Derating a trailer

[Morning Wood]

I’ve actually got a CAM Superline dump. It’s a 7x12 deckover. 7k axles. They usually rate it at 15,900 gvwr I think. Or something like that. I had them derate it to 14k. My truck is 12k. Mass does registration by every 1000 lbs.

 

[DaKing]

In my state NM, you can buy a permanent plate for trailers. So instead of paying yearly for reg fee's, you only pay one fee for life. I think paid ~$120 for a life tag, plate and all. (May have been $240, not sure it was awhile ago.)

Turns out its limited to weights under certain number. Not sure on that number, maybe 9900#?

I went to tag my new Dump Trailer, and wanted to buy a permanent plate. The DMV lady told me the weight rating was too high. Thats when I discovered the permanent plates are only good for trailers under a set rating. I'm debating on de rating this 14,000# dump, so I can buy a permanent plate.

Another reason to de rate is to save on taxes. Same as HD Trucks, the heaver the truck, the higher the tag fees. Cost more to reg / tag a 1-Ton, then say a 1/2 ton truck. Reason I went with a 2500, instead of a 3500.

 

[paulfun9]

So how much money do you actually save by registering a 14K# trailer down to, say, 12K# ?

I honestly don't know the costs off the top of my head but can say for sure if you have a class 7 combination on your truck to haul a 12K trailer behind compared to the class 8 needed to haul a 14K trailer (about the average based on truck weight) the tags for the truck would be about 100 less per year and then the savings on the trailer tags being slightly less. This isn't a big deal for those of us who tow on a regular basis but someone who tows only a few times a year would certainly want to save some money here if possible.

 

[ch47dpilot]

maybe a silly question, who's best to call to find laws in your state? State police, DMV ect. I'm looking at a 20K trailer but based on what has been written I maybe in for more than I'm bargaining. I currently have a 2500 duramax but hope to 1 day get a 1 ton dually. I figured get the bigger trailer now even though I never plan to haul that much. That way when I get the dually I won't need to upgrade trailer.

 

[fried1765]

maybe a silly question, who's best to call to find laws in your state? State police, DMV ect. I'm looking at a 20K trailer but based on what has been written I maybe in for more than I'm bargaining. I currently have a 2500 duramax but hope to 1 day get a 1 ton dually. I figured get the bigger trailer now even though I never plan to haul that much. That way when I get the dually I won't need to upgrade trailer.

If you planning get a 20K GVWR trailer to pull either behind your Duramax, or behind a 1 ton dually, you are definitely going to need a CDL,.....no matter what state you are in.

 

[paulfun9]

maybe a silly question, who's best to call to find laws in your state? State police, DMV ect. I'm looking at a 20K trailer but based on what has been written I maybe in for more than I'm bargaining. I currently have a 2500 duramax but hope to 1 day get a 1 ton dually. I figured get the bigger trailer now even though I never plan to haul that much. That way when I get the dually I won't need to upgrade trailer.

Start with the truck by checking the Vin number with the factory for its actual tow rating not just what it says in the manual as that number is sometimes different based on factory options.
Second go to a scale and weigh the truck full of fluids and the average cargo you would normally have when towing. Things like tool boxes and passengers or like me a big cooler with lunch and extra drinks in it.
Then go to the DMV or at the least your states Web site and start reading. I find it best to just go in and get the info right on the spot when needed but some states don't have a very efficient DMV.
Be prepared to get a CDL if your planning on having a combined weight over 26K

Knowing the true weight, how much each axel can legally handle will make buying the trailer a much better experience.

 

[joeu235]

If you planning get a 20K GVWR trailer to pull either behind your Duramax, or behind a 1 ton dually, you are definitely going to need a CDL,.....no matter what state you are in.

Get a farm plate in Texas. $4 per year and unlimited weight.

 

[Btown]

Register your trailer in Maine!
You do not need to live in Maine, or have a Maine mailing address.
License plate/registration fee is $20 per year, weight does not matter, and you can register for up to 12 years at one time.
There are currently well over 850,000 trailers registered in Maine (the population is only 1.5 M).
Call... Country Wide Trailer Registrations (Jen? I think)
Their phone number is: 207-922-2650
As you drive around, check out over the road trailers, you will see LOTS of Maine trailer plates.

