I have a 1997 F350 Diesel. I was towing an 8000 lb trailer today and got a warning ticket for excessive weight. My insurance papers said my gvcw was 13,200 lbs. I recall that figure being plucked out of the air. I have no manual for the truck so can anyone tell me what the gvcw of this truck is?

 

Wrong forum But need to know drivetrain and body to give an exact number. 13K GCVW for a F350 would be a joke unless it is a 2wd reg cab then maybe it could be that low. 13K GCVW leaves only about 5K for the trailer weight F150's can tow that. Also did they get some scales and weigh you or just guess? Each state also has its own rules.

 

Its a regular cab, 5 speed manual, 4X4. I think I might have known more about the subject than this MoT fellow (which is scary). Didn't weigh it. He guessed and went by the number on the insurance papers.

 

The thing I hate about warning tickets is here in Tennessee they still counts points. If you can research this further with a weight ticket and Ford's weight rating is higher, it might be worth appearing in court. 8,000 pounds isn't much of a trailer.

How did the stop occur? What state?

Steve

 

The truck comes through with different ratings according to how it was built. This is why it is important to spec a truck (if you are going to use it as a work truck) rather than buy off the lot.

Here is a capacity chart for the F-150-

2010 Ford F-150 Payload capacity | The Official Site of the 2010 Ford F-150 | FordVehicles.com

How a truck is spec'd (axle capacities/suspension/WB) will determine how much it can carry and pull (towing capacity). How the trailer is spec'd will determine how much weight you can carry on it.

States are looking for more revenues and they are starting to hit the small trucks now. You need to know the ratings and even tire capacities. If you don't have a spec sheet on the truck, you may be able to get build information through the FORD DOES II System (Parts Room).

Once you get this info, it would be best to carry it with you (make sure the VIN number is included). You also have to be sure you buy the correct weight tags as many states charge more for heavy pickups.

 

The reason I responded to this post is the rarity with which small trucks are traditionally stopped. Do you have a data source to verify that small trucks are being stopped with increased frequency? I find this topic to be one of interest as it could also pertain to RVs, many of which exceed one rating or another.

Thanks,

Steve

 

They are being stopped more often (MD) as the new pickups are actually medium duty trucks if spec'd correctly and the states are losing revenue.

Here is just one example-

Working Together for Massachusetts

Even race teams (not big name but Sat night enthusiasts) are being stopped with a single car trailer.

 

look at the certification label on the door. What does it say? Also one thing to consider is the license you carry. Does it convey to other states? Maryland does.

I would also suggest that you put in on the scales loaded and get the ratings per axle. That is what I have done, certified cat scale. I keep a copy in the glovebox.

 

I believe that the Combined GVW is 20,000 for the '97. Again best to get to a scale and weigh it.

 

Unless posted on the vehicle itself (numbers on the doors, numbers on the door plate, numbers on the registration) the GCVWR is the sum of the GVWR of each vehicle.

If your registration says 13,200#, that is the legal number you have to come in under until you register it for a higher GCVWR...which will probably cost more.

any GCVW number from Ford has no legal bearing until stamped on the vehicle somewhere

 

He is in Canada so they may have different rules than we do in the lower 48.

Denny

 

Still, how can you get an "OVERWEIGHT" ticket without being weighed????

 

Thanks for all the feedback. In BC, Commercial Vehicle Inspectors are just lower paid traffic cops. He gave us a warning ticket because its not disputable and "he can" I upped the GVW on the truck to 8000 kg which takes care of the problem for now. When I get my new trailer I'm going to get the whole thing weighed etc as suggested.