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

[ultrarunner]

Yesterday, I say a New F450 towing a tri-axle gooseneck loaded with a full size 3/4 ton Ford Van, F250 4wd Crew Cab Truck and another F150 Regular Cab Truck.

Looked to me the F450 was having a hard time and was dwarfed by the loaded tri axle. I have no idea if he was legal, but he sure looked overloaded.

The rig was also on 580 in Oakland that forbids Trucks over 9000 lbs. I see the CHP pull over big rigs all the time on 580 in Oakland.

 

[Builder]

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

Because many DOT cops don't know how to interpret the CDL laws, either.
Don't rely on what one by the roadside in a squad car tells you.

BUY and READ the DOT manual.

One commom thing I read on this site over & over is guys ask DOT-related questions and get a LOT of help from members, but with innaccurate answers.

All you need to do is go down to the drivers license center in your town and ask for a DOT CDL manual and what we in PA call a "Truckers Guide". You'll get all the correct answers there.

Your best move is to get a CDL, you just don't know it yet.

 

[Beavis]

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

Please take a look at the following photo, it is a flow chart which answers the question: "Do I need a Commericial Driver's License?"

 

[MrJimi]

Good chart but are they going by sticker gvwr or registered gvwr weight. Big difference
My truck is 17,500 and trailer is 14,000 = CDL
Registered weight of truck 10,000 and trailer is 14,000 = Legal

 

[Builder]

Good chart but are they going by sticker gvwr or registered gvwr weight. Big difference
My truck is 17,500 and trailer is 14,000 = CDL
Registered weight of truck 10,000 and trailer is 14,000 = Legal

Could be whichever is higher!!!!! That's why you need to read your CDL manual and call your state's DOT dept and ask them!!

They're open today!

My understanding is it goes by the REGISTERED weight. That's what you paid for and how you are declaring you'll use your truck.

 

[john_bud]

Going off of what Builder said, Each state is different. So, you really do need to find out. But, caution is needed. I went to the DMV with questions and they gave me this

Sure looks like I need a set of USDOT numbers. In fact every one behind the counter emphatically stated I was REQUIRED to get them. I called the number and they also stated that I needed the USDOT's. BUT - after a 2 1/2 hour visit to the local trooper station, calls to the weigh station where each officer gave different answers and then the trooper had to call the state headquarters -finally an answer backed by reference to the published laws! No USDOT needed for farm plates and farm trailer plates. I even have 2 different pieces of legislation dealing with it to back up my lack of USDOT# and educate the man in blue. Should the need ever come about.

Not the exact deal with your question, but it shows this is no push over topic and even the experts and enforcement officers have a hard time keeping up with the ever changing laws.



Again on your flow chart - it states if the GCWR is over 26,001# and defines GCVR as the sum of GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating -> that's the sticker number -NOT the registered weight for the truck and trailer). You are into CDL area. But as Builder also stated - check with the experts, or just get a CDL.


jb

 

[George2615]

Good chart but are they going by sticker gvwr or registered gvwr weight. Big difference
My truck is 17,500 and trailer is 14,000 = CDL
Registered weight of truck 10,000 and trailer is 14,000 = Legal

Mr Jimi, Does your trailer tag say maximum capacity 14K? In NY state a trailer such as yours with a max capacity of 14K that weighs 3K means you can only haul 11K on that trailer. (the weight of the trailer and load on it). Most trailers are rated this way, the max capacity includes the trailer weight. You must deduct the weight of the trailer from the max cap.

Your truck is 7K plus a max trailer cap. of 14K totals 21K. The last time I had to pull into a weigh station they weighed my truck and trailer. A load such as yours would have been legal here with a regular DL. I have a CDL anyway so I can go above 26K.

 

[MrJimi]

George, my trailer registration does NOT have a max weight or a trailer weight. It has a serial number, tag/license plate number and my name address etc. not even # of axles or color?

 

[sandman2234]

I have a CDL, and am a certified tractor trailer driving instructor in the state of Florida, and I can't tell you the rules either! Durn things just have too many loopholes, and it takes a lawyer to get around the tickets you get when you get stopped by an uninformed officer.
David from jax

 

[George2615]

Mr Jimi, I was inquiring about the trailer itself, not what it is registered for. Does the trailer have a tag that says Maximum Capacity? Mine do and that means the max cap includes the trailer weight which I must subtract to determine my actual load capacity.
I can register a 14K trailer for 7K (and a few guys do to save a buck since trailer registrations are expensive here) but if I put say 8K on a 14K trailer registered for 7K even though the trailer can handle it I would be illegal since I registered it for 7K.
Your registered weight of 10K (truck) and 14K (trailer) totaling 24K would be legal here for use with a regular DL.