lo-boy versus over-the-wheel flatbed gooseneck?

[powerstroke444e]

I have an idea, instead of trying to get around the law just get a CDL in IL its like $100 or so when you renew and you need to have a medical card. If you can't afford the the cdl or pass the medical exam you should not be on the road anyway. This discussion is like beating a dead horse. Have a safe rig and don't overload the weakest link, what ever that may be, tires, axles, hitch, max CGVW or your ablity and insurance policy.

At least you will be safe and insured, which is all I care about.

to OP go with a the biggest axles and trailer you can handle beacuse if your farm is anything like ours you will overload it sooner or later.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Unfortunately, in CA you need a commercial Class A license to tow a single vehicle with a GVWR greater than 10,000 lb with the exception of a 5th wheel travel trailer as I noted previously.

Then that means you would need a CDL to drive my F-350 to the grocery store. Many 1 Tons have GVWR above 11,500# and the Ford has a GVWR of 13,000#. Does not make since to me??

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Hey Chris, I'm going to be in your state on Monday near Martinsville. I'm guessing I might not be legal there with my truck and trailer? My CVWR is 16K. Now my actual will be well below but the potential with the 14K trailer is way over. Here in Ohio it is not a problem. And of course I'm not for hire.

You will not have a problem. My sister lives in the next town north of Martinsville, Mooresville. I drive those roads all the time. Best way to go is take I 70 to 67 South. Its stop and go for about 10 miles but a nice 4 lane road then smooth sailing.

Chris

 

[flusher]

Then that means you would need a CDL to drive my F-350 to the grocery store. Many 1 Tons have GVWR above 11,500# and the Ford has a GVWR of 13,000#. Does not make since to me??

Chris

Nope. You can DRIVE a 2-axle vehicle with GVWR up to 26,000 lb in CA with a class C license. So no problem driving that F350.

The 10,000 lb GVWR upper limit on a class C license applies to a vehicle (e.g. a trailer) that's being TOWED.

So, if I understand the CA regs correctly, if you TOWED another F350 like yours with your F350 on a class C license using a vehicle towing hitch or a towing dolly, you would be afoul of the law. You'd need a class A CDL to do that.

 

[Dargo]

I drive those roads all the time. Best way to go is take I 70 to 67 South. Its stop and go for about 10 miles but a nice 4 lane road then smooth sailing.

Chris

Unless you want to use your cell phone. I get a lot of dead areas right in that area with AT&T and Verizon.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Soooooo.....

For the sake of arguement...

If you can get a pickup truck/trailer combo GVWR up over 26k lbs.... (lets just assume GVWR on the truck of 14k and trailer has a GVWR of 14k)... Could you use that setup to take your CDL Driving test?

 

[flusher]

Soooooo.....

For the sake of arguement...

If you can get a pickup truck/trailer combo GVWR up over 26k lbs.... (lets just assume GVWR on the truck of 14k and trailer has a GVWR of 14k)... Could you use that setup to take your CDL Driving test?

I'm no expert on this stuff, but I think so, provided the GCWR of the towing vehicle is not exceeded.

So something like a 2008 F350 6.4L diesel 4x2 SRW with 4.88:1 rear end and a GCWR of 33,000 lb apparently would be OK for taking the CDL driving test with that 14K GVWR trailer. The spec sheet for that particular F350 model has the max towing weight speced at 16,900 lb for a 5th wheel or GN hitch.

2008 Ford Super Duty F250 F350 Technical Specifications

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Soooooo.....

For the sake of arguement...

If you can get a pickup truck/trailer combo GVWR up over 26k lbs.... (lets just assume GVWR on the truck of 14k and trailer has a GVWR of 14k)... Could you use that setup to take your CDL Driving test?

I'm sure every state is different, but here in Idaho you are expected to take your test in a vehicle that has all the endorsements you want on your license... Air brakes, tanker, doubles and triples, Hazmat placards, etc.

You can take your test in a pickup truck if that's all you ever plan on driving.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I'm sure every state is different, but here in Idaho you are expected to take your test in a vehicle that has all the endorsements you want on your license... Air brakes, tanker, doubles and triples, Hazmat placards, etc.

You can take your test in a pickup truck if that's all you ever plan on driving.

I can understand that when it comes to the Tanker/Doubles/Hazmat/etc... and at the same time...its easy for the State Police to see if you have the air-brake endorsement...

BUT....what would stop a person from taking the Class 1 CDL with a "Class 1 Pickup Truck" and then down the road upgrading to something like a Freightliner M2 or such...I've seen some with Hydraulic brakes...

I guess what I'm saying is how can that be enforced? Other then the air-brake endorsement?
My cousin took his Class 1 CDL with a Pete 379 Day Cab/Short WB & a 28' "shorty" dry van...easy to back up, etc... Once the license is in his pocket he can drive anything he wants...

 

[Diamondpilot]

My neighbor who works for the phone company got his CDL in a Ford E350 van pulling a Generator Cart. He then changed jobs, still with the same phone company, but was required to drive a boom truck with air brakes so he took a test in it to get his air brakes endorsement. Long story short he has never steeped foot in a semi but with his cdl and air brake endorsement he could drive one if a insurance company covered him.

Chris