Can you put your D.O.T. # on your trailer?

[kevinj]

Is that GVWR or GCVWR? Not many non-commercial trucks are rated for more than 10k lbs. But there are lots and lots of trucks that have COMBINED weight rating over 10k lbs...my Expedition included.

Generally these regulations are for vehicles with a 10k# GVWR (the truck) and/or a GCVWR (truck and trailer) of over 26k#.

Am I barking up the right tree?

Seems like the feds start at 26k and the states handle between 10k & 26k

I should get into the fed motor carrier guide a bit more about that issue

We have the 10k issues here in Michigan and any 1 ton we have at work is over 10k and has to meet the MDOT however in MI personal vehicles are exempt.

Someone above said that anything plated over 10k in Kentucy was automaticly commercial.

 

[KeithInSpace]

I think it is GCVWR. 6000lb truck +7500lb trailer = DOT

My 5,000# truck and 10,000# capacity trailer combination certainly doesn't require a DOT number...and if it is USDOT, that isn't just a Kentucky thang. Heck, nearly any 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck towing any type of trailer would have a rated load of over 10k lbs. MY rig exceeds 10k lbs with either a moderately loaded utility trailer or my travel trailer in tow.

Don't see many DOT numbers posted on vehicles in campgrounds...by this calculation we'd all be illegal. We can't ALL be illegal...

Is this just commercial use vehicles?

 

[Duffster]

Is that GVWR or GCVWR?

Both

Not many non-commercial trucks are rated for more than 10k lbs.

How about any modern F350 or equivlent

Is this just commercial use vehicles?

Yes

 

[Jstpssng]

My 5,000# truck and 10,000# capacity trailer combination certainly doesn't require a DOT number...and if it is USDOT, that isn't just a Kentucky thang. Heck, nearly any 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck towing any type of trailer would have a rated load of over 10k lbs. MY rig exceeds 10k lbs with either a moderately loaded utility trailer or my travel trailer in tow.

Don't see many DOT numbers posted on vehicles in campgrounds...by this calculation we'd all be illegal. We can't ALL be illegal...

Is this just commercial use vehicles?

From Maine DOT website;
"A pickup truck registered as a passenger vehicle may not exceed 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight unless it is towing: 1) a camper trailer; or, 2) a utility trailer weighing less than 2,000 pounds gross weight where the combined gross vehicle weight of the pickup and the utility trailer does not exceed 8,000 pounds. Otherwise, pickup trucks towing trailers where the combined gross vehicle weight exceeds 6,000 pounds must register as a commercial vehicle."

And

"Qualified Vehicles. Vehicle operators using fuel other than gasoline must establish an account for fuel tax licensing and reporting if the motor vehicle:
1) Has a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than 26,000 pounds; or
(2) Has three or more axles on the power unit regardless of weight; or
(3) Is a bus with a seating capacity of 20 or more including the driver.
Each qualified motor vehicle must display either a Maine fuel use identification decal or an IFTA decal.
IFTA. (IFTA, Inc.) Maine is a member of the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA). Anyone operating qualified motor vehicles in two or more IFTA jurisdictions must license and report mileage and fuel consumption in all IFTA jurisdictions through their IFTA base (home) jurisdiction. A Maine-based carrier operating out-of-state must license for IFTA with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Fuel Use Licensing Unit unless the carrier can satisfy the basing requirements in another jurisdiction. In IFTA, the carrier is issued one set of decals good for travel in all IFTA jurisdictions, and makes one quarterly fuel tax report to the base jurisdiction. Many IFTA jurisdictions require qualified gasoline-powered vehicles to license and report. Maine-based carriers with qualified gasoline-powered vehicles will license and report through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Fuel Use Licensing Unit.
Intrastate Carriers."



RV's do have certain exemptions; a quick search didn't produce them. But ask any trucker, he'll be sure to point them out. (I've sure heard them enough)

 

[QRTRHRS]

In KY, if you are going to go over 10,000 lbs, commercial or not then you need DOT numbers. It can be GVW or GCVW. You need not license your dually for example at the manufacturers ratings, you can go with a 10,000 tag and not need the numbers. Of course if you exceed that value then you are overweight on your tag.

Having only lived here less than two years, I am still learning the laws so I may be incorrect about this. You do not even have to tag a trailer in KY if you do not want to. If you do tag it, there is no stated weight value to it. The tow vehicle covers the combination, trailer plated or not.

So, to be properly registered to go over 10,000 lbs even on occasion, then the two vehicle will as previously posted need to have the numbers.

Mostly, it appears that people tag at 10k or with farm tags. DOT enforcement is around but it's not like living under the gestapo here.

As is usually the case, RV's don't fall under these laws.

And you need not worry about driving through KY with your out of state tagged vehicle on a non commercial basis.

 

[Duffster]

Qouting from KY's Transportation website; "US D.O.T. NUMBER: Required if you are operating vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating or actual gross weight of 10,001 lbs. or above. In Kentucky, all vehicles plated at 10,000 lbs. and above are considered commercial. Some private farm plated vehicles also need a US D.O.T. number. Farm plated vehicles with the gross vehicle weight rating or actual gross weight of 10,001 lbs. or above operating interstate will need a US D.O.T. number. Intrastate farm plated vehicles with the gross vehicle weight rating or actual gross weight exceeding 26,000 lbs. will also need a US D.O.T. number. To obtain an application, please go to our Forms and Applications page, Section 2 Item Q, or call the applicable number:"

Sorry, still don't understand why registration makes a difference.

Wouldn't you still need to meet the feds definition of a "commercial vehicle" to need USDOT numbers?

 

[Duffster]

Sorry I didn't see this post when I posted.

In KY, if you are going to go over 10,000 lbs, commercial or not then you need DOT numbers. It can be GVW or GCVW. You need not license your dually for example at the manufacturers ratings, you can go with a 10,000 tag and not need the numbers. Of course if you exceed that value then you are overweight on your tag.

Even according to your previous post you need USDOT numbers if your GVWR is over 10,001.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Sorry, still don't understand why registration makes a difference.

Wouldn't you still need to meet the feds definition of a "commercial vehicle" to need USDOT numbers?

No, as I quoted in my first post, KY considers any vehicle registered over 10,000 to be commercial. I believe that Tennessee is similar. Fair, rediculous, whatever do not apply. It is what it is.

Any state is free (to a point) to go beyond the federal regulations applicable to vehicles and/or drivers licensed and living in that state.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Sorry I didn't see this post when I posted.





Even according to your previous post you need USDOT numbers if your GVWR is over 10,001.

The quote does state gross vehicle weight rating or actual weight. However, I do not believe that you need to license to the rating if you should choose to do so. I have not read into that aspect of it but I will tell you that I regularly see duallys and one ton 4x4's with 10k plates.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Anyway, thanks MESSMAKER for starting this thread, I did not realize until I dug up that KY info that farm tags still need the DOT numbers when you go over 26k. I am currently working on a combination that will take full advantage of the 38k GCVW farm tag. Hmmmm.