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

[ducati996]

In NY, the trailer can be over 10k if the combination is less than 26,001.

jmf

This is an old topic but I dont believe that is true - there is a reason why they register the trailers for under 10k, even with 5-6k axles. They offer you that choice besides being more $ to register, it requires a CDL for that trailer

 

[Builder]

This is an old topic but I dont believe that is true - there is a reason why they register the trailers for under 10k, even with 5-6k axles. They offer you that choice besides being more $ to register, it requires a CDL for that trailer

MOST states (including mine- PA) allow you to tow a trailer over 10K so long as the combination is under 26K, but I heard NY has some really stupid light-weight laws that don't allow you do tow over 10K without a CDL.

 

[jmfox]

Actually NY allows you to tow a truck trailer combination up to 36k if the trailer is less than 10k. If the trailer is over 10k then you are limited to 26k. I believe this is the maximum allowed by Federal Law.

jmf

MOST states (including mine- PA) allow you to tow a trailer over 10K so long as the combination is under 26K, but I heard NY has some really stupid light-weight laws that don't allow you do tow over 10K without a CDL.

 

[Rara Avis]

Actually NY allows you to tow a truck trailer combination up to 36k if the trailer is less than 10k. If the trailer is over 10k then you are limited to 26k. I believe this is the maximum allowed by Federal Law.

jmf

This is the latest response from NY officialdom...
http://www.nyshc.org/currentissues/CDL Requirements for Horse Trailers.pdf

 

[Builder]

Actually NY allows you to tow a truck trailer combination up to 36k if the trailer is less than 10k. If the trailer is over 10k then you are limited to 26k. I believe this is the maximum allowed by Federal Law.

jmf

That's true in my state, too. What I think got lost in translation is that I'm talking cases when the trailer weighs over 10K AND the combination is over 26K, then a Class A CDL is required. for example, a 16,000 lb GVWR F-450 is pulling a 11,000 lb trailer, a CDL is required. that's because the combination weighs 27,000 lbs, clearly more than the 26K limit.

However, my state is just like your's in that if the trailer is under 10,001 lbs, and the towing vehicle has a GVWR of under 26,001lbs, then no CDL is required. So someone driving a 26,000 GVWR truck pulling a 10K trailer is not required to have a CDL since the trailer is under 10,001 lbs.

 

[ducati996]

This is the latest response from NY officialdom...
http://www.nyshc.org/currentissues/CDL%20Requirements%20for%20Horse%20Trailers.pdf

I just spoke with your contact above - I think this might help some of you especially in the new york area. For example my truck a Ford F550 with a GWVR at 19,000 lbs (notice under 26k) and my trailer which is rated at 9800lbs (under the 10k) - are ok and dont require a CDL. It does sound like the combined is not to exceed on these forms, but he assures me that isnt the case, as long as they are both under the limits mentioned above.

Im sure this is still clear as mud for all, but all I know is that I'm ok -

 

[Marc 21]

I don't think it's the same in canada, i don't think that there's a limit you can pull with a certain liscence. Someone correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[krackerjack9]

I think this might clear it up

F-450 Weight 9000
Trailer Empty " 4500

Total " 13,500lbs


Ok so your trailer can hold 20,000lbs but you got to stay under the 26,000lb limit

So 26,000
-13,500
------------

you could put 12,500lbs on the trailer and be under the 26,000lb wieght

How to increase the wieght you could haul with the F450?

Get a 18,000lb trailer whose empty wieght is say 2500lbs

Truck Weight 9000lbs
Trailer " 2500
total 11500

So 26,000
- 11,500
-----------

Now you can haul 13,500lbs on a 18,000lb trailer

Ok get a Chev 2500HD wieght is 6,000lbs

now use the 20,000lb trailer empty wieght of 4500lbs

2500HD wieght 6,000lbs
trailer empty " 4,500lbs
total 10,500lbs

You could load 15,500lbs,,,,, **** but the 2500HD/3500HD can legally only have a Gross weight of 24,000lbs****

I think this is a better way of looking at it, Or at least this is how I look at it.

Now sure the Chev 2500HD/3500HD can pull a whole lot more but the brakes are the issue.

Personally I am looking at getting a Chev 2500HD and a 18,000 trailer to haul a either a Komatsu D21 bulldozer which wieghs in at 9,000lbs thats a piece of cake, the other side of me wants to get a D31 bulldozer that weighs in at 15,00lbs there I would be overwieght of the 26,000lb but I am going to tag my trailer with Farm Tags and not really plan on getting on any interstates, only for moving from one farm or ranch maybe 4 or 5 times a year. Yes I be well over the Gross wieght of the truck. But chances of a Texas State Trooper in my area are pretty slim. Is it worth the risk not really anything can happen and if it did even though if it was not my fault a drunk driver could hit me head on but when it was all said and done who would loose the most??? The drunk just looses his car and maybe 10k in court cost. Me I could loose control and hit someone else or flip over and Im out 30k or better. Sure insurance would kick in but the insurance cost increase would not be worth for me to pursue.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

The above info is incorrect. The DOT here in georgia enforces the plated info more than actual weight. Open the door, the gross on that sticker, plus the gross on the trailer plate is what they go by. Full or empty. If over 26,001 then there lies the trouble. I haven't heard what they say about the trailer being over 10k but we dodge the 26k rule with 26k truck plates and "special" rated trailers. Like a 30' triple goose plated at 13,600!!!

 

[Landwise]

In NC- Trailer over 10k gvw, but combined weight (Gvw) under 26,001 lbs requires a Class A Classified (Non CDL) ie: 2000 F250 Gvw of 8800 lbs and a 7 ton capacity trailer with a gvw of 17,200 lbs, requires a Class A Classified. With my 10 ton trailer (GVW OF 24,990) I have to have a Class A CDL Anything with a combined GVW of over 26,001 towing requires an A CDL. You don't have to take the airbrakes section though...

You can plate a toyota at 45,000 lbs if you want, as long as you have the Lic for it, but as someone else posted- A good Lawyer will get you in Civil Court (Not Criminal) if you get in an accident.