I wanted to get ya'lls thoughts on whether or not our trucks need to a weight class sticker on them.

How many of you do?

Is it required or just a preference?

I'm in PA with the truck if the state makes a difference.

Thanks!

 

I haven't heard of that being needed ever. I think it really depends on what state you're in AND what the truck is being used for. I would think if it's in commercial use where the state department of transportation has interest in what you're doing, then maybe it is something worth having. I really don't know though.

 

i am pretty sure that is a commercial truck thing. TI might be wrong though.

 

If its for personal use, like my camper, its not necessary. So I've been told.

 

I also live in PA. Here is my experience: My F-150 Flare Side no weight class sticker as it is rated a half ton and is NEVER over loaded per the manufacturer specs. My F-250 HD diesel NOW has a class 2 weight sticker because some small town officer pulled me over, with my family and travel trailer, while traveling through his "territory" and after trying to "bait" me into a ticket wrote me up because I did not have a class 2 weight sticker on my truck, which is registered as a class 2 vehicle. After I pointed it out to him several times that he was incorrect as I am registered as a class 2 vehicle. He threatened to impound my vehicle at which point my wife "encouraged" me to take the ticket and fight it in court. I took the ticket, which was a "provisional ticket/warning" with the stipulation that I had 15 days to obtain a class 2 sticker, install it on my vehicle, obtain a report from a state inspection mechanic that said sticker was installed, and lastly submit said report along with 3 photos of my truck with the sticker installed. I had the sticker in my possession, which I received from the previous owner when I purchased it, as well as a class 3 sticker I purchased because the rear has heaver duty springs for if/when I start towing/hauling heaver loads. My mechanic is a friend so paperwork was no problem, bought him lunch and helped out in his shop for an afternoon. Pictures were digital w? supplies laying around house. So cost me a stamp to clear my truck of it's "crimes against humanity". That is my story about my weight class sticker.
In the state of PA (unless they recently changed the laws, again) when you register your truck (not suv because they view them as "station wagons"), you are supposed to register it by its factory rated weight class. If you wish to carry a heavier load than it is rated for you are required to purchase a weight class sticker (for the life of the vehicle) of the weight class you wish to carry and install it on the windshield next to the inspection stickers. You are also responsible for making ALL safety upgrades to the vehicle so that it may handle the amount of weight you wish to carry on the roadways of PA.
MOST of the time the sticker will get you out of a ticket for being overloaded as long as there are no other safety issues and you are not dragging your bumper down the road, BUT if/when you are involved in a motor vehicle accident (weather it is your fault or not) more than likely they will tow away your truck, have it weighed, and "investigate" it for modifications to be able to carry the load you had, if it was not modified than you may be charged with a ticket, crime, and or % of responsibility of the accident.
Lastly another story: Years ago a man loaded "free" township mulch into his F150 until it was well above the bed rails and the rear bumper was 2-3 inches from the road surface. While driving it home HE was rearended, HE was found 50% responsible for the accident because he created an unsafe driving condition, he could not maintain the posted speed limit, his tail lights were not clearly visible (not from mulch but from the angle of the truck), and his line of sight was impared (he did not re adjust any of his mirrors for the load on the truck "too much work for a couple of blocks"). This thing looked like a rocket ship ready for take off and couldn't get out of it's own way or stop if it had to, all because he didn't want to make 2 or 3 trips for free mulch.

 

Remind me NOT to go to PA!

 

Yeah me too! I won't be towing much with my Bronco, but still...