BC weight limits

[Sledderglen]

Posting the question here for a guy at work.

If he is going into BC with a 1/2 ton with a camper on it who checks his GVW limits? Not told to check in at weight scales so how would he be checked? DOT or RCMP random check by visual look? Moveable scales and away you go. Do they impound or send you home?


Just asking I know better that's why I bought a dually

 

[teeroy]

stopped at Tete Jaune scales a few years ago and asked, the officer there told me they do not seek out recreational vehicles for random checks. he said their mandate is commercial vehicle enforcement and that holiday trailers etc are the responsibility of the RCMP, and added that unless something is visually wrong they will not stop them. he also said if you pull across a scale in BC and are overloaded with your RV you can expect to be taken off the road.

 

[moyiesledhead]

Both RCMP and CVSE can check them and pull them off the road. Probably won't happen though unless they pull him over for something else first. Then he could be in trouble. They will NOT just let him go home overloaded.

 

[Clode]

If the vehicle is ass down don't be surprised if he gets pulled over, RCMP are enforcing this more and more, and if the truck is heavier than the endorsed GVW on his insurance it will be void if he has a wreck, I just talked to an agent about this and raised the GVW on my pickup

 

[moyiesledhead]

If the vehicle is ass down don't be surprised if he gets pulled over, RCMP are enforcing this more and more, and if the truck is heavier than the endorsed GVW on his insurance it will be void if he has a wreck, I just talked to an agent about this and raised the GVW on my pickup

Man that pizzes me off! I just found out about that. Gotta pay ICBC extra to insure your truck for what it's designed to carry in the first place. Friggin' thieves!

 

[ABMax24]

He might not even need to be scaled to be pulled off the road, many Trailers and Campers now a days have a sticker with the empty (tare) weight on it, if this alone is over his trucks max capacity he is likely going to be SOL, not to mention the additional cargo in the camper. Also we have all heard the stories of half tons with sled decks and 2 sleds being pulled over for being overweight, and a camper is a little easier to spot IMO.

 

[Clode]

Man that pizzes me off! I just found out about that. Gotta pay ICBC extra to insure your truck for what it's designed to carry in the first place. Friggin' thieves!

My dually was only good for 4500kg in ICBC eyes WTF....I raised it to 5500kg and insurance cost went down

 

[Trashy]

All the times I have been in BC, I have never been pulled over for camping or sledding. My 24' holiday trailer has been pulled into BC with my old 1/2 ton, had the RC's pass me and never bat an eye. That also includes having 2 sleds on a deck with the same 1/2 ton. I did have E rated tires & over loaders on and cranked them up a bit, so it sat level. But never a problem....

There is also a few self weighs, along most highways that one can weigh them selves and see where they are at? Also upgrading your truck tire to a D or E makes a difference in what you can legally carry.

 

[ABMax24]

Also upgrading your truck tire to a D or E makes a difference in what you can legally carry.

Unfortunately putting on different tires doesn't increase weight capacity, it is based off of both GVW and Max Allowable Axle Weight and neither can be exceeded, pickups have all their components sized around these ratings; brakes, suspension, frame, drivetrain, axle ratio, tires, etc. Even airbags and helper springs don't change the capacity ratings, yes they make the truck ride level but it does diddly-squat for the legal ratings, same with tires, although if you put a tire rated for less weight on your pickup it would change the weight rating accordingly.

 

[Trashy]

Unfortunately putting on different tires doesn't increase weight capacity, it is based off of both GVW and Max Allowable Axle Weight and neither can be exceeded, pickups have all their components sized around these ratings; brakes, suspension, frame, drivetrain, axle ratio, tires, etc. Even airbags and helper springs don't change the capacity ratings, yes they make the truck ride level but it does diddly-squat for the legal ratings, same with tires, although if you put a tire rated for less weight on your pickup it would change the weight rating accordingly.

It sure does change your load capacity, and any DOT scale will tell you that going from a C rated tire to an E rated tire changes it. I had over loaders in my 1/2 ton, because I hauled my own water. But if I have been pulled over, it would have been game over for me.

 

[ABMax24]

It sure does change your load capacity, and any DOT scale will tell you that going from a C rated tire to an E rated tire changes it. I had over loaders in my 1/2 ton, because I hauled my own water. But if I have been pulled over, it would have been game over for me.

