clemsonfor
Super Member
Yes but i dont think i would want to get the curious...wanting to make an example transprot cop that knew you were hauling excess of 4000# and pulled you and got the scales out!!!
Texas Now Enforcing Trailer Inspections
- Thread starter WM75Guy
- Start date
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Yes but i dont think i would want to get the curious...wanting to make an example transprot cop that knew you were hauling excess of 4000# and pulled you and got the scales out!!!
yellowdogsvc
Platinum Member
I've already heard of trailer dealers telling guys that they can just register the vehicle with farm tags or register it below 4500#. People that cheat will still do so.
A guy told me the other day he got his registration. He has a homemade trailer with two 6k or 7k axles, no brakes, a few lights, and just registered it under 4500#. I think at that weight the trailer doesn't need separate insurance? The weight rule will allow the same folks who slap farm tags on a commercial trailer to just run under the radar while us honest folks continue to pay our tax and put up with the PITA of inspections, insurance, etc.
And someone mentioned inspectors not knowing what to do? I have experienced that. I've gone to inpsection stations to get my trailer inspected and I had help the inspector figure out which sticker to put on my trailer. Geesh!
I
A guy told me the other day he got his registration. He has a homemade trailer with two 6k or 7k axles, no brakes, a few lights, and just registered it under 4500#. I think at that weight the trailer doesn't need separate insurance? The weight rule will allow the same folks who slap farm tags on a commercial trailer to just run under the radar while us honest folks continue to pay our tax and put up with the PITA of inspections, insurance, etc.
And someone mentioned inspectors not knowing what to do? I have experienced that. I've gone to inpsection stations to get my trailer inspected and I had help the inspector figure out which sticker to put on my trailer. Geesh!
I
East Texan
New member
If you register or renew a registration for a trailer or truck with farm tags, they now require you to have an Ag/Timber exemption number and put it on the registration form. We've been running (legitimately) farm tags for as long as I can remember and do have an Ag/Timber number but they have never asked for the number when registering a trailer or truck until this year.
I went in a few months ago with my yearly stack of renewals and the clerk had to enter the exemption number in the computer for every single trailer and my truck that I was renewing at the time. They had a sign at each of the windows saying they will no longer renew or register a farm trailer or truck without a valid Ag/Timber number.
This new law causes an interesting problem. I know needing a trailer inspection is not new but the fact you can't register without it is. I currently own seven trailers and some of them rarely get used. I have one that hasn't moved in a couple years. I don't keep them all current on registration and inspection unless I use them. For example we have a boat and haven't used it in over a year. The tags are out. In the past if I was going to use it I would go to the reg office in my truck and register the trailer and then put the sticker on before the trailer moves. Now with the law the way it is if your tags are expired you have to take your expired vehicle / trailer on the road to the inspection station before you can register it.
Oaktree
Super Member
Why are farm trailers exempt? Sounds like some farmers' association made a sizeable "campaign contribution" to the right legislators. :laughing:
clemsonfor
Super Member
Farms are exempt from a lot? They can have underage family workers. In this state farms dont register trailers and you dont need a CDL to drive a farm truck even if its a large 18wheeler low boy for hauling equiptment or hay.
bindian
Super Member
You are right. I just got registration renewal for July on my dual tandem, 29 foot gooseneck with farm tags. I was asked for my timber/ag exemption number. I found my card and showed her. Before handing it to her, she stated she could look up the number. She said lots of trailer owners have been having to re register their trailers as they had no timber/ag exempt number. I know without my farm tags, my trailer would have needed annual inspections. But did not know it is down to 4500 pounds now.
Most folks don't know, but if you tow a non farm tag trailer over 10,000 pounds, you need a commercial license. It's such a grey area now...........I went ahead and got my commercial license last year.........pulling my 29 footer.
Eddie,
Yes, you can get your trailer registered for a lower weight. You are okay as long as you are under that weight if you get put on portable scales or asked to go to a weigh station. Which can take a while for a trooper with scales to get to your location.
hugs, Brandi
No you don't. At least not in Texas.
I have a Class A CDL, a DOT number, operating authority, big trucks, small trucks, etc. and deal with the DOT all the time. We have four trailers with a 14k GVWR that I have non CDL drivers haul all the time and we have been through numerous weigh stations, DOT roadside checks, etc and it is not an issue.
A lot of people get confused because the way the law is worded. It says for a vehicle over 26k not towing a trailer over 10k you need a class B CDL and for a combination over 26k with the trailer over 10k you need a class A CDL. If your combined GVWR(truck and trailer together) is under 26k you do not need anything other than a class C even if the trailer is over 10k.
Go here and go through the flow chart and get it straight from the horses mouth. https://www.dps.texas.gov/cve/cdlmain.htm
bindian
Super Member
I stand corrected. That is a cool flow chart.
hugs, Brandi
hugs, Brandi
C4Ranch
Veteran Member
Buddy hauling in a 1 ton truck + skidsteer got ticketed for no CDL.... This was earlier this year in Granbury.
