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Towing Capacity?

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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 12:32 PM
  #16  
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Dave Sponaugle
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
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If that semi weighs 26,001 pounds, you better have a CDL if you drive through WV.
If it has air brakes add the air brake endorsement.

If it has a trailer behind it, Class A CDL.
 
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 12:38 PM
  #17  
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From: Faibanks Ak.
I dont know about florida but if it has air brakes and is not registered I wouldn't try crossing any state line.
Here and I know texas even a mechanic test driving any thing registered over 26000 or that has air brakes needs a cdl.
 
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 01:44 PM
  #18  
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Yes I mistyped when I said weighed over 26,000 pounds, registered for over 26,001 is the correct distinction.
 
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 02:18 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by Dave Sponaugle
If that semi weighs 26,001 pounds, you better have a CDL if you drive through WV.
If it has air brakes add the air brake endorsement.

If it has a trailer behind it, Class A CDL.
West Virginia sounds a lot like VA. In VA, if you are driving for yourself, with no compensation(not for pay) you can get away with driving without a CDL. This includes when you rent a large U-haul or drive an RV.

Way back to one of the earlier questions about upgrading the weight capacity of a truck. If I were going to upgrade my truck to haul more weight, the first thing I would do is put a dually rearend underneath it, with stiffer springs. And also do any brake upgrades. When I overloaded my truck by pulling a backhoe with it, I had more of a stability problem, with the brakes being inadequate coming in a close 2nd, although my trailer has brakes on all axles.
 
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 09:40 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by 16Vjohn
I have an 86' F250 Diesel with the 4 speed MT. I'm not sure what the gearing is like, but the engine doesn't sound very happy over 55mph. It has a MASSIVE looking axle with 8 lug nuts on each wheel.

Anyways, I would just like to tell everybody how much I love my truck! I have always been a car guy and have owned many Volkswagen diesels, but I needed something a little more heavy duty. I purchased my truck for $800 with a very leaky water pump. After replacing the water pump and changing all the fluids and filters I haven't had any trouble with this truck. AFTER buying the truck, I checked the dmv records and it appears the odometer has rolled over three times... That means my truck has 339,000 miles on it (damn!) Besides oil and filters I haven't had a single (not one!) problem with this truck in over 20,000 miles. It started up in the dead of winter cold, burns very little oil and gets incredible fuel mileage compared to my fathers 460 truck. All I have to say is that this truck is an unbelievable workhorse. I would argue that the vintage diesel fords are some of the best trucks ever made. It blows me away that this truck can work so hard and still be completely trouble free after 22 years and 339,000 miles. This truck is absolutely incredible. I'm a Ford man for life.

ANYWAYS, I'm going to be doing some masonry work to my home and I am wondering what the weight capacity of my truck is? I'll be putting a pallet of bricks in the bed and perhaps 2 more pallets on the trailer. If I remember correctly the pallets weigh 4,200lbs/piece. My trailer has a 9,000lb axle. I know the truck will pull it, but is the suspension and brakes safe?

Thanks guys.
You say you checked the DMV records to find out the actual mileage on your truck. How did that work out? I guess the truck would have had to change hands several times for them to keep up with the mileage wouldnt it?
Im just really curious to find out actual mileage on mine. It shows 60,000 but it dont show alot of wear on pedal corners or carpet or anywhere else like that. The only things that have worn out could have been due to age, you know like dry rotted rubber and plastic pieses.
I would be really nice to find out that I got my hands on a 22 year old truck w/60,000 original miles.
 
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 10:41 PM
  #21  
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From: concord ca
the bigest thing i towed was a 64 foot x-navy torpeod retriver i was parying the whole trip up hill frist gear 2 mph motor blair bute i maid it there and back launch ramp was the thoughist tires chep sliping when launching it i was afraid the brake would give
 
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Old Dec 25, 2008 | 12:15 AM
  #22  
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
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What you can find out at DMV varies by state.

Here we have a yearly inspection, which records the mileage at inspection time.

So they have an acurate record of the miles on every registered vehicle in WV.

Finding someone at DMV that would dig those records up, that might be a hard thing to come by.
 
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Old Dec 25, 2008 | 09:14 AM
  #23  
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From: Sylva NC
Hey I never thought of that, and theres a lady out there thats been real helpful in the past. I bet she'll do it for me.
NC is just now switching over to stickerless inspections and we just got a computer set up for the shop to do that. I wonder if that system keep tracks or has access to mileage records?
 
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Old Dec 25, 2008 | 10:48 AM
  #24  
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I just got finished with a long trip where I was completely over weight. The truck did fine (once they took the hammer to the fan clutch). These Fords were conservitively rated and can haul higher weights. All the advice about hitches, trailer brakes, and STOPPING the truck are the most important things to watch out for.
 
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 12:45 AM
  #25  
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Thats all these trucks can legaly carry?? I know I've way overloaded mine then with a 32' goose neck with 12 very big steers. I think all in all I had 16,000 lbs of steers, 4,000 trailer, and 6,000 lbs truck, dang those numbers add up quick.
 
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 09:26 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by Dean88
Thats all these trucks can legaly carry?? I know I've way overloaded mine then with a 32' goose neck with 12 very big steers. I think all in all I had 16,000 lbs of steers, 4,000 trailer, and 6,000 lbs truck, dang those numbers add up quick.
In VA, if you have a farm, you can drive anything and load it any way you want. No inspections, no tags, no weight limits, no cdl's, but there is a mileage radius you have to stay within from the farm.
 
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