I strongly disagree, unless your tires are underated to what the door sticker says (which no tire shop will put on) it makes no difference.

KEY FACTORS TO REMEMBER
• You should not exceed manufacturer’s GVWR
• You should not exceed manufacturer’s GAWR
• Adding components such as air bags or overload springs does not allow these
rating to be increased or exceeded
• When coupled to a trailer unit or fifth wheel remember each unit will transfer
weight to the towing unit (hitch weight). Take this into consideration when
determining the GVWR and GAWR.
• Make sure fifth wheel mounts and ball receiver hitches are rated accordingly and
do not to exceed the manufacturers ratings
• Ensure tire pressure is maintained according to manufacturers specifications
• You should not exceed the GCWR. Check your owner’s manual for the GCWR
(towing capabilities). If you tow a load that is too heavy for your vehicle, you
create a potential safety risk for yourself and others on the road. You may also
void warranties.

Tires
• The original manufacturer of your vehicle and trailer will designate acceptable tire
sizes and type; any replacement tires should meet these requirements. A couple
requirements that apply to tires to be aware of:
o On-highway vehicles must use tires that are designed for on-highway use
o Tires have a rated carrying capacity, the sum of the total rated capacity for
the tires on an axle must be greater than the GAWR
o Alberta Transportation recommends that all tires that share an axle be the
same

Here is the full guide. http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType41/Production/recvehtowguide.pdf

 

[Trashy]

I just checked on my 2013 GM 1500, and the GAWR is rated for 3950lbs and the factory P rated tires are rated for 2535lbs. So I'm not allowed to go over the 3950 number legally?

 

[Trashy]

Tires
• The original manufacturer of your vehicle and trailer will designate acceptable tire
sizes and type; any replacement tires should meet these requirements. A couple
requirements that apply to tires to be aware of:
o On-highway vehicles must use tires that are designed for on-highway use
o Tires have a rated carrying capacity, the sum of the total rated capacity for
the tires on an axle must be greater than the GAWR
o Alberta Transportation recommends that all tires that share an axle be the
same

I'm confused???? As long as my tire rating is greater than 3950lbs, I'm good to go to a F rated tire

 

[ABMax24]

I just checked on my 2013 GM 1500, and the GAVW is rated for 3950lbs and the factory P rated tires are rated for 2535lbs. So I'm not allowed to go over the 3950 number legally?

Yes, because the GAWR is 3950lbs that is the max weight that can be put on that axle, legally. GM just added an extra safety factor in when they put those tires on. The only way to legally haul more is to get a bigger truck with a higher weight rating.

 

[ABMax24]

I'm confused???? As long as my tire rating is greater than 3950lbs, I'm good to go to a F rated tire

Don't forget there are 2 tires per axle, your tires at 2535lbs per tire equates to 5070lbs per axle, which is 1120lbs above your GAWR. So you still can't legally exceed 3950lbs on that axle.

 

[Trashy]

I'm going to stop in at the DOT scale tomorrow between Airdrie and Calgary. To get a proper answer........

 

[Trashy]

Don't forget there are 2 tires per axle, your tires at 2535lbs per tire equates to 5070lbs per axle, which is 1120lbs above your GAWR. So you still can't legally exceed 3950lbs on that axle.

Both axles are rated the same, at 7900lbs combined, all 4 tires = 10,140lbs. The difference of 2,240 lbs, which should be my GVWR right? Now if I upgraded to an LT C rated tire, that wouldn't legally increase my capacity?

 

[teeroy]

I'm going to stop in at the DOT scale tomorrow between Airdrie and Calgary. To get a proper answer........

straight from the mouth of an MTS officer to my ears.... "we don't look at GVWR in Alberta, just the load rating on the tires"

 

[Trashy]

straight from the mouth of an MTS officer to my ears.... "we don't look at GVWR in Alberta, just the load rating on the tires"

And seeing how this is a BC thread, this may or may not hold water? Thanks Troy

 

[ABMax24]

Both axles are rated the same, at 7900lbs combined, all 4 tires = 10,140lbs. The difference of 2,240 lbs, which should be my GVWR right? Now if I upgraded to an LT C rated tire, that wouldn't legally increase my capacity?

No, you can never exceed a GVW of 7900lbs legally.