QuestionHI,if truck GVWR is 9000lb and GCWR is 20.000lb,does that mean the heaviest trailer i can pull is GVWR 11.000lb? Can I increase my GCWR by buying different plates?Why there are many hot shot duallys pulling way over manufacturers GCWR?Thanks,Don M.
AnswerHi Don M & thanks for the question.....
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes certain regulations on all single or combination-unit trucks (used in interstate commerce) that have a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of more than 10,000 lbs. Additional regulations are imposed on all motor vehicles with a CGVWR of more than 26,000 lbs.
So first of all, let me be sure we're talking about the same thing and we understand the terms the same way. The GCWR, as listed by the manufacturer, shouldn't be confused to being the same as CGVWR which is the sum both vehicle GVWRs.
***(GVW) is the actual scale weight of any vehicle including vehicle and all cargo, fuel, driver, etc. GVW is what it weighs on the scale.
***GVWR is the manufacturer's maximum recommended weight rating for a specific vehicle....truck or trailer. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the amount recommended by the manufacturer as the upper limit to the operational weight for a motor vehicle and any cargo, fuel, equipment, passengers etc. to be carried.
***CGVWR is the sum of the GVWRs of the towing and towed vehicle(s) when used in combinations.
***GCWR... Generally speaking, the GCWR that most people are familar with is the term a manufacturer uses to express the towing capacity of the vehicle and includes both GVWs of each unit. Usually, the maximum allowable trailer weight is identified separately. In most cases, GCWR will be stated as the total allowable weight of the completely loaded tow vehicle and trailer including passengers, cargo, equipment, and conversions. The GCWR isn't necessarily the sum of all GVWRs for each unit in combination-unit motor vehicles. For single-unit trucks there is no difference between the GVWR and the GCWR.
Based on the manufacturer's ratings, yes, your example would be the maximum loaded trailer weight (GVW), but not necessarily the GVWR. (GVW is not to be confused with the trailer's GVWR) It should also be remembered GVWR and GCWR are manufacturer "rating" recommendations for a particular vehicle as built and delivered from the manufacturer. From a regulatory perspective, I don't know of any specific FMCSA regulation that prohibits towing a a trailer that causes your combination to exceed the manufacturer's GCWR. If someone else does, I'd sure appreciate the reference. However, in the event of an accident, if exceeding the GCWR, GVWR or registered GVW is found to be a contributing factor, you could be charged under a safety violation.
As you observed, it is quite common among small truck operators (i.e. 1 & 2 tonners) to tow trailers having a GVWR, that when combined, exceed the manufacterer's GCWR rating. Common sense and safety are the paramount factors to consider. Also, remember the GVWR/GCWR isn't necessarily the scale weight (GVW) and you're likely not loaded to the maximum most of the time.
In your example, increasing your registered weight, it does not change the GCWR since GCWR is established by the manufacturer. If you check most manufacturer's owners manuals, you note they use phrases such as "should not exceed GCWR" rather than "shall not" implying it isn't based in a statutory restriction. However, it may impact the manufacturer's warranty provisions.
Increasing the registered weight can increase your legal scale weight (allowable GVW), so that is kind of a back door answer to your question...."Can I increase my GCWR by buying different plates?"... The GCWR wouldn't change, but your legal scale weight would.
Individual states issue truck and trailer plates. Assuming your CGVWR (Note this is not the same as GCWR) is below 26,000 lbs, and you are not registered with apportioned plates, you may or may not be required to register the truck with commercial plates. That is dependent on your state's laws. In most states, you should register the truck for the maximum combined scale weight (CGVW), within legal limits, you would expect to transport. There are exceptions such as NY where you register truck and trailer weights individually.
Frequently the registered weight does exceed the manufacturer's GCWR recommendation. For example, a particular model GM Duramax 1 ton dually with a GVWR of 11,400 lbs and a trailer GVWR of 14,500 lbs would have a CGVWR of 25,900 lbs. In the owner's manual, that same truck lists a maximum allowable trailer weight of 16,200 lbs and a GCWR of 23,500 lbs. Ironically, if added separately, the trucks GVWR (11,400) and the recommended maximum trailer weight (16,200), you would come up with an entirely different number (27,600). To be legal and conservative, a reasonable approach would be to register for 26,000 lbs. As you can see, that would exceed the book's listed GCWR by 2,400 lbs and the registered weight would exceed it by 2,500 lbs. In my home state I could legally register the same vehicle for 36,000 or more lbs if I desired.
Another point about registration that probably should be made is that if you operate commercially in two or more jurisdictions and register over 26,000 lbs, you may be required to register as apportioned plates.
In FMCSA regulations, the GVWR & CGVWR are used for two primary purposes. First of all to define a CMV. That is the 10,001 lbs GVWR/CGVWR threshold. Secondly, it is used to determine if a CDL is required. Vehicles or combinations with a GVWR/CGVWR of 26,001 lbs require a CDL.
Note: There are other factors such as transporting a specific number of passengers; vehicles with the capacity to transport a specified number of passengers; and transporting of any amount of HM that requires placarding could also invoke a requirement for a CDL regardless of GVWR/GCWR.
In general, registration weight is used as the maximum allowable weight you can actually scale without being cited for over weight (GVW/CGVW). It may often be more than the GCWR of the vehicle(s). Of course, there are other factors that can cause you to be cited for "over weight" such as exceeding tire or axle weight ratings. And don't try to add the front and rear axle ratings from your truck's decal to derive the GVWR. In every case I've checked on one of these 1 tonners, they won't add up to GVWR.
Some states may have unique restrictions and most Canadian Provinces definitely do restrict you to the CGVWR, but I have not found that stated in FMCSA regulations. If anyone else knows the reference in FMCSA regulations, please send it to me.
Maybe this will help with your question about increasing your registration weight and how it impacts the manufacturer's GCWR. Technically it doesn't change the GCWR but may change your allowable GVW. Hopefully too, this explains the reason you frequently see a 1 ton dually towing a 3 or 4 car wedge or 48' flatbed and they registered to 36,000 lbs or more. As far as I can determine, it is legal by FMCSA regulations, but may not be the most safe thing to do.
Thanks again for the question and I sincerely hope this has helped some.
....Don
SEMO Motor Transport Service
http://www.stopillegaltrucking.com/
