I read this whole post, with some frustration.....
Seems there are several people bent on defending their "dog in the fight"
But there are a few KEY statements that must be respected, and that make this much clearer.
First, there are the federal guidelines that apply everywhere as a minimum standard. From quoted material presented here, they seem to say that the 26,000 weight rating is the key factor - trailer weight (beyond that 26000) only affects license category (A or B class license).
BUT!!!!!!
States have the ability to expand regulations for vehicles registered in their state. So if California or Pa wants to require a CDL for a 10k trailer, they can do that for vehicles registered IN THEIR STATE.
A similar situation exists for air quality standards for vehicles. There is the federal standard for new vehicles, then there is the enhanced standard for vehicles sold in California. But I can DRIVE my Tenessee (federal standards) car in California (in transit) without having to meet the standards for California.
Part of the problem (a pervasive problem in our society, if you ask me...) is that these regulations were written by beurocratic lawyers (no offense intended to any tractor drivin' lawyers who may be members/readers here on TBN :laughing
, and are so confusing that only another lawyer can understand them!!!
I'll get down off my soapbox now and go back to playing with my tractor. Y'all have a nice day.....