derating a trailer gvw in illinois

klog53 · Nov 6, 2012

I own a 3-axle gooseneck trailer that I pull with my 3/4ton pickup. The combined gvw is 29,000lbs. Fully loaded I never gross more than 25,000lb. I make 2-3 trips to Mi.[avg.640 total miles] and several shorter into Ia. All told less than 3,000/year. I have a cdl/medical card/dot# but want to avoid IFTA requirements for being over 26,000lb gvw. Short of removing a axle, can i legally derate my 7000lb. axles to 5200lbs here in Illnois? Any help appreciated

Pops15 · Nov 6, 2012

Yes you can derate the GVWR of a trailer in IL. I derated a 14K trailer to 10K. If I remember correctly you can only change one or two weight classifications. You need to go to the Secretary of State office, pay a fee, and fill out a form. Do it when you tag expires or they'll hit you up for a half year tag too.

mikehaugen · Nov 6, 2012

I could be wrong but, aside from air-brakes or commercial use, don't they go by actual weight of vehicle rather than gvwr for personal use vehicle? Therefore they would have to take you to a scale to be able to ticket you? Maybe call the secretary of state to be sure.

also, when I plated my trailer (4 or 5 years ago) they asked me which plates I wanted even though the title stated the gvwr. They said I could have gotten TA's for my 7k tandem axle! Most local LEO's aren't very well versed on a lot of these restrictions anyway (I actually explained briefly about the different trailer classes to my BIL county sheriff- he had no idea), but it sounds like you will be doing a lot of interstate driving and the state guys are the one's who do know this stuff.

Duffster · Nov 7, 2012

klog53 said:
I own a 3-axle gooseneck trailer that I pull with my 3/4ton pickup. The combined gvw is 29,000lbs. Fully loaded I never gross more than 25,000lb. I make 2-3 trips to Mi.[avg.640 total miles] and several shorter into Ia. All told less than 3,000/year. I have a cdl/medical card/dot# but want to avoid IFTA requirements for being over 26,000lb gvw. Short of removing a axle, can i legally derate my 7000lb. axles to 5200lbs here in Illnois? Any help appreciated

You derate the GVWR not the GAWR. Removing an axle is optional.

The easiest way is to contact the trailer manufactuer. Your next best bet is a truck body builder or a local trailer dealer.

Don't confuse GVWR with GVW.

powerstroke444e · Nov 7, 2012

Why? In IL just buy the plate for the weight you are going to haul. It that simple.
PM me if you have questions but no reason to change everything or reinspect you just have to pay for the new license plate, and keep the safety sticker current.
I have a 50,000lbs with 20k plates a 18k with 14k plates and had a tri axle gooseneck with 36k plates
just remember in IL you get ticketed if scale weight is more than plate rating or bridge formula or local ordinance which ever brings bigger fine.

Duffster · Nov 7, 2012

powerstroke444e said:
Why? In IL just buy the plate for the weight you are going to haul. It that simple.
PM me if you have questions but no reason to change everything or reinspect you just have to pay for the new license plate, and keep the safety sticker current.
I have a 50,000lbs with 20k plates a 18k with 14k plates and had a tri axle gooseneck with 36k plates
just remember in IL you get ticketed if scale weight is more than plate rating or bridge formula or local ordinance which ever brings bigger fine.

He trying to dodge IFTA. Not license/registration fees.

Pops15 · Nov 7, 2012

powerstroke444e said:
Why? In IL just buy the plate for the weight you are going to haul. It that simple.
PM me if you have questions but no reason to change everything or reinspect you just have to pay for the new license plate, and keep the safety sticker current.
I have a 50,000lbs with 20k plates a 18k with 14k plates and had a tri axle gooseneck with 36k plates
just remember in IL you get ticketed if scale weight is more than plate rating or bridge formula or local ordinance which ever brings bigger fine.

You can't just buy the lower rated tag. You have to fill out a form to register it at the lower rating. It's very simple to do at the Sec. of State office. It's Illinois so of course there is a fee involved. In addition to getting around the regs he'll save a few bucks on his trailer tag.

oldtractors · Nov 7, 2012

It doesn't matter what you have on it for a license plate. If the GVW of the truck+the GVWR of the trailer is greater than 26,000 then you need a CDL and all of the big truck requirements. Even if the trailer is empty. OP is derating to avoid that.

The DOT is pulling over a triple axle and tandem dual trailers because it is almost certain that a CDL is required to have that combination.

Duffster · Nov 7, 2012

oldtractors said:
If the GVW of the truck+the GVWR of the trailer is greater than 26,000 then you need a CDL and all of the big truck requirements.

No. Not really. The trailer has to be over 10k GVWR as well.

oldtractors said:
OP is derating to avoid that.

He alreadt has a CDL. He's trying to avoid IFTA.

Pops15 · Nov 8, 2012

oldtractors said:
It doesn't matter what you have on it for a license plate. If the GVW of the truck+the GVWR of the trailer is greater than 26,000 then you need a CDL and all of the big truck requirements. Even if the trailer is empty. OP is derating to avoid that.

That's why he has to fill out the form at the Sec of State office to change the GVWR of his trailer. It's no big deal. A few bucks and a few minutes is all it takes.