10,000+# GVW and DOT

[steved]

... that's 10K COMBINED GVW and for business purposes. And YES - pulling a race car DOES count - as I specifically asked once before.

"Class: A - Combination > 26,000 / Tow > 10,000"



This is right off the back of my class "A" CDL license... so I guess as long as you are below the GCWR of 26k, you only need a class "C" CDL if you tow commercially.



I think as long as your equipment was up to par, they couldn't say anything as long as you are not commercial... with that said, they normally are looking for the obvious... trucks/trailers that appear overloaded, loads not secured, equipment that looks faulty (lights, ramps, etc)...



I have preached this to my coworkers time and time again, if you look legal, the DOT will usually not bother you... I have driven by DOT checkpoints before with a well secured load, straps neatly tied up, stuff on the bed neat and ordered with plates and inspection both expired... my coworker drove to the same checkpoint, was pulled in, (with a current registration and inspection) to be fined over $1800 for unsecured load, lights not working (didn't do the pretrip), etc... but his straps were haphazardly thrown all over the place and tied to one another, load was the same way... it just looked bad.



And as for the IFTA sticker... again, that is commercial use only... my state doesn't classify things commercial or not, YOU are responsible for claiming that (and being honest about it). That is what I do not agree with... what is legal in your state might not be legal/required in mine... if you travel, you need to know every regulation for every state your travel through...



steved

 

[Diesel Nut]

This wa the reason I sold my 03. I got popped for having a 1 ton dually with a flatbed. Again, over 10K (with a modified bed, 11. 5 without). I figured screw it, I'll put the factory bed back on. Nope. Truck hade GVW of 12k. In CA, 11. 5k and up no matter what have to have

Motor Carrier Permit

Register with DOT and post numbers on truck

Carry safety triangles and first aid kit

List Not For Hire on your truck if you aren't for hire

Carry no less than $750K in insurance - (if you have any points on your record, just sell your truck)

And to boot you have to go through scales, empty or loaded.



I decided it wasn't worth the trouble. Total BS they way the screw with the guy who uses a truck for what a truck is designed for.

 

[jimnance]

"Class: A - Combination > 26,000 / Tow > 10,000"



This is right off the back of my class "A" CDL license... so I guess as long as you are below the GCWR of 26k, you only need a class "C" CDL if you tow commercially.



steved

I pretty much agree with you on keeping a low profile and clean equipment to stay out of trouble.



My understanding of the law on commercial licenses (this is federal) is that for commercial hauling, you must have:



1. A class C license for a single vehicle with a GVW of 26,000 or less and no more than two axles



2. A class B to drive a school bus or a single vehicle with 3 or more axles or a GVW greater than 26,000 lbs.



3. A class A for any combination of vehicles over 10,000 lbs.



I may have missed some of the fine points, but I think this summarizes it pretty well.



As I said before, states may have their own rules for licensing RV's and vehicles not subject to Federal law.



It is a well known fact that over 50% of the RV's in America are operated overweight, either on GAWR, GVWR, or GCVWR. I think the DOT is beginning to look at this as a problem. Though not activley enforcing this, it seems that when they see something very obvious like a Chevy Tahoe pulling a 33' travel trailer they may pull him over and check his weights. State Patrols are also looking for these greivous overloads.



Be safe out there.

 

[steved]

I pretty much agree with you on keeping a low profile and clean equipment to stay out of trouble.



My understanding of the law on commercial licenses (this is federal) is that for commercial hauling, you must have:



1. A class C license for a single vehicle with a GVW of 26,000 or less and no more than two axles



2. A class B to drive a school bus or a single vehicle with 3 or more axles or a GVW greater than 26,000 lbs.



3. A class A for any combination of vehicles over 10,000 lbs.

Actually:



Class C is any commercial truck under 26k, towing less than 10k.



Class B is any commercial truck over 26k, towing less than 10k.



Class A is any commercial truck over 26k, towing more than 10k.



And then any endorsements... airbrake, tank, hazmat, etc.



To take the CDL Class "A" test, you need a truck/trailer with a GCVW of 36k or greater... I did this with a class "B" truck towing a 16k air compressor.



