Can I legally tow a 20,000 lb. trailer with my F-450?

[firedog]

I know in texas I can tow a 14K rated trailer with my 2500 without requiring a any CDL, because the GCWR is not over 26K even though the trailer GVWR is over 10K. However, as Civesnedfield said, somebody with a F550 latches on to my trailer, He'll need the Class A.

and Sandman said:

And Firedog you couldn't even drive the Kenworth empty without a CDL, because it has a GCWR WAY over 26,000.

That is exactly what I was attempting to say, just being facetious.

 

[xxxsandman]

Interesting. So, no CDL required, but at 28,000 lbs. you would be guilty of exceeding the recommended weight for the vehicle. Is your tow vehicles GCWR stamped on your tow vehicle?

jmf

Just because the trailer is rated to haul that much weight doesn't mean he has to load it to MAX! The key is he can legally pull a 20k rated gooseneck in his state without a CDL, which is the way it should be in my opinion.

 

[firedog]

On another note.
The state boys around here have really benn cracking down on the folks with pickups and lowboys or goosnecks. pulling out the portable scales and everything. Not so much a licensing issue as overloading issue.
About 2-3 years ago they started training local police on DOT regs. for commercial trucks, but twice in the last few months I've seen a trooper with pickup & trailer pulled over by the "weight police".

I guess it's not rocket science. Guy pulling a 16' lowboy with 15" wheels hauling a mini-dozer/excavator. Trooper does the math (mini-dozer/excavator weighs atleast 10K + a 7K trailer = ticket time.)

 

[jmfox]

Just because the trailer is rated to haul that much weight doesn't mean he has to load it to MAX! The key is he can legally pull a 20k rated gooseneck in his state without a CDL, which is the way it should be in my opinion.

Okay, providing his GCWR is plated. Few vehicles have this, so enforcement tends to use GVWR.

jmf

 

[jcmseven]

All this discussion leads me to just one question: can I legally tow my 5000 pound 3720 (loader and box blade included) on my 20' utility trailer (weight 2900 pounds with my 2008 F250 at 7,650 pounds without a special license??? Total weight: 15,550 pounds in combination.

John M

 

[jmfox]

You need to know your truck's GCWR or, if that is not available from the manufacturer, the GVWR of the truck and GVWR of the trailer. Its about RATING not actual weight when it comes to license class.

jmf

 

[Builder]

All this discussion leads me to just one question: can I legally tow my 5000 pound 3720 (loader and box blade included) on my 20' utility trailer (weight 2900 pounds with my 2008 F250 at 7,650 pounds without a special license??? Total weight: 15,550 pounds in combination.

John M

John,

YES, you can from the manufacturer's standpoint an '08 F-250 probably has at least a 20K GCWR.
Check to make sure you have the proper registration that allows 15,500lbs combination and a hitch rated for at least the weight you intend to tow and then you can relax.

Just use common sense here guys. remember that it's the RATING they want you to follow. Being overweight is a whole other issue.

 

[George2615]

I just read a post in the trailer section that says a guy is towing a 30K combo (boat and trailer) with a 3/4 ton truck. He says he upped his GCVW to 40K to be legal. I can't believe the DMV would allow him to change his registration to exceed the Mfg. GCVW of the tow vehicle. Manufacturers set those limits for a reason.

 

[Builder]

I just read a post in the trailer section that says a guy is towing a 30K combo (boat and trailer) with a 3/4 ton truck. He says he upped his GCVW to 40K to be legal. I can't believe the DMV would allow him to change his registration to exceed the Mfg. GCVW of the tow vehicle. Manufacturers set those limits for a reason.

I constantly try to explain this to others, but they just don't get it. You're right, the mfctr sets limits of GCWR for safety purposes. We should understand that trucks have limitations and we owe it to the safety of ourselves and others on the road to follow them. I cringe when I see a pickup fishtailing a 20K 5th wheel down the road with giant hay rolls on it.

After seeing how the DMV has screwed up so many of my titles & registrations over the years, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they let a 3/4 ton be registered for 40K GCWR.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Some states let you elect practically any weight you want for your truck, and that determines what's "legal." These states seem to care only about tax revenue based on weight, not safety. (My state isn't one of these.)