Derating a trailer

[ch47dpilot]

See in MA, you need to comply with the federal rule of the Single or combined GVWR of 26K but also, MA regulates trailers over 10K as requiring a CDL. Son in NH I can tow a 14K trailer with my pickup, but once I cross the state line, I'm in violation (no CDL).

I truly believe the beauty of our country is that each state is somewhat independent. 50 small experiments all united for a common cause. But with something like this there needs to be consistency. Even if its you are subjected to the laws from the state your licensed in not where you currently are driving. I could want to travel across our great land and need to read up on all the little nuances of each states laws. This maybe practical for the OTR trucker but for the noncommercial guy just towing a heavy load it seams to be ridiculous. Simple federal laws so everyone is on the same page.

 

[crashz]

Totally agree ch47. It would be nice to have a consistent, and understandable set of regulations nationwide. Easier for us to understand and implement and easier for the law to enforce.

One other minor inconsistency that I find funny: MA requires you to cross the safety chains on a towed trailer, NH does not. My trailer dealer told me the the police will pull you over in MA just for that reason. I cross, because I like the basket effect, but I just find that kinda funny.

 

[LD1]

Agree too. Even though I never have towed out of state.

Also don't think commercial drivers should be held to a different set of standards than non commercial.

When someone who has never even towed a landscape trailer before, can go buy a little semi and 40' camper, or huge rv that rivals a cota bus, and go down the road on the standard license that you got when you were 16......

.....yet a contractor trying to make an honest living with a 16k trailer and one ton pickup needs to go through the same testing and held to the same standards as a 53', 80,000# tractor operator has to go through....something is very wrong.

Then the whole discussion like this thread and weather CDL is needed or not for non-commercial towing...could certainly use some clarification from a higher authority (feds)

 

[TMGT]

Agree with the RV exemptions, the lobby is strong with them.

When I was driving commercially there was nothing that scared me more on the road then the large RV's and campers.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Agree with the RV exemptions, the lobby is strong with them.

When I was driving commercially there was nothing that scared me more on the road then the large RV's and campers.

Yup! Came up behind an old guy in a new 40' motor home near Longview WA using part of the right lane and part of the middle lane at the incredible speed of 45 mph. The speed limit was 55 then but I usually drove at the 62 mph sweet spot in my trucks torque curve. I had to use the far left lane to pass him which was prohibited to semis. Same area, different time saw another motor home pulling a small boat trailer minus one wheel and trailing a shower of sparks that would have a low rider envious. Got passed by a pickup pulling a 24' or longer travel trailer. The pickup got about 15' past my front bumper and the hit their turn signal and started moving over forcing me on to the shoulder. I am glad air horns are loud because the shoulder wasn't all that wide there. Large U-Haul type vehicles are another red flag.
You would think that some kind of skills test would be required to operate large vehicles or combinations on public roads.

 

[coldsteelva]

It's the Penske Truck lease/rentals that scare the **** out of me. The company avoids problems by having the box trucks rated to 26k GVWR so 'technically' no CDL (or any driving prowess whatsoever) required. I tend to see them on roads they don't belong on and every driver of them thinks it's a 2 door sports coupe.

 

[LD1]

It's the Penske Truck lease/rentals that scare the **** out of me. The company avoids problems by having the box trucks rated to 26k GVWR so 'technically' no CDL (or any driving prowess whatsoever) required. I tend to see them on roads they don't belong on and every driver of them thinks it's a 2 door sports coupe.

Well, and the whole title of this thread.....

A truck and trailer combo that is physically over the Class A 26k+ requirement......simply changing a single number on the trailers GVW plate magically makes it tow differently to where a class A is no longer required?

My truck is an 05 dodge with 12.2k GVWR. If I wanted to tow my MX on a 14k trailer........thats over 26k and Class A required right?
Dads truck....basically same identical truck but chevy flavored and 04....BUT...11.2 GVWR. So same trailer, same load....hes ok. Tell me how that makes any sense at all?

And with the newer generation trucks pushing the GVWR north of 14k.......making it where you cannot even hitch to a 12k trailer.

So someone with a 3/4 ton or half ton truck, towing a 12k or 14k trailer yanking around their 50hp machine is okay......but want to upgrade to a 1-ton and now all of the sudden everything changes?

These are dually pickup trucks for crying out loud. Why in the world anyone would need to pass the same tests and be held to the same standards as out OTR truckers and 80k combinations is just stupid

 

[deezler]

It's the Penske Truck lease/rentals that scare the **** out of me. The company avoids problems by having the box trucks rated to 26k GVWR so 'technically' no CDL (or any driving prowess whatsoever) required. I tend to see them on roads they don't belong on and every driver of them thinks it's a 2 door sports coupe.

Lol, yep. People that have NO IDEA how tall their rented truck is.

11 FOOT 8 - The Canopener Bridge

 

[RichM752]

Lol, yep. People that have NO IDEA how tall their rented truck is.

11 FOOT 8 - The Canopener Bridge

You'd think the first truck would have radioed the second truck and warned him.

 

[bdog]

Well, and the whole title of this thread.....

A truck and trailer combo that is physically over the Class A 26k+ requirement......simply changing a single number on the trailers GVW plate magically makes it tow differently to where a class A is no longer required?

My truck is an 05 dodge with 12.2k GVWR. If I wanted to tow my MX on a 14k trailer........thats over 26k and Class A required right?
Dads truck....basically same identical truck but chevy flavored and 04....BUT...11.2 GVWR. So same trailer, same load....hes ok. Tell me how that makes any sense at all?

And with the newer generation trucks pushing the GVWR north of 14k.......making it where you cannot even hitch to a 12k trailer.

So someone with a 3/4 ton or half ton truck, towing a 12k or 14k trailer yanking around their 50hp machine is okay......but want to upgrade to a 1-ton and now all of the sudden everything changes?

These are dually pickup trucks for crying out loud. Why in the world anyone would need to pass the same tests and be held to the same standards as out OTR truckers and 80k combinations is just stupid

My sentiments exactly. We have a 14k gooseneck. Any of my guys can pull it behind the 3/4 ton however they need a class A to pull the exact same trailer and load behind the dually. Towing it behind the dually is safer, not any more difficult, better brakes, extra tires in case of a blowout, etc but because of their arbitrary GVWR limits it all of a sudden needs a special license, log books, etc. ridiculous.