OK...Deckover or Lowboy

[Farmwithjunk]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Wouldn't the key word be "commercial"? )</font>

I've had the law explained to me by the guys who INTERPRET and ENFORCE the law. The Vehicle Enforcement Officers. (Kentucky) Most states follow basically the same guidelines.

As was explained to me, here's how I understand the current laws.

Anything (except RV's) over 26,001LBS GVWR are considered commercial, no matter what, are subject to CDL.. Anything 10,001 Lb. GVWR and above USED AS A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE, require CDL. NON-COMMERCIAL truck/trailer combo's under 26,000 GVWR don't require CDL and associated formalities.

It was explained to me that the recent change to include 10,001 lb GVWR truck/trailer combo's was to cover the large number of lawncare operators, who ARE commercial, and fell through the cracks on compliance with DOT regs.

Yes, COMMERCIAL is the key.

 

[RayH]

All states fall under federal lCDL laws but they vary as far as requirements for DOT registration.

Straight from the KY CDL manual.

http://www.kentuckystatepolice.org/pdf/CDL%20Driver%20Manual.pdf

"Operators of vehicles described below MUST apply for a CDL.
Class A CDL
*Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds
or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is more than 10,000 pounds.
NOTE: The gross vehicle weight rating is the total of the empty weight of the vehicle, the load or
cargo weight capacity, and the passenger weight capacity. If the GVWR is not listed on a sticker,
located in the vehicle glove box or inside the driver side door, contact your vehicle’s manufacturer
for this information.
Class B CDL
*Any straight truck with two or more axles and a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
*Any vehicle with two or more axles and a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, pulling a
vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less.
*A single vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) if the
GVWR is 26,001 pounds or more."

You can drive a 10001 lbs commercial vehicle without CDL but you need a DOT number and you must maintain a DOT physical.
Its a shame that the people that enforce this stuff cant seem to read or maybe theyre not communicating the difference between needing a DOT number and DOT physical card and having a CDL.

 

[RayH]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( Wouldn't the key word be "commercial"? )</font>

Time for Texas.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/CDLhandbook.pdf



"Different Classes of Commercial Driver Licenses
There are three (3) basic types or classes of Commercial
Driver Licenses. They are described below. For further information,
refer to the diagram on page ix. This diagram helps
a person determine which class of license he/she needs and
which section(s) of the handbook to study.
CLASS A: Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination
weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more,
provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the
vehicle or vehicles towed exceeds 10,000
pounds;
CLASS B: Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight
rating of 26,001 pounds or more, any one of
those vehicles towing a vehicle that does not
exceed 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating,
and any vehicle designed to transport 24
passengers or more, including the driver; and a
Class B license will be restricted to operating
busses under 26,001 pounds GVWR if the skills
test is taken in a bus with a GVWR of less than
26,001 pounds; and
CLASS C: Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles
that is not a Class A or Class B if the vehicle is:
1) designed to transport 16 to 23 passengers
including the driver; or
2) used in the transportation of hazardous materials
that require the vehicle to be placarded
under 49 CFR, Part 172, Subpart F."

TX has different classes of noncommercial licenses to cover anything that isnt commercial but as you can see, their commercial regs remain the same as the rest of the country. Also, a commercial vehicle can be anything over 10000lbs, but a CDL isnt required to drive it unless its over 26000lbs.

 

[5030]

Ray:

We went from gooseneck trailers to Capitol Hill. Glad I am a farmer. Makes me exempt from most things except........

 

[RayH]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Ray:

We went from gooseneck trailers to Capitol Hill. Glad I am a farmer. Makes me exempt from most things except........ )</font>

I know, I appoligize. My frustration with this issue has bled over from other threads.
Its just that I feel like Im in the Twilight Zone or everyone has gotten together to play some kind of cruel joke on me.
It doesnt matter how many times the CDL laws are posted for all to see in black and white, somebody always comes up with " I heard this, someone told me this or someone inturpreted this.
I know everyone is getting sick of hearing an arrogant know it all (me) but I do truely know Im right about this and have proven it but my evidence has been ignored.

 

[Thorndike]

Ray; I'm in agreement with ya!!!! But I'll be the first to admit that I'm not an expert on everything known to man. Soemtimes ya just has ta ignore things. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[LarryRB]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
Its a shame that the people that enforce this stuff cant seem to read or maybe theyre not communicating the difference between needing a DOT number and DOT physical card and having a CDL. )</font>

I think the way to look at this is, each state comes up with it's own gimmicks to increase the state funds problems... Ct is no different in that they "interpret" differently than surrounding states other than New Yorkk. Your tax dollars at work, creating more tax dollars/./

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Well it looks like the deckover gets the most votes. I was pretty sure this was the way to go but the dealer had a lowboy on his lot and no deckover at the time I was there. So wanting to get one ASAP, my judgement was a little clouded.

Glad you guys set me straight. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

As far as the CDL's, every tractor dealership and trailer dealership has told me that 10,001# and you need CDL in NC.
I was planning on going by DMV today but someone gave me 75 pieces of 2-1/2 x 6" x 8' oak boards so I could not pass that up.

Framwithjunk, how hard is it to raise the hinged dovetail and does it cause any problem with implements attached? Do you have to keep the implement raised until you raise the dovetail or is your trailer long enough that this is not a problem?

I like the winch idea...I think that was from 5030.

I have been off from work for T-day vacation so haven't had much time to get on line.

Need to go back to work so I can rest /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks for all the replys. I will go with the deckover, now I just need to decide on length...24' +.

 

[billfires]

Ray, it is the same in Mass, only need CDL if trailer is over 10000 lbs GVW and is being towed by a truck with GVW over 26000. Bill C

 

[JESSE1]

Here's what I use. Fleetneck 28' dovetail with 12,000# axles. The ramps are spring loaded and take a lot of weight off lifting them.