96 C3500 6.5TD gvw ?

[racer55]

Hi folks
I am very new to towing and wondered if the people in the know would be kind enough to explain the weight limits and the like as well as DOT rules in Canada or the US.

I Checked my door placard and my vin,it seems my gvw is 11,000 lbs,how does this translate to real worls #'s?

I have yet to learn what the vehicle weights or combination of vehicle weights mean in the real world as far as laws go and hope to get educated here.

At present I only have a class G drivers licence that limits me to a 22,000 lbs vehicle or comination of vehicles with a max trailer weight of 10,120 lbs.
In metric thats 11,000 kg's total or 4600kg's trailer weight.

My question is since my gvw is nearly the same as my max trailer weight with my current licence can I leagally only weight 11,000lbs total?

I have also been told that there is a law that when towing a gn or 5ver that a portion of the trailers weight gets transferred to the truck?What percentage of trailer weight gets tranferred?

How does the registered weight come in to play as far as licencing the trucks go?

I am sure that there is a lot of highway traffic act laws involved here that are not common knowledge but any help in understanding the rules would be appreciated.

The questions I am asking may be clear as mud so please correct anything that doesn't make sence since I am asking about something I have no understanding of.

[DmaxMaverick]

It isn't that complicated:

GVWR (GVW) is the maximum total weight that may be laden upon the original combined vehicle axles. That means, that's all the weight that can be put on the truck, as it came from the factory.

GAWR is the Gross Axle Weight Rating. That is the maximum weight that may be laden upon the individual axles (should also be listed on the weight declaration placard).

GCWR is the Gross Combination Weight Rating. The maximum weight the tow vehicle (truck) PLUS any trailer or combination of trailers can weigh, combined. The trailer will also have a GVWR and GAWR (it is not uncommon for a trailer to have a GVWR higher than the GAWR (combined, if multiple axles), as some mfg's count on the tongue weight not being part of the axle weight rating), which has nothing to do with that of the truck. Each vehicle/trailer is required to stay within their respective ratings, and the GCWR only applies to the towing vehicle (trailers don't have a GCWR). For example, if your truck weighs 10K and a trailer weighs 10K (while both a coupled), then the combination weight is 20K. This does not take into account the tongue/pin weight being being transfered onto the tow vehicle, which doesn't change the GCWR.

Keep it simple, unlike most of the laws. As long as none of the declared weight ratings are exceeded, you are within the limits.

The rest of your questions are specific to local laws. You should be able to find out all you need to know from a local AAA/C-AAA. In most cases, weight allowances and driver license classes are enforced according to the original state of residence and registration. There are some exceptions, as many states have hard limits, but they won't usually apply to any "normal" RV type rig. With the info you stated, you should be legal anywhere you travel in Canada and the US.

[racer55]

Thanx for the informative reply.
My next question is how do I determine the GCWR?

[DmaxMaverick]

You'll have to look up your original documentation. However, your "class G" license only allows a 10,120# trailer. This may be the limiting factor, in any case.

[MacDR50]

The GVWR of a 5th wheel or goose neck trailer is as DMav stated required to be a specified on a plate or sticker affixed to the trailer. It should also state axle ratings and payload. Recreational trailers also show tire specs. My 5th shows a GVWR of #14,500 even though it has dual #6000 axles as PIN weight is designed 20-25 % of the GVWR when loaded to the max. My PIN weight is about #3200 with just under #11,000 on the axles. All this measured at a highway weigh scale.

Now here is where in gets a bit confusing and I believe this causes more discussions on weights than anything else. The GCWR is as DMav noted a specification by the truck manufacturer on the designed capacity of the truck as a combination vehicle, that is truck and trailer(s) together. It is again as DMav stated a simple addition of the the truck GCWR and the trailer(s) GVWR(s). In practice my experience in this province is that the weigh scale operators will weigh the truck, the trailer and add the two together. They will look at the truck's GCWR and if the truck weight is at or below that they will then look at trailer weight at the axles. If this is within the axle specifications for the axles or tires whichever is less. They may then check to see if the two together exceed the GCWR. I have also had them check my truck rear axle rating (RAWR).

Best advise is go to your local weigh scales and ask them how they do it in your area.

[racer55]

The GVWR of a 5th wheel or goose neck trailer is as DMav stated required to be a specified on a plate or sticker affixed to the trailer. It should also state axle ratings and payload. Recreational trailers also show tire specs. My 5th shows a GVWR of #14,500 even though it has dual #6000 axles as PIN weight is designed 20-25 % of the GVWR when loaded to the max. My PIN weight is about #3200 with just under #11,000 on the axles. All this measured at a highway weigh scale.

Now here is where in gets a bit confusing and I believe this causes more discussions on weights than anything else. The GCWR is as DMav noted a specification by the truck manufacturer on the designed capacity of the truck as a combination vehicle, that is truck and trailer(s) together. It is again as DMav stated a simple addition of the the truck GCWR and the trailer(s) GVWR(s). In practice my experience in this province is that the weigh scale operators will weigh the truck, the trailer and add the two together. They will look at the truck's GCWR and if the truck weight is at or below that they will then look at trailer weight at the axles. If this is within the axle specifications for the axles or tires whichever is less. They may then check to see if the two together exceed the GCWR. I have also had them check my truck rear axle rating (RAWR).

Best advise is go to your local weigh scales and ask them how they do it in your area.
thanx for the help

[racer55]

The GVWR of a 5th wheel or goose neck trailer is as DMav stated required to be a specified on a plate or sticker affixed to the trailer. It should also state axle ratings and payload. Recreational trailers also show tire specs. My 5th shows a GVWR of #14,500 even though it has dual #6000 axles as PIN weight is designed 20-25 % of the GVWR when loaded to the max. My PIN weight is about #3200 with just under #11,000 on the axles. All this measured at a highway weigh scale.

Now here is where in gets a bit confusing and I believe this causes more discussions on weights than anything else. The GCWR is as DMav noted a specification by the truck manufacturer on the designed capacity of the truck as a combination vehicle, that is truck and trailer(s) together. It is again as DMav stated a simple addition of the the truck GCWR and the trailer(s) GVWR(s). In practice my experience in this province is that the weigh scale operators will weigh the truck, the trailer and add the two together. They will look at the truck's GCWR and if the truck weight is at or below that they will then look at trailer weight at the axles. If this is within the axle specifications for the axles or tires whichever is less. They may then check to see if the two together exceed the GCWR. I have also had them check my truck rear axle rating (RAWR).

Best advise is go to your local weigh scales and ask them how they do it in your area.
thanx for the help

[z28cp]

When my truck was repainted (before I bought it), they painted over the door placard. Does anyone know if/how I can get a replacement placard?

[More Power]

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