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

[jmfox]

Reading the requirements from NY law, which I trust is consistent with CDL requirements, the GVWR of the trailer is not part of the formula if it is 10,000 lbs or less. If it is true that the gross GCWR can be calculated by adding the GVWR of the truck to the GVWR of the trailer then, if your truck weighs less than 26,001 lbs, you can still tow a trailer if the trailer's GVWR is less than !0,001 lbs without a CDL even though the GCWR is as much as 36,000 lbs. This is how I read the law, but I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has experience that differs.

jmf

 

[MrJimi]

Most of the replies that refer to the truck being rated for under that weight is correct, take a look at the spec's on the new Sterling in an another thread here

 

[DavesTractor]

I thought I replied to this last night, but I must not have hit the "submit" button.

In California it is different than most states. If your utility trailer (doesn't apply to RVs) has a GVWR of 10,001 or more, you must have a CDL, regardless of the towing vehicle. But at the scales, they do not care what your manufacturers GCWR says, as long as you are not over weight on any axle or any tire. My 2006 Dodge dually and tandem dually gooseneck can go right to 34K and be legal if the load is so well balanced to nearly max all axles. I'm not saying this is smart to do on a regular basis, but in California it is legal. My concern at that weight is braking power, even though it seems to stop well, but I have never had to do a panic stop when near that weight.

 

[jmfox]

You're mixing license class and road limits, but it does sound like you have some experience. When you say 34k is legal do you mean legal for a regular license?

jmf

I thought I replied to this last night, but I must not have hit the "submit" button.

In California it is different than most states. If your utility trailer (doesn't apply to RVs) has a GVWR of 10,001 or more, you must have a CDL, regardless of the towing vehicle. But at the scales, they do not care what your manufacturers GCWR says, as long as you are not over weight on any axle or any tire. My 2006 Dodge dually and tandem dually gooseneck can go right to 34K and be legal if the load is so well balanced to nearly max all axles. I'm not saying this is smart to do on a regular basis, but in California it is legal. My concern at that weight is braking power, even though it seems to stop well, but I have never had to do a panic stop when near that weight.

 

[DavesTractor]

You're mixing license class and road limits, but it does sound like you have some experience. When you say 34k is legal do you mean legal for a regular license?

jmf

Requires a CDL as the trailer is rated over 10K.

 

[jmfox]

Requires a CDL as the trailer is rated over 10K.

In NY, the trailer can be over 10k if the combination is less than 26,001.

jmf

 

[jmfox]

This has been a long journey for a simple NO. A CDL is required.

jmf

This is one of those topics that have never seemed to had a definite answer when discussed on a web forum, but here I go with it anyway.

 

[DavesTractor]

Interesting how the laws differ some from state to state. The moral of the story is to check the state in which you live. I personally think the combined 26,001 makes more sense, but there is not an over abundance of common sense in California law.

 

[mlauk]

And just so I understand this, from what I'm reading it is ILLEGAL to even tow a empty 20k gooseneck trailer behind a 1 ton pickup, because pretty much ANY current 1 ton pickup is going to weigh over 6k pounds empty by itself? If that's the case, I see illegal towing EVERYDAY here in Oklahoma and have done it myself several times. Does a farm tag get you past this rule, as long as you aren't over 26k of actual combined weight or must your potential rated capacity still remain under 26k?

In Texas, a farm tag on the trailer allows you to be over 26k combined weight along with some rules such as it must be within a 150 mile radius of your farm, vehicle must be operated by the farmer, and must be transporting ag products, farm machinery or supplies to and from farm and it can't be used as a contract motor carrier. Otherwise, if you have a dually truck or even a 3/4 ton and a dual tandem trailer (20K) with no farm tags, there is a good chance you will be pulled over.

 

[xxxsandman]

Man what a clowdy issue. No one seems to be certain on this. With laws varying state to state, it clowds the issue even more.

I found this on a CDL website for Oklahoma.

---------------------------------------------------------------
What is a commercial driver's license? What vehicles are considered commercial vehicles?

A commercial driver's license (CDL) is a special license issued by the State of Oklahoma that will allow you to drive certain types of vehicles. You must have a CDL in order to drive:

* A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 pounds.
* A trailer with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds if the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is more than 26,000 pounds.
* Any size vehicle that is required to show Hazardous Materials placards.
----------------------------------------------------------------

My question is on the trailer part. It's worded quote "A trailer with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds if the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is more than 26,000 pounds."

So does that mean IF I stay under 26,000 lbs of ACTUAL total combined weight on my 20k gooseneck trailer I'm legal in Oklahoma? Notice they didn't say combined weight RATING, just combined weight less then 26,000.