Most of the hotshotters should have at least a Class "C"...



steved

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

To take the CDL Class "A" test, you need a truck/trailer with a GCVW of 36k or greater... I did this with a class "B" truck towing a 16k air compressor.

steved

I'm thinking this might be different from state to state too. There's a CDL school in Phoenix that uses a single axel flat bed Ford and there's no way it weighs over 26K. You pull a tandem axel 20 foot trailer that doesn't weigh over 10K either.

 

[steved]

I'm thinking this might be different from state to state too. There's a CDL school in Phoenix that uses a single axel flat bed Ford and there's no way it weighs over 26K. You pull a tandem axel 20 foot trailer that doesn't weigh over 10K either.

It doesn't need to actually weight that much, just be registered for that much...



When I took the test, the truck (a single axle flatbed) was grossing about 14k (empty) and the trailer was at 16k (can't unload it)... as long as the truck is registered over 26k (our's was registered at 33k) and the trailer is registered at over 10k, your golden...



When testing, it is about registered GVW, not your actual gross weight at that time...



steved

 

[wtfd6]

This must vary state-to-state as PA exempts fire fighters from a CDL... they can get a waiver for the CDL.

steved

here in Ohio we are exempted from needing to have a cdl to operate the engines. emergency or not.

mark

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

It doesn't need to actually weight that much, just be registered for that much...



When I took the test, the truck (a single axle flatbed) was grossing about 14k (empty) and the trailer was at 16k (can't unload it)... as long as the truck is registered over 26k (our's was registered at 33k) and the trailer is registered at over 10k, your golden...



When testing, it is about registered GVW, not your actual gross weight at that time...



steved

Gotcha. That makes sense.

 

[mwhals]

here in Ohio we are exempted from needing to have a cdl to operate the engines. emergency or not.



mark

Same here in West Virginia to my knowledge.



Mark H

 

[BHolm]

What a mess.



I call ahead before I make a big haul. It isn't that often, maybe once or twice a year. Like a mentioned before I checked with the state dot offices. I was honest (though ananymous) about using a pick-up to haul over a 10k load. I was honest about being under 26k, which I was. Each state told me as long as I wasn't for hire I didn't have to do anything, no weigh stations, no special licesne, no special gear.



What we know for sure is that each state IS different. Worse yet, each trooper is DIFFERENT. The rules may be written but the enforcement is dynamic, and ever changing.



I'm done with the commercial stuff, let my class A go when I moved to CO 2. 5 years ago. Hope I don't have to get it again just to drive my truck And I'm definately staying out of California, what a crazy set of rules they have.

 

[steved]

What a mess.



I call ahead before I make a big haul. It isn't that often, maybe once or twice a year. Like a mentioned before I checked with the state dot offices. I was honest (though ananymous) about using a pick-up to haul over a 10k load. I was honest about being under 26k, which I was. Each state told me as long as I wasn't for hire I didn't have to do anything, no weigh stations, no special licesne, no special gear.



What we know for sure is that each state IS different. Worse yet, each trooper is DIFFERENT. The rules may be written but the enforcement is dynamic, and ever changing.



I'm done with the commercial stuff, let my class A go when I moved to CO 2. 5 years ago. Hope I don't have to get it again just to drive my truck And I'm definately staying out of California, what a crazy set of rules they have.

I definately agree... it varies person by person...



Someone else paid for my Class "A", I will never let it go since it is something to fall back on (for employment) in a pinch...



steved

 

[Eric_77]

Okay IFTA stickers are not required below 26,001 pounds.



IFTA is an agreement among all states (except Alaska and Hawaii) and Canadian provinces (except Northwestern Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon) to simplify the reporting of fuel used by motor carriers operating in more than one jurisdiction. Persons who operate qualified motor vehicles are subject to IFTA licensing.



Qualified motor vehicle - a motor vehicle used, designed, or maintained for transportation of persons or property and:



Having two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds or 11,797 kilograms; or

Having three or more axles regardless of weight; or

Is used in combination, when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds or 11,797 kilograms gross vehicle or registered gross vehicle weight. Qualified motor vehicle does not include recreational vehicles.



