Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements

[Omega Woods]

Thats why I said a couple of times a class 27 excavator would be about the limit because a 35 would be pushing a 10k trailer too far.
He hasnt actually said what he wants for an excavator yet?

At least 3.5, as much as 5 if I get my towing situation sorted.

 

[Omega Woods]

So, let's talk about pickup trucks and towing for a minute. If, as Hay Dude said, I got a 3/4 or one ton pickup with a weight of 10k and a towing capacity of 20k plus as 14k rated trailer that weighs 3k, then I could put on a 11k excavator and be at 24k total. Would that work? I see people with 3.5+ ton mini exes on pickup trailers all the time. I'm sure they don't have a CDL.

I could buy a dump truck separately and not worry about towing with it.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Could vary by state. But that is not a federal requirement. Federal allows 36k

But you can smoke dope in some states when federal law says it's illegal...

 

[LD1]

Actually, he is partly right. He can overload his trailer or truck axles and be under gross. However, a 26,000 GVWR truck can pull a 10,000 GVWR trailer without a CDL. Step up to a 14,000 GVRW trailer and even if it is empty behind his 26,000 rated truck, he needs a CDL. It is all based on manufacturers gross vehicle weight ratings. He was also correct on the weight rating of tires and axles.

Actually, the part I put in BOLD is the part I was commenting about.....and that is exactly as I say.....WRONG

 

[LD1]

So, let's talk about pickup trucks and towing for a minute. If, as Hay Dude said, I got a 3/4 or one ton pickup with a weight of 10k and a towing capacity of 20k plus as 14k rated trailer that weighs 3k, then I could put on a 11k excavator and be at 24k total. Would that work? I see people with 3.5+ ton mini exes on pickup trailers all the time. I'm sure they don't have a CDL.

I could buy a dump truck separately and not worry about towing with it.

Yes, a 14k trailer is the minimum for a 50 class excavator. Which allows you a truck with a GVWR up to 12k....which is most modern SRW 1-ton or 3/4 ton trucks. Game over if you step to a dually. Most of those have been over 12k rated for a few decades now.

So yea....a 3/4-ton or SRW 1-ton and a 14k trailer stays under 26k combined. And that would work for excavators up to the 5-ton class

 

[Hay Dude]

So, let's talk about pickup trucks and towing for a minute. If, as Hay Dude said, I got a 3/4 or one ton pickup with a weight of 10k and a towing capacity of 20k plus as 14k rated trailer that weighs 3k, then I could put on a 11k excavator and be at 24k total. Would that work? I see people with 3.5+ ton mini exes on pickup trailers all the time. I'm sure they don't have a CDL.

I could buy a dump truck separately and not worry about towing with it.

Now that I’ve given you all that solid advice, let me give you a little more. Get yourself a nice Ram/Cummins to pull it.
Call Kaufman and ask them for a price on their lightest 14-16k trailer.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

until you accept payment for a service, your not commercial.

 

[Squirrel Tooth Alice]

@Omega-Woods, I hope you don't mind me asking a question on your thread, but it might yield some advice that is beneficial to you, as well...

I have a Kubota that weighs in at 13,000 lbs. Based on what I've read in this thread, I won't be able to trailer it without a CDL, period. But I could haul it on the back of a truck without a CDL if I could find a truck with a GVW below 26,000 lbs AND the capacity to carry 13,000 lbs. on it.

Is there such an animal? Am I looking for something like a rollback? Thanks in advance!

 

[notaz3]

Could vary by state. But that is not a federal requirement. Federal allows 36k

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/CDL_Classifications.pdf

Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
Any combination vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, if the trailer(s) has a GVWR of 10,001 or more pounds

 

[notaz3]

Drivers | FMCSA

Drivers have been required to have a commercial driver's license (CDL) in order to drive certain commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) since April 1, 1992. The types of vehicles and operations requiring a CDL are outlined below. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed...

www.fmcsa.dot.gov

Regardless of the weight you are hauling in the truck, or towing on the trailer;

If "ANY combination of vehicles which has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) whichever is greater" you are in need of CDL