I was looking at some Weight Specifications - Like in Ford's Towing Guide..

What I don't really get is the safety side of the recommendations..

Example: SC - Gas -2011- 250 w/ 3.73 is 12000# fifth wheel rated & same truck with 4.30 is 15000#..

I understand that the lower gears will pull better - but besides gears - there is nothing different on these trucks.. right?

The point being - people talk about liability if you have an accident while being overweight - So if the above 2 trucks got in accident together with goosenecks each loaded w/ 14k# then technically the one with 3.73's could be sued for overweight issues - right?

Clear as mud?

I understand that Ford wants to put these weights lower on the higher rear end because of possible increased wear & tear on driveline - but what does that have to do with legalities & such ?

 

I have yet to read anywhere that the tow rating has any legal standing. Like it says its a towing guide.

 

Don't overlook that as well as the lower gears pulling up to speed better, there will also be more compression braking on the deaceleration.

I agree that Ford is probably trying to avoid the high throttle / low speed lugging that damages things, but there is also that compression braking side of things to consider as well.

Ford's towing recommendations are just that, they have no legal standing from a tickatble point, but in a injury lawsuit, you could be sued, and would probably loose, if if was proven that you were towing outside of the recommended & accepted norms, AND that had a cause or contribution to the wreck. Remember Civil statues are different than criminal statues. A different set of rules and evidence prevail.

Just look at the trials OJ went thru, Criminal - not guilty, Civil, guilty, and it cost him a lot of personal property to settle the civil side of things, but no jail time as he was found not guilty in the criminal side of things!

Same with a ticket, at least in the state of Washington, while you cannot be directly ticketed for towing over the recommended limit, have a accident, and if that overloading is determined to have a contriution / direct cause in the wreck, then you can be cited for either negilent or reckless driving, in addition to any other tickets.

Here in Washington we have Yellow speed limit signs as well as White (absolute limit, exceed at risk of ticket for speeding), the Yellow are only recommended speeds, you cannot be cited directly for excedding them, BUT have a wreck, and if speed had a contributing factor and you were exceeding the "recommended limit" then be prepared for a negilent or reckless ticket in addition to the "speed to fast for conditions" ticket.

Best just to try to stay within the limits which are clearly published and known, especially if you have something like a family or property / cash to loose. Or want cheap car / truck insurance. Tickets cost in many ways. Wrecks more so.

At least in my opinion... David!

 

Addressing the difference between civil and criminal penalties, as you have suggested is important. You can safely bet in the event of an accident, in which weight was alleged to be a factor, the Ford recommendations will be quoted during the depositions as well as during the trial, if it were to go that far.

Even though I believe they have more to do with warranty coverage than safety, I would hate to have to argue against them. Too many lawyers, not enough money.

Good advice in my opinion,

Steve

 

I try to stay within my GCVWR, Drivers license limitations and registered weight. I beleive those three things are highly important.

Drivers License is probably the only one of concern if pulled over. All three when an accident though.

 

I know that upgrading from a '99 PSD to what I have now makes me a really happy camper.

 

Don't forget about metal fatigue as well. The OEMs test at their limits (maybe above too) to validate their engineering. Regularly exceeding them will wear down the truck quicker, and you might see things break that normally wouldn't be a problem. In theory, this will raise your maintenance costs. And if something breaks while towing and causes an accident...then that can be a way for a lawyer to get you.