gvwr and towing

[The Car Stereo Company]

whats the rule about weight when towing? tirina and i found the perfect camper. its a bumper pull (of course) dry weight is just under 7500lbs. but gwvr is 9500lbs. since we take both trucks when we go camping/offroading, the trailer will be empty except for water once we reach our destination, (orwithin a few miles of it) and 50 gallons of water does not weight 500lbs. tirina will take all the extra crap in her truck. whats the law or rule regarding towing this trailer? 2014 crewcab so it has 8000lb towing capacity. if (hopefully in the very unlikely) event of a collision or wreck what would be the rule be? would i be liable since the gwvr says 9500lbs? or would they take into account the actual weight of the trailer?

 

[P4SHOCAT]

From everything I could dig up, you could be liable if over the gwvr. You also need a class IV trailer hitch for over 5000 lbs gwvr.

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

From everything I could dig up, you could be liable if over the gwvr. You also need a class IV trailer hitch for over 5000 lbs gwvr.

correct. but im talking about towing the trailer dry with no gear, equipment, or water. we would fill water at the last location before we hit the campsite. usually 5-10 miles. but like i said, 50 gal of water isnt 500lbs. the dry weight of the trailer is just under 7500lbs. so if im towing dry do they disregard the dry weight and assume im towing 9500lb?

 

[P4SHOCAT]

I would think that they would use the gwvr. When I googled Gen 1 towing capabilities, people were saying insurance would not cover you in an accident.

 

[DFS]

50 Gallons of water isn't 500 pounds, but it is approximately 400 pounds. So you are at the limit when you account for loose miscellaneous items.

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

50 Gallons of water isn't 500 pounds, but it is approximately 400 pounds. So you are at the limit when you account for loose miscellaneous items.

again, trailer is empty. the other truck and trailer will hold all the crap we bring.

my question is strictly liability. if im below 8000lbs even though gwvr says 9500lbs am i covered and not liable for neglegence? (given i dont drive like an idiot and wreck)

 

[FordTechOne]

I don’t have a concrete answer, but consider this. If you’re towing an empty flatbed trailer with a GWR of 10,000lbs and you were involved in an accident, would you be liable based solely on the trailer’s maximum GWR? I can’t see that being the case.

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

makes sense. i guess they would have to make sure i was under weight given its an enclosed camper and has lots of storage. but if i could prove i was under the weight, then it makes sense.

 

[Jakenbake]

You are not confusing GVWR with GCVWR are you?

One would include the tongue weight of the trailer and one would include the trailer itself

 

[P4SHOCAT]

Sounds like this might be a question for your local DMV.