Heavy Duty Pickup Shootout

[Dargo]

A CDL is no big deal. I've seen people with an IQ of room temperature breeze through getting one. However, one HUGE misconception is when it comes to crossing state lines. Here is a DOT quote "A CDL license can ONLY be issued in the driver's STATE OF LEGAL RESIDENCE, and if you have a CDL, you can have NO OTHER DRIVER'S LICENSE in ANY other state.

Many read that as meaning that your CDL is only good in your home state. It's actually a trick question on the CDL test. It simply means that you may not have a regular driver's license in another state. I'm not sure where that would really apply.

 

[Dargo]

ANY vehicle that has a GCWR of over 26,000lbs cannot tow a trailer over 10,000lbs without a CDL-A license.

Not exactly. Here is what it reads in my old handbook from when I was licensed: "A vehicle towing a unit with a manufacturer's GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs. when the GCWR exceeds 26,000 lbs." You have to have a CDL anyway when "a vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 lbs." So, if you'd have to have one anyway. However, if your manufacturer's GCWR is under 26k, you can tow up to that rating without a CDL.

One "exception" that kills me is the one for motor coaches. That exception states "Individuals ....operating motor homes or other vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members, for non business purposes." Some old people driving 35k motor coaches shouldn't be driving a 3500 pound car!

 

[Dmace]

A CDL is no big deal. I've seen people with an IQ of room temperature breeze through getting one. However, one HUGE misconception is when it comes to crossing state lines. Here is a DOT quote "A CDL license can ONLY be issued in the driver's STATE OF LEGAL RESIDENCE, and if you have a CDL, you can have NO OTHER DRIVER'S LICENSE in ANY other state.

I live 3 miles from the boarder of one state and 11 from the boarder of another state. If I wanted to travel around there, it gets a bit more cumbersome.

That does not mean your CDL license is in-valid in any other state, it just means you cannot have more than one license. So you cannot get a DWI or something and have your Michigan CDL license suspended but keep driving with the CDL license you got in Ohio. Think Over-The-Road drivers, they constantly go cross country but only have a CDL license issued from the state they currently reside in.
Yes, getting a CDL is easy but maintaining it (extra cost of renewal, DOT health screening, testing for endorsements, etc...) can be a pain.

Not exactly. Here is what it reads in my old handbook from when I was licensed: "A vehicle towing a unit with a manufacturer's GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs. when the GCWR exceeds 26,000 lbs." You still have to pass 26k with the trailer weight added.

That's exactly what I said, you need a CDL when the "unit being towed is over 10,000 lbs AND THE TRUCK'S GCWR EXCEEDS 26,000lbs". So these Ford's with 29k plus GCWR's are limited to 10k lbs towing without a CDL.

 

[Dargo]

That does not mean your CDL license is in-valid in any other state, it just means you cannot have more than one license. So you cannot get a DWI or something and have your Michigan CDL license suspended but keep driving with the CDL license you got in Ohio. Think Over-The-Road drivers, they constantly go cross country but only have a CDL license issued from the state they currently reside in.
Yes, getting a CDL is easy but maintaining it (extra cost of renewal, DOT health screening, testing for endorsements, etc...) can be a pain.

You replied before I re-phrased what I meant. With "farms" in different states, I have to license that equipment in the state where the equipment primarily resides. Making sure I meet the farm exemptions for CDL licenses and making sure I keep the right truck licensed in the right state etc. gets me really twisted at times if I don't pay attention; especially when some vehicles from the same manufacturer are the the same model year. I've sent in renewals to the wrong state before and actually gotten a plate from the wrong state! Duh!!

 

[medicshawn]

But don't some states have exemptions to the CDL requirement for RV type trailers. Aren't there also farming exemptions. In Virginia there are exemptions for emergency vehicles like fire trucks. So there is a class of people who can buy these vehicles and not have to worry about these requirements.

 

[Duffster]

We obviously have a slow learner in the CDL class.:laughing:

 

[77bronco]

Again, it all comes down to CDL requirements.
ANY vehicle that has a GCWR of over 26,000lbs cannot tow a trailer over 10,000lbs without a CDL-A license. So if you want to obey the law then that Ford with a GCWR of 29k,30k, or 33k lbs can only tow 10,000lbs UNLESS YOU HAVE A CDL-A LICENSE.
That Dodge RAM with a 26,000lb GCWR can tow it's full capacity of 17k lbs WITHOUT A CDL. Ford Super Duty's only have a max tow capacity of 15.7k lbs when under 26,000lbs GCWR. Their GCWR goes from 23,400 to 29,000 with nothing in between.
Like I've said a million times, it a numbers game that Ford likes to play and unless you have a CDL or don't want to obey the law then you can not haul as much as they make you think you can. Of course if you do get that CDL license then the higher GCWR comes in handy.

I don't see how that Dodge 5500 can tow it's max weight and stay under 26k, when it's base curb weight ranges from 7950 to 8300 lbs. When you add a flatbed and 2-4 people and the junk (tools)they are going to be carrying you would be hard pressed to keep the truck under 10-11k, so there goes your 17.6k towing.
Everyone knows that the max towing is figured on the stripped regular cab 4X2 w/ the shortest WB offered.

Oh, and forget the CDL BS, that's got nothing to do with towing capacity, either you get one or you don't. Your choice on whether you want to be "legal" or take your chances on getting stopped.
But realistically if you're going tow over about 14-15k you should be using a class 6 or 7 truck regardless of what the MFG say their trucks can do....

 

[doall]

if a 2500 or 3500 is perfectly capable of towing 15000, why a 6 or 7 series truck? The newer HD trucks with trailer brakes and plenty of power seem to get it done pretty easy.

 

[Duffster]

Again, it all comes down to CDL requirements.
ANY vehicle that has a GCWR of over 26,000lbs cannot tow a trailer over 10,000lbs without a CDL-A license. So if you want to obey the law then that Ford with a GCWR of 29k,30k, or 33k lbs can only tow 10,000lbs UNLESS YOU HAVE A CDL-A LICENSE.

You know dang well that isn't the GCWR they are talking about.

Quick question.

Say you have a Dodge 3500 with a 13k GVWR/26k GCWR towing a 14k GVWR trailer, what class license would you need?

Now take a F350 with a 13k GVWR/29k GCWR towing a 14k GVWR trailer, now what class of license would you need?

 

[doall]

just tell us. Regular license?