Any downsides to getting a CDL?

[Jcoon]

You won’t go un-noticed, all we do is notice things, it is the job.

Best thing to do is just do it legally and safely, you do not want to put other people at danger.

 

[4570Man]

I think ultimately, a truck and trailer rated for a full sized backhoe is gonna be CDL A territory. Don't matter if it's a dually one ton or a semi.

12-14k backhoe on a 16k + trailer behind a dually. Even that's over the 26k.

The ONLY difference is if it's behind a dually pickup, you are more likely to go un-noticed and pass right by most LEO's.

But if towing on a semi and lowboy...you look the part of a commercial hauler

It’s actually a 16.5 k backhoe on a 22k trailer. And the semi is no doubt the safer way. It’s really a stupid law that forces people to a less capable tow vehicle.

 

[Jcoon]

It’s really a stupid law that forces people to a less capable tow vehicle.

Why do you feel this way?

You think it’s stupid to force people that are moving extreme amounts of weight down the road to be safe and know how to control there rig?

This “stupid law” actually forces people to use a MORE capable tow vehicle, because without these laws and regulations, you could use a ford ranger or s-10 to tow your 16,000 pound backhoe..

 

[RickB]

The stupid part is all the personal use and RV exemptions.

 

[4570Man]

Why do you feel this way?

You think it’s stupid to force people that are moving extreme amounts of weight down the road to be safe and know how to control there rig?

This “stupid law” actually forces people to use a MORE capable tow vehicle, because without these laws and regulations, you could use a ford ranger or s-10 to tow your 16,000 pound backhoe..

You could tow it for a personal use with a dually and be fine. Maybe not legally but enforcement is pretty lax here and people do it all the time. I have less problems with personal exemptions than RV exemptions. Those drivers usually are the least qualified with the worst loads. And people push 1 tons to the max to avoid CDL where a heavier truck would be a lot better.

 

[LD1]

In your case, a 22k trailer can only be towed with a 4k truck to keep it under CDL....legally speaking.

In the eyes of the law, there is no difference towing your load with a 3500 or with a semi. As I said, the only difference is the pickup gets overlooked more often.

The first stupid part....imo....is that it goes off of gvwr and not gvw. Say a guy has a 14k trailer to haul around his 8k machine behind a 15 year old dually with an 11,200 gvwr. All is well. Guy goes and buys a new dually of exact same make and model...just 15 years newer and now has a 14k gvw on truck. Now all of the sudden a CDL is needed. Where the SAME load behind old 3/4ton, or modern half ton (less safe) is perfectly legal. Or pushing the limits of a 12k trailer to make it legal.

Second stupid part IMO, is thinking that upholding a guy in a pickup and 20' trailer needs to be held to the same licensing standards as a guy in a 80,000# 53' trailer behind a semi.

 

[Jcoon]

Actually LD1 you are completely wrong!

It goes by gross weight rating, register weight rating, or actual weight over the scales! Whatever is the highest.

Here in NY, if you are in an RV your exempt with the RV exemption from a CDL, NOT ONE OF US agree with this law, we all think they should be held to the same standards due to the weight!

And even if it’s personal use, all licensing laws apply to you.

4570man, I do not understand your statement about people pushing 1 tons to the max to avoid CDL laws???

Once your truck weighs over 26,001 pounds, you need a class B, once your combination is over 26,001 pounds and the trailer weighs over 10,001 pounds, you need a class A. Only way around this is with a RV.

As far as your second stupid part, like we tell everyone that says this line to us at least once a week, did your mom ever tell you life was fair?

 

[newbury]

In your case, a 22k trailer can only be towed with a 4k truck to keep it under CDL....legally speaking.

In the eyes of the law, there is no difference towing your load with a 3500 or with a semi. As I said, the only difference is the pickup gets overlooked more often.

The first stupid part....imo....is that it goes off of gvwr and not gvw. Say a guy has a 14k trailer to haul around his 8k machine behind a 15 year old dually with an 11,200 gvwr. All is well. Guy goes and buys a new dually of exact same make and model...just 15 years newer and now has a 14k gvw on truck. Now all of the sudden a CDL is needed. Where the SAME load behind old 3/4ton, or modern half ton (less safe) is perfectly legal. Or pushing the limits of a 12k trailer to make it legal.<snip>

From my readings the guy was breaking the law in the first place. There have been several threads on here about that it is illegal to tow an EMPTY 14K trailer behind a truck with a 11,200 gvwr.

Actually LD1 you are completely wrong!

It goes by gross weight rating, register weight rating, or actual weight over the scales! Whatever is the highest.

<snip>

So if I've a truck with a tow rating GVWR of 7,000 lbs is it illegal to tow an empty trailer weighing only 2,000 but it has a GVWR of 10,000?

 

[mikester]

From my readings the guy was breaking the law in the first place. There have been several threads on here about that it is illegal to tow an EMPTY 14K trailer behind a truck with a 11,200 gvwr.



So if I've a truck with a tow rating GVWR of 7,000 lbs is it illegal to tow an empty trailer weighing only 2,000 but it has a GVWR of 10,000?

It all depends on your local laws. Here you have to have a CDL if you tow anything over 4,600kgs and/or operating a vehicle weighing more than 11,000kgs. Doesn’t matter if it’s full or empty.

 

[Jcoon]

From my readings the guy was breaking the law in the first place. There have been several threads on here about that it is illegal to tow an EMPTY 14K trailer behind a truck with a 11,200 gvwr.



So if I've a truck with a tow rating GVWR of 7,000 lbs is it illegal to tow an empty trailer weighing only 2,000 but it has a GVWR of 10,000?

A tow rating GVWR of 7,000?

Do you mean GCVWR? Gross combined vehicle weight rating?