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Old 03-25-2021, 03:04 PM   #80
sourdough
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,598
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikelff View Post
Tampa Spring, in Tampa Fl. I am just stating the fact that trucks can be modified safely and legally to carry heavier loads than what originally came out of the factory, such as 5ers. The argument that you have to buy a new truck to get to safe payloads is blatantly false. There are folks out there that have done the same certified modifications and have done their homework. I’ll go with what DOT says is safe and legal over the weight police on this forum. When I am ready for a new TV and if I still have the same RV, I’ll probably go for a 3500. My truck has been inspected by Texas DOT and they agreed 100% I am good to go as modified. There are limits as to how much modification you can do to carry heavier loads, and they are regulated by the DOT. No feelings hurt here. Just stating facts and I have the documentation to back them up.

Fyi, here are the regulations right out of the DOT web site;

49 CFR § 567.7 - Requirements for persons who alter certified vehicles.
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§ 567.7 Requirements for persons who alter certified vehicles.
(a) With respect to the vehicle alterations it performs, an alterer:
(1) Has a duty to determine continued conformity of the altered vehicle with applicable Federal motor vehicle safety, Bumper, and Theft Prevention standards, and
(2) Assumes legal responsibility for all duties and liabilities for certification under the Vehicle Safety Act.
(b) The vehicle manufacturer's certification label and any information labels shall remain affixed to the vehicle and the alterer shall affix to the vehicle an additional label in the manner and location specified in § 567.4, in a manner that does not obscure any previously applied labels, and containing the following information:
(1) The statement: “This vehicle was altered by (individual or corporate name) in (month and year in which alterations were completed) and as altered it conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety, Bumper and Theft Prevention Standards affected by the alteration and in effect in (month, year).” The second date shall be no earlier than the date of manufacture of the certified vehicle (as specified on the certification label), and no later than the date alterations were completed.
(2) If the gross vehicle weight rating or any of the gross axle weight ratings of the vehicle as altered are different from those shown on the original certification label, the modified values shall be provided in the form specified in § 567.4(g)(3) and (4).
(3) If the vehicle as altered has a different type classification from that shown on the original certification label, the type as modified shall be provided.

Finding shops that do this is not always easy, but they are out there.


Mike, just as I said; dry, silly and nothing new.

The portion in red is again "your" assessment. A larger truck is always recommended because it makes sense. I don't recall anyone saying there is "no other way" nor endorsing the route you took. You did a one off and are happy with it I guess - I would not be. Why in the world would you spend $2500 to mod a truck to be "something else" when you could have bought that "something else" up front for and additional $500 - and it would have been built properly from the ground up...ALL components?

As far as the weight police saying what you have is "unsafe" or "illegal", I don't recall that. Do you have examples? Ill advised IMO? Yes. Best route to take IMO? No. Does it give you every component that the OEM package would have provided? No.

I could take a $500 Yugo and have it built into a Range Rover for $200k. I could buy a new Range Rover for less than $100k. Why would I do that? No one questions that you can as far as I know. Questioning why would be another thing entirely.
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