Definition of Pickup - heads-up

[ultrarunner]

Neighbor was in a similar predicament here in California. His got rid of his big "Pickup" and traded for a new Diesel Ford Excursion a few years back and the Excursion tows his 24' stock trailer great and even has a slightly higher GVW.

 

[DavesTractor]

I have been pestering Dodge with no response (which means I'll likely never buy another Dodge) about this issue. They are no help. Of course I wasn't optimistic that they would change the rating, but they at least should be open to a dialog about the issue. Probably a class action suit would open a dialog. They are registering these trucks wrong as they register them as a pickup and by the law in California they aren't.

 

[Harold_J]

If I read the Fed USDOT law correctly, any single mototrized vehicle over 10,000 GVW is considered a commercial vehicle, and any single vehicle with GVW 26,000lbs requires drug screening. Also any trailer over GVW 10,000, regardless of what it is being towed with, triggers drug screening in addition to Class A CDL also.

I think you may be incorrect about the trailer over 10,000 requiring Class A. My understanding is that the trailer can be over 10K as long as the total combined weight (actual, registered or on title) is not over 26K. So a 16K trailer behind a 9600# truck, or a 14K trailer with a 12K truck, is OK with no CDL.

Here is quote from current NY DMV. I believe CA is the same. Anyone know for sure?

The NYS driver license classes include:

Operator, Class D: Issued to drivers age 18 or over, or to drivers age 17 with Driver Education. Valid for passenger cars and trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 lbs. or less. A Class D driver can drive a vehicle that tows another vehicle (for example a trailer) that has a maximum gross weight of 10,000 lbs. or less. A Class D driver can tow a vehicle with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs only if the combined weight rating of the two vehicles is 26,000 lbs. or less.

NYS DMV - NYS DMV - Driver License, Learner Permit and Non-Driver Photo ID Card

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/forms/cdl101.pdf

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/forms/mv500c.pdf

I think the situation in CA where they put a weight limit on the definition of pickups was partially brought about by things like pickup style beds on F-450's and other such modifications to 1+ ton and larger trucks. I guess they felt they had to draw the line somewhere and other states will do the same.

 

[Builder]

I think you may be incorrect about the trailer over 10,000 requiring Class A. My understanding is that the trailer can be over 10K as long as the total combined weight (actual, registered or on title) is not over 26K. So a 16K trailer behind a 9600# truck, or a 14K trailer with a 12K truck, is OK with no CDL.


That is correct. You do not need a CDL for a trailer over 10,000lbs unless the combination of truck and trailer are 26,001 lbs or greater.

 

[Toiyabe]

CDLs are state specific. The requirements vary quite a bit from state to state. States don't also have complete reciprocity in that regard - If you are licensed in State A and what you are doing is legal in State A you still might get in trouble for doing that in State B. Maybe. Check local listings.

The Fed requirements are different. They only come into play when you are over 10,000 GVWR, engaged in a commercial enterprise and crossing state lines. The law is fuzzy, but I don't think you have to meet all three requirements simultaneaously. The definition of "commertial enterprise" is also fuzzy - might include hauling livestock to a show if you get prize money.

 

[Slamfire]

Once you are here, they don't let you leave.....

Oh yes they do, you just have to sell your Prop 13 covered house, so they can jack up the property tax.

 

[DavesTractor]

I think you may be incorrect about the trailer over 10,000 requiring Class A. My understanding is that the trailer can be over 10K as long as the total combined weight (actual, registered or on title) is not over 26K. So a 16K trailer behind a 9600# truck, or a 14K trailer with a 12K truck, is OK with no CDL.


That is correct. You do not need a CDL for a trailer over 10,000lbs unless the combination of truck and trailer are 26,001 lbs or greater.

California is different. If you are pulling a trailer rated at 10,001 or more, you need a CDL. This is for a utility trailer, RV and horse trailers are different.

 

[patrick_g]

Well, out here in the territories (Indian territories to you tenderfeet city boys) Pickups are EXTREMELY popular. Recently, at an ice cream social at the county extension office where the county cattle producers association met to discuss topics for presentations at meetings the enforcement of picayune DOT stuff came up. Seems lots of farmer/rancher types have basically been ignored and given a pass. Word on the street is that enforcement will be tightening up, someday soon.

I have a 11,000 lb GVWR Dodge dually with service body and it has always been registered and insured as a pickup. I have recently added a 2008 F-250 crew with short bed and diesel to the stable. Comes with 12,500 receiver. Dodge was retrofitted to class V 12,000/14,500 receiver (2 1/2 inch vice normal 2 inch.) Can't wait to see how all this plays out. I suppose I could get a CDL, pass a physical, and so forth but it sure seems to be overkill.

Pat

 

[jsborn]

California is different.

I will agree with this much any way. I have always thought of California as a big granola bar (what ain't fruits or nuts is flakes).

Sorry I just could not resist.

 

[DavesTractor]

I will agree with this much any way. I have always thought of California as a big granola bar (what ain't fruits or nuts is flakes).

Sorry I just could not resist.

It's a tough crowd in the other 49 states....