Do I really need a 10k gvw?

[LarryRB]

My trailer is 3100#, it also includes a large steel box loaded with chains and binders

 

[Woody_NH]

My 16' 10K trailer weighs about 2,200 lbs giving it about 7,800 lbs payload capacity. My 3320 with FEL and loaded tires is about 4,500 lbs leaving about 3,300 for other items, plenty for me but maybe not for you. As you can see from the photo, there is not a lot of room for other items unless I get the bucket up on the A frame.

If I had your potential load to haul, I would get a 20' trailer for sure and probably the 12K GVWR. You don't want to be running at max load all the time.

My guess is that for 20' trailers the 10K would weigh about 2,600 lbs and the 12K would be 2,800 to 3,000 lbs.

 

[AndyMA]

As LarryRB can tell you there is a huge difference between a 10,000 and a 12,000 GVW trailer. Anything pulled over 10,000 requires a CDL in Conn.

Andy

 

[BarryinMN]

I'd jump to 22'-26' and 12K or even 14K deckover. You will use the capacity sooner rather than later & price difference is minimal.

Backhoes need room to stretch. Add anything else & you are out of room or the balance is off.

I bought a 12K 16' +2' ramp skid steer trailer and a 7k backhoe stretches from bh bucket on A frame to loader bucket behind the vertical 5' loading ramps off the back.

Well below the weight ratings but clumsy.

 

[jimainiac]

We had a heavy duty 20' trailer built for us and had it labelled for 10K GVW so's not to run afoul of the license law. When the L3830 is on it with the 6' bushog, the tail wheel hangs over the back of the trailer - wish it was a couple feet longer.

 

[markct]

As LarryRB can tell you there is a huge difference between a 10,000 and a 12,000 GVW trailer. Anything pulled over 10,000 requires a CDL in Conn.

Andy

thats exactly right, just last thursday i was at a seminar with sargent Bridges i think thats spelled correctly, he is one of the head guys of the connecticut DMV commercial vehichle unit, connecticut as well as many other states now follow the federal standards for instate trucks, interstate trucks always had to follow the fed standards. and yes anything over 10,000 lbs in tow you must have a class A cdl. thats how it is nationwide. also any vehichle with a combined weight of over 18,000 you need a dot number,medical card, logbook etc ( 10,000lb trailer and 9,000lb truck for example) if your going to be going outa state then at 10,000lbs total weight you need medical card and dot numbers etc. again, thats the federal mandate, individual states can be more strict than that but not less strict. basicly there are alot of one ton dualies out there that should have dot numbers on them, it doesnt matter if your a bussiness or not, if you cross a state line with that truck you would be in violation. i had a discussion with him about this after since its an area of particular interest to me since i had been thinking of gettin a f 450 but since i need dot numbers and card to leave the state or even tow my 8,000lb trailer with that setup, i probably will just put my ford L600 back on the road when the time comes since either one needs dot numbers now

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

So what your saying is that if I get a 12k gvw trailer and tow it with my 3/4 ton loaded or not I'll be in violation? Or is it only if the trailer is loaded over the 10k limit I would need the cdl? This is getting more and more complicated. I'm pretty sure my tractor with fel and hoe will weigh no more than 6k and I belive a 10k trailer will weigh in at around 2200-2500 so I should be towing no more than 9k ( chains load binders spare tires etc) I'm not sure what my truck alone weighs. I will be makeing trips to RI and upstate NY very infrequently. I just want the ability to tow the tractor if I need to. Would this towing configuration require me to stop a weigh station? Do the towing rules apply differently in other states or does it default to the state the vehicles registered in? I glad I posted this before making a purchase.

Matt T.

 

[BarryinMN]

Your GVW's of truck and trailer combined need to stay below 26K to avoid federal rules. Actual weight does not count unless you are running overweight

Don't know about back East, but Iowa has weigh stations posted 4 ton & over must weigh. As a practical matter they just wave me through. I have a 1 ton dump (12K) pulling 12K trailer. My truck is farm licensed with a DOT # on the doors and I do get annual DOT inspection stickers for both vehicles.

Where things get cloudy is for hire: example Landscape employee's in a pickup pulling a bobcat to a job site on a over 10K trailer. Well below the 26K GVW federal standard, but the state is going after heavy trailers. In this case MN wants inspection DOT's, Medical card, CDL and logbooks. An employee on a time clock might pass for a logbook.

I simply stay personal use but do have a current DOT medical card for the 12k trailer. MN state patrol keys on personal use.

I did talk to a ND commercial vehicle inspector at the Big Iron Farm show in Sept. & he wouldn't care - even the DOT# on the doors was still up in the air. As long as safe driving & lights worked etc. I would be ignored.

Check out the cost of commercial insurance before deciding to go commercial route.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

It seems the more replies I get the more confused I am. So If I were to buy a 12k gvw trailer I need a cdl in ct? Or if I exceed 26k (truck and trailer loaded) I need a cdl? I sure wish they could make these issues more clear to understand. I have noticed that the trailer dealers in CT are titleing at 9900 rather than 10k. I'm from RI and was planing on buying a trailer from a dealer in RI. I was going to go with the 12k gvw 20' equipment hauler bumper pull pintal hitch setup. But after this thread I'm afraid to make a more. Lets say I buy a 12k trailer and go to register it in CT. Will the DMV require a CDL to register it or will I be able to tell them the Max amount of weigh I'll be hauling?( this is how it is in MA.) Or will I have to get a trailer under the 10k so I won't need the cdl?

Thanks
Matt T.

 

[LarryRB]

On my 12,000 trailer, went inside the registry, Enfield office. Guy came out and did a quick DOT check,, brakes and lights, and two chock blocks. Went back inside the registry office an registered the trailer at 12K. Quick easy and simple. No one asked me what type of drivers license I hold.