Still another trailer question - Page 2

Turfman · 08-14-2002, 01:25 AM

I saw a Kubota heading down the road in front of me yesterday. I caught up to it to have a look. An L48 on a drop axle trailer. As I approached, I thought the rear was a dovetail, but it wasn't. As I watched, I realized that the trailer had to be a 7,000 pounder. The rear of the trailer was flexing as they went down the road. I wonder, with the tractor, loader, hoe and loaded tires if it was overloaded. It trailed fine, but the flex in the back, behind the axles made me nervous.

DavidInNH · 08-14-2002, 01:19 PM

An L48 with loader and backhoe is supposed to weigh 7,760 pounds, so it sounds like they were over loaded. Even more so if the tires were loaded.

The L48 brochure makes a point that you can trailer an L48 behind a 3/4 ton truck and stay under "the 10,000 pound GVW limit", and avoid the need for a heavy duty (can't remember the class) operators license. Is this 10,000 pound limit common across all states?

Gary_in_Indiana · 08-14-2002, 03:57 PM

Is what you're trying to remember the Class B CDL? It's typical for larger medium duty straight trucks, medium duty dump trucks, etc., while the class A CDL is needed to operate a semi tractor, for example.

I don't know about all states, but here in Indiana and in Michigan there has been some discussion lately about what kind of vehicle does and does not require a CDL.

The vehicles being discussed are the heavy class two, the class three and class four trucks pulling large trailers as you mentioned. I don't know of anyone being ticketed yet but I have heard of a couple people I know being "warned" that they do or will need a CDL on their class three dually pickups with fifth wheel three and four place car haulers behind them.

Historically the limit for a CDL was for vehicles with GVS's in excess of 25,999 pounds, I believe. It's quite likely that these class three dually trucks with loaded haulers have been over that but are now subject to more attention than before for whatever reason.

DavidInNH · 08-14-2002, 04:28 PM

Yes, I think the brochure mentioned Class B. I'll try to check tonight.

Turfman · 08-14-2002, 04:50 PM

Yes, it is a US DOT classification that most states adopt or use.

DK35vince · 08-14-2002, 06:50 PM

PA.
Straight truck registered over 26,000 lbs. class B cdl.
Tow a trailer registered over 10,000 lbs. class A cdl. required.

Gary_in_Indiana · 08-14-2002, 10:11 PM

What would be required for a trailer under 10,000 pounds? Just an operator's license??

DK35vince · 08-14-2002, 10:31 PM

Gary,
As far as I know-YES.
Just an operators license.
In Pa. any trailer over 3,000 or 3,500 lbs. also needs a yearly inspection.

Phred · 08-15-2002, 12:58 AM

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

this 10,000 pound limit common across all states?

<hr></blockquote>

Nope.
Depends on the state. Here is a quote from the Arkansas DMV.
"What type of license do I need to drive?
Class A - Any combination of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided that the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. Minimum age of 18.

Class B - Any single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,001 pounds or more and any vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds. Minimum age of 18.

Class C - Any single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of less than 26,001 or any such vehicles towing a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating not in excess of 10,000 pounds comprising: (1) vehicles designed to transport 16 passengers or more, including driver; (2) vehicles used in the transport of hazardous materials which are placarded. Minimum age of 18.

Class D - Any vehicle which is not a commercial vehicle as described above. Minimum age 14 restricted/16 unrestricted."

So in effect you can haul upto the point that your combined GVWR hits the 26000 mark which, as harv just reminded me in the other trailer post, corrresponds to a maximum of about a 14K trailer behind a 1 ton truck.

Fred

Turfman · 08-15-2002, 01:19 AM

Those weights are pretty much standard, if I remember correctly. The 10,001 rating is for business, i.e., if I haul my tractor, trailer and truck in my little landscape business and it all weighs more than 10,000 pounds I need a DOT number (why, I don't know). If I am for hire, hauling other's goods for a fee, I need a CDL. The 26,000 (might be 24,001 here?) requires both, even for your own goods.

Fun trying to keep up with it all and stay legal, huh?

08-14-2002, 01:25 AM	#11 (permalink)
Turfman Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South Weber Utah Posts: 501	Re: Still another trailer question I saw a Kubota heading down the road in front of me yesterday. I caught up to it to have a look. An L48 on a drop axle trailer. As I approached, I thought the rear was a dovetail, but it wasn't. As I watched, I realized that the trailer had to be a 7,000 pounder. The rear of the trailer was flexing as they went down the road. I wonder, with the tractor, loader, hoe and loaded tires if it was overloaded. It trailed fine, but the flex in the back, behind the axles made me nervous.

