GVWR

So I am wondering about the GVWR. If the manufacturers GVWR is say, 66,000lbs as posted on the door frame, can the truck legally be loaded to 70,000lbs? What are the factors used to determine this? I'm looking for it on FMSCA regs but they seem confusing, maybe Im not looking in the right chapter or something? This is for a straight truck a super 16.

Thanks!

Phil

So I am wondering about the GVWR. If the manufacturers GVWR is say, 66,000lbs as posted on the door frame, can the truck legally be loaded to 70,000lbs? What are the factors used to determine this? I'm looking for it on FMSCA regs but they seem confusing, maybe Im not looking in the right chapter or something? This is for a straight truck a super 16.

Thanks!

Phil

That GVWR is the total that your truck can weigh. What I mean is that is the total of your drives and steer added together. I think what you are confusing this with is GCWR which is Gross Combination Weight Rating. This should be the total of the truck and trailer GVWR. What happens is the truck carries part of the load up to it's GVWR and the trailer carries the rest up to it's GVWR.

Sorry, did not read the whole thing. If this is a straight truck then no you are overweight. More than likely if your bridge and axle weights are legal then they will probably not find it.

Sorry, did not read the whole thing. If this is a straight truck then no you are overweight. More than likely if your bridge and axle weights are legal then they will probably not find it.

Yes, I don't want "probably". I want to follow the rules exactly. So if the manufacturers GVWR of a straight truck is 66,000 lbs, one cannot legally load it beyond that weight. That's what I thought but I need to find that exact section in the fmsca regulations so I can show my boss.

Phil

Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single motor vehicle.

That was copied and pasted straight from FMCSA 390.5 definitions, so anything over 66000 lbs is illegal.

Phil, you're right it's clear as mud, weight stations would normally be looking at single and tandum max weights.

One thing that happens with smaller trucks is they get caught with lower registration Plates than the load they're carrying, say they buy tags for 12,000 lbs and get caught weighing 16,000lbs in a 16k GVWR truck. Lic Tags are sold buy GVW, and its legal to buy Tags under your GVWR as long as you don't carry more than the Tags you paid for (TAX),,get caught pay $$$.. Most States don't allow you to Buy LIC Plates above your GVWR, but I could'nt find anything on Google about the FMCSA having any rules on this. Did find , State Trooper could write you up for Unsafe overload, IE, truck leaning,tires squished low ect.

What level of Lic Plates is on the truck now , over 66k ? Also read about Law Suits in accidents involving being unsafely loaded, so I understand it about being on you, Do you have a Safety Dept, what do they say ?

One of my jobs in Vietnam was driving a Duece and a half ( 10 wheel straight flatbed with sides) to town and back (Peiku) to bring the Civilian workers to our camp and back home at night. There were like over 35 people crowded into my truck, Had several small incidences over 9 or 10 months, no one got hurt, but I kept hearing about GIs getting in Vietneese courts over accidents. I wrote down all the ID#s of all the people I had to carry, Requested I be included in the Daily morning meeting with the Sargents and CO, pesented them with the ID list and Stated I needed a Direct Order to carry all those people. Funny thing the next day my Sargent took over driving the Civilians until I rotated out,,So I understand you have to, CYA Dan