Absolutely all info worth reading and heeding.
Unfortunately all facts. But some stubborn people will never listen to reason if they have a mind set to do something.
I love how everyone's convinced the insurance company won't cover you if you exceed the payload or towing capacity with 0 evidence. DUI, way more irresponsible, still covered. 3x the speed limit? Way more dangerous, still covered. Blow a red light? Far greater hazard, still covered. Driving the wrong way on the freeway? Practically eminent danger, still covered. 200lbs too much payload? You're a menace and insurance won't cover you. The more you think about it the dumber it sounds. Insurance covers irresponsible and even criminal every day.
I've found cases in the RV forums (posted a bit of what I've found) and it varies widely with the insurance company, but in most cases, you are covered, however - because you were being stupid, your rates will go up or you risk being dropped. Contracts vary, of course, so you can't say "they won't drop you". Likely they'll cover your LIABILITY in an accident - that's what liability coverage is all about - you are stupid or sleeping and you cause an accident, you are liable for the damages, thus, liability insurance. Sure, they will likely cover you, however...............
Note in typical lawyer fashion its a whole bunch of "maybe, could be, possibly liable for extra damages" and every one of those vague hypothetical statements was proceeded by "if you CAUSE an accident. Being over weight will never change who was at fault which is what I've said a million times. If insurance could just opt out of covering dumb, irresponsible, or even criminal then liability coverage would be useless. 1 or some combination of those 3 is the cause of nearly every accident ever. Even if you weren't cited for it, short of major mechanical failure I can't picture an accident you cause that technically didn't involve some sort of traffic violation. Side swipe the car in your blind spot? I'd call that an unsafe lane change. Hit the guy in front of you that slows down to turn into a driveway? Sounds like failure to yield and/or following too close? Pull out in front of someone on the highway and get hit? Unsafe merging and failure to yield. And yet the insurance pays? Almost like it pretty much only exists to cover irresponsible, unsafe, and/or illegal actions?I've found cases in the RV forums (posted a bit of what I've found) and it varies widely with the insurance company, but in most cases, you are covered, however - because you were being stupid, your rates will go up or you risk being dropped. Contracts vary, of course, so you can't say "they won't drop you". Likely they'll cover your LIABILITY in an accident - that's what liability coverage is all about - you are stupid or sleeping and you cause an accident, you are liable for the damages, thus, liability insurance. Sure, they will likely cover you, however...............
I've found conversations involving people in the insurance business and who had vehicles "recertified" to carry more load. But - that appeared to get sticky, too, as far as insurance went. They only cared about the manufacturer's numbers.
I might ask - why do people risk it? But then - all I have to do is look around me any time I leave home for the highways and I'm surrounded by people risking by being arrogant (I don't care what they say, look, I'm doing it and I'm fine) or ignorant (book? What book?) or lazy (safety chains dragging on the pavement, lights not working, load not strapped down, whatever)
From a Subaru owners manual ->
"Must not", not "we suggest" or "it's recommended", but "must not".
Gee, doesn't Jeep pretty much say the same thing? This is from Jeep's book -
It's not a suggestion or recommendation, they say "must not".
I also suggest there's a lot of assuming going both ways, but, if I was Jeep thinking of a pickup based on the Wrangler, and wanted it to be "best in class" towing and payload - would I not take it to the limits, get those SAE numbers nailed down and use them in my marketing?
If I was fine at 8,000 pounds towing and passed all of those SAE tests and they said "you are fine with this rig for 8,000 pounds, you passed" - would I not say "best in class at 8,000 pounds" ???? Because frankly, from what I see, you can actually find those numbers - although I've not tried.
If my new vehicle mule passed all of the tests and the SAE math says I could tow 8,000 pounds, you can believe I'm going to say I can tow 8,000 pounds. Ford will - and in fact, Ford has CHEATED before by removing the spare and rear bumper (because Ford said "uh, those are optional"). Ford is going to go all out.
Again, that's speculation, but it's also speculation to say "Jeep got the JT through 8,000 pounds but they are only going to say 6,000 pounds." while Ford made it through 8 and claimed 8.
Much we don't know - in our traffic, you'd be an idiot to try to max out the towing numbers.
Note I said in the beginning of that - liability covers you for being ignorant, dumb, lazy or reckless - in cases where you screwed up in some way, shape or form, and are liable.
Then after the slim chance they actually do, then you have to deal with civil courts, not to mention there’s a slim chance you’ll be able to get, or afford coverage after that.
People get coverage after DUIs. People get coverage after vehicular homicide. Nobody cares about a few hundred pounds period.
People can also be dropped after they make the payment, or raise rates so high you can't afford that company and have to switch to one that covers any moron.
True, but show me one example of a single instance where rates were raised because someone towed a few hundred pounds over the limit. DUI, or even at fault accidents will affect rates for sure. Being in a non-at fault accident? Nope and again nobody would ever know or care about the weight.
It's easy to know - don't even need scales.
The whole trailer weight thing and "insurance won't cover you, you're going to jail, personal liability, fear mongering has been a thing for 25+ years in internet forums since the pirate4x4 days and nobody ever had any real world evidence. The accident software is great, but it's still an estimate. You aren't getting ticketed for it. Even if it estimated your trailer at 20k pounds and you're speed at 100mph. You wouldn't get a speeding ticket because it has to be measured not calculated. That insanely over weight you'd likely end up on a scale (if you caused the accident) as they actually do need one for any kind of enforcement. Even if you were towing 20k pounds and someone hit you, nobody would care.
Not entirely true. That I also know from experiences.
The software can determine that speeding was involved and it would be noted as a contributing factor in determining fault, but to my knowledge you can't be cited for speeding based off of that. I know from an attorney in the family that's how it works here. Could vary by state but I've still never seen it.
