Does anyone tow over the recommended rating for weight with their F-350? I'm curious how rigid the weight limit is, if anyone has any experience. I am headed on a cross country trip (5,000 plus miles) with horses, hay, water, and gear and would love some feedback on this. Our truck has been exceptional to us and has hauled some heavy farm equipment, however this will be daily wear/tear and our horse-trailer was just upgraded and it's much heavier than any of the previous horse trailers. We want to be good to our truck; it's been so good to us. Thanks.

 

There are people who pull trailers over the rated capacity. However, there aren't many people who would recommend doing it regularly.
I guess first question, what is the rating and equipment of your current truck, and what will the pin and total weights of that trailer be?

 

It would be hard to make a case that using any truck beyond it's design parameters on a regular basis will not have some negative impact on longevity.

My two cents,

Steve

 

What truck/year/engine


What is the gross (GVW) of the trailer.


Have you had the truck on the scales so you can see the actual weight as you will be driving it? (Gear, people, Fuel, Tools)?

 

I will work on getting answers to all of those numbers for calculations. I can answer the truck question- it's a 2001 manual f-350. I prefer it over our 2002 2500 Cummins manual because it has the crew cab. It also has just been an awesome and comfortable truck for us. It has 187K miles. I appreciate this help. My farmer and guy friends say don't worry about it but I thought I'd look here for some advice. Like I said I want to do right by the truck, it has been a workhorse. Has a new klutch and new airbrake (we use gears and brake a lot- lots of slow mountain miles hauling all sorts of stuff). Has a chip set to the second of three setting (we had it adjusted up one recently). Do not want to add more power because it doesn't not have a pyrometer. I am no engine expert, I am a nurse. So I must rely on others much more knowledgable to help me reach my traveling goals... Again I appreciate this.

 

a Good set of gauges will be a must, expecially a pyro and tranny guage.


Door cert will give you some axle numbers.

 

You may have a problem getting through weigh stations. Some states only pull commercial rigs across scales, but I was in one state where anything over 5k, commercial or not, had to go into the weigh stations. Any of your axles are over the factory GAWR, you could be camping at the weigh station trying to figure out how to lighten your load.

 

What state was that? I've towed all over the US and can not remember anything like that..

 

Never been pulled into a weight station as private. Just not going to happen.

 

Can't remember for sure, so I don't want to misinform. The signs leading up to the weigh stations said "All Vehicles Over 10,000 lbs Must Enter Weigh Station". Didn't say anything about commercial. I went through with the 5er, right behind 2 other ones. That stuck in my memory because I had never been through a weigh station with the camper before. It kind of freaked me out.

 

This link lists by state weighing requirements. It doesn't say anything about penalties or weight limits. It's surprising how many states have the language "vehicle GVWR 10,000#" have to be weighed.
Weigh Stations | AAA/CAA Digest of Motor Laws

 

All commercial..needs weighed. Private does not.

 

It was Maryland!

Maryland Motor Carrier Frequently Asked Questions


"8. What vehicles must go through weigh stations in Maryland?Now, do they hunt down non-commercial vehicles that do not comply, I have no idea.

 

For overweight long highway drives I suggest adding a pyrometer, transmission temp gauge, as well as a rear axle temp gauge.

As for legality, there's a lot of conflicting laws right now. "All over X weight" vs. "commercial only". I've never known of a private pickup and trailer combination being stopped for passing a weigh station. To my mind the contradiction comes down to poorly written laws trying to regulate two aspects of commercial transport. First commercial transportation that is still low weight. Best example of this is vehicles under 26K lbs hauling hazardous materials. Secondly small commercial transporters using pickup and trailer combinations, this is what might get you. If there is ANY commercial looking labeling on the vehicles I'd consider the risk of passing a station very seriously in some states.

That said, while I have little experience with this exact situation my understanding is that the legal standard axle and registered weights is the limitations, not what the door sticker says. The GCWR on the door sticker is a manufacture and federal DOT thing. Almost all the vehicular LEOs you'll come across only enforce State laws. Though I have gotten federal traffic tickets before.

Keep in mind that just about any city cop to DOT officer can find something to write a ticket for on 90% of vehicles/drivers. There is an ever widening gap between the letter of the law and the application of the law.


I'd enjoy making a bet with a cop that I could find a violation on 1/2 of the vehicles in the police stations employee parking lot with just a visual inspection.

 

You GOTTA read the whole law!!! This ONLY refers to CMV's!! (Commercial Motor Vehicles)