Ford F600 towing capacity

[Duffster]

Talked to an good person at the DMT and they reconfirmed that in Wisconsin no CDL is required as long as the total is below 26,000 lbs. This applies even if used for commerical or personal activity. They also told me from the VIN number that the GVR ranges between 16,500 - 19,500. I am looking at the lighter version at 16,500 so as long as I tow below 10,000lbs on the trailer and not load more than 7,000 or so on the truck it should keep me under that 26,000lbs. However, to know for sure I will eventually have to weigh the truck. Thanks for all your help.

Your truck could go all the way up to 26k and still pull a 10k trailer without needing a CDL.

Just a heads up.

Getting close to making a decision this week. Only new information I was given is that even though I can put a farm plate on the truck with no CDL requirements I still need a commerical insurance policy on the truck given it has a dump bed. Overall, rates are not bad but still double what a personal farm policy would run me.

Who told you that?

 

[ahlkey]

The details came from two separate insurance companies. A third insurance firm was unable to quote any insurance on this truck since they all claimed the VIN number on this truck required commercial insurance and they did not have the capability to offer it. I was surprised given that this truck will carry a FARM license but it is what it is I guess.

Thanks for the details on the CDL. I guess it doesn't really matter as the truck is only rated at 16,500 GVW so even if fully loaded and then I pull a 10K trailer I will only be over the 26K level by 500 lbs or so. Good to know though.

Well tomorrow I should know if everything works out. Appreciate all the advice.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I would check around if the truck is used for ag you should be able to put on a farm policy. With company I represent on commercial side you would be under $500 per year for liablity insurance on this truck. FYI I don't sell in WI. Enjoy the new truck.

 

[Harold_J]

...Thanks for the details on the CDL. I guess it doesn't really matter as the truck is only rated at 16,500 GVW so even if fully loaded and then I pull a 10K trailer I will only be over the 26K level by 500 lbs or so...

It sounds like you are still not understanding the CDL thing. If the trailer is rated 10K or less it doesn't matter what the GVW of the truck is, as long as the truck itself is not rated over 26K. You can have a 10K trailer behind a 26K truck and no CDL is needed.

The DOT numbers on the truck are another matter. Wisconsin is one of the states that requires DOT registration even if the truck/trailer is only used for commerce within the state. Take a look at this link: Online Registration and Compliance Assistant: 4.60
it shows the states that issue and require DOT numbers for commercial vehicles (usually any truck or combination over 10K).

If you want to run thru the whole DOT thing start here: Registration & Assistance: USDOT Number/Operating Authority - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and click where is says step-by-step guide.

I don't know about Wisconsin, but NY for example requires the DOT registration on any commercial vehicle over 10K. This is the same as the federal requirement for interstate use, so I suspect WI would be similar.

 

[ahlkey]

My understanding of the CDL is clear. Your right I previously thought the 26,000 referred to combined weight but what I see now it applies to the truck itself and you still can pull a 10,000lb trailer. In my case, the truck is only rated at 16,500 so the maximum with a 10K trailer would be 26,500.

I talked this morning with the DOT and they confirmed that any vehicle 10,001 and above requires commerical insurance and a DOT sticker. However, an exemption for FARM vehicles did exist and I was asked to reconfirm the current status with the State Patrol Enforcement office. One thing I did find out is that the DOT sticker is free and a simple online registration process. They did recommend though that even though you are exempt in Wisconsin to go ahead and have it done since you could cross State lines and the State Patrol may routinely pull you over and without the DOT sticker and more questions will come up.

 

[ahlkey]

Just as I submitted this I got my callback from the State Patrol Enforcement Office and they confirmed to me that NO DOT registration exemption exists any longer for FARM vehicles. The requirements are anything over the 10,000 GVWR limit. It seems a pretty easy process though to get the DOT registration. Learn something everyday. Thanks again.

 

[Duffster]

Just as I submitted this I got my callback from the State Patrol Enforcement Office and they confirmed to me that NO DOT registration exemption exists any longer for FARM vehicles. The requirements are anything over the 10,000 GVWR limit. It seems a pretty easy process though to get the DOT registration. Learn something everyday. Thanks again.

Getting the DOT number is the easy part. Getting everything that goes with it is the hard part.

You realize you will need a Med Card?

 

[ahlkey]

What is a Med Card?

 

[Duffster]

What is a Med Card?

Proof of a DOT physical.

 

[downslope]

Getting the DOT number is the easy part. Getting everything that goes with it is the hard part.

You realize you will need a Med Card?

Are you sure that everyone driving a vehicle with DOT numbers needs a Med Card? It's my understanding that the DOT registrations that are for intrastate only do not require med cards, safety audits, logs, etc. These would be the DOT numbers that have a state sufix at the end like NY, WI, etc. My friend has a 20,000 GVW rollback truck for his business, it has the DOT numbers that end in NY and he does not need to have any of the above. He can only use the truck for in-state (NY) business. I'm not sure if this is the same for all states that require the numbers for in_state business.