot more SAFE towing miles out of 15+ year-old HD trucks... They were meant to work... HOWEVER, these are not like a daily driver/beater... You have to maintain them to retain their original performance specs... IMO it's essential to stay-ahead on maintenance & replace stuff well before it has a chance to break...

In 2013 we only had a budget of $35K to spend on BOTH the TV & TT so I spent a lot of time crawling under 12-15 year-old trucks in the $15K range before I found a 2 year-old Ram 2500 w/balance of warranty for only $14K... I chose the newer truck with "less bling" because even "southern" trucks had a lot of brake line corrosion and/or other harder to spot issues...

Originally Posted by tmsbandman

I'm taking the trailer to get the brakes fixed, and will see how it feels from there. Even if it feels right, there's always that "what if"

I could never get my Ram's OEM controller to lock the TT tires on loose gravel. When I installed the P3 controller, I actually had to dial it back... I also clean my TV/TT connection regularly... If I lose that connection, it comes down to the condition of my Ram's brakes, so I inspect/maintain them just before every camping season...

Although my 2011 Ram 2500 is only 6 years old, I upgraded my rotors & calipers this year for better performance. When removing a rear caliper, I found that it was totally frozen & even though the braking didn't "FEEL" any different (empty), the stuck caliper certainly would have reduced my stopping power at full GCVW...

[BamaBob]

Just remember - it is never can you TOW it but can you STOP it?

[325BH]

Originally Posted by Sunseeker24

Talk to a frame shop. They specialise in legally increasing gvw on trucks. I am quite sure they cam make you legal amd provide the proper paperwork as proof.

I guess it depends on whether the OP wants to be safe or legal. You can be completely safe but not in compliance with the stickers.

[rmac04401]

Originally Posted by JohnNJean

Be my guest and try it. I see it on a regular basis. Internet posts are the first stop for a legal investigator.

It's called a dig-it report. When I worked workers comp we always did a dig-it (searched internet) on someone we suspected of playing the system.

[drmoparPHD]

Your brake controller may have a problem, low voltage output? I would jack up one side, have someone rotate the wheel, and use manual on controller to see if the brakes even work correctly. Like another poster, shoes may be out of adjustment, worn out, defective magnets, etc. Your controller should be set to almost lock all brakes on manual activation. I know some controllers can only handle 4 brakes, but not 6, like my toy hauler. Loaded at 14000 lbs, my tri axle stops perfect. Light pedal with no lock up. I can feel the trailer start to brake first and then the Truck. Check electrical wiring also for voltage drop.

[Sunseeker24]

The PROS and CONS do make for interesting reading.
One thing I can tell you though.
The number of class "C" motorhomes on the road that are being driven UNDER THE GVRW are in the minority seeing as the actual payload of most is just over 1000 pounds.
The number of 1/2 and 3/4 ton pickup trucks towing trailers on the road that are UNDER THE GVRW are in the minority.
The number of 3/4 and 1 ton pickup trucks hauling fifth wheel trailers on the road that are UNDER THE GVRW are in the minority.


WHY? because PEOPLE WANT LUXURIES when they purchase an RV and LUXURIES ADD WEIGHT

Sit and watch the cars and trucks hauling 5er's and trailers coming into the campground sometime. The vast majority are draggingass due to overloaded springs, mis-adjusted weight distributing hitches, and overloaded pickup truck beds/vehicles.

A tow vehicle is not designed to stop a trailer weighing more than 2000 pounds on its own, that is why most states require BRAKES on trailers weighing more than that. The trailer brakes are designed to stop the trailer.

BTW that GVRW weight sticker on your door panel shows the ALLOWABLE WEIGHT AS BUILT not as ALTERED. Frame shops can add additional leafs or change coils to increase rear axle capacity, just as long as the axle itself and the brakes are capable of handling the load, axles can be changed, rear ends can be changed, brakes can be changed. The after market products are available to make those changes.

Will a 2001 3500HD dually pull a 23000 pound trailer at 75 miles an hour safely? Probably not, BUT neither will a 2017 3500HD dually either. and NEITHER WILL STOP THAT TRAILER SAFELY AT THAT SPEED.

but, I see crazy people towing those trailers doing 75 mph on I-75 here in Michigan every time we travel it.

