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

[john_bud]

Not to beat a dead horse, but if people who are in the "muddy" zone just spend a few hours and get a class A CDL, they would have nothing to worry about.

The reason the rules are muddy is obvious. It's so the regulators of that very system can make lots of money in fines on people who don't have CDL's and don't understand the rules.

Oh come on now! It's so very much more fun to post about it than to study and practice to be able to pass a test.

I'm a non-CDL'er, but have been told that the non-air brake test is cake. Hardest part is backing up to a simulated dock and parallel parking.

jb

 

[sandman2234]

That can't be that hard, as we taught some of the dumbest people in the world to do it, and in under three weeks. Communication of the English language was the hardest part. If you really want to take the time to get a CDL, but you have debatible need for it, I would really reconsider. There are rules that govern a CDL holder that don't affect a normal operator, and the penalty for them is severe. A good example is my accident back in May. If I had the same accident with an operator's license, all I would have gotten was 3 points on my license. Since I had a CDL, it was a mandantory 60 days suspension of my driving priviledge if I was convicted of the ticket. In the state of Florida, blood/alcohol is limited to .08 but a CDL holder is half of that, at .04. However, there is another rule that says you will not operate a motor vehicle if you have had alcohol in your system for the previous 24 hours. It didn't say drink in the past 24, but had alcohol in your system for 24 hours prior. That means you have to stop drinking, let your system filter out the alcohol, and then wait 24 hours after that. There are other rules that affect a CDL holder, so if your considering it, do some research as to the penalties of being a CDL driver, even if your never drive a "big truck". Some of the offenses you can do while NOT operating a commercial vehicle that will get you automatically suspensed for at least 60 days are as follows.
Speeding over 15 mph
Reckless driving
Improper or erractic lane changes
Following too close
Breaking any law in connection with a fatality
Driving a CMV without a CDL in your pocession
Driving a CMV without the proper class of CDL

Read the complete rules at 383.51
David from jax

 

[FlaDon]

If the subject wasn't muddy enough, better check your state's new rules as of Jan 1, 2008. Some states have started in with the new rules that intrastate is 18001 limit and anything over 10001 going interstate is now Federal Rules. Ct and NY are 2 that are starting to hit people with tickets and they aren't cheap. And that is for GCWR, not GVWR. Empty or loaded. Otherwise you have to have med card, ins, inspection, license, fire ext., and a log book unless it is farm or recreational use only. Some states are also exempting personal use, but cross a stateline, and all bets are off.

 

[FlaDon]

Not to beat a dead horse, but if people who are in the "muddy" zone just spend a few hours and get a class A CDL, they would have nothing to worry about.

The reason the rules are muddy is obvious. It's so the regulators of that very system can make lots of money in fines on people who don't have CDL's and don't understand the rules.

And by being sneaky about the changes, get even more money.

 

[Builder]

Absolutely!

They know we're largely uninformed about these rules and take full advantage of that!

 

[speedpup]

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

FET tax over 10

 

[Duffster]

FET tax over 10

Really? Since when?