Trailer GVW before CDL required

[Bob W]

I'm looking into getting a trailer to haul my tractor (Ford 1920).

Does any equipment trailer over 10000 GVW require a CDL?

Is it a Federal regulation, or does it vary state to state?

A question about trailers: gooseneck or tag-along?

One more if I may: is there a substantial difference in towing with a 3500 compared to a 2500? I like the bigger cab of the '03s and may move up to a 3500. A fifth-wheel is in the plans to, but that's a good 3-5 years down the road.



Thanks for all replys.

 

[Snow man]

Bob,I tow a Ford 1910 with a loader,and woods 750 backhoe on my 9900 GVWR trailer occasionally. Yes,if its over 10000,you need a CDL,The 1910 is almost identical in weight,size,and power to the 1920,its the older model,mine weighs 5540 lbs with the loader,hoe,and loaded turf tires,with the ag tires it weighs about 5000. My trailer weighs 2200,so combined im at less than 8000 lbs,so you should have no trouble towing it with a 9900 GVWR trailer like I do. for the weight im towing,under 8000,the 2500 Ram handles it fine,but my old Chevy 1 ton dump truck handles it much,much better,like it isnt even there stabilty wise. You dont need a 3500 for it though IMO. I also tow it with my GMC 2500LD,pickup it also tows it easily,and I wouldnt hesitate to pull it long distances if needed.

 

[shoveljunk]

I thought that the CDL was for riggs over 23,000#?

 

[MBurke]

26,000

it is 26,000.

 

[Okie-Go]

A friend of mine here in town has a cdl. He told me it was 20,000 lbs. on the trailer capacity. Just what I was told but I have no idea as to the exact weight.

 

[Bob W]

Snow man, I have the same 'hoe. What bed length is your trailer?

 

[MBurke]

IN KY, but probably nationally

In KY, you are safe at under 26,000. Any more requires a cdl and an apportioned tag. I have ran through most of the states as a commercial driver with 26,000 lbs. tags weighing in at nearly 26k. I have been inspected at that wieght, and checked in many states. They always want to see the registration to prove I am registered for 26k, and they want to see my medical card. No CDL is required for this wieght. They care more about the registration (That you have paid the piper) than anything else. I have heard some strange stories about Maryland though.

 

[tgbol]

I just attended a seminar on this last Wednesday.

Class A any combination of vehicles with trailer over 10,000#

Class B Any vehicle over 26,001# and trailer under 10,000#

Any 3 axle or more vehicle and trailer under 10,000#

Class C Any 2 axle vehicle under 26,000# and trailer under 10,000# Any 2 axle greater than 4000# unladen towing trailer coach under 9000#

I hope this helps you out.

 

[Snow man]

Bob,i have a 6 1/2 x 18 ft,it fits perfectly ,the bucket slides right up to the front rail on the trailer,and the buxket on the hoe is about 1 ft from the end of the trailer. When i took my NY state CDL test ,i read the book,in fact i just went thru it again,its pretty clear on this,if your towing 10000 lbs or more GVWR trailer,you need a cdl A. The only exceptions listed are recreational use trailers. My trailer is tagged from the manufacturer at 9900 for this reason,even though it has 2 5200 lb axles,its to slide under the 10000 law. You cant even tow 10000 lbs with a class B cdl,you need an A. you need a class C CDL to drive up tp 26000 lbs. Im just relaying what my NYS CDL book says. I see guys towing 15K-20K with F550's/or 15-18K Cabovers here,Case 580backhoes,on 10 ton trailers are common,I know there GCWR is over 30000,they do not have a CDL of any type,and have been lucky ,and not gotten caught yet.

 

[MBurke]

Very strange,,, I'm not doubting you

Not trying to start an argument here, but I have seen this first hand in many states. Pulling up to 12,000 lbs of cargo, with no CDL required. Medical card only. Maybe it varies by state. I do know that other states are supposed to honor your home states laws on these issues. I have been stopped by DOT and been through the ringer at the weigh stations and asked these questions directly at times. Go figure? Seems like a real GRAY area. I know 12 other people who do this as well with the same results, but all are KY based.

 

[Bob W]

Correct me if I'm wrong: if the trailer GVW is under 10000, no CDL of any kind required.



Snowman, do you have a ball or pintle? Is it possible to have a weight distributing pintle hitch?

 

[MBurke]

26,000 combined wieght

All of the states that I have had the pleasure of dealing with the DOT, have always gone with the under 26000lbs. combined weight, Truck+Trailer+Cargo... everything combined. (The truck reg. is all they look at) We run 26000 lb commercial tags, and that is for combined. I have been (called in the weigh stations in about 20 states, and this is what I have been told) They look at the registered weight on your truck registration, The trailer registration does not have a wieght listing in KY. and that is what they go by for combined. Most Tandem dually trailers require a CDL because they are capable of pulling more... Then the truck must be upgraded to apportioned tags (CDL REQUIRED) Not all states have wieght listed tags, so I don't know what they use then.

Some of this stuff must be state specific, but I have always had KY laws observed in all the states I have traveled in.

Don't want to steer anyone in the wrong direction, this is just how it is for me. I have been doing this for some time and know people who have been doing this for 10+ years. All Ky registered though.

 

[Bob W]

MBurke, for a trailer in the 10000-12000 GVW range, do you suggest a gooseneck or tag-along?

 

[MBurke]

GOOSENECK

Definately a gooseneck. After owning a few, that is all I would have. No sway, easy to hook up, and safer. Tighter cornering, better resale, better weight dist. and more. Oo.

 

[ISBPilot]

MBurke is right on..........

There are several reasons for having a CDL, (air brakes, large passenger vehicle, haz/mat, etc... ) but for most of us it deals with weight. Anything over 26,000 gross (total) requires a CDL. I have my truck tagged for 25,500 because I haul feed and cattle for our farm. Find out what you need for your set up and go from there.



Todd

 

[MBurke]

Well said Todd

Well said, Todd. Those are the facts.

 

[wtrenholm]

According to the Minnesota CDL manual, A CDL is required in MN for:



1. A combination of vehicles with a GCW of more than 26,000 and the towed vehicle has a GVW of more than 10,000. Class A



2. A single vehicle with a GVW over 26,000. Class B



3. A combination vehicle with a GCW of more than 26,000 and the towed unit has a GVW of 10,000 or less. Class B



4. A vehicle designed to transport more than 15 persons, including driver. Class B with passenger endorsement.



5. Any vehicle that requires hazardous materials placards. Class A,B,C with hazmat endorsement.



6. Any vehicle outwardly equipped and operated as a school bus. Class B with school bus and passenger endorsments; or Class C with school bus endorsement.





It also says this is the minimum requirement is set nationally by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986.



The next section states if you operate any class of vehicle as an employee or employer you may be subject to commercial motor carrier requirements. To summarize the rest it basically says if you weigh over 10,000 you MAY need a DOT medical card, be restricted on hours of operation and have maintenance/inspection requirements. The State Patrol or MN/DOT would have the needed info.



That's what it says for us northerners,

Wayne

 

[MBurke]

That sounds right to me.

Basically, the rules you listed are ALL for more than or greater that 26000 combined. I do however, have to keep a log, have commercial ins. , Obey DOT hours of operation, have a medical card, keep maintenance records, safety inspections and all that stuff though for under 26,000 Combined.

Interesting subject, huh?

 

[Snow man]

Back to the original question,you do need a CDL A to tow more than 9999 lbs comercially legally in any state,it seems there are a lot of guys towing in excess of that that think they are legal becasue they are under 26000. From the way its wriiten,you can be at 19000 and need a cdl with a 8600 lb 3/4 ton truck,and a 10400 lb trailer. I really wanted a 6 ton trailer when i bought my 9900,but if i did then you would need a CDL A to tow it,although i have one, I didnt need the hassles if my wife or brother was towing it,so i went with the 9900GVWR one.

 

[sewman]

Ok,here's what the DOT-SOB told me when I got stopped

Since my combines capacity is over 10,500

truck is 8,800 & trailer 5,500 hauling for commerce,buyibg stuff for resale I need a med card,logbook & Dot# on my truck.

Thats the way it is. I'm not doing it because I won'y take that trialer out of state with a business name on it(dumb I know)

Live & learn

Oh I got stopped for 85 in a 55 along the interstate in CT about 1/8mi before a rest stop ,where to DOT guy said I had to wait(rest) for 8hrs. but then he said He's getting off duty now & I could do what I want because I was headed east & when he

left he's headed west & not lookin back.

SO you DON'T need a CDL when your combined GVW is over 10,500 but you better be able to prove what your doing isn't earning you any money.

And this is only when you cross a state line

DOT has control over intrastate!!

I know alot of guys that get away with it

but get caught & you'll pay

Good Luck & Be Careful

Bob