The only problem with Maine tags are they do not rate the weight of the trailer. In Maine that goes to the vehicle towing it. Get pulled over in a state with a load on it, which requires load limits, you are over weight and can be fined.

 

[fried1765]

The only problem with Maine tags are they do not rate the weight of the trailer. In Maine that goes to the vehicle towing it. Get pulled over in a state with a load on it, which requires load limits, you are over weight and can be fined.

I agree!
.... and of course,.... a bolt of lightening might also strike at exactly the same time.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Oklahoma does not require CDL until you exceed the following. So a one ton pickup and a trailor requires no CDL unless your 26,001 lbs or more.

“Class A CDL drivers. Drive vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or greater, or any combination of vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or greater when towing a trailer weighing more than 10,000 pounds.

 

[LD1]

These CDL and trailering threads are always nothing but confusion. And its to the point I honestly think no one really knows what you can get away with when and where. And every case is different

Register your trailer in Maine!
You do not need to live in Maine, or have a Maine mailing address.
License plate/registration fee is $20 per year, weight does not matter, and you can register for up to 12 years at one time.
There are currently well over 850,000 trailers registered in Maine (the population is only 1.5 M).
Call... Country Wide Trailer Registrations (Jen? I think)
Their phone number is: 207-922-2650
As you drive around, check out over the road trailers, you will see LOTS of Maine trailer plates.

IMO, pulling a trailer with a pickup (hauling equipment like most of us do) and you aint in maine....thats gonna throw a red flag and get you noticed....and pulled over more likely than if you had a resident plate. They are gonna wonder what you are doing so far from maine, and wonder if you are engaging in interstate commerce (commercial) activities.

We have a PJ Gooseneck Deckover which would normally have a 15,200 lbs GVWR. We had PJ label it 14,690 lb, and then Colorado DMV issued a title with that same GVWR. With our F-350's GVWR of 11,300 lb we come in at 25,990. The F-350 (SRW) GCWR is around 23,500 lb IIRC.

Thats great till you upgrade trucks to a 12.2000 gvwr, or 13k, or a new 14k truck.
Its all a money game. Its down right stupid in my opinion when someone needs a special license to tow a 1-ton and 16k GN, but same trailer is fine behind a 3/4 ton.....or same dually truck is fine with a 14k GN. Just makes no sense at all

maybe a silly question, who's best to call to find laws in your state? State police, DMV ect. I'm looking at a 20K trailer but based on what has been written I maybe in for more than I'm bargaining. I currently have a 2500 duramax but hope to 1 day get a 1 ton dually. I figured get the bigger trailer now even though I never plan to haul that much. That way when I get the dually I won't need to upgrade trailer.

Everyone will have different answers from my experience with talking to "people" on the phone and asking questions. Best resource is states DMV/BMV website and whats in black and white. Now weather its followed to the letter of the law is a good question for locals

Oklahoma does not require CDL until you exceed the following. So a one ton pickup and a trailor requires no CDL unless your 26,001 lbs or more.

“Class A CDL drivers. Drive vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or greater, or any combination of vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or greater when towing a trailer weighing more than 10,000 pounds.

Dont know about OK, but most places, even OVER 26k.....DO NOT REQUIRE a CDL UNLESS you are hauling commercially.
Non-commercial licenses can be had in difference classes. And may be what you need. But remember what the C stands for in CDL

 

[fried1765]

These CDL and trailering threads are always nothing but confusion. And its to the point I honestly think no one really knows what you can get away with when and where. And every case is different



IMO, pulling a trailer with a pickup (hauling equipment like most of us do) and you aint in maine....thats gonna throw a red flag and get you noticed....and pulled over more likely than if you had a resident plate. They are gonna wonder what you are doing so far from maine, and wonder if you are engaging in interstate commerce (commercial) activities.



Thats great till you upgrade trucks to a 12.2000 gvwr, or 13k, or a new 14k truck.
Its all a money game. Its down right stupid in my opinion when someone needs a special license to tow a 1-ton and 16k GN, but same trailer is fine behind a 3/4 ton.....or same dually truck is fine with a 14k GN. Just makes no sense at all



Everyone will have different answers from my experience with talking to "people" on the phone and asking questions. Best resource is states DMV/BMV website and whats in black and white. Now weather its followed to the letter of the law is a good question for locals



Dont know about OK, but most places, even OVER 26k.....DO NOT REQUIRE a CDL UNLESS you are hauling commercially.
Non-commercial licenses can be had in difference classes. And may be what you need. But remember what the C stands for in CDL

"that's gonna throw a red flag and you get noticed...and pulled over more likely than if you had a resident plate".

