Why are deck over trailers (usually) only rated for 10k?

Sprinklerman · Feb 17, 2016

Dot doesnt care if the trailer is empty , they go by what it is rated to carry , not what you have it tagged for . When I have to run a distance with my 7K trailer or go out of state , I pull it with my Ford excursion , not my truck . I dont look commercial with this combo . Legal? Havent had a problem ...........yet .

joefromga · Feb 17, 2016

RickB said:
OK there's a 12K 2" ball. Now how about a 12K 2" trailer coupler?

Doesn't look like they make one over 10k. It's amazing what that extra 5/16 of steel is capable of.

RickB · Feb 17, 2016

joefromga said:
Doesn't look like they make one over 10k. It's amazing what that extra 5/16 of steel is capable of.

Thanks for proving my point.

streamin · Feb 17, 2016

bdog said:
It is a federal law that any time you cross state lines for business purposes and your total vehicle rated capacity (GVWR of the truck plus GVWR of the trailer) is over 10k that you have dot number, med card, log books etc. This could apply to a guy in a half ton with a single axle trailer crossing state lines to mow lawns.

You stated " business purposes". Is this a big defining factor? I tow from Texas to Western NY but only for my own personal use. I have done it 3 times already without a problem but I sure would be in trouble if they detained anything.

RickB · Feb 17, 2016

streamin said:
You stated " business purposes". Is this a big defining factor? I tow from Texas to Western NY but only for my own personal use. I have done it 3 times already without a problem but I sure would be in trouble if they detained anything.

My uninformed concern is the burden of proving that the trip is not 'business'. Proving a negative is challenging at times.

fried1765 · Feb 17, 2016

bdog said:
It is a federal law that any time you cross state lines for business purposes and your total vehicle rated capacity (GVWR of the truck plus GVWR of the trailer) is over 10k that you have dot number, med card, log books etc. This could apply to a guy in a half ton with a single axle trailer crossing state lines to mow lawns.

I am in the same boat as "Streamin".
A loaded equipment trailer weighing 10,600 lbs. total, on a 14,000 GVW capable trailer, towed with a 454 K2500 4x4 Suburban.
"bdog" says can't do it "for business purposes"
I never tow for "business purposes", but I do tow across state lines,..... for personal use.
I am well under 26,000 lbs. GVW.
Am I legal?

bdog · Feb 17, 2016

Yes you are legal. Don't know what you are hauling but be prepared to defend yourself if stopped by the DOT and they might think it is for business use. For example if your trailer has a skid steer and a bunch of tools are in your suburban it is going to be hard to convince them you are not traveling for work. If you have a trailer full of ATV's and the family in the burban it is pretty obvious it is a recreational trip.

I used to not have DOT numbers back in 2008 or so. I was in a 3/4 ton pulling a 7k rated 12' enclosed trailer with my equipment for work out of Oklahoma into Texas. The DOT was sitting at the river and pulled me over. First thing he asked was for my medical card and logbook. I had no idea what he was talking about. They print the tickets out on paper like a cash register receipt and mine was about 3 feet long.

I am not 100% positive on this but I think even if you are traveling through a state that requires a CDL for over 10k trailers you are ok if you are legal in your home state. For example in Texas you have to be 16 to get a drivers license but in new mexico you can get one at 15. IF you are 15 and live in and have a valid license in NM you can drive in Texas if traveling through. Same with window tint. NM allows darker tint than Texas. If you are legal in your home state you can drive in others. Where it gets tricky is if it is not for personal use and is commercial. Then the interstate commerce laws kick in.

ultrarunner · Feb 17, 2016

Every time one of these threads come up it gets me to thinking... mostly because I don't like not knowing and want do things right.

With the new f250 Diesel coming soon I should actually be able to move my Deere 110 around on my 9980 PJ trailer...

Of course this is not commercial or business... and never has been... not sure how I would prove a negative as was already stated...

I could really use the 110 in Olympia... which means traveling from California, through Oregon and then into Washington....

Never had so much as a parking ticket in my life and wouldn't be to happy getting in hot water towing my TLB between homes.

Sprinklerman · Feb 18, 2016

Its not having to prove a negative to the DOT , they are just going to write the tickets , you will have to prove it to the judge . Unfortunatly you will have to drive back to where you got the ticket . When you are 800 miles away that sucks .

streamin · Feb 18, 2016

Sprinklerman said:
Its not having to prove a negative to the DOT , they are just going to write the tickets , you will have to prove it to the judge . Unfortunatly you will have to drive back to where you got the ticket . When you are 800 miles away that sucks .

That is the hard part and the harsh reality. I would be worried that they would not let you continue travel to the destination, then what?