Pulling over the tow rating

garlicjo · May 16, 2004

We've got a 96 CC dually,454 auto,4:10 with a tow rating of 10,500. The 5th wheels were looking at come in UVW at 9,900 to 10,500. Add 1000 lbs of gear and

were up to 11,500, 1000 over. We pull about 4 weeks out of the year. So who's pulling over their rating.

GONZO · May 16, 2004

how did you get to the 10500# tow rating?

the only rating i use is the gcvwr - the actual weight of the truck loaded and ready to go = tow rating.

so my 03 gmc has a gcvwr of 16k# - 6000# truck weight = 10000# tow rating...

i would never recomend going over the gcvwr. i would also plan for more than 1000# of stuff in that trailer. water, propane, food, clothes, gear.... it all adds up quick.

now will the truck actually do it... most likely, but for how long till you find the weak link in the set up. i believe your truck has the same tranny as mine, which may be the reason for the lower rating than the newer duallies. all the newer trucks with the higher ratings have the allison tranny.

Roofer · May 16, 2004

I see guys towing over weight all the time. I just saw a guy the other day who had a F350 duallie pulling a 22000 GVW trailer with a 16000 lb tractor backhoe on it. He had all the DOT stickers and he said he was perfectly legal. I would think that truck could pull 10500 easily being a 5th wheel. Although I don't know the specs on that truck for sure.

Mine is rated around 15K for a 5th wheel.

apache sierra · May 17, 2004

Most often it isn't the matter of pulling but stopping that is the problem. I used to pull a construction king 35ft with beavertail and a case580 backhoe with my early 90's dodge cummins. It would pull it ok but had very little control if the trailer started to weave at all. It got kind of scary at times and trying to stop in city traffic was difficult to say the least. Thats when i decided to go with a top kick medium duty truck. The extra beef of the truck and brakes made a world of difference.

Shaners · May 17, 2004

It's not legal... but being that you have a dually, you'll probably be OK. I don't recommend anything that is illegal, but I'm not saying that even I haven't been over my limit in the past.

For years I towed a 30' Coachman travel trailer with a 5-bolt G20 Conversion Van. I always played it safe and had a good brake controller for the trailer... If the brakes for the trailer failed, then I would have been up a creek without a paddle.

I've seen worse rigs going down the road... Like a Durango pulling a 21' cabin cruiser speed boat!!!!

Charlie in TX · May 17, 2004

I heard it on the internet so it may be true or false. Your insurance company may or may not cover you if you are overweight and in a wreck. Might check it out to be sure.

Roofer · May 17, 2004

I heard it on the internet so it may be true or false. Your insurance company may or may not cover you if you are overweight and in a wreck. Might check it out to be sure.

I've heard the same from heavy equipment dealers.