BTW, got a question for the group, Who has ever been pulled over by the weight police, which state were you driving in, and were you pulled over specifically to be weighed or were you speeding or maybe even driving eratically?

Most states only require COMMERCIAL vehicles to go over the scales.

Just my two cents, time to unsubscribe, this thread is done being helpful to the OP

Happy Camping, and if you don't believe that you are probably overweight, run over the scales sometime. if your TV is an automobile, a crossover, or anything less than a 1 ton dually, you probably are!!!!!!!!

[head gamez]

Originally Posted by Sunseeker24

BTW, got a question for the group, Who has ever been pulled over by the weight police, which state were you driving in, and were you pulled over specifically to be weighed or were you speeding or maybe even driving eratically?

I have on what is now I74 coming into NC (NC side). Passed a weigh station as we had passed everyone from Martin Michigan to that point, and got run down by the Highway Patrol. Was towing with a 2000 Ford F-350. Tagged in the state of NC for 18,000 pounds (if I remember correctly). We were towing a 40' private race car trailer with two race cars and all support equipment / tools. Officer asked to see registration and then pulled out the portable scales. Wrote us a ticket where the cost was x$ for ever pound over the registered weight. It's been several years, so I don't remember how much over we were (we were north of 20k pounds), but he never once looked at the GVWR or GCWR on the door of the truck. He only cared about how much we had registered the truck for.

I now tow a 2016 Sandpiper. GVWR is 15.5k. Both of my trucks are tagged here in the state of NC to cover that weight plus the truck. Costs me $424 each year for each truck. I'm probably gonna drop the 2500HD down to 12k pounds just to cover my enclosed car trailer (not the same one discussed above).

[Sunseeker24]

So you were registered as a commercial vehicle with a gross weight rating on the plate. Not as a private vehicle. Not sure about any other state, but pickup trucks. Although using commercial plate numbers are plated as passanger vehicles unless they are used for comercial purposes. Commercial vehicle plate fees are based on weight minimun fee is 28000 pounds and sticker on plate will desigmate that
You were ticketed for carrying more weight than you paid plates for plain and simple and odds are were weighed because of that weight sticker on the plate.

[head gamez]

Originally Posted by Sunseeker24

So you were registered as a commercial vehicle with a gross weight rating on the plate. Not as a private vehicle. Not sure about any other state, but pickup trucks. Although using commercial plate numbers are plated as passanger vehicles unless they are used for comercial purposes. Commercial vehicle plate fees are based on weight minimun fee is 28000 pounds and sticker on plate will desigmate that
You were ticketed for carrying more weight than you paid plates for plain and simple and odds are were weighed because of that weight sticker on the plate.

Not commercial. Registered as a private vehicle with weighted plates. That same as any truck in NC that hauls more than groceries.

[Sunseeker24]

Originally Posted by head gamez

Not commercial. Registered as a private vehicle with weighted plates. That same as any truck in NC that hauls more than groceries.

I guess if your state requires weighted plates, you should probably make sure the weight category covers the weight of the trailer you are pulling.

Here in Michigan any pickup or van under 8001 pounds that is privately owned and not used for commercial purposes doesn't even need to have commercial plates on it even when towing a trailer. I carry commercial plates on my pickup because it allows you to stop in "loading zones" without being ticketed.

The last time I ran my MBS Sunseeker 2400WS though the scales, I was 150 lb under the front axle rating, 400 lb under the rear axle rating, and my trailer axles came in at 3050 lb. (1450 lb under trailer towing capacity rating) That was a fully provisioned motorhome running with a full tank of fuel, a half tank of fresh water, a 1/3 full black water tank, and an empty gray water tank.

Do I worry about being pulled over by a weight master? NO
Do I drive like a maniac? Hell NO

I learned a long time ago that the best place to be on a Sunday afternoon is in the right lane doing steady 60-65, while the idiots play bumper tag in the left lane.

[Svtyone]

As long as your trailer is less or equal to the tow ability then I wouldn't worry about overall weight. The only time that's gonna be an issue is if you get stop by dot for some reason. But generally as long as your a 1ton your not gonna have any legal issues.