Speaking of toads December 28, 2007, 03:05:04 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87585I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota that I just had weighed at 4200 lbs with a full tank of gas, a bed shell (cab height) and some 'stuff' in the bed and an SMI brake controller. I would be towing this with a 2000 30 IB and from what I read there is a maximum of 4000 lbs towing capability for this model. Since it is just 200 lbs over the published limit do you think I would be OK and not damage the frame of my LD?Jerry in Simi Valley 2000 30 IB
Re: Speaking of toads Reply #1 – December 28, 2007, 03:15:05 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87586Quote I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota that I just had weighed at 4200 lbs with a full tank of gas, a bed shell (cab height) and some 'stuff' in the bed and an SMI brake controller. I would be towing this with a 2000 30 IB and from what I read there is a maximum of 4000 lbs towing capability for this model. Since it is just 200 lbs over the published limit do you think I would be OK and not damage the frame of my LD?Jerry in Simi Valley 2000 30 IB According to the manual on our 30' it is an issue of what the bumper can stand. If you want to tow something heavier you need to have the hitch attached to the frame. Ours is monted only to the bumper.Jim
Re: Speaking of toads Reply #2 – December 28, 2007, 03:18:02 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87587QuoteI have a 2001 Dodge Dakota that I just had weighed at 4200 lbs ... Since it is just 200 lbs over the published limit do you think I would be OK and not damage the frame of my LD? IMO, overweight is overweight. Why take a chance when, if it DOESN'T work, the consequences can be serious, if not fatal. If you want to tow your Dodge Dakota, have a stronger hitch fabricated for the LD.Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Re: Speaking of toads Reply #3 – December 28, 2007, 03:59:07 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87592Quote I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota that I just had weighed at 4200 lbs with a full tank of gas, a bed shell (cab height) and some 'stuff' in the bed and an SMI brake controller. I would be towing this with a 2000 30 IB and from what I read there is a maximum of 4000 lbs towing capability for this model. Since it is just 200 lbs over the published limit do you think I would be OK and not damage the frame of my LD? It would sure scare me... especially on a 30 footer (which is already near it's limit with no toad). My toad weighs (measured) 2820 attached to the LD, with a 1/4 tank of fuel, and I am pulling it with a 26 MB. The book says 4000, but crawl under it and look at how the hitch is attached. Personally I think 4000 is a stretch, and I would not want to go a pound over. Actually, I wanted to stay 1500 under, but I didn't quite make that.-Dave '06 MB, Indianapolis
Re: Speaking of toads Reply #4 – December 28, 2007, 10:29:45 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87609Thanks to all for your answers. I will have to check under my LD and look at the hitch.Jerry 2000 30IB
Re: Speaking of toads Reply #5 – December 28, 2007, 11:02:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87610QuoteSince it is just 200 lbs over the published limit do you think I would be OK and not damage the frame of my LD? Do not have an accident with an overweight towed!! The insurance company "could" deny all claims!! Good luck Todd See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Speaking of toads Reply #6 – December 29, 2007, 07:56:55 am Yahoo Message Number: 87614Posted by: "" toddzeiletodd Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:02 pm (PST) QuoteSince it is just 200 lbs over the published limit do you think I would be OK and not damage the frame of my LD? Do not have an accident with an overweight towed!! The insurance company "could" deny all claims!! Good luck ToddTodd, I have never read an auto or motorhome policy that mentions something like that as an exclusion.Are you talking about warranties?Jim[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Speaking of toads Reply #7 – December 29, 2007, 09:23:40 am Yahoo Message Number: 87617"I have never read an auto or motorhome policy that mentions something like that as an exclusion."You won't see text that says "If your rig is overweight..." But you will see text to the effect that your vehicle must be operated in a safe manner. If you have an accident while operating in an unsafe condition--which being overweight obviously is--you can be pretty sure that your claim will be denied.In addition, if the accident is fatal (to somebody else), you could face manslaughter charges. Causing a death because you knowingly operated an unsafe vehicle is a serious crime.All they have to do is look at LD's published spec and look up your toad's weight and note that one exceeds the other. And you'd better believe that both insurance companies and prosecutors' offices have people who are smart enough to do exactly that. :-)Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Speaking of toads Reply #8 – December 29, 2007, 12:06:18 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87631Quote I have never read an auto or motorhome policy that mentions something like that as an exclusion.Are you talking about warranties?Jim NO, I'm talking about the ramifications of driving an unsafe vehicle!! Todd See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]