Newer 3/4 ton advice?

[nikerret]

I知 not sure where all this CDL crap started because the OP doesn稚 need one. While he doesn稚 need a dually to pull a 14,000 pound trailer if he had a flatbed he could haul much bigger loads on the truck. And I stick to my original statement as being correct. Load the dually to capacity which is around 13k. Load the trailer to capacity which is 14k. Take out the overlap for the hitch weight minimum 1500 pounds and youæ±*e under 26k. But all of the above is irrelevant. The dually with no load and the trailer is well under 26k. And the dually with no trailer even a 450/550 can稚 be loaded to 26k so no CDL. The only way he needs a CDL is if he had a bigger trailer in which case the 250 can稚 pull it so again itç—´ irrelevant.

How is 13k plus 14k under 26k? If both are loaded to capacity that comes to 27k. 27k is 1,000 lbs over the 26k limit.

I doubt it痴 so much you can稚 do basic math and instead just like to use what suites you.

 

[nikerret]

Stability is why. I haul a cabover camper on my truck a lot. Used to have it on a SRW but since I take it off-highway I went to a DRW. World of difference having those two extra tires out there in an off-camber situation with a camper nearly 13' tall.
View attachment 623650

I get that. A DRW is much nicer to pull with, in most situations. Due to legal and insurance implications, I don’t recommend mend the DRW unless it’s needed. Such as the OP’s case, where he’s getting dangerously close to CDL territory.

 

[nikerret]

Here’s a page from the Colorado CDL Manual. I copied the part about when a CDL is required:



Notice, the combined GVWR’s being over 26k (with the towed vehicle over 10k), CDL is required. Now, go back and reread my posts and tell me what is inaccurate. Not what is inconvenient, for you, but what is inaccurate.

Here’s a link, if you think I typed it up, myself.

DR 2251.pdf - Google Drive

 

[4570Man]

How is 13k plus 14k under 26k? If both are loaded to capacity that comes to 27k. 27k is 1,000 lbs over the 26k limit.

I doubt it痴 so much you can稚 do basic math and instead just like to use what suites you.

You can’t load the truck to the 13000 or so maximum GVW and then hook a trailer to it. Well you can and I would but it’s over weight that way. To be legal you’re going to have to pull 1500 pounds or so off the truck for hitch weight which brings the truck to less than 26k.

 

[4570Man]

I get that. A DRW is much nicer to pull with, in most situations. Due to legal and insurance implications, I don’t recommend mend the DRW unless it’s needed. Such as the OP’s case, where he’s getting dangerously close to CDL territory.

A dually might weigh 500 pounds more than a SRW. It probably weighs around 8k empty. 8 k plus the 14k trailer is a good bit less than than 26000. How is he getting dangerously close? Even if there’s a ton of difference between the trucks which there’s not 7,000vs 9,000 makes no difference. Please explain why the OP is going to need a CDL if he buys a dually.

 

[4570Man]

Here’s a page from the Colorado CDL Manual. I copied the part about when a CDL is required:



Notice, the combined GVWR’s being over 26k (with the towed vehicle over 10k), CDL is required. Now, go back and reread my posts and tell me what is inaccurate. Not what is inconvenient, for you, but what is inaccurate.

Here’s a link, if you think I typed it up, myself.

DR 2251.pdf - Google Drive

Where does it say you need a CDL to tow a trailer that weighs 10,001 pounds or more while keeping the total weight under 26,000? Nobody not once has disputed needing a CDL for 26,000 pounds or more. ( although there are exceptions ) I didn’t see the part about 6 wheel pickups needed a CDL either.

 

[nikerret]

You keep skipping the pertinent part: GVWR. It’s not just actual weight. I know your type. The kind of guy who cherry picks the parts that suit them while denying the inconvenient parts. They are the ones who are going to sue me, have my job, blah blah blah, on the way to jail. Then, when the Judge finds them Guilty, the Judge doesn’t know anything. Not far different from the guy who is going to kick my ***, while the handcuffs are on, but are “yes, sir” when they come off.

My posts come from my experience in applying written and case law then professionally defending those actions, in court, and in running a side business (tractor jobs) where all of this is applicable. I am not an attorney, but I do have a very thorough working knowledge of how to avoid needing one. In the end, I can back up my statements with legally relevant documentation. I have posted the relevant page from the OP’s State DL manual. I can’t make you read it or understand it, but I can comment on it’s applicability, in certain situations.

A lot of people travel and operate outside the confines of law, it’s not uncommon.

 

[Rancher Ed]

CDL requirements do not care about actual weight - the are based on weight ratings (GVWR and GCWR). Barring an exemption (RV, farm use, etc.) the license requirements are pretty straight forward. Fallon mentions tractor work/business so he clearly qualifies as commercial.

Class A CDL is required if 1) the trailer GVWR is >10,000 lbs. AND 2) the GCWR is >26,000 lbs.
Class B CDL is required for vehicles with a GVWR > 26,000 lbs (can tow a trailer ≤ 10,000 lbs GVWR without bumping up to Class A).

Definitions:
GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (The maximum amount the truck or trailer can legally weight - this number is found on the door tag or trailer tongue)
GCWR = Gross Combined Weight Rating (The maximum amount the truck plus trailer can legally weight. This is a calculated number determined by adding the GVWRs listed on the truck and the trailer.)

