Derating a trailer

[Morning Wood]

I’ve actually got a CAM Superline dump. It’s a 7x12 deckover. 7k axles. They usually rate it at 15,900 gvwr I think. Or something like that. I had them derate it to 14k. My truck is 12k. Mass does registration by every 1000 lbs.

 

[DaKing]

In my state NM, you can buy a permanent plate for trailers. So instead of paying yearly for reg fee's, you only pay one fee for life. I think paid ~$120 for a life tag, plate and all. (May have been $240, not sure it was awhile ago.)

Turns out its limited to weights under certain number. Not sure on that number, maybe 9900#?

I went to tag my new Dump Trailer, and wanted to buy a permanent plate. The DMV lady told me the weight rating was too high. Thats when I discovered the permanent plates are only good for trailers under a set rating. I'm debating on de rating this 14,000# dump, so I can buy a permanent plate.

Another reason to de rate is to save on taxes. Same as HD Trucks, the heaver the truck, the higher the tag fees. Cost more to reg / tag a 1-Ton, then say a 1/2 ton truck. Reason I went with a 2500, instead of a 3500.

 

[paulfun9]

So how much money do you actually save by registering a 14K# trailer down to, say, 12K# ?

I honestly don't know the costs off the top of my head but can say for sure if you have a class 7 combination on your truck to haul a 12K trailer behind compared to the class 8 needed to haul a 14K trailer (about the average based on truck weight) the tags for the truck would be about 100 less per year and then the savings on the trailer tags being slightly less. This isn't a big deal for those of us who tow on a regular basis but someone who tows only a few times a year would certainly want to save some money here if possible.

 

[ch47dpilot]

maybe a silly question, who's best to call to find laws in your state? State police, DMV ect. I'm looking at a 20K trailer but based on what has been written I maybe in for more than I'm bargaining. I currently have a 2500 duramax but hope to 1 day get a 1 ton dually. I figured get the bigger trailer now even though I never plan to haul that much. That way when I get the dually I won't need to upgrade trailer.

 

[fried1765]

maybe a silly question, who's best to call to find laws in your state? State police, DMV ect. I'm looking at a 20K trailer but based on what has been written I maybe in for more than I'm bargaining. I currently have a 2500 duramax but hope to 1 day get a 1 ton dually. I figured get the bigger trailer now even though I never plan to haul that much. That way when I get the dually I won't need to upgrade trailer.

If you planning get a 20K GVWR trailer to pull either behind your Duramax, or behind a 1 ton dually, you are definitely going to need a CDL,.....no matter what state you are in.

 

[paulfun9]

maybe a silly question, who's best to call to find laws in your state? State police, DMV ect. I'm looking at a 20K trailer but based on what has been written I maybe in for more than I'm bargaining. I currently have a 2500 duramax but hope to 1 day get a 1 ton dually. I figured get the bigger trailer now even though I never plan to haul that much. That way when I get the dually I won't need to upgrade trailer.

Start with the truck by checking the Vin number with the factory for its actual tow rating not just what it says in the manual as that number is sometimes different based on factory options.
Second go to a scale and weigh the truck full of fluids and the average cargo you would normally have when towing. Things like tool boxes and passengers or like me a big cooler with lunch and extra drinks in it.
Then go to the DMV or at the least your states Web site and start reading. I find it best to just go in and get the info right on the spot when needed but some states don't have a very efficient DMV.
Be prepared to get a CDL if your planning on having a combined weight over 26K

Knowing the true weight, how much each axel can legally handle will make buying the trailer a much better experience.

 

[joeu235]

If you planning get a 20K GVWR trailer to pull either behind your Duramax, or behind a 1 ton dually, you are definitely going to need a CDL,.....no matter what state you are in.

Get a farm plate in Texas. $4 per year and unlimited weight.

 

[Btown]

Register your trailer in Maine!
You do not need to live in Maine, or have a Maine mailing address.
License plate/registration fee is $20 per year, weight does not matter, and you can register for up to 12 years at one time.
There are currently well over 850,000 trailers registered in Maine (the population is only 1.5 M).
Call... Country Wide Trailer Registrations (Jen? I think)
Their phone number is: 207-922-2650
As you drive around, check out over the road trailers, you will see LOTS of Maine trailer plates.

The only problem with Maine tags are they do not rate the weight of the trailer. In Maine that goes to the vehicle towing it. Get pulled over in a state with a load on it, which requires load limits, you are over weight and can be fined.

 

[fried1765]

The only problem with Maine tags are they do not rate the weight of the trailer. In Maine that goes to the vehicle towing it. Get pulled over in a state with a load on it, which requires load limits, you are over weight and can be fined.

I agree!
.... and of course,.... a bolt of lightening might also strike at exactly the same time.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Oklahoma does not require CDL until you exceed the following. So a one ton pickup and a trailor requires no CDL unless your 26,001 lbs or more.

“Class A CDL drivers. Drive vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or greater, or any combination of vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or greater when towing a trailer weighing more than 10,000 pounds.