Here is link to the real answers from the guys that hold the cards.



http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/whomustcomply/index.asp



The defintion of commerce has changed in last 3 years as it used to say something about transportation in furtharnce of business or something to that effect it doesn't anymore which sounds like there is not really a personal use any more once you go across state lines in truck.

 

[ZHutton]

This was over 6 or 7 years ago in ohio when I worked in a spring shop, we got lots of rv stuff.



If someone had an rv with air brakes they had to take the air brake written test and get that endorsement added to their license. It could be added to the normal license and all it meant is that you knew about and could drive something with air brakes.



I had an ohio cdl, I recently moved to tn and when I went to get my tn driver's license they wanted an active health card and all sorts of stuff for me to keep my cdl. I dropped the cdl since I can't stand the paperwork and hassles a driver gets these days. I don't drive for a living now but I might go back to having a cdl depending on what I get for a job, but driving won't be the main part of my job. I figure I may as well test and get the class A next time around, a class B can limit you in what you can do so that is why I did not bother getting a new health card and what not when getting my tn license.



I just got my dually and tn charges very little to get a plate down here, I told them it was my personal car and it cost what a car costs to get a plate. They said it would cost more if I used it for work or business, but as a play toy it was cheap to register. Some counties do have a wheel tax, mine does not so that is an unknown cost.



As far as more restrictions and costs coming down the road, I won't deal with very much before I cut back. I despise paperwork, I hate taxes and registration fees, and I really get irked when things act like a noose that keeps getting tighter around someone's neck.



I can't believe the post about cali and the weights and stuff, that would drive me nuts and make me sell the truck.



Good luck to those who do this for a living. I got fed up driving for someone else so I know I won't do it for a living with my own truck because that is just more paperwork.

 

[Cattletrkr]

I know a lot of commercial livestock haulers that run farm plates, don't get the annual inspection, no stickers. They are my 3 closest competitors. Just wait for one of them to tick me off. I've got MNDOT on speed dial.

 

[BHaden]

More interesting reading from the SCCA Production Car RAcing site on towing hassles.



http://www.coloradoscca.org/prodcar/viewtopic.php?t=6205

 

[MMeier]

Its coming down guys!!! thats O. K. also because hopefully I'll have another way to justify my rates when people ask! :-laf

 

[jimnance]

Its coming down guys!!! thats O. K. also because hopefully I'll have another way to justify my rates when people ask! :-laf

Rates are rates. As long as it is easy and relatively cheap to enter the business (and it still is, though not as cheap as it used to be) there will be competition that comes in and thinks they can do it cheaper than everyone else. I don't justify my rates to my customers. They are what they are. We price competitively, but with enough margin to make a profit.



When someone wants it done cheaper there is always Joe Trucker with one truck and a cell phone for overhead. No problem, go ahead and use old Joe. Just remember, he may not be available when you really need him.



I've come to the conclusion that this is a mature business. It's not a get rich business.

 

[MMeier]

I've come to the conclusion that this is a mature business. It's not a get rich business.

It can be if you get set up with the right people. Just don't haul cheap freight either, alot of guys do, just to say" hey, lookie me , I'm a truck driver! WOOHOO" Forget that !!!

 

[jimnance]

It can be if you get set up with the right people. Just don't haul cheap freight either, alot of guys do, just to say" hey, lookie me , I'm a truck driver! WOOHOO" Forget that !!!

That's the point, there is always someone that wants to do it cheaper. Yes, money can be made, but the name of that game is service, service, SERVICE. If you can do it right, you can make money. I agree that there is no point to hauling freight for the practice.



My point is that this is not rocket science and limited capital is needed to get started. You'll never make money like some of those DOT. COM guys. Like the old man on the Smith Barney commercials " We make money the old fashioned way - we earn it .

 

[bighornram]

Okay IFTA stickers are not required below 26,001 pounds.







Here is link to the real answers from the guys that hold the cards.



http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/whomustcomply/index.asp



The defintion of commerce has changed in last 3 years as it used to say something about transportation in furtharnce of business or something to that effect it doesn't anymore which sounds like there is not really a personal use any more once you go across state lines in truck.

Too bad there isn't a counter on that link :{



No matter what you pick it tells you that your subject to the guidelines. :-laf #@$%!