How is the GWVR of a vehicle established, regulated, proven, and what is the point beyond maximum possible load capacity?

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the FACTORY designation of how much the vehicle can SAFELY weigh when fully loaded, and includes the actual weight of the vehicle with full fuel tanks, passengers and any cargo. While it is entirely possible to load and operate a vehicle that exceeds the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, it is NOT LEGAL in MOST states, and would get you a traffic ticket OR put out of service if you were caught.

Re: Update 2... Way back in the dark ages, SOME states DID require pickup trucks and utility vehicles in commercial use to show the GVW Rating AND the DOT registration numbers on the door or fender of the vehicle. That practice has mostly gone out of favor because the great majority of light trucks in the USA are now privately owned and NOT in commercial service.

Every vehicle on the road has a GVWR, it's in the door jamb. It's not something specific to large trucks. Rentals can take 80k if that's what you rent. Rent from a commercial truck rental and not residential grade moving trucks if you need to move weight. Any truck that has a GVWR of 26k or less will always put 26k on the door if they put it up for simplicity, there's no point putting an exact number, 26k is the threshold and that the only number DOT is concerned with.

It is based on the engineering of the vehicle. Usually the tires/axles are chosen first. Then everything else is designed to withstand the same load. I overload trucks quite frequently. I have a 18,000 gvw that normally hits the scales at 24,000 or so. My tenant a lot of times hits scales with is semis at around 100,000 lbs. I live in a free state so we can tag vehicle at what ever weight we want without paying any attention to the GVW. With the above semis, they are farm vehicles and the state highway patrol is under strict orders to not mess with farmers. P.S. All three of our Rams, D350, 1500, 2500, and the other 6 or so pickups have GVW ratings.

First what the maker rates it at under Government regulations. Second what it is licensed for. Case in point. Penske lease trucks for DIY movers. That truck is licensed for 26000 lbs or less. The max allowed with out requiring a CDL. The truck is capable of carrying more maybe 32000 lbs but it is only licensed to carry 26k or less.