08-14-2002, 01:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
DavidInNH Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rindge, NH Posts: 280	Re: Still another trailer question An L48 with loader and backhoe is supposed to weigh 7,760 pounds, so it sounds like they were over loaded. Even more so if the tires were loaded. The L48 brochure makes a point that you can trailer an L48 behind a 3/4 ton truck and stay under "the 10,000 pound GVW limit", and avoid the need for a heavy duty (can't remember the class) operators license. Is this 10,000 pound limit common across all states?

08-14-2002, 03:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
Gary_in_Indiana Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 3,384	Re: Still another trailer question Is what you're trying to remember the Class B CDL? It's typical for larger medium duty straight trucks, medium duty dump trucks, etc., while the class A CDL is needed to operate a semi tractor, for example. I don't know about all states, but here in Indiana and in Michigan there has been some discussion lately about what kind of vehicle does and does not require a CDL. The vehicles being discussed are the heavy class two, the class three and class four trucks pulling large trailers as you mentioned. I don't know of anyone being ticketed yet but I have heard of a couple people I know being "warned" that they do or will need a CDL on their class three dually pickups with fifth wheel three and four place car haulers behind them. Historically the limit for a CDL was for vehicles with GVS's in excess of 25,999 pounds, I believe. It's quite likely that these class three dually trucks with loaded haulers have been over that but are now subject to more attention than before for whatever reason.

08-14-2002, 04:28 PM	#14 (permalink)
DavidInNH Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rindge, NH Posts: 280	Re: Still another trailer question Yes, I think the brochure mentioned Class B. I'll try to check tonight.

08-14-2002, 04:50 PM	#15 (permalink)
Turfman Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South Weber Utah Posts: 501	Re: Still another trailer question Yes, it is a US DOT classification that most states adopt or use.

08-14-2002, 06:50 PM	#16 (permalink)
DK35vince Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: clarion,pa. Posts: 2,335	Re: Still another trailer question PA. Straight truck registered over 26,000 lbs. class B cdl. Tow a trailer registered over 10,000 lbs. class A cdl. required.

08-14-2002, 10:11 PM	#17 (permalink)
Gary_in_Indiana Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 3,384	Re: Still another trailer question What would be required for a trailer under 10,000 pounds? Just an operator's license??

08-14-2002, 10:31 PM	#18 (permalink)
DK35vince Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: clarion,pa. Posts: 2,335	Re: Still another trailer question Gary, As far as I know-YES. Just an operators license. In Pa. any trailer over 3,000 or 3,500 lbs. also needs a yearly inspection.

08-15-2002, 12:58 AM	#19 (permalink)
Phred Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,021	Re: Still another trailer question <blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr> this 10,000 pound limit common across all states? <hr></blockquote> Nope. Depends on the state. Here is a quote from the Arkansas DMV. "What type of license do I need to drive? Class A - Any combination of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided that the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. Minimum age of 18. Class B - Any single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,001 pounds or more and any vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds. Minimum age of 18. Class C - Any single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of less than 26,001 or any such vehicles towing a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating not in excess of 10,000 pounds comprising: (1) vehicles designed to transport 16 passengers or more, including driver; (2) vehicles used in the transport of hazardous materials which are placarded. Minimum age of 18. Class D - Any vehicle which is not a commercial vehicle as described above. Minimum age 14 restricted/16 unrestricted." So in effect you can haul upto the point that your combined GVWR hits the 26000 mark which, as harv just reminded me in the other trailer post, corrresponds to a maximum of about a 14K trailer behind a 1 ton truck. Fred

08-15-2002, 01:19 AM	#20 (permalink)
Turfman Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South Weber Utah Posts: 501	Re: Still another trailer question Those weights are pretty much standard, if I remember correctly. The 10,001 rating is for business, i.e., if I haul my tractor, trailer and truck in my little landscape business and it all weighs more than 10,000 pounds I need a DOT number (why, I don't know). If I am for hire, hauling other's goods for a fee, I need a CDL. The 26,000 (might be 24,001 here?) requires both, even for your own goods. Fun trying to keep up with it all and stay legal, huh?

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