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

[Builder]

I agree, I am an individual and all my weights are below 26,000. I will not use this commercial just personal use. Thats the part thats not sinking in here
Clear as mud

Well, if I'm reading you correctly, you've got a 17.5K GVWR truck and a 14K GVWR trailer that puts you above 26K and in class A CDL territory.

Now if you do register your truck at 10K and your trailer is 14K, then you're OK without a CDL.

 

[MrJimi]

Well, if I'm reading you correctly, you've got a 17.5K GVWR truck and a 14K GVWR trailer that puts you above 26K and in class A CDL territory.

Now if you do register your truck at 10K and your trailer is 14K, then you're OK without a CDL.

That is correct, we have the option of registering our trucks for less than they are rated for BUT !! I found nothing in the car license section BUT I did find this in the CDL part
Commercial Drivers License (CDL)
CLASS A: Any Tractor/Trailer combination that has an actual weight, declared weight or GVWR of 26,001 LBS. or more, provided towed vehicle is more than 10,000 LBS.

CLASS B: Any single motor vehicle that has an actual weight, declared weight or GVWR of 26,001 LBS. or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle of 10,000 LBS. or less.

CLASS C: Any motor vehicle that has an actual weight, declared weight or GVWR of less than 26,001 LBS. when endorsements "H" or "P" would be required on the driver license OR any combination of motor vehicles where the towing vehicle is less than 26,001 LBS. GVWR and the towed vehicle has a GVWR of 10,000 LBS. or less, but together they weigh 26,001 LBS. or more.

Still clear as mud

 

[Builder]

That is correct, we have the option of registering our trucks for less than they are rated for BUT !! I found nothing in the car license section BUT I did find this in the CDL part
Commercial Drivers License (CDL)
CLASS A: Any Tractor/Trailer combination that has an actual weight, declared weight or GVWR of 26,001 LBS. or more, provided towed vehicle is more than 10,000 LBS.

CLASS B: Any single motor vehicle that has an actual weight, declared weight or GVWR of 26,001 LBS. or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle of 10,000 LBS. or less.

CLASS C: Any motor vehicle that has an actual weight, declared weight or GVWR of less than 26,001 LBS. when endorsements "H" or "P" would be required on the driver license OR any combination of motor vehicles where the towing vehicle is less than 26,001 LBS. GVWR and the towed vehicle has a GVWR of 10,000 LBS. or less, but together they weigh 26,001 LBS. or more.

Still clear as mud

Totally clear! Where are you still confused?

 

[MrJimi]

My trailer that is capable of 14,000 pounds I think puts me in CDL class A ? Or is it the empty weight of my trailer?

 

[Builder]

My trailer that is capable of 14,000 pounds I think puts me in CDL class A ? Or is it the empty weight of my trailer?

Neither. It is the registered weight of your trailer. Since you've registered it at 14K and your combination is 17.5K + 14k, then you're over 26K and required to have a class A CDL.

When you get pulled over, it might be at the mercy of the cop, but most ask you for your registration of your vehicle(s). If the registered weights add up to over 26K and the trailer is registered over 10,001lbs, then you will also have to present your class A CDL and your med card.

Some might let you go if you're empty. You could just tell them you're moving your trailer unladen, from one spot to another. He might let you slide.

To be honest, I don't know why you just don't get a CDL and get it overwith.

 

[xxxsandman]

I was confused before, mainly on how the GCVW (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight) is figured to determine if a CDL is required or not.

I called my states DOT office and they cleared the mud up a little.

Your GCVW is simply calculated by adding the GVW "Gross Vehicle Weight" of your truck and the GVW of your trailer together.

So with a 14,000 GVW trailer, the biggest truck GVW you could have is 12,000 without a CDL.

I'm not sure if it matters for CDL requirements what your truck is tagged for or not. The lady at the OK DOT office told me the numbers are figured off the GVW number listed on the stickers on the truck and trailer. She did not mention anything about tags. I specifically asked this, because for some reason my trucks sticker that list weights is missing (I think it's been re-painted). I'm not sure how Mr. DOT would determine my trucks GVW, since there isn't a sticker on my truck anymore.

In Oklahoma "and many other states" the CDL requirement does not apply to farm tagged trucks. Farm tagged trucks can pull ANY weight combination without a CDL, as long as they meet the farm tagged requirements.

 

[MrJimi]

You got me real curious, I just looked at my trailer registration and there is no weight on it, not even the weight of the trailer just the high price it cost me. If thats the case, I am good to go. My trailer does have a little stick on metal tag about 2"X3" with a description with the 14K on that but not on my Fl. reg.
yippee ka yay

 

[Builder]

You got me real curious, I just looked at my trailer registration and there is no weight on it, not even the weight of the trailer just the high price it cost me. If thats the case, I am good to go. My trailer does have a little stick on metal tag about 2"X3" with a description with the 14K on that but not on my Fl. reg.
yippee ka yay

Not so fast!

Since you have no metal tag, you will be asked to produce a registration for the combination of vehicles. Ok, so if your 550 is reg'd at 17.5K, that leaves only 10,001 for the trailer. What will you do if your trailer is reg'd at 14K (as I'm assuming you've reg'd it) OR it has a load on it that weighs more than 10,001lbs.

Then you get a nice big fine!

 

[Builder]

I was confused before, mainly on how the GCVW (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight) is figured to determine if a CDL is required or not.

I called my states DOT office and they cleared the mud up a little.

Your GCVW is simply calculated by adding the GVW "Gross Vehicle Weight" of your truck and the GVW of your trailer together.

So with a 14,000 GVW trailer, the biggest truck GVW you could have is 12,000 without a CDL.

I'm not sure if it matters for CDL requirements what your truck is tagged for or not. The lady at the OK DOT office told me the numbers are figured off the GVW number listed on the stickers on the truck and trailer. She did not mention anything about tags. I specifically asked this, because for some reason my trucks sticker that list weights is missing (I think it's been re-painted). I'm not sure how Mr. DOT would determine my trucks GVW, since there isn't a sticker on my truck anymore.

In Oklahoma "and many other states" the CDL requirement does not apply to farm tagged trucks. Farm tagged trucks can pull ANY weight combination without a CDL, as long as they meet the farm tagged requirements.

Most owners tag their trucks at or below the plates or stickers from the manufacturer. It's the ones who register above the maximum allowed by the manufacturer that scare me.

What our friend mr jimi needs is a 12K F-350 version of his F-550 so he can pull a 14K trailer without a CDL or to go out & get his class A CDL.

I got mine a long time ago and it really gets rid of the worries associated with all that crap.

 

[MrJimi]

The metal tag I speak of in post #147 is a dealer/mfg tag that describes the trailer being made by Crosely MFG. I have regular Florida license plate for it and the truck will be registered for 10,000 pounds or close? I should be fine with a 14,000 cap trailer that weighs about 3,000 with a 6,500 pound skidsteer on it
clear as mud