Custom trucks, and towing.
 

Yesterday, as I bombed home from Reno where I bought some truck parts for my dad's friend. Again.

I saw a retired man towing in my opinion getting close to 10,000 pound goose neck trailer with a 50's Dodge flat bed truck with a Cummins 6bt. It was on a modified C30 frame.

I found this out when I caught him in Lee Vining getting lunch at the same restaurant I was going too. So we had a conversation about our respective loads.

So as I reevaluate my Willys project which factory has a 3500 pound towing capacity. With one plan using C10 suspension which would allow a 7000 pound towing capacity. Compared to my Jag suspension plan which would probably not like a 3500 pound towing. Much less being loaded up for any reason. Making it a profiler.

So while we all know it's legal till you get caught. Does the DOT, weigh stations, or highway patrol ever get involved with people doing these things?

Re: Custom trucks, and towing.
 

.

If the questionable rig is involved in an accident, depending on the severity, the law/DOT may well become interested to learn more about it.

:wop:

-klb

Re: Custom trucks, and towing.
 

C30 frame should be up to the task. One aspect of legality is how did he register it? Did he use the C30 VIN or create one for the Dodge cab? If he declared it as a 'light duty' truck to get a lower tag fee or insurance, could cause problems if he gets stopped regardless of the truck's real capability. Paperwork needs to match what the vehicle is doing.

Re: Custom trucks, and towing.
 

You are asking about your Willys, putting a Jag rear in, then tow knowing it's not really good for that? Maybe I didn't follow you, but that's what I came up with. If it's that, would you want to do that?

Re: Custom trucks, and towing.
 

Is the light duty vs heavy duty something you can switch at time of registration?

Re: Custom trucks, and towing.
 

I can lower the capacity of my 3500 at anytime with DMV but If I’m pulled over with a load over the declared weight it’s a hefty fine . Not sure if I can increase it without a visual inspection. The reason to lower the rated capacity is lower fees and getting passenger plates .

Re: Custom trucks, and towing.
 

One thing anywhere you go, if law enforcement thinks a towing combination looks questionable they will pull the vehicle over and get real thorough, beginning with checking the registered weight caps.

I know a landscaper who was driving his personal, not used for the business, F350 top trim 4wd pickup towing a landscaper trailer with one zero turn on it one weekend. Know that registration comes through too light to haul squat unless the owner bumps the GVW up, a trooper pulling him over for a look-see. And yes, just the one mower on that trailer put him over the base registered limit and the state made money off of him. Upping the GVW or combined GVW doesn't increase the vehicle's hauling capability one iota. It's just man-made revenue grabbing pen & paper law. has nothing to do with public safety. Just a way for the king's men to gather more tax

Re: Custom trucks, and towing.
 

In Kalifornia any truck ** OVER 10k GVRW ** requires a DOT number on your door and requires you stop at the scales. GVRW would include trailer tongue weight.

Re: Custom trucks, and towing.
 

And know this. DOT officers are not limited to just policing commercial motor vehicles. They can pull over any motorized vehicle they think needs to be checked.

Re: Custom trucks, and towing.
 

So every one ton pick up or van made & sold in the last 8+ years has door stickers on them?

Re: Custom trucks, and towing.
 

I personally would research the towing (and stopping, especially) capabilities of anything I drove and what I pulled. My truck with a 6k pound (dry) travel trailer was right on the upper ragged edge of what GM publishes. I'd rather know than not, especially if something happened and someone was killed, or worse. That base would be covered.

Re: Custom trucks, and towing.
 

If he lowered the GCVWR I can see that . My 3500 is rated to tow 15k the GCVWR is 25.5 a ford F350 would have similar capacities.

Re: Custom trucks, and towing.
 

My Dodge is over 10 k GVWR and it’s 13 years old . The door tag states 10,100 pounds . Truck weighs 7200 pounds unladen. So ever 3500 has DOT numbers. I can see them doing that for commercial use vehicles but not mom and pop pulling a 5th wheel camper

Re: Custom trucks, and towing.
 

I've never seen a non commercial truck at the scales.

Re: Custom trucks, and towing.
 

It's true is all I know. Not talking about manufacturer's specs. Talking about registered rate as it came from the MVA.

Re: Custom trucks, and towing.
 

Seems weird . NY will register the vehicle at the factory provided specs unless the owner derates the truck at the time of registration. I would assume most states would do the same specially if the rate is determined by the gvwr or GCVWR. I believe anything over 8k in NY gets commercial plates excluding large passenger vans . Doesn’t mean it’s a commercial vehicle used for business but it used to preclude the vehicle from using parkways . I now see a lot of 1 ton trucks with passenger plates which means it’s been de rated . Like I said prior if they go to the gravel pit and put 2 tons in it or pull a trailer other than a camper they can be pulled over and it’s a hefty fine .