THSCC Forums

Hello all,

I know this has been discussed before but here is what I was just told by the folks at DMV. BTW, I called the office on New Bern since this is run by the state and not contracted out.

First, the requirement as stated by the DOT. Weighted plates are issued/ required for "any private property hauling vehicle with a weight of 7000 to 26000 lb". My question to them was isthe weight curb or gross vehicle weight.

I was told that they use curb weight plus whatever the heaviest load is that you will haul and/ or tow (interestingly tow is not in the requirements just haul!).

Shawn and others that have just gone through this, is this what was explained to you?

Thanks!

Ron

That is pretty much what was explained to me last year by the DMV. They said the sum of the curb weight, hauling capacity, driver's weight and the amount you tow.

A year ago trying to explain this to a plate agency was futile. But it appears they now understand.

You walk in and ask for a "weighted tag" for x number of pounds. I got one for 8000#. My ego said to go for 16000# but my checkbook said to skimp

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

Thanks Jim. The interesting thing was they said I didn't needto bring in my plate. I thikn I will just in case. I saw Shawn's plate which was the special weighted plate but not sure if they switch them all or just change the number on the registration.

Ron

Ron,
Do you know if "hauling vehicle" specifically refers to a truck (as in pickup truck)? or if it extends to vehicles with towing capability like an SUV? My SUV weight + total tow weight would exceed 7000#, so am wondering if I should switch tag types.
Thanks,
Phil

SUV's need not apply, even though many are heavier and can tow more than my pickup truck.

Scott

WOULD YOU PEOPLE MAKE UP YOUR MIND ?!?!?!?!

I can't believe that this hasn't been figure out yet. Anyone know where I can get this in writing? Listening to a bunch of very intelligent people contradicting each other because of bad information is starting to get me down!

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

The explanation for weighted plates.

All I know is that I breathe a little easier when the DMV pulls alongside my truck.

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

Yes the DMV is not at all clear on what they need/ want. I quoted directly from the site Jim linked to. No distinction is made between truck, suv, whatever. Also they say "haul" not tow. But when you get the registration with a weighted plate (which I just did!) it says that the amount listed must be sufficient for any amount you haul (which includes passengers, payload in the bed, etc...this is my interpretation not listed by DMV) and tow!! First time they say anything about towing.

I think a strong case could be made, if stopped because you are towing without the weighted plates, that the DMV does not metion towing on their own web page!!

In any event, the good news is that they prorate the plates since they are due at the turn of the year.

And Mike, I too believe that SUVs are exempt since they are not considered a private party hauling vehicle...whatever the heck that means!

Ron

A definition of how to determine the weight:

17., 18. Empty Weight and Combined Gross Weight – G.S. 20-52, 57, 88
Gross weight is the basis for license fees for property carrying motor vehicles. Gross weight includes
the empty weight of the truck or tractor, the empty weight of any trailer that is to be pulled and the
maximum load that is to be transported at any time. Empty weight of vehicle plus the heaviest load to
be carried including the driver. Applicant or his representative must initial declared gross weight on all
title applications and weight changes.

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

Where did you find this? And, off topic, I met James McAllister lastweek when I was calling on a company in WS. He said he used to be at UL and when I asked said indeed he knows you. He said HI.

R

Ron,

My quote is from the NCDMV Manual: Section 1, Chapter 2, page 5, item 17,18 on pdf page 45. The manual is on the DMV website but you may need to download it first to scroll through . . . its about 394 pdf pages. I could not find a clear definition of "load hauling trucks" by the way but may have lost interest too soon (it doesn't apply to our camper van).

Say Hi to James McAllister if you see/talk to him again!

Dick

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

Dick, your quote came from th Title section of the manual (which I have indeed down loaded). Under Section 2, Chapter 3, page 2 (or page 166 of the pdf format), which is the Weight part of the manual they describe gross weight as:

Empty weight and maximum load to be transported (including the empty weight and maximum load of any trailer or semi trailer that is to be pulled). the weight of trailers is notinculded when operating a truck that is licensed for 6000 pounds or less and the combined gross weight does not exceed 9000 pounds.

First, their defiinition of gross weight is different than that listed on the sticker for a truck (my curb weight, i.e. their gross weight, is 4689 but the sticker on the truck lists gross weight at 8800!!).

Second if I read this correctly if you do not exceed 9000 pounds gross for the trailer and truck and if you are registered for 6000 then you get to deduct the weight of the trailer from the calculation. I read this as meaning just the unloaded weight of the trailer.

It seems to me that for most of us you can register the truck for 6000 and be OK unless you have a REALLY heavy car!

Certainly more confusing than it needs to be!!

Ron

Ron,
Let me clear something up. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating on the door is a Max load rating for the vehicle from the manufacturer. If your curb weight is 4700 lbs then you can pack in 4100 lbs of people and stuff in your Suburban. The weighted plate license is a max combined weight of the tow vehicle and any towed vehicle (trailer). I believe NC allows you to be over weight by some small % to handle variations in scales.

I do not know about the exception you mention for under 9000 lbs. When I had to deal with this I had a F-450 weighing 6000 lbs towing a 12,000 trailer. I was licensed for a weight of 19,000 lbs.

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George Bright Member # 141
One of the youngest of the old farts.
Yes I voted against you joining the club.

Thakss George. I actually understand it but I find the common use of Gross Vehicle Weight to be confusing the issue. To me gross weight is NOT the empty weight of the truck. Thats curb weight. Anyway, not an issue.

The exemption I mention is straight from the DMV's handbook.

Ron

Reviving a well-beaten horse...here's what they told me today. For those who don't know I have an Excursion, which weighs, um, a lot, and am pulling an Integra. Total combined weight should be just under 12K lbs, which is more than a standard plate is good for.

The DMV lady told me the following.

First, since my Excursion was an SUV, it wasn't considered a "truck or commercial vehicle" and I didn't *have* to get the tag. However, she said if I were to get caught and weighed and be high, it's a dollar per pound overweight you are.

So she also said that if I wanted, I could buy one, so I did. Better safe than sorry I say.

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Karl S.
2014 Baby, 2014 House, 2013 Ford Focus ST, 2013 BMW 328i, 1994 Mercedes E320
(Insert passive aggressive signature line here)