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

[Builder]

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

Me, too. I came to this conclusion years ago and just decided to get my CDL and all my paperwork together so I won't have any trouble. Took a little extra time, but worth it in the long run.

 

[MrJimi]

George, my trailer has a little (business card size) MFG metal sticker about weight etc and serial # I will try and show picture of it.. Got it !! just in front of spare and to the right of tongue jack facing front, can you see it?

 

[Builder]

You need to call the manufacturer of the trailer, give them the serial # and find out the rating.

 

[MrJimi]

It says right on the little tag, 14K pounds

 

[George2615]

Yes, I see it. Mine have tags (1 is metal, 1 is a decal) which have the ser. # and maximum cap. As I said I have been told by both trailer mfgs. that I must subtract the trailer weight from the max cap. number to get the actual weight I can haul. Its too dark here to get a pic of mine right now. I think if you call the mfg. they will tell you the same thing I was told.

 

[Builder]

It says right on the little tag, 14K pounds

Oh, I thought you said there was no GVW info.

OK, carry on.

 

[Builder]

Yes, I see it. Mine have tags (1 is metal, 1 is a decal) which have the ser. # and maximum cap. As I said I have been told by both trailer mfgs. that I must subtract the trailer weight from the max cap. number to get the actual weight I can haul. Its too dark here to get a pic of mine right now. I think if you call the mfg. they will tell you the same thing I was told.

Some do and some don't. Usually the number stamped on the metal tag is the GVWR which is the sum total of the empty weight of the trailer + the cargo weight.

So a 14K trailer that weighs 3K has an 11K cargo capacity.

Some bigger trailers will say "10 TON" on a decal on the frame rail meaning they might have a cargo capacity of 20,000lbs + the empty weight of the trailer.

It's all done to confuse owners and make it easier for law enforcement to catch you doing something wrong.

 

[MrJimi]

I feel bad about this thread hijacking, did Gamma, the original poster get his question answered?

 

[George2615]

Builder, I agree, that is how trailers are sold in this part of the country as you said. The total weight of the empty trailer and load = the GVWR Max capacity. I obtained my CDL many years ago so I've never had to worry about this problem. I think Gamma's answer will have to be determined by the state he lives in since apparently other states have different rules.

 

[Beavis]

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

We will enforce according to the GVWR of the vehicle(s), not the registered weight.

*Also, as I stated in my previous post; you would be exempt a CDL if you are operating a vehicle for personal use, fire truck, military vehicle, or farm truck (if the farm truck is being operated within 150 miles of the farm)
**But also, like others have said; the best thing to do is check with your state and have them "show you the law", not "tell you the law" If you are risking a ticket or being placed out of service, you want to know what you're dealing with.