Yep, I followed your suggestion. Reckon the guy is the easily offended/belligerent type
Sponsored
Sponsored
I'm not doing your homework for you, I'm lazy.
I just know from when quality control manager at a quarry, the company wanted us to get our weightmaster certificate and that was under it.
We weren't allowed to let any truck regardless if they were private customers or not to leave the quarry if they were over their weight rating.
The dot inspector put an end to the company's idea to have the qc staff cover the scale house though because qc had to be free from any other duties that could interfer with doing qc if we had a state project running so I never got my certificate.
But hey, if you believe that you can do whatever you want then you go do you, damn the improperly equipped vehicle and negligence charges a cop can slam you with not to mention careless/reckless driving if they want to.
A cop won't give a damn if you upgraded your brakes or engine at a weigh stop and that's something you would have to go to court for.
For general purpose and with the mav prices being as high as they are, it's easier to just get the truck properly equipped from the factory and avoid the hassle but you do you.
- First Name
- Jim
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2022
- Threads
- 6
- Messages
- 1,568
- Reaction score
- 2,117
- Location
- Cedar Park, TX
- Vehicle(s)
- '22 Area 51 Hybrid FE, 2014 Impala
- Engine
- 2.5L Hybrid
Well, I spent a 3-4 hours researching GPSman's statements about there being no laws pertaining to operating over maximum rated gross vehicle weight ratings for non-commercial operations. I have to admit that I was surprised that I could find NOTHING in Texas law to refute that position.
The closest I could find were some laws that prohibit operating a vehicle (private or commercial) on public roads whose axles are loaded above a specific weight (10K lbs per axle in Texas, for instance) unless the vehicle's DOT sticker specifically permits axle loads of more than 10K lbs, in which case the DOT sticker becomes the limitation. Since much of Texas motor vehicle law is based on Federal standards, I would suspect that applies in many other states as well. (But doesn't really impact a Maverick, unless you're planning to load something like 7.5 tons of cargo in the bed... Maybe you're hauling a load of gold? If so, I'm interested in the route and timing... Just curiosity... Though my retirement fund COULD use a boost!)
The only other law I could find was probably not applicable to the Maverick. If the "combined tow vehicle and trailer" weight adds up to 26,000 or more pounds, a CDL is required, and THEN all the "commercial operation" laws come into effect. At least in Texas, if you hold a CDL, you're required to observe the axle weight limit laws even in non-commercial operations. For the Maverick, that would mean hauling a 22,000 trailer - an unlikely scenario...
Other than those two regulations, I could find NOTHING that would require a driver of a non-commercial pickup truck (or sedan / SUV / van) to adhere to the ratings on the sticker posted in the door opening.
Personally, I will stick to those "manufacturer guidelines", but it was interesting that I could find nothing in law to enforce those provisions. I've got a friend who is a police officer, and I'll probably run it by him out of curiosity, but I'm reasonably convinced that GPSman was correct in his assertion that it's not "illegal" to operate a non-commercial vehicle loaded (or towing) above the manufacturer's MVGWR.
Where I differ with GPSman is that he appears comfortable exceeding those manufacturer's (apparent) "recommendations", whereas I am absolutely NOT comfortable with that, and would NOT recommend it to anyone else, either. There are too many things beyond your control on the road to give up whatever safety margin the manufacturer may (or may not) have built into their ratings.
The closest I could find were some laws that prohibit operating a vehicle (private or commercial) on public roads whose axles are loaded above a specific weight (10K lbs per axle in Texas, for instance) unless the vehicle's DOT sticker specifically permits axle loads of more than 10K lbs, in which case the DOT sticker becomes the limitation. Since much of Texas motor vehicle law is based on Federal standards, I would suspect that applies in many other states as well. (But doesn't really impact a Maverick, unless you're planning to load something like 7.5 tons of cargo in the bed... Maybe you're hauling a load of gold? If so, I'm interested in the route and timing... Just curiosity... Though my retirement fund COULD use a boost!)
