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

[xxxsandman]

MrJimi, if your F550 is tagged at 10,000 lbs may not matter for CDL requirements. My understanding is, the CDL requirements "at least for OK, not sure about your state" is figured of the stickers/metal plates attached to the truck and trailer, not the registered weight. It's all about what the truck and trailer's max rated weights are.

The registered weight of 10,000 probably has more to do with if you would be considered overweight if every weighed by the DOT. If you truck weighed more the 10,000 as loaded, you would get a ticket.

You really should call your states DOT office and ask them about if the CDL weight requirements are figured off registered weights or stickered GVW of the truck and trailer. That phone call could save you lots of $$$!!!

 

[MrJimi]

This is what I have
Truck factory sticker on door jamb is gvwr 17,500
I will register it for 10,000 pounds
trailer is rated for 14,000 pounds and is nowhere on my registration.
I think and hope I will be fine
truck weighs 7,000, trailer weighs 3,000 pounds, thats 10,000 pounds
( all weights are real close and not exact )
And i went to Florida DOT and they were all out eating lunch? Just a very helpful secretary

 

[Builder]

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

Yep, at 10K reg'd weight you're probably fine, just don't let your 550 exceed 10,000lbs with a fully loaded trailer in tow.

 

[MrJimi]

Ford spec site my truck weighs 6,300 and my title says it weighs 6,800 something ? either way its less than 7,000 and I could put 3,000 in my pick up bed which is a heck of alot. some real good reading here
2002 Ford F-Series Super Duty Specifications
it tells you weights, size and all that stuff
mine is 550 with 2 WD dually and 141 WB

 

[xxxsandman]

Looking at the link you provided, looks to me the biggest FORD pickup you can use to pull a 14k rated trailer without a CDL is a Ford F350. The F450 with it's 15,000 GVWR and the F550 with it's 17,500 GVWR would put you over the 26,000 combines limit.

Again, you should call your states DOT and have them clearify if the CDL requirement is based on registered weights or the Truck and Trailer GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).

Let us know what they say....

 

[MrJimi]

I sure will, it will be awhile, I am still trying to put a bed on this thing and have it still look like a normal truck see this thread
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/112552-putting-pick-up-bed-my.html
I have a world of things still to do to get it right
thanks for all the help

 

[john_bud]

This is what I have
Truck factory sticker on door jamb is gvwr 17,500
I will register it for 10,000 pounds
trailer is rated for 14,000 pounds and is nowhere on my registration.
I think and hope I will be fine
truck weighs 7,000, trailer weighs 3,000 pounds, thats 10,000 pounds
( all weights are real close and not exact )
And i went to Florida DOT and they were all out eating lunch? Just a very helpful secretary

MrJimi,

Bluntly put,
Uh, you're s----d.

Why? It's the "or" that they put in the CLD requirements.

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.

You can tag the F550 for 10,000# if you like, that would be your declared weight. The tag in the truck would still say 17,500 pounds GVWR. The man in the snazy blue suit goes by the number that results in the larger ticket. You can under-tag your truck and get nailed. Heck, you can over-tag a ford ranger at 17,500, they go by the largest weight they can find. Declared, actual or the little sticker - they get to use the largest one.

Same deal on the trailer. The capacity of the trailer is 14,000# by the sticker on it. Lose the sticker and they may go by the weight rating stamped on the axle housings.

Even if the truck weighs 6000 and the empty trailer is 3000 for a total of 9000, you are still technically at 17,500+14,000 = 31,500 and a big ticket when stopped. There is no way around it, unless you can change that sticker on the door!

I know the new F250's are in the 7000# range. Can't see how your truck is in that same range of weight. Unless it's the bare weight with just frame rails in the back? You may want to visit the scales and see for sure. Guessing is just potentially too costly.

 

[MrJimi]

On the day after Christmas you burst my bubble
I need to catch Florida DOT at work so they can answer my questions
I have a cab and chassis that I'm putting a pick up bed on.
Thanks
Jim

 

[john_bud]

Hey, sorry about that!

It's cheaper to burst it here than on the side of the road. Around here the DOT enforcement has been focusing (not just passive enforcement --> Focusing!) on 3/4 and up trucks. Anything remotely industrial looking on a gooseneck is an open invitation. Neighbor was stopped 4 times in 2 months by the same officer. He was lucky, CDL in hand. 1st time he got a break with a fix-it ticket. It was something like $1300 for the tickets or spend a grand fixing things. The next 3 were "just checking" . Load securement, total weight, weight per tire, etc.

No fun. None. Less than that even.


Well, have a Merry Chirstmas anyway!!

jb

 

[MrJimi]

Just kidding ya know that
I wonder how come with all these members we have here that no one works for DOT to step in and help us out? Oh-well.
I get a kick about the ( capable of being overweight ) part, we are all capable of all kinds of things and we don't get arrested for that.
Have a great year and good nite
Jim