Definition of Pickup - heads-up

[patrick_g]

I will go so far as to say two of the best days of my life were: 1. Getting back to California after 3 winters at a SAC base in Minot, ND and 2. moving out of California to Oklahoma!

Is what counts the gross weight capability of the trailer, not its actual loading? If yes, then how is this capability determined. My utility trailer has a pair of 6000 lb rated axles or so I was told by the maker. The trailer builder didn't put a placard on the trailer. What if I built it myself? Who says what the max rating is?

I'm not interested in trying to be sneaky and slip by a rule involving safety. I don't want to exceed my trucks safe capability or overload the trailer but I also don't want to have to get a CDL unless absolutely necessary. From reading the preceding posts I'm not sure there is a definite consensus. Anyone care to break it down for me?

Oh by the way... I can't define a pickup but Dodge claims that the PT Cruiser is a truck! The Cruiser get lousy gas mileage so it was to their benefit to get it out of the CAR category because it hurt the mileage averages. As a truck it is a good thing for their truck gas mileage averages. The loop hole they use is the hatch back and removable rear seat which cab be interpreted to make it a truck.

I think it is not only clever but SLEAZY!

Pat

 

[jsborn]

Is what counts the gross weight capability of the trailer, not its actual loading? If yes, then how is this capability determined. My utility trailer has a pair of 6000 lb rated axles or so I was told by the maker. The trailer builder didn't put a placard on the trailer. What if I built it myself? Who says what the max rating is?
Pat

I am not sure but it is my understanding that the trailer GVW is determined by the owner when they buy the tag and register it. the registration papers will have the GVW you pay for on them. therefore you can register a 10K trailer for 5K the only catch is you then can only load it to 5K legally. Also after you get so high in your rating more equipment is required like brakes and such.
The manufacturer is responsible for supplying a Cerf. of origin that has the max GVW on it but for home build units I am not sure who assigns it.

 

[patrick_g]

Oh, Jack... I forgot to mention that in Oklahoma a private trailer (not for hire) is not required to be tagged.

There are state cops in some states who have never known that and pounce on you only to find that Oklahoma trailers not for hire don't have to have tags.

Pat

 

[jsborn]

Sounds like as usual with legal issues no one really knows what the rules are they just make them up as you go. It is sorta the same way in Ga, if you look like a private owner / farmer you may or may not need a tag or CDL for anything. But if you have out of state plates or whatever hold on.

But we still live in the best country there is!!!!!!

 

[CDsdad]

California is different.

That's an understatement. There's the root of your problem. Run some of those wackos out of office and maybe ya'll can get some of that crap undone. I've got an aunt around San Francisco who's the head fruit loop in her area so I'm not taking a jab in the dark. Her offspring are tainted also.

 

[shane]

I've got an aunt around San Francisco who's the head fruit loop in her area so I'm not taking a jab in the dark. Her offspring are tainted also.

That statement is not only funny, but also sounds like we might have some of the same kinfolk.

 

[jsborn]

I think if we are all honest we all have some Kin we ain't to sure about. I know I do. We did a family tree once and it looked like a straight line. Very shallow gene pool.

 

[patrick_g]

Very shallow gene pool.

It may be a lot shallower than most of us think. For example: a huge number of folks from England or with geneological ties there are related to King Henry the Eighth.

The population of the earth is so large now and so small several centuries ago that most of us are more closely related than you might imagine. There are just not enough ancestors to go around without a whole lot of sharing!

So what do you cousins think of that?

Pat

 

[jsborn]

All I know for an absolute fact is that NONE of my Kin are Democrats there are some things we just won't do!!!!!

 

[patrick_g]

Sorry, Jack, but unless you have evidence of extraterrestrials everyone alive on this planet today is related to everyone else, and a whole lot closet than most folks want to believe!

Pat