2000+ Miles overloaded
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 471
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From: Mount Vernon, KY
2000+ Miles overloaded
Just hauled my Universities Solar Car to Austin TX for the Formula Sun Gran Prix. The largest truck in the motorpool rental fleet is a 2008 F250 5.4 Single Cab Long Bed. I knew it was overloaded before we started, but we have no other option than to use this truck. The trailer is a new Leonard 24ft V nose (JUNK! From the factory). Despite the overload it pulled very well. No sway, maintained at least 65 on hills. Braking wasn't problematic and the steering was solid. I assume the weight distribution helped a lot with that. I'm just glad dot didn't ever stop me. Having a state official vehicle with state seal on the door helps. It got 6.4 mpg average over the whole trip (Probably 100 miles without trailer) but only 4.9 on the last tank in texas. Glad we pay per mile, not per gallon. Anyway, here is the the setup and the scale ticket. The truck bed and camper shell is completely full of stuff as well. Just though I would share. We are trying to get the College of Engineering to purchase us a dually crew cab to tow with.
The hand written is from the trucks door tag.
The hand written is from the trucks door tag.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,495
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From: Not as far west as I want
if you moved some weight back in the trailer and run up the weight on the steering axle and take some weight off the rear axle. Or use a weight distribution hitch.
However, axle ratings are not enforced roadside on a setup like that.
However, axle ratings are not enforced roadside on a setup like that.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 471
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From: Mount Vernon, KY
That is with a weight distributing hitch set pretty tight. Unfortunately the entire truck bed was stuffed but the heaviest stuff was in the front already. I couldn't move anything further back in the trailer because the cat has to be in the back and takes up the most space, but only weighs 600lbs. Mainly I was impressed with how stable the F250 was with it. I'm the only experienced trailer tower on the team though, so they really need some more capability to be safer with the less experienced drivers.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Mount Vernon, KY
We got 7 out of 18 for number of laps and we got the second fastest lap. The last day of racing and the last 15 minutes multiple teams were attempting to get fastest lap and we all came within 2 seconds of each other. This is on Circuit of the Americas by the way if I hadn't said that.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Do you even realize how dangerous that was? Not only 1250 lbs GVWR overloaded, but the rear Axle was overloaded by almost 900 lbs. I can tell you that it wouldn't have been something that I would have done (age brings wisdom hopefully), and you are very fortunate that nothing serious happened.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 471
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From: Mount Vernon, KY
I literally had zero other options or I would have used them. It was either do the trip as is (which the f250 handled like a champ) or cancel our trip of 18 people and forfeit the $8000 payed to attend. This is however going to be very good leverage to get the College of Engineering to buy a dually that we can use.
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From: Frederick, MD
That amount was not all that overloaded. In reality, none at all. Remember the rear axle is the same for this year of truck whether it was a F250 or F350.
The amount of trailer was not that significant for a 5.4 either.
A DRW was not needed, but perhaps a diesel optioned truck is.
The amount of trailer was not that significant for a 5.4 either.
A DRW was not needed, but perhaps a diesel optioned truck is.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,495
Likes: 7
From: Not as far west as I want
Do you even realize how dangerous that was? Not only 1250 lbs GVWR overloaded, but the rear Axle was overloaded by almost 900 lbs. I can tell you that it wouldn't have been something that I would have done (age brings wisdom hopefully), and you are very fortunate that nothing serious happened.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 330
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From: SW Oklahoma
If the truck's gvw is 8800 and the combined axle rating of the trailer is 11000, they were well under 19800 which would be the gvw of the combination. I see trailers that big, many of which are most likely loaded heavier, behind half tons all the time. That does concern me safety wise, this really doesn't.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 466
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If the truck's gvw is 8800 and the combined axle rating of the trailer is 11000, they were well under 19800 which would be the gvw of the combination. I see trailers that big, many of which are most likely loaded heavier, behind half tons all the time. That does concern me safety wise, this really doesn't.
And according to what he wrote in as the rear axle weight ratings 5892 and the scale ticket shows the 6780, that is a rear axle overload of 888 lbs....almost 900.....again, numbers don't lie....and it all boils down to whether or not you or anyone else is willing to accept the numbers. Pretty easy really.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
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Let's say I could squeeze some tractor trailer tires on my truck that were rated for ....oh, let's say 10,000 lbs each on the rear axle. That would theoretically give me a 40,000 lbs load capacity on my Dually. Would you still think it's OK for me to load close to 40,000 lbs in the back of my truck?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: very South Texas
there are legal numbers for legal and warranty issues..
then there are engineering numbers... one has nothing to do with the other.
my understanding the 10.5 axle is legal rated at 6,100 pounds...
I am sure it was tested to 50 percent more before failure.
my opinion.
if he was truly way over loaded.
the first large pot hole would have broken springs or axle tubes.
TIRES most of the time are the limiting factor.. and they would overheat and fail quickly in the summertime.
but He doing (driving) for a higher education department AND something went badly wrong.. it becomes a Legal issue.
then there are engineering numbers... one has nothing to do with the other.
my understanding the 10.5 axle is legal rated at 6,100 pounds...
I am sure it was tested to 50 percent more before failure.
my opinion.
if he was truly way over loaded.
the first large pot hole would have broken springs or axle tubes.
TIRES most of the time are the limiting factor.. and they would overheat and fail quickly in the summertime.
but He doing (driving) for a higher education department AND something went badly wrong.. it becomes a Legal issue.