1 Ton Dump Truck for Personal Use

[Harold_J]

Thanks guys!
The heresay on the regulations in my state are what has me a little concerned. I think I may visit a state police barricks and see if I can speak with a DOT cop. My concern stems around the GVWR as I've heard that all trucks over 10,000 GVWR are to be regitered and inspected as commercial trucks. In Mass, as far as I can interperet the regulations, all commercial trucks must have certain safety equipment (like Derick said, back up alarm, fire extinguisher, road flares, etc) and the driver must carry a valid health card. That stuff is not really an issue, but I wonder if it ties into the commercial regulations regarding lettering, DOT #'s and the like.

Take a look at this: Online Registration and Compliance Assistant: 4.60 and this: Online Registration and Compliance Assistant: 2.10
It will try to show what you need, if anything.
In NY you will need a DOT number on the truck if 10,001 MGVW or higher, even if only operating intrastate. As far as I can see Mass does not require this. It would depend where the truck is reg. For NY in-state only the letters NY would be at the end of the number. This might be a red flag when you drive into Mass or Pa or wherever.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think you guys are missing the point. These regulations only apply to COMMERCIAL OPERATORS. If every truck over 10K had to have DOT#'s that would mean my personal F-350 would need them since its 11,500# GVWR and some F-350's go all the way up to 13,000# GVWR.

Chris

 

[Reg]

I don't think it has been mentioned in this thread yet, but for vehicles over 10,000 GVW you need a medical card.
Private/commercial plates and/or CDL have no bearing on this, you need a medical card.

Since you are in Mass I might as well mention that I think the only place I have ever been asked to show mine is in CT at the Union weigh station on I-84.
Some say they are just sticklers there, I have also heard it said that it is a training ground and on the morning I was asked for mine it was a young'ish officer with what appeared to be a more experienced/senior officer who appeared to be prompting him. Clip boards and check lists.
Yeah, I got "the WORKS" that morning, but nothing serious, just the "free" 99999 point safety and legality check.

BTW, why would anyone NOT want to carry flares, fire extinguisher, triangles, wheel chocks, spare bulbs, etc ? (rhetorical)

 

[zukota]

I think you guys are missing the point. These regulations only apply to COMMERCIAL OPERATORS. If every truck over 10K had to have DOT#'s that would mean my personal F-350 would need them since its 11,500# GVWR and some F-350's go all the way up to 13,000# GVWR.

Chris

It's registered weight that makes the difference. In PA there are weight class stickers 1 - 25 (1 is not really a sticker, it's the standard passenger car assumed weight of 5k or less).

There is a split at 4. 4a and 4b. 4a is from 9001 to 10000 lbs. 4b is 10001 to 11000. The reason is to allow people (like me) to correctly register their truck as high as possible w/out getting into federal territory.

Likewise, the rental companies, i.e. Ryder / Penske will specifically register their trucks with an 8 (21,001 0 26,000)to keep them under CDL requirements - regardless of the capacity of the chassis.

PA PDF of weight classes.

 

[Duffster]

It's registered weight that makes the difference. In PA there are weight class stickers 1 - 25 (1 is not really a sticker, it's the standard passenger car assumed weight of 5k or less).

There is a split at 4. 4a and 4b. 4a is from 9001 to 10000 lbs. 4b is 10001 to 11000. The reason is to allow people (like me) to correctly register their truck as high as possible w/out getting into federal territory.

Likewise, the rental companies, i.e. Ryder / Penske will specifically register their trucks with an 8 (21,001 0 26,000)to keep them under CDL requirements - regardless of the capacity of the chassis.

PA PDF of weight classes.

You can't dodge CDL requirements with the registration, the GVW has to be specifically downrated to be under 26001#

 

[LBrown59]

1*I to thought about getting a 1 ton dump truck, and ruled it out as not being cost effictive.
2*I figure by the time you spend money on maintance, insurance etc.
3*I'd just pay someone to haul rock and dirt for me.
4* The big problem with them is that you just can't haul a heavy load.

1*I not so sure buying a 3/4 non dumping pick up and paying someone to haul rock and dirt on top of that expense would be more cost effective.
Seems to me that would cost even more than the dump truck option.
2*I don't see where or why there would be that much difference between these cost between a dump and a non dumping pick up.
3*That may work for an occasional load of rock/dirt etc. but it would leave me without a tow vehicle for a trailer to haul my tractors on.
Wht not have a tow Veh, that can double as a unit that can also haul that occasional small load of rock/dirt etc.?
4*A Bigger problem is a 3/4 ton that will only haul half as much and you have to shovel it all off of the truck.
Why not haul say 3500# on a1 ton dump truck and another 3000 or 4000 pounds on the trailer?

 

[rcrcomputing]

I have a 1976 1 ton with a 12' dump bed. I initially bought it for 1800.00. I currently have about 5000.00 into it. It's name is Beeter. I love the 12' dump bed. Though, If I had it to do over again, I'd buy something newer and spend the 5000.00 up front.

 

[Harold_J]

You can't dodge CDL requirements with the registration, the GVW has to be specifically downrated to be under 26001#

You are correct. Law enforcement people will look at the tag on the door jamb and the tag on the trailer, if any, to decide if you need a CDL and/or must meet DOT requirements.

 

[zukota]

You can't dodge CDL requirements with the registration, the GVW has to be specifically downrated to be under 26001#

Yes, I was incorrect. The example only works in one way. It can get you into trouble(more regulations), but not out of regulations.


Edit: the question for Diamondpilot is if his truck is licensed for 11k?

 

[Builder]

I don't think it has been mentioned in this thread yet, but for vehicles over 10,000 GVW you need a medical card.
Private/commercial plates and/or CDL have no bearing on this, you need a medical card.

Since you are in Mass I might as well mention that I think the only place I have ever been asked to show mine is in CT at the Union weigh station on I-84.
Some say they are just sticklers there, I have also heard it said that it is a training ground and on the morning I was asked for mine it was a young'ish officer with what appeared to be a more experienced/senior officer who appeared to be prompting him. Clip boards and check lists.
Yeah, I got "the WORKS" that morning, but nothing serious, just the "free" 99999 point safety and legality check.

BTW, why would anyone NOT want to carry flares, fire extinguisher, triangles, wheel chocks, spare bulbs, etc ? (rhetorical)

Reg,

I was at a CDL driver's meeting about 2 years ago and they told me med card for 17K GVWR operated in state. If it goes out of state for commerce it drops way down in weight.

I think in PA he won't be required to have a med card for a 10K truck. I had an F-450 at 15,000lbs and was never asked to produce a med card at routine traffic stops.