New member to the overloaded club, 53140 lbs!!!

[MidwestMotorman]

I did it the other day. I joined the infamous "overloaded club" by towing grain to a local elevator. I was using my father's Dodge, a 93 3500 diesel auto. The owners and the scale boys gave me a double look as the readout said 53140 lbs for the GCVW. I was hauling 652 bushel of corn. Someone made a remark about not needing a semi to haul grain as they can hire me. I know my fathers rig is about 6500 lbs or so.

Of course I took plenty of time to ensure stopping at the road intersections. Somebody asked if I was is 4 LO, I just laughed and said 2 HI worked just fine. Some people are amazed at what the mighty six will do. Of course, we TDR members already know that.

As far as legality goes, Iowa law allows farmers to tow two attachments behind pickups. Limited by a length law, speed laws, and a safety law requiring them to be pinned and chained. So anyone can and usually does tow very heavy loads. This usually only happens in the fall as we harvest. No one would have given me a second look on the road as this is normal. We are limited only by our sanity. I advocate safe responsible towing, and this instance pushes those limits.

EDIT---Pics of truck and a single load are on page 3.