Towing Up To Truck Towing Capacity With Larger Trailer
Topic 34442 | Page 1
Your towing capacity is weigh off. Pun intended. Towing capacity is different than GVWR. It's rated between 13000 and 22000 pounds for newer f250s. My f150 has a tow cap. Of up to 13000.
You need to understand the difference between hauling weight and towing weight.
GVWR:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GVWR is the maximum operating weight of a vehicle as specified by the manufacturer, minus any trailers.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Yeah, the newer trucks are awesome. I have an older one though.
However, the numbers of our particular trucks aren't really the point. I am wondering if a vehicle can legally tow a trailer that is rated higher than the towing capacity of said vehicle so long as the actual weight of the cargo and trailer together don't exceed the towing capacity of the vehicle as stated by the manufacturer. Let's assume for the time being that the trailer's GVWR is under 10,000 lbs so that we aren't falling under commercial driving regs.
GVWR:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GVWR is the maximum operating weight of a vehicle as specified by the manufacturer, minus any trailers.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Yeah, the newer trucks are awesome. I have an older one though.
However, the numbers of our particular trucks aren't really the point. I am wondering if a vehicle can legally tow a trailer that is rated higher than the towing capacity of said vehicle so long as the actual weight of the cargo and trailer together don't exceed the towing capacity of the vehicle as stated by the manufacturer. Let's assume for the time being that the trailer's GVWR is under 10,000 lbs so that we aren't falling under commercial driving regs.
You said this isn't CDL territory, so there may not be an applicable law here. If you are talking about hot shot loads with a pick up truck, then you are in CMV territory, even if no CDL is required. Be under the manufacturer's specs in every aspect of the numbers.
Let me put it like this:
A combination vehicle has a GVWR of 80k lbs. Trailer axles and tractor drive axles have a legal limit of 34k lbs. It's possible to be under 80k lbs, yet overweight on either one of these with no room to move the tandems. Doesn't matter that the overall gross is legal. All the weights have to be legal.
Now for your situation:
Don't think that you are good just because you are within the limit on the gross weight. There are mechanical reasons why the various weight limits exist. Don't exceed any weight limit. With smaller trucks, it can pose significant problems for things like your transmission and your suspension. Those trailer axles on smaller trailers are not capable of remaining mechanically sound when the manufacturer weight rating is exceeded.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Combination Vehicle:
A vehicle with two separate parts - the power unit (tractor) and the trailer. Tractor-trailers are considered combination vehicles.
Tandems:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
Tandem:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
GVWR:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GVWR is the maximum operating weight of a vehicle as specified by the manufacturer, minus any trailers.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Gvwr , is the rating. Meaning what it's capable of. As long as you stay under the towing capacity of your truck as well as the allowable gvw of your truck, you're fine.
GVWR:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GVWR is the maximum operating weight of a vehicle as specified by the manufacturer, minus any trailers.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
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This isn't really CDL territory, but I was hoping the pros here could clarify the legality of towing a trailer with a higher GVWR than the towing capacity of the truck, but keeping the combined trailer and cargo weight under the truck's maximum rated towing capacity.
I have a Ford F250 that has a towing capacity of 7600lbs and all the trailers I'm finding have a GVWR of either 7000lbs or 8000lbs, none at 7600lbs. I'd like to have the option of towing up to the full capabilities of the truck so long as I am not going afoul of the law.
For example would I get in trouble for hauling an empty 8000lb GVWR trailer that weighed 2500lbs when the trucks stated towing capacity is 7600 lbs?
I hope that's all clear and thanks in advance.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
GVWR:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GVWR is the maximum operating weight of a vehicle as specified by the manufacturer, minus any trailers.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated