Weight Registration

[Timd32]

Any help on how to know how much a truck or trailer need to be registered for when going state to state?

Does the truck need to cover the GCW of the truck and trailer.

In order to do this in NY, I need to get the physical title modified.

2018 2500

Current set up.

Truck Registered at 10k
Trailer Registration at 14k
(Side note GCWR for my truck is 22,800 on the J2807 chart does that ever get referenced?)

Do I need to bump up my truck?

I feel my way is flawed at the above and should have the truck at a higher registration. But I will never have more then 10k on the physical truck, so that's what I'm missing. And finding the answers is hazy.

It's kinda all over the place, I have a NY commerical vehicle has company lettering, my GCW will be above 10,001 so I have my DOT number all set up that's not a problem. I don't run the number on the side at this point.

I sent this question in to my NYS DOT contact first they are not in the office got an auto reply.

My question is being asked because I'm taking a caravan from NJ to Ohio on Saturday across PA, and don't want any issues. It will be on my 24' deckover. They are both company owned vehicles, but no letters on the van so wondering if they would think its a for hire deal. If for hire I would need my MC number on the side, my NYS DOT person said to trash the MC number I don't need it, it cost nothing they give you one with the DOT number nowadays, I did not ask for that.

Would I need to roll thru any weigh stations if they are even open.

I can toss my US DOT number on the side if needed. Not really sure I need to run that for this or roll thru weigh stations.

If I had no letters on the side I would not hesitate to run at the current set up. With the company lettering I feel you might get picked out a little easier, at least I would have an answer for someone if I got flagged what the right way was/is.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Whatever your State requires is good elsewhere.

 

[Timd32]

I'm sure I'm fine then, I can try to stop at a scale maybe never did that before either. Just to make sure.

One would think during my safety audit when I submitted my 10k registration and my 14k trailer it would flag a miss match. At first I did not include my trailer as it was not "company" owned or leased. They asked for the trailer info.

Clear as mud. It says what the truck can carry. Does not say Tow or combined anything.

My MGW is 10k on my Reg....
MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT (MGW), which is the combined weight of the vehicle PLUS the maximum load it is allowed to carry during the registration period.

From NYS DMV customer help:

Unladen vs. Maximum Gross Weight

For a truck, including a pick-up truck, the weight on your title certificate is the UNLADEN (unloaded) weight of the vehicle alone. The weight on the registration is the MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT (MGW), which is the combined weight of the vehicle PLUS the maximum load it is allowed to carry during the registration period. Therefore, the weight on the registration is higher than the weight on the title

 

[gsbrockman]

In the states that have actual weighted trailer plates, get the truck registered as close to its GVWR and do likewise for the trailer.

In my home state (KY) the power unit covers the power unit plus trailer weights. I’m registered over 26,001 lbs and engage in interstate commerce, so I run 38,000 apportioned plates as my registered weight.

What is the purpose of your trip?

The LAST thing I’d do is enter the scales without a DOT number. I presume you have electronic logs?

 

[Timd32]

Both are at GVWR per the door stickers and trailer sticker.

I have electronic logs. We run OBD GPS in all vehicles and it has reports, I used that for my new Entrant safety audit and was fine. I did print them off, they only was concerned with the interstate trips longer then 150mi from the start. But I was going to have that in the truck printed out.

I sold the van to a family member so I'm meeting folks who are leaving AnnArbor MI I'm heading west 6hr to make it easier for them.

And I found some more hard to find parts for my 1950 Willys pickup in Lisbon, OH south of Youngstown. So plan is to roll out 5:30, go to Lisbon, maybe be there around 12:30 with stops. Then meet up with my family have lunch somewhere maybe in Lisbon or near Youngstown, and drive home.

 

[NIsaacs]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/proper-registration-weight.199577/

 

[Timd32]

Thanks Nick, will read that over.

Big load of the day, 14' double walk up fiberglass ladder.

I would never be concerned with this ladder. The van I just thought could attract more attention.

I can slap the DOT number on the side.

We have a 26' Straight Truck that's I think 24k that's main focus of our DOT deal.

But I do have my 2500 listed and the sort for times when I have this 24' deckover and if need ever arose and I needed to say run gear or a company van down to VA or out to Iowa. We would be over the 10,001 limit.

Just have never done it so just a little gun shy and want to atleast know the correct ways and if I need to adjust something get that done at some point.

 

[gsbrockman]

With those “permanent appearing” decals on the side of your truck representing the company name, I’d be more inclined to run the DOT numbers as well.

A company name on the side of a truck typically represents commerce. Commerce means DOT numbers. One without the other will most likely raise an eyebrow to most CVE officers.....IMO.

