DOT number problems!

[DCMmmkay]

Believe me shovelracer I checked those links out before coming here. I just wanted to get someone on the phone to be 100% sure. But check out this link: http://www.glspermits.com/indianadot...ndianastatedot

This clearly says anything commercial over 26,000 lbs needs a DOT number not just private property. So, I'm good. Now all these ratings and gcwr are confusing me, lol. So here are my stats again:
My 2000 f150 manual 4x4 has a GVWR of 6,000 lbs. The GCWR for my truck is 6,500 lbs, which means that I'm good right? Because if my GCWR of my truck is only 6,500 lbs, how can I possibly be close to the 10,000 lbs mark?

Heres a link to my truck stats:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/specs/2000_f150_1.html

[shovelracer]

What is crazy about that is the essentially your gcwr would prevent you from even towing a 3000lb trailer.

[DCMmmkay]

The truck weighs about 4,400 pounds. The maximum combined gross weight rating is 9,400 pounds. I can put in it and tow about 5,000 pounds.

You can look it up if you like. It's a 2007 Cheverolet Silverado 1500 Classic Work Truck. It has a 133 inch wheel base (8 foot bed, standard cab). 3.23 gears. 4L60-E auto tranny. 5.3 engine. No factory tow package.

So then I should be just fine right? My stats are way lower than yours.

[DCMmmkay]

What is crazy about that is the essentially your gcwr would prevent you from even towing a 3000lb trailer.

Just checked my axle ratio thought it was the first rating. Checked the sticker on my truck door and my axle rating is 19, which after checking here: http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_cata...s_it_posi.html

my ratio is 3.55, which allows a GCWR of 7,800 lbs. So better than the original, lol.

So a GCWR of 7,800 allows me to not have to worry about DOT numbers for right now until I upgrade to a new truck.

[shovelracer]

For DOT purposes your 6000 rated truck and 3000? trailer would be under 10K. If the trailer turns out to be plated 5000 than you are over the 10K and need the dot reg. After that the physical scale weight of both fully loaded should not exceed 6500 actual lbs. If it did than you are risking a ticket regardless of the 6000 or 3000/5000 rating. Conservatively if your truck with you and a full tank of gas a sandwich and a bottle of water weigh 4400 physical, the trailer empty weighs 1200 physical, and the mowers weigh 1400 physical than you are at 7000 actual which is overweight by 500 lbs even if you do not need a dot #.

[shovelracer]

Originally Posted by DCMmmkay

Just checked my axle ratio thought it was the first rating. Checked the sticker on my truck door and my axle rating is 19, which after checking here: http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_cata...s_it_posi.html

my ratio is 3.55, which allows a GCWR of 7,800 lbs. So better than the original, lol.

So a GCWR of 7,800 allows me to not have to worry about DOT numbers for right now until I upgrade to a new truck.

At 7800 you would be OK, but again the gcwr of the truck does not affect the dot #. For dot # it is the truck alone and trailer alone. IE 6000 + trailer gvwr.

[DCMmmkay]

So when Richard posts this:

The truck weighs about 4,400 pounds. The maximum combined gross weight rating is 9,400 pounds. I can put in it and tow about 5,000 pounds.

You can look it up if you like. It's a 2007 Cheverolet Silverado 1500 Classic Work Truck. It has a 133 inch wheel base (8 foot bed, standard cab). 3.23 gears. 4L60-E auto tranny. 5.3 engine. No factory tow package.

is he wrong?

[Ridin' Green]

I'm going to add a little more confusion to consider.

When I called here, they said that it isn't the GCWR that they look at, it is the GVWR of the tow vehicle listed on the door jamb and the GVWR of the trailer listed on the data plate combined. The manu's post the GCWR to let you know what the limit is for that particular vehicle with the equipment it came with, like your lower gearing, brakes, trans coolers etc., to prevent premature wear/failure of parts etc.

Take it for what it's worth.

[shovelracer]

Not that you should rely on any internet advice, but I would not bank on third party info like the link above. Get your info from the manufacture or the state or fmcsa directly.

I just checked 2 of my trucks and neither have a gcwr so essentially the 6500 is a manufacture suggested safety limit. That is not to say if you exceed it there is not something about exceeding the manufacture limits. If you get stopped essentially what matters is:

gcwr we'll say for arguments sake your's is 9000lbs
Axle rating you can be within your 9000 example number, but if your rear axle rating on your door is exceeded than you have a problem. This would be lets say if you had the rider all the way forward and something in the bed.

Axle rating is what they nail guys on most around here.

[shovelracer]

Originally Posted by Ridin' Green

I'm going to add a little more confusion to consider.

When I called here, they said that it isn't the GCWR that they look at, it is the GVWR of the tow vehicle listed on the door jamb and the GVWR of the trailer listed on the data plate combined. The manu's post the GCWR to let you know what the limit is for that particular vehicle with the equipment it came with, like your lower gearing, brakes, trans coolers etc., to prevent premature wear/failure of parts etc.

Take it for what it's worth.

That's it right there.