Examples:
1. An F250 with GVWR = 10,000 tows a trailer with GVWR 16,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 26,000 lbs. No CDL is required. (Practical note: The truck would likely need to be a regular cab to have enough payload to fully load the trailer without overloading the truck)
2. A SRW F350 with GVWR = 11,400 tows a trailer with GVWR 14,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 25,400 lbs. No CDL is required.
3. A DRW F350 with GVWR = 12,000 (mid 2000s model) tows a trailer with GVWR 14,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 26,000 lbs. No CDL is required.
4. A DRW F350 with GVWR = 13,400 (newer model) tows a trailer with GVWR 14,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 27,400 lbs.
5. An F550 with GVWR = 19,500 tows a trailer with GVWR 10,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 29,500 lbs. No CDL is required.
6. An F550 with GVWR = 19,500 tows a trailer with GVWR 14,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 33,500 lbs. A Class A CDL is required.
6. An F750 with GVWR = 33,000 tows a trailer with GVWR 10,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 43,000 lbs. A Class B CDL is required.
6. An F750 with GVWR = 33,000 tows a trailer with GVWR 14,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 47,000 lbs. A Class A CDL is required.
I used Fords in the above example because they have models accross this entire range and it was easy.

As mentioned above, the CDL requirements are based on the RATINGS. An unloaded DRW F350 with GVWR = 13,400 lbs weighing only 8,000 lbs towing an empty 4,000 lbs flat bed trailer with GVWR 14,000 lbs requires a Class A CDL because the GCWR = 27,400 lbs even though the actual weight of the setup is only 12,000 lbs.
The exceptions for RVs, Farm Use, "Personal Use" etc. can get pretty muddy, especially state to state, but the CDL requirements for clearly commercial use are Federally defined and pretty straight forward.


Fallon,
I agree that a crew cab diesel 3/4 ton truck will limit your payload. I recommend stepping up to a SRW 1-ton pickup to ensure you have enough payload to fully utilize your trailer and just make sure the it's GVWR is ≤ 12,000 lbs.

 

[nikerret]

CDL requirements do not care about actual weight - the are based on weight ratings (GVWR and GCWR). Barring an exemption (RV, farm use, etc.) the license requirements are pretty straight forward. Fallon mentions tractor work/business so he clearly qualifies as commercial.

Class A CDL is required if 1) the trailer GVWR is >10,000 lbs. AND 2) the GCWR is >26,000 lbs.
Class B CDL is required for vehicles with a GVWR > 26,000 lbs (can tow a trailer ≤ 10,000 lbs GVWR without bumping up to Class A).

Definitions:
GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (The maximum amount the truck or trailer can legally weight - this number is found on the door tag or trailer tongue)
GCWR = Gross Combined Weight Rating (The maximum amount the truck plus trailer can legally weight. This is a calculated number determined by adding the GVWRs listed on the truck and the trailer.)

Examples:
1. An F250 with GVWR = 10,000 tows a trailer with GVWR 16,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 26,000 lbs. No CDL is required. (Practical note: The truck would likely need to be a regular cab to have enough payload to fully load the trailer without overloading the truck)
2. A SRW F350 with GVWR = 11,400 tows a trailer with GVWR 14,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 25,400 lbs. No CDL is required.
3. A DRW F350 with GVWR = 12,000 (mid 2000s model) tows a trailer with GVWR 14,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 26,000 lbs. No CDL is required.
4. A DRW F350 with GVWR = 13,400 (newer model) tows a trailer with GVWR 14,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 27,400 lbs.
5. An F550 with GVWR = 19,500 tows a trailer with GVWR 10,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 29,500 lbs. No CDL is required.
6. An F550 with GVWR = 19,500 tows a trailer with GVWR 14,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 33,500 lbs. A Class A CDL is required.
6. An F750 with GVWR = 33,000 tows a trailer with GVWR 10,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 43,000 lbs. A Class B CDL is required.
6. An F750 with GVWR = 33,000 tows a trailer with GVWR 14,000 lbs resulting in a GCWR of 47,000 lbs. A Class A CDL is required.
I used Fords in the above example because they have models accross this entire range and it was easy.

As mentioned above, the CDL requirements are based on the RATINGS. An unloaded DRW F350 with GVWR = 13,400 lbs weighing only 8,000 lbs towing an empty 4,000 lbs flat bed trailer with GVWR 14,000 lbs requires a Class A CDL because the GCWR = 27,400 lbs even though the actual weight of the setup is only 12,000 lbs.
The exceptions for RVs, Farm Use, "Personal Use" etc. can get pretty muddy, especially state to state, but the CDL requirements for clearly commercial use are Federally defined and pretty straight forward.


Fallon,
I agree that a crew cab diesel 3/4 ton truck will limit your payload. I recommend stepping up to a SRW 1-ton pickup to ensure you have enough payload to fully utilize your trailer and just make sure the it's GVWR is ≤ 12,000 lbs.

Echo echo echo.

Good post and excellent recommendations.

 

[Reb954]

Notice the Colorado exemptions, the CDL requirements don't apply if the vehicle is not being used as a common carrier or in a commercial situation.