TRAILER WEIGHT

[Diamondpilot]

Here is a link to the 2007/2008 Indiana DOT regs. Check the last page, 13, top of the right side and it states exemptions. It clearly states things like military personal, fire fighters, farm hands, and recreational vehicles.

http://www.in.gov/dor/files/intro.pdf

Chris

 

[denmansoft]

Could someone clarify something for me?
I drive a Dakota Quad cab with tow rating of ~#5800, CGWR ~#11,000
Am I illegal in the states to pull my #1700 trailer rated at #7000, when it is empty ?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am not sure about your area but in the state of Indiana you are not. In your case you could not haul a trailer no heavier than 5,800# assuming your truck does not weigh more than 5,200# actual weight with you in it and all the stuff you carry in your truck. I would not think your truck weighs more than that because my F-150 4x4 only weighs 5,960#.

Some states you can tow a trailer no matter what the rating is as long as its not actually loaded past the tow vehicles tow limit. Here in Indiana they go off the GVWR of the trailer, not what its loaded at. So in your case you would be 1,200# shy. The only way around it here which many have done is to remove the vin# from the trailer along with all data plates and turn in the title saying the trailer was destroyed. Then go to the BMV and have a new title issued along with a vin# as a home made trailer and list the max GVWR at what you need, in your case it would be 5,800# That would keep you legal in Indian but like I said it could be completely different where you live.

If it were me I would just keep using it as is and keep your mouth shut.

Chris

 

[Builder]

Could someone clarify something for me?
I drive a Dakota Quad cab with tow rating of ~#5800, CGWR ~#11,000
Am I illegal in the states to pull my #1700 trailer rated at #7000, when it is empty ?

No, because (I'm assuming here) it's registered for 7,000lbs. With a GCWR of 11,000lbs, you can only register the trailer for 11,000 lbs minus the weight your Dakota weighs.

 

[KeithInSpace]

Am I illegal in the states to pull my #1700 trailer rated at #7000, when it is empty ?

IN VIRGINIA, it is legal. I have previously quoted Virginia Code in response to another thread. The requirements regarding trailer rating, GVWR, and other items is based on SCALEABLE weight, as well it should be. I tow a 10,000# trailer behind my Expedition rated for 9,000# with the use of a load-leveling hitch (6,000# without). I use a load leveling hitch. I've hauled a solid 6,000# in that trailer for 5 mile trips and have hauled 3,500# of tractor and equipment 200 miles with no issue.

If others have checked other states codes and are 100% certain that you can't tow through that state thusly configured (empty 7,000# trailer towed behind a truck rated to tow 5,800#) I'd LOVE to know which ones they are. I guess Indiana is one.

Seems this is a very, very, very stupid law some moron came up with to avoid being accused of profiling folks that "look" overweight...either your truck can handle the trailer rating or not. The law was probably never intended to be served that way, but it just became the case somehow.

CHECK YOUR STATE (or whatever state you normally trailer through). It's easy to find. I'll bet a quarter that only a few states have this stupid type of law on the books.

In response to this very question, I asked my DMV when registering the trailer if I could register it for less than its actual rating. The response was absolutely not. It is a vehicle with ratings just the same as a car, and those ratings must be carried through the title process. I guess Mr. DiamonPilot's suggestion would work around this item, but it would seem that this is far more illegal than the original issue if actually caught.

Personally, I'm not changing a darn thing. If I I'm in one of these backward states and get pulled, I'll plead my case. If I get ticketed, I'll go to the judge and plead my case. If ALL THOSE IDIOTS don't listen, I'll pay my $125 and be on my way.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Keith I totally agree with what you are saying but that is the law here and looks like it is in Pennsylvania also where Builder lives. I am sure if he says its so it is, he knows his stuff.

I am like you and would just keep my mouth shut and use the trailer but like Builder stated a few days ago if something was to happen and the lawyers got hold of it, well.

The laws need to be the same everywhere. I tow a lot through Kentucky and Tennessee along with my home grounds here in Indiana and Ohio and the laws could not be more different. For example, in Kentucky you do not need brakes on any trailer but in Indiana you need brakes on trailers with GVWR over 3,000# but it does not state how many axles while other states require brakes on all axles.

I always wondered what would happen if you took off across the US on a trip hauling a trailer and you got stopped??? What would be the course of action if your trailer was legal in say Kentucky but not in Arkansas????

Chris

 

[wushaw]

Chris,

I think that is false. Every state that I am familiar with the DOT or DMV regs requires a Class A CDL when the truck and trailer (trailer over 10,001 pounds) has a combined weight of 26,001 or more pounds. Even Ma & Pa Kettle pull'n the family shack behind a 1 ton truck.

You may be correct as I'm no expert, do you have a link to that statue that explicitly excludes RVs and boats in your state?

jb

I have a Class A NON-CDL just for the purpose of pulling my trailer/house with a class 7 truck.
Texas does the Military, RV, farm, firefighter exemption.

I can also use the truck to pull my utility trailer with tractor or dump trailer as long as the truck is registered as a HD truck instead of RV, all have to be for personal use.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/DLhandbook.pdf

 

[denmansoft]

It sounds like I'd better stay home with my lightly loaded trailer. I don't have a problem with staying within actual posted/placard limits. To me it is absurd to ticket because the trailer limit has the possiblity of overloading the CGVWR. That would be like ticketing anyone for DWI that could possibly drink!
This reminds me of the laws you have with respect to heads and pumpouts on boats. $1500 fine for not having the placards with prescribed wording in place. There doesn't have to be any indication or even suspicion of any pollution. These are great laws for keeping out foreign visitors.

It is bad enough getting getting called an 'Alien national' by someone holding a loaded M16 pointed my way...

 

[wkpoor]

I just had a thought. Why don't I get pulled over for speeding simply because my car has the ability to go faster than the the speed limit.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Like I said "just keep your mouth shut and do it". Lets face it, most criminals are not caught by great police work. They are caught because they can not shut up.

Chris