How much weight can I legally haul in Virginia without CDL.

[RandyT]

I have never seen a the manufacturer's GCWR enforced. If it was that critical, it would be listed on the door jam next to the axle capacity and tire specs.

I haven't either but they had a rash of dually pickups with 8000 pounds plates and GVWR of 9200-9600 there were pulled over and given over weight tickets, and were escorted to the DMV for replating to the 12000 pound plate, and then where given a ticket for failure to display a safety inspection sticker here in IL about 4 years ago.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I haven't either but they had a rash of dually pickups with 8000 pounds plates and GVWR of 9200-9600 there were pulled over and given over weight tickets, and were escorted to the DMV for replating to the 12000 pound plate, and then where given a ticket for failure to display a safety inspection sticker here in IL about 4 years ago.

What dully has 9600# GCWR? My F350 SRW 4x4 is 11,500# GVWR and my old F250 was 10,000# GVWR. Most dually trucks I have looked at are around 13,000#.

Chris

 

[newbury]

What dully has 9600# GCWR? My F350 SRW 4x4 is 11,500# GVWR and my old F250 was 10,000# GVWR. Most dually trucks I have looked at are around 13,000#.

Chris

Chris - Look at some older ones. '99 Fords were limited to 20K GCVWR and 10K tow.

For the OP - check this thread http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/231776-can-you-up-rate-new.html. I think if you keep it clean, well tied down, and look like you know what you are doing you won't be stopped. Just keep the CB on to lookout for when they are stopping EVERYBODY (orange alert, DUI checkpoints, etc.)

 

[LD1]

I laugh every time this comes up. The CDL requirement only comes into play when your F350 towing a gooseneck hauling your tractor with loader and box blade goes across the scales at 26,001 or more pounds.

If the combination of your truck + trailer+tractor doesn't weight more than 26,001 it doesn't matter what the trailer weighs. In other words your 9,000 pound truck can legally tow a trailer weighing 17,000 pounds without a CDL.

When I read about CDL requirements, they talk about GCWR's, Gross Combined Weight Ratings, not actual weights. By my understanding, it wouldn't matter if the trailer was empty.

Parkanzsky: that is my understanding too.

It Its about what its rated for, not what it actually weighs.

My truck is 12,200 GVWR. That means I cannot legally hook to a 14k rated trailer. Even just towing it around empty I am in violation of CDL laws. But I can tow a 12k trailer loaded to the max and be just fine.

 

[gwiley]

In Va I have been stopped by state troopers just because I was pulling a bobcat. ALthough it was for personal not business use they still like to make contact with you, especially if you are on back roads and they are having a slow day

The state troopers in Va have always been courteous to me but also professional and by the book even for non-commercial haulers. In Va you must have CDL to pull anything 26,001 and over.

 

[rswyan]

IF It's not for Commerce (making money) it doesn't matter, no CDL required.

Correct :thumbsup:

Some folks would do well to figure out what the "C" in "CDL" actually stands for ...

 

[FatTire]

I have never seen a the manufacturer's GCWR enforced. If it was that critical, it would be listed on the door jam next to the axle capacity and tire specs.

Maybe not in MN, but in Colorado they can use it to nail people in a non-commercial situation pulling what appears to be a questionable load over steep mountain passes. Goes back to what someone posted above, if you have an appropriate tow rig, load is well secured, and you're not doing anything stupid, its unlikely you will be stopped.

 

[Copperhead]

Yeah, if one is driving anything over 10,001 lb GCWR or GVWR for commercial reasons, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules kick in (which all states have to subscribe to), and that is where the CDL game comes in. You can pull a 13,000 lb 5th wheel RV for pleasure without one, but if you are pulling one from the factory to the dealer, you are required to have a CDL, medical card (which is now computerized as part of the CDL), and log book (if over 100 air mile radius). Even the DOT has gotten on guys just moving their tractor and implement via roadway from one field to the other, because it crossed state lines, for not having a CDL. Yep, in a farm tractor pulling a planter or even a driving their combine! Goofy world we live in. As for personal stuff it is primarily left up to the individual states as to how and when they might require a CDL.

And any LEO that is doing weight checks and such regarding GVWR and GCWR, it is easy for them to run your VIN and check online right out of their car. Remember, you gave them your license, registration, and insurance card when they stopped you. They have all they need to see if you are legal.

True, they are not going to stop everyone. They are looking for key things as a reason to stop someone. Something looks out of place, you can bet their curiosity is going to be piqued and they are going to want to check. A loose chain and binder, a low tire, or any of a host of reasons. I operate a commercial semi truck, over 15 states, and I haven't been stopped and checked for almost 3 years. Not once since I bought my present semi truck in August of 2012. Crossed the scales and had weight checked, but that is it. Not one time in 3 years asked for paperwork, license, anything.

 

[LD1]

Correct :thumbsup:

Some folks would do well to figure out what the "C" in "CDL" actually stands for ...

If only that were true. I am pretty sure I cannot go buy a lowboy and tractor and tow 80k for my own personal needs (not commercial) without a CDL.

 

[LD1]

Yeah, if one is driving anything over 10,001 lb GCWR for commercial reasons, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules kick in (which all states have to subscribe to), and that is where the CDL game comes in.

I believe the 10,001 is only for determining Class A or Class B. And only applies if the tow vehicle is over 26k.

IE: you can tow a 12k trailer with a 12k GVWR truck (one ton dually) and not have any issues.

BUT, if you have a 30k truck trailers over 10k need a CDL A. Trailers under 10K can get by with a CDL B