Scaled my tow rig

[QRTRHRS]

All states are now required to have the same drivers license weight/combination vehicle standards by federal law. Illinois considers all pickup trucks to be class II vehicles.

True to a point for commercial interstate traffic using federally funded highways. State and local roads can be regulated to restrict interstate traffic. Intrastate rules can and do vary.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I think if I've done anything wrong here it's that I bought too much trailer for what I generally pull it with. I'm no where near hitting the capacity of the trailer before I go over the GCWR of the truck. As someone mentioned I could have bought a single wheeled trailer, lighter duty weight rating, and hauled what I need to haul and easily saved the 1090 lbs that I'm over. The plus side to this trailer is it carries my load like it's empty, no squishy swaying feeling and it has awesome brakes. Still goes back to my earlier statement that I think I just need a heavier duty truck.

If I did my math correctly, your two vehicles together weigh 8210lb. You would be pretty close on the gross with a 14k trailer.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Good debate. Good comments.

As for the Bumper Hitch discussion. That's a mute point for me. No way I'd sell the GN to get a Bumper Hitch trailer 30' long and try to haul my two Jeeps, WD hitch or not. The movie "Wag The Dog" comes to mind.

I talked to a Hiway Patrol and he said I don't need a CDL for what I'm doing. He did say I am required to cross the scales if I'm loaded, blow by them if I'm empty. I have 24K license on the truck. He said if I were licensed higher than 24K I'd need a CDL. Was also told that by a Tow Truck Owner/Operator. He wanted to put a heavier license on his Super Duty but didn't because his wife would then be required to have CDL to drive it.

I'm stuck on what to do about the 1090 lbs. I'm not losing the dovetail, it probably doesn't weigh that much and if I lost it I'd have to carry a couple good heavy ramps so for sure wouldn't gain that much. I think I need a bigger truck......

I'm pretty content with how much weight is on the truck. It doesn't drive like it needs more on the front axle, I was just surprised more wasn't added as I loaded. I can't move the ball without serious modification. I could pull the rear Jeep further forward and load the rear axle of the truck more but that doesn't appear to be necessary either.

I think if I've done anything wrong here it's that I bought too much trailer for what I generally pull it with. I'm no where near hitting the capacity of the trailer before I go over the GCWR of the truck. As someone mentioned I could have bought a single wheeled trailer, lighter duty weight rating, and hauled what I need to haul and easily saved the 1090 lbs that I'm over. The plus side to this trailer is it carries my load like it's empty, no squishy swaying feeling and it has awesome brakes. Still goes back to my earlier statement that I think I just need a heavier duty truck.

Thanks for all the comments. A bunch of us are going on a 500 mile trip in a couple weeks wheeling in Kansas. We'll swap Jeeps around so I get a lighter load to get under my GCWR and see how we get along.

Two points come to mind.

I have a 2004 F-250 that is Diesel, 4x4, with a extended cab and short bed. Weighs 7,500#. I have a 2006 F-350 SRW Diesel 4x4 with a extended cab and short bed also. It weighs 7,600#

Point #1 is how much lighter your truck is than my 2004 that is identical for the most part and my 06 F-350 that once again is the same for the most part.

Point #2 is that I was in the same boat as you. Had the F-250 and bought a heavier boat. The F-250 was just not enough truck and had to get the F-350.

By the way my 04 F-250 has a 10,000# GVWR leaving a honest 2,500# payload/pin weight.

My 06 SRW F-350 has a 11,500# GVWR leaving a honest 3,900# payload/pin weight.

Chris

 

[oldtractors]

According to federal law he is Commercial. He is over 26k CGVWR and towing over 10k GVWR making him a class A. He would only be non commercial if specifically exempt like an RV or farm vehicle.

It doesn't really matter what the trailer weighs and over 10k alone doesn't require a class A. It has to be over 26k CGVWR as well. You only need a class B if the tow vehicle is over 26k GVWR.

Dual wheels do make a difference as it is pretty safe to assume that the trailer GVWR is 20k or over so the CGVWR would easily be over 26k. IF the trailer had singles it would be pretty safe to assume 14k or less GVWR and a CGVWR of less then 26k.

