I would appreciate your comments on the following:

1. What are the consequences, in terms of damage/premature wear and tear to the vehicle and road handling, of "overloading" my truck in excess of the GVWR?

2. What modifications, if any, to the truck will avoid or reduce these consequences?

The facts: The GVWR of my 2002 F-350 SRW SuperCab (158" wheel base) is 9900 lbs. The actual weight of the truck, when fully loaded with camper, passengers, personal belongings, is about 10,500 lbs.

The front GAWR is 4400 lbs and my actual weight on the front axle is about 4080 lbs.

The rear GAWR is 6830 lbs and my actual weight on the rear axle is about 6250 lbs.

My tires are the original equipment size, LT265/75R 16E (Load Range - 3415 lbs/tire at 80 lbs psi; Load Index of E).

My assessment is that the amount of overloading in this case will not cause any damage/premature wear and tear to the truck or tires. It will adversely affect highway road handling of the truck.

Thanks for your comments.

Bill

 

Just in an accident, you can be sued and insurance won't cover you.

Josh

 

You'll be fine load It and go, just know your truck and it's limits. I've always way overloaded my old 88 GMC dually and I never had issues. Just make sure everything is in good shape from tires to brakes and head out.

 

You will want to check your state's vehicle code for the ramifications of travelling over your GVWR. There are a lot of differences state to state.

GVWR is usually a little less than the sum of your GAWRs. Keep in mind your weights on the scale were taken sitting still, or 'static'. Driving down the road, your weight is 'dynamic', which means it can move from axle to axle depending on acceleration/deceleration, turning, road grades, etc. As close as you are to GAWRs static, it wouldn't be difficult to exceed a GAWR driving down the road. This is especially of concern with your rear tires. Static, you are at 91.5% of your tires' rated load capacity. A good dip in the road and you risk blowing a tire.

 

We have annual inspection requirements for any vehicle over 10,000 GVWR. When we purchase an F250, we can "downgrade" for free to 9,900 GVWR to avoid this annual task. It's the same truck, and the line item is shown on the build sheet. If you have the window sticker for yours, take a look and this may be how you ended up with that sticker on the door. Same truck, but "lower" GVWR. I don't think the truck will have a problem, but you might if you get stopped. You'll be over the rating for the truck, and around here that means you get towed. YMMV.

 

Its sounds like you are better suited with a dually. When you say camper, you mean in bed camper, right? Not a trailer?

 

It will be harder on your brakes ( more brake wear and possibly longer stopping distance) . Also I expect a bit more wear and tear on tranny . Rear springs /shocks may be sagging a bit . These are just guesses ,it may happen or may not .

Just drive very carefully , use your wisdom , drive responsibly, know your limitations.

Good luck,

 

This is not true. If we all followed the rules and never made a mistake, we wouldn't need insurance. Will they cover you? Yes. Will they renew? Probably not.

To the OP? If it were me I wouldn't be too concerned as long as I am under my axle/tire ratings.

S

 

You will be OK, just make sure the tires and brakes are in good shape. When your truck is loaded, see how it sits. You may want to address any front or rear squatting with any number of devices. That is your choice.

Legally....you're going to get a lot of advice. Take it with a grain of salt. I have never heard of an insurance company weighing your vehicle if you get into an accident. As for the scales, they normally do not bother pickups. Your 600 overweight. I don't think that will present an issue.

 

Basically this is my "opinion" on this also

 

look thru this chart. note that there are different numbers for 4X2 and 4X4 and different numbers for the cab type. you didn't say engine type...that makes a diff in the chart.

The main number you need to look at is paylod max....because your camper is mounted by sitting on your existing bed. There are two different bed sizes....weight distribution from camper to truck bed is different for 6.5 or 8.0 bed

The max GVWR numbers people are looking at don't really apply unless you removed you bed and mounted the camper directly to the fram.

Your weakest link is the cargo bed shell.

So take a look and step thru the numbers....read the notes.

The payload rating seems to be pretty far below the difference between your actual weight and empty weight.

Would I drive it like that probally....might add some cross bracking under my bed...would I be nervous on straigh and narrow roads..probally not...woudl I be nerveous on hilly winding roads...you bet.

The chart with the payload data info depending on your truck configuration is here


https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...62922401,d.dmQ