Had your company name not been on the truck in the form of a decal.....I’d bet you’d be fine running on down the road with no DOT number based on your description in the preceding posts.

Picture above describes how I run my DOT and business name.....all on one magnetic, easily removable magnetic sign.

 

[gsbrockman]

So plan is to roll out 5:30, go to Lisbon, maybe be there around 12:30 with stops. Then meet up with my family have lunch somewhere maybe in Lisbon or near Youngstown, and drive home.

Sounds difficult to do all of the above in a 14 hour shift, too....

 

[Timd32]

Sounds difficult to do all of the above in a 14 hour shift, too....

Correct for sure aware of that shift situation.

I do appreciate your feedback on this one.

I picked up some temp stickers at Lowes this AM and will do that for now and order up.



Yeah no choice on the lettering my insurance company needs that but I can do the magnet deal.

 

[GAmes]

Entering the scales, IMO, depends on if this trip is commercial or personal reasons. If you are getting paid for it, then yes.

The manufacturer's GCWR is never referenced (except in BC). If it was a lot of us would be in trouble.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Entering the scales, IMO, depends on if this trip is commercial or personal reasons. If you are getting paid for it, then yes.

The manufacturer's GCWR is never referenced (except in BC). If it was a lot of us would be in trouble.

So true! I am 15,500# or so loaded on my 15 DRW. Basically at rear and under front SAE axle ratings.

It's funny how some think I will go to HE!! for exceeding the 14k.

 

[Timd32]

Not getting paid.

What's the worse they chase you down and need to explain I'm not that on top of things but welcome to learn.

Got it all loaded up at the shop, stuck the number on there. JiC.

 

[GAmes]

There are FMCSA provisions for using a commercial vehicle for personal use. Also, if it is a personal use trip HOS rules do not apply. I'd skip the DOT number if it was me.

 

[Topzide]

Not a commercial thing, but when I registered my truck in MD, they titled it at 7K! The weight off the line is 8250. After I picked up a pallet on 60lb concrete bags, I looked to see what was on registration. Made appointment and got it changed out to 14K! Didn't need to cross state line and have interaction with LEO having bad day and make me poorer! I'm just personal use but don't need the hassles. Can't imagine all the hoops you need to jump through being commercial!

 

[gsbrockman]

What's the worse they chase you down and need to explain I'm not that on top of things but welcome to learn.

Well....it can always turn into a ******* match with the right LEO on the wrong day.

Best case scenario....they believe you and you continue on your journey. Shouldn’t be hard to prove with documentation from the Caravan.

Worst case scenario....they ticket you for no DOT number displayed, place you out of service for falsifying a log book (will get you an immediate 10 hour time out) and probably a few other things if they dig deep enough.

 

[Timd32]

Yeah there was a lot of sarcasm there.

But I already revised my meeting point to make the trip in what Google says is now 5.5hr, then + plus fuel stops and lunch give me 3hr. That should still be cutting it close but better then the other point I had it would have had me over for sure. It's not impossible to get around the OBD GPS log, but more work then I would ever need to do. Much easier staying in check.

I've done everything by the book so far since I got set up and it really was not that much work, the weight registration deal it does appear NY has me set up correctly.

I drove home from the shop and after dinner checked everything over, aired up everything checked the lugs on the trailer, it's still pretty brand new so first real journey. Changed the oil in the truck this AM. Straps were all good.

When I was closing up the garage I looked over and noticed the commercial plates are still on the Van, they got it all registered in MI today and they have the insurance on it, I still have it on our insurance and have all that info with me. But I have the insurance card for the van and registration is on the windshield.

I do appreciate everyone taking a look at this. Never hurts to have some different looks at stuff.

And I really thought I had messed up on the weight class.

Will see how tomorrow goes.

 

[GAmes]

So, if you have your DOT number displayed and are doing a HOS log I'm sure you also have the proper DOT physical and DOT inspections on the truck, BOL, etc, etc?

 

[Timd32]

Yep 100%.

I just never used any of it yet.

My normal run is from NJ to DE via Rt22 West in Easton, PA. To 476 South the blue route, to 95 South then 495 to exit 4.

There are no scales to pass thru on that route, I usually come home over Del Mem Bridge to 295N, to 31N due to traffic, again no scales there either.

Also it's not a 150mi run from home either.

But it's interstate and I'm over 10,001 hauling even my company equipment I need a DOT number.

It really was super easy.

I've never been stopped by a DOT so never had a formal roadside inspection, but the truck yes is NYS DOT inspected and is registed with my New Entrant Safety deal. As is my trailer I have never really used yet.

So totally new to this. But been set up since 2020.

 

[GAmes]

Not getting paid.

There is the key. A lot of trouble and angst for nothing. Safe trip.