Thank you Duffster, for stating the facts. Everyone has their own interpretation of the law. Just because the HP officer says it is ok, doesn't mean you won't get a fine from the DOT.

The DOT seems to pride themselves on giving $500 or so fines. Any higher and you would hire a lawyer to fight their incorrect interpretations. However, it is usually cheaper just to pay it an move on.

The other interesting interpretation is that with today's dually's that have a GVW of 13,500 lbs or so, that even hauling a 14,000 bumper pull trailer means you are over 26,000 lbs combined and requre a CDL, DOT numbers on the truck, fire extinguisher, log book, medical card, and all the other fun that the big trucker has do deal with.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Why is this weight thing such a mystery? It comes up weekly. He is not "Commercial". The law clearly states that Recreational vehicles, Motor homes, personal property, Farm uses, ect is exempt.

If this was the case every other 5th wheel would be stopped. My dads neighbor is retired and drives a big diesel Motor Home that looks like a semi tractor with dual rear wheels and a 28' tri-axle bumper pull trailer with a lift to haul two layers of toys all over North America. It weighs over 60,000#, has air brakes and seat, ect. No CDL required. His insurance company did make him take a driving course.

Chris

 

[RandyT]

Classes of License:

from the U.S. DOT web site

The Federal standard requires States to issue a CDL to drivers according to the following license classifications:

Class A -- Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Class B -- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.

Class C -- Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is transporting material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and is required to be placarded under subpart F of 49 CFR Part 172 or is transporting any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 73.

all other vehicles fall under non CDL standards.

 

[trailbuilder]

Echo that comment from RandyT.
I had to get my CDL to upgrade to a tandem dually from a 14K with my F350 Dually. The DOT laws are quite clear, but not enforced consistently.

 

[powerstroke444e]

Sweet setup and if I was you don't worry about 1k of wieght, but it does make me wonder what type of hitch you have in the bed?? How far in front of the axle is the ball on my trucks I like puting them about 6-8inchs infront of the axle which I find adds more wieght to the front than what you are getting.

All and all I would feel very safe to meet you on the highway and feel you have a good grasp on what a safe limit on your set-up is.

 

[streetisneat]

I had access to a certified axle scales the other day so did some weighing.

My truck is a 2000 F250, 7.3L Diesel, AT, SRW, Extended Cab, Shortbed, Lariat model, half a tank of fuel.

My trailer is a Neal Brand GN, 28' + 4' dovetail, no ramps, wood deck, dual wheeled 10K Dexter axles, no spare.

Here's my results.

Empty Truck: Front axle 4110lbs. Rear axle 2730Lbs. Total 6840lbs.

Truck and empty trailer: Front axle 4080lbs. Rear axle 3700lbs. Trailer axles 5910lbs. Total 13,690lbs.

Loaded as pictured with two Jeeps: Front axle 4130lbs. Rear axle 4770lbs. Trailer axles 12,290lbs. Total 21,090lbs.
I was surprised by a couple things. First my trailer weight is 6850lbs. At least it's not 9000lbs as some suggested it was. But still heavier than I expected.

Second,I was surprised that increasing the total package weight by 14,250lbs only added 20lbs to the truck front axle??

On the other hand I was pleased that it added 2040lbs to the rear axle of the truck.

I like that the trailer is carrying the majority of the weight which was my goal. It pulls very well loaded as pictured.

For the safety police, internet researching revealed my truck's GCWR at 20,000lbs. So I am 1090lbs overloaded.

Overall I like the balance. I bought this trailer without a dovetail and added it myself. That's why my axles are so far forward. For what I'm doing I like that. Puts a bigger percentage of the weight onto the trailer axles and drastically increases the ability to get into tight spots.

I'm no trailer expert so open to any comments/suggestions.

I do believe he is under 26,000 lbs, unless i'm missing something why would he be considered Commercial use. Just ask'in

What Is a CDL Class B? | eHow.com

 

[trailbuilder]

I thought the laws go by what the GVW is, 20,000 pounds on the trailer and 10,000? on the truck is 30,000 GVW.