There are more than 850,000 trailers registered in Maine.
I see 18 wheel commercial haulers all up and down the East coast, and beyond, with Maine trailer registrations.
I have yet to see any size trailer pulled over with a Maine registration.

 

[joeu235]

"that's gonna throw a red flag and you get noticed...and pulled over more likely than if you had a resident plate".

There are more than 850,000 trailers registered in Maine.
I see 18 wheel commercial haulers all up and down the East coast, and beyond, with Maine trailer registrations.
I have yet to see any size trailer pulled over with a Maine registration.

I think there's a difference between a semi with out of state tags and a truck with a utility tractor on a trailer.

 

[LD1]

I think there's a difference between a semi with out of state tags and a truck with a utility tractor on a trailer.

Yup.

Everyone sees an 18-wheeler and pretty much first though is interstate commerce. I see semi tags from all over the country, its a given.

BUT.......Farmer John towing a 14k GN with a 50HP tractor on it, around the backroads of missouri.......with MAINE tags on it.....yea thats gonna draw some attention from LEO's

 

[paulfun9]

The only problem with Maine tags are they do not rate the weight of the trailer. In Maine that goes to the vehicle towing it. Get pulled over in a state with a load on it, which requires load limits, you are over weight and can be fined.

This isn't actually a problem and is part of the reason why the trailer needs to be marked with a factory weight rating (just like the one on the door of your truck). If you get pulled over they will use that to determine if the trailer is overweight. Now if the registration doesn't state the weight and there is no weight rating affixed to the trailer, then you might have a problem.

 

[fried1765]

This isn't actually a problem and is part of the reason why the trailer needs to be marked with a factory weight rating (just like the one on the door of your truck). If you get pulled over they will use that to determine if the trailer is overweight. Now if the registration doesn't state the weight and there is no weight rating affixed to the trailer, then you might have a problem.

I believe that it is federal law that ALL trailers (unless" home built") have a manufacturer GVWR sticker attached.

 

[paulfun9]

I believe that it is federal law that ALL trailers (unless" home built") have a manufacturer GVWR sticker attached.

I am not sure but I think that they even issue something for home built trailers when you title and register them. I have a friend that I can ask about it the next time I see her.

 

[bcp]

Something I read recently said that if a trailer doesn't have a weight rating, the DOT officer will measure the axle diameter.

How To Determine the Weight Capacity For a Trailer Axle | etrailer.com

Bruce

 

[paulfun9]

These CDL and trailering threads are always nothing but confusion. And its to the point I honestly think no one really knows what you can get away with when and where. And every case is different

Not confused at all. I know that all my trucks and trailers will be legal at any stop anywhere in the USA. I also know what we can get away with around here but wont be telling folks what can usually get past when the fines for not being legal are very expensive and the cost for purchasing the wrong trailer and having to sell it off to replace with one you can legally haul is also a money loosing ordeal for most.

 

[FatTire]

Thats great till you upgrade trucks to a 12.2000 gvwr, or 13k, or a new 14k truck.
Its all a money game. Its down right stupid in my opinion when someone needs a special license to tow a 1-ton and 16k GN, but same trailer is fine behind a 3/4 ton.....or same dually truck is fine with a 14k GN. Just makes no sense at all



Dont know about OK, but most places, even OVER 26k.....DO NOT REQUIRE a CDL UNLESS you are hauling commercially.
Non-commercial licenses can be had in difference classes. And may be what you need. But remember what the C stands for in CDL

Correct, my GVWR rate only works with my current truck or one with a lower GVWR. In Colorado you do need a CDL for any combination over 26K EXCEPT for RV's. And if you get caught for one infraction (like not having a valid license for the load) your traffic stop is likely to expand into additional territory safety inspection and even scale weights if they have a guy nearby who can do it. That said, I see SRW F-350's pulling loads that obviously way beyond the GCWR on state highways around here all the time so its not like you can't get away with it, at least for a while.