The only other law I could find was probably not applicable to the Maverick. If the "combined tow vehicle and trailer" weight adds up to 26,000 or more pounds, a CDL is required, and THEN all the "commercial operation" laws come into effect. At least in Texas, if you hold a CDL, you're required to observe the axle weight limit laws even in non-commercial operations. For the Maverick, that would mean hauling a 22,000 trailer - an unlikely scenario...
Other than those two regulations, I could find NOTHING that would require a driver of a non-commercial pickup truck (or sedan / SUV / van) to adhere to the ratings on the sticker posted in the door opening.
Personally, I will stick to those "manufacturer guidelines", but it was interesting that I could find nothing in law to enforce those provisions. I've got a friend who is a police officer, and I'll probably run it by him out of curiosity, but I'm reasonably convinced that GPSman was correct in his assertion that it's not "illegal" to operate a non-commercial vehicle loaded (or towing) above the manufacturer's MVGWR.
Where I differ with GPSman is that he appears comfortable exceeding those manufacturer's (apparent) "recommendations", whereas I am absolutely NOT comfortable with that, and would NOT recommend it to anyone else, either. There are too many things beyond your control on the road to give up whatever safety margin the manufacturer may (or may not) have built into their ratings.
It would be driving an unsafe or an improperly equipped vehicle.
Cop pulls you over towing a trailer, asks to look at your sticker and sees the trailer would be over that weight rating then he could give you a ticket.
It's up to you to then go to court and prove that you did modifications that improve your towing capacity, you might beat the ticket, you might not.
A weightmaster isn't going to risk their certificate on your word though in any place with a scale and a cop is only going to care about that sticker.
So while flowing the sticker itself isn't a law, you can avoid a lot of hassle by doing it
Sponsored
- First Name
- Jim
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2022
- Threads
- 6
- Messages
- 1,568
- Reaction score
- 2,117
- Location
- Cedar Park, TX
- Vehicle(s)
- '22 Area 51 Hybrid FE, 2014 Impala
- Engine
- 2.5L Hybrid
While I clearly stated that I agree that it would not be a good idea, the cop in question would have no reason to pull you over in the first place - there's no law being broken (as GPSman pointed out). I'm not a lawyer, but I believe if the cop did pull you over because he/she thought you were overweight, that would be an illegal stop, as there's no evidence of an offense against the law...
Nor would there be any basis for writing a ticket even if they COULD somehow determine that you are actually operating above the MVGWR - I cannot find any evidence that there is a law against it, therefore no law is being broken. Non-commercial vehicles are not required to go through the highway scales (in any state I've ever been in), so there's no "weightmaster" to risk a certificate, nor any certificate to be issued. And again, even if the cop ordered you to go through the scales, and it was proven that you are operating over the MVGWR, there's no law being broken, so...
Please note that I only started doing the research because when I started this, I was 100% convinced that it was illegal to load a truck (or car) beyond the placarded MVGWR, and GPSman challenged those of us who held that position to prove it by finding the applicable laws. I spent 3-4 hours of time Googling, and while I read lots of "opinion" on how foolish it would be to do so (and I agree!), I found not one single shred of "proof" that such laws actually exist that regulate non-commercial vehicles - other than the two I noted in my previous post.
- Banned
- #37
@JimParker256 thank you for your efforts. I've been towing for private needs for over 25 years, mostly West of the Mississippi. I've talked to police and highway patrol in many western states. I've talked to my department of motor vehicles. I've talked to my insurance company. I revisit the subject matter every couple of years to see if anything changed. I talked to California Highway Patrol 1 month ago.
All parties assure me I'm fine towing what I want to do: tow 3300 lbs with my FWD Hybrid Maverick.
The Door Jam sticker is of course "recommended", but not law is my point. The main purpose of the sticker is to accurately be able to compare one vehicle to another.
All parties assure me I'm fine towing what I want to do: tow 3300 lbs with my FWD Hybrid Maverick.
The Door Jam sticker is of course "recommended", but not law is my point. The main purpose of the sticker is to accurately be able to compare one vehicle to another.
I literally just said there is no law saying you have to follow the sticker, manufacturers do not write the law.
I said a cop can give you a ticket for unsafe operation/careless driving or not using a properly equipped vehicle.
It's on the judge to say if it was unsafe or not then
As far as pulling you over, a cop can pull you over and say he didn't see you wearing a seat belt, I've literally been pulled over for this when I was wearing a seat belt and even went to court and the judge said it was legal to pull me over because the officer suspected I wasn't wearing one.
That's a federal law, look it up.
If a cop wants to give you a ticket he will find a reason, if someone wants that hassle then they can take that chance.
If gpsman wants to possibly have that hassle then that is his choice but not following the sticker itself is not illegal in itself.
- First Name
- Jah.
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2021
- Threads
- 53
- Messages
- 1,230
- Reaction score
- 1,338
- Location
- Central Florida
- Vehicle(s)
- 2022 Ford Maverick xlt fx4 , Honda 700 ctx mc
- Engine
- 2.0L EcoBoost
Legal or not . don't care until you cause an accident . insurance companies could deny claim due to operating the vehicle above or beyond it's capabilities . if your rich and can cover all liabilities ( probably doesn't own maverick) or broke ( probably can't afford maverick) then you have nothing to lose .
- First Name
- Mike
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2022
- Threads
- 16
- Messages
- 993
- Reaction score
- 1,037
- Location
- West Memphis AR
- Vehicle(s)
- 2024 & 2025 Mavericks
- Engine
- 2.5L Hybrid
Already have the AWD and hitch, I’m going to add tranny cooler. Should handle 4000 lbs.
Sponsored
- Banned
- #41
Ecoboost may have more heat issues than the Hybrid. Way different transmissions.
As for engine cooling look at it this way:
If I'm getting 40 MPG unladen and EB is getting 30 MPG unladen at speed X, and I'm getting 20 MPG towing and Ecoboost is getting 15 MPG towing the same, in both cases I'm generating 25% less heat.
Following the data that EB with 4K tow package should out tow a hybrid, the EB with this package utilized to full potential may be generating way more than 25% more heat than the hybrid vehicle.
As for engine cooling look at it this way:
If I'm getting 40 MPG unladen and EB is getting 30 MPG unladen at speed X, and I'm getting 20 MPG towing and Ecoboost is getting 15 MPG towing the same, in both cases I'm generating 25% less heat.
Following the data that EB with 4K tow package should out tow a hybrid, the EB with this package utilized to full potential may be generating way more than 25% more heat than the hybrid vehicle.
- First Name
- Jim
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2023
- Threads
- 11
- Messages
- 407
- Reaction score
- 261
- Location
- Waco Texas
- Vehicle(s)
- 2023 Maverick Lariat in Alto Blue
- Engine
- 2.0L EcoBoost
Probably not worth the expense. It would require a lot of changes
- First Name
- Tom
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2024
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 247
- Reaction score
- 206
- Location
- Youngstown, Ohio
- Vehicle(s)
- Ford Maverick XLT 2022 2.0 L Ford Escape 2017
- Engine
- 2.0L EcoBoost
Friends, I've had some experience towing our sailboat (~3,500 lbs) and some other things with vehicles that are barely able to haul it. It really depends upon the specifics of the situation. Like distances, speed, tongue weight, driving style and sheer luck. So, I've towed that 3.5K beast with my FWD Escapes and I've not experienced any major issues but my gut isn't easy and I'm always paying attention 125%. I've added trans coolers, installed wiring and after market hitches. Now, I've towed the boat with the Mav and the 4K and I feel a lot easier about it.
Tranny cooler? It would seriously prolong that part of the vehicle.
Brake controller, having one of those working may save lives.
AWD: Towing a boat up a wet, greasy boat ramp or a travel trailer down a muddy back road?
Bottom line in my thinking, you can get a good price for your truck then trade it in for a brand new 4K version and trust in the warranty and the resale values. If your vehicle lasts three years longer towing with the 4K then you've more than saved some money.
Just my H/O.
Tranny cooler? It would seriously prolong that part of the vehicle.
Brake controller, having one of those working may save lives.
AWD: Towing a boat up a wet, greasy boat ramp or a travel trailer down a muddy back road?
Bottom line in my thinking, you can get a good price for your truck then trade it in for a brand new 4K version and trust in the warranty and the resale values. If your vehicle lasts three years longer towing with the 4K then you've more than saved some money.
Just my H/O.
Sponsored
