Towing 14K trailer

[George2615]

Quote:
Commercial Driver's Licenses - Classes A, B or C
CLASS A: A Class A license is issued to those persons 18 years of age or older who have demonstrated their qualifications to operate 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 being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

I'm confused since what you just posted above agrees with what I've been saying all along. that PROVIDED the vehicle OR vehicle being towed is in excess of 10K you need a CDL class A. I can't see anywhere where it says you can tow a vehicle over 10K without a CDL A. Sorry, maybe I need new glasses.

 

[George2615]

CLASS C (minimum age 18): A Class C license is issued to those persons 18 years of age or older who have demonstrated their qualifications to operate any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of not more than 26,000 pounds or any combination of vehicles, except combination vehicles involving motorcycles, that does not meet the definition of a Class A or Class B vehicle. Where required, appropriate endorsements must.


I re-read this part for PA class C which can be interpreted as what you are saying that any combination of vehicles up to 26K. If this is the case you are correct and I am wrong. My apologies. I guess anyone would have to be a Philadelphia lawyer to interpret the way these laws are written in any state and I am not one.

 

[Duffster]

CLASS C (minimum age 18): A Class C license is issued to those persons 18 years of age or older who have demonstrated their qualifications to operate any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of not more than 26,000 pounds or any combination of vehicles, except combination vehicles involving motorcycles, that does not meet the definition of a Class A or Class B vehicle. Where required, appropriate endorsements must.


I re-read this part for PA class C which can be interpreted as what you are saying that any combination of vehicles up to 26K. If this is the case you are correct and I am wrong. My apologies. I guess anyone would have to be a Philadelphia lawyer to interpret the way these laws are written in any state and I am not one.

No problem George

This is the way that i read it for years ( because that is how a friend of mine explained it to me) until it was pointed out to me correctly. Many, many people including some DOT guys read it the same way you did.

It is pratically the same wording as the federal requirements.

The Class C is for vehicles that otherwise don't require a CDL but do now because of things like HazMat

 

[FlaDon]

Don, did you even read your own link that you posted? It doesn't say anything about needing a CDL, it is about new inspection requirements.

Here is the book for Conneticut (Page 11/ section 1.1)

http://www.ct.gov/dmv/lib/dmv/20/29/comdr.pdf

Here is the book for Mass ( Page 5/ Section 1)

http://www.mass.gov/rmv/cdlmanual/CDL_Manual_Part_1.pdf

Here is the book for Montana (page 2)

http://www.doj.mt.gov/driving/forms/25-0300.pdf


This will make it a little easier

I realize it says Maine but it is the same for most of us

Note that the Mass CDL book you cited is a generic one and carried a note on page 5 saying "your state may have additional definition of CMVs." Page 7 warns that you have to have a CDL to drive a CMV. Mass Law by law included section 390.5 of 49CFR which gives this definition:

Commercial motor vehicle means any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle

(1) Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater; or

So if the DOT cop knows the Mass laws, they can ticket and put you out of service in a 10K+1 vehicle for failing to have a CDL if you are using your truck/trailer in commercial use. Their inspection rules fall in the 49 CFR definition.

 

[MogginMike]

Note that the Mass CDL book you cited is a generic one and carried a note on page 5 saying "your state may have additional definition of CMVs." Page 7 warns that you have to have a CDL to drive a CMV. Mass Law by law included section 390.5 of 49CFR which gives this definition:

So if the DOT cop knows the Mass laws, they can ticket and put you out of service in a 10K+1 vehicle for failing to have a CDL if you are using your truck/trailer in commercial use. Their inspection rules fall in the 49 CFR definition.

(Not a lawyer, but I've spent a bit of time researching this as I'm a MA resident w/ a 12k trailer & no CDL).

Section 390.5 of 49CFR is simply defining a commercial vehicle, and the MA definition in 90f referring to it only for the purposes of 'section 9', which largely has to do with drug & alcohol & other violations. IE, a CDL holder getting in trouble in a lesser commercial vehicle can get his ticket pulled.

Section 5, which prohibits the driving of a CMV w/o a CDL would not include the additional definition from 390.5 of 49CFR in its restrictions.

Full text of Section 9: M.G.L. - Chapter 90f, Section 9

-mike

 

[Duffster]

(Not a lawyer, but I've spent a bit of time researching this as I'm a MA resident w/ a 12k trailer & no CDL).

Section 390.5 of 49CFR is simply defining a commercial vehicle, and the MA definition in 90f referring to it only for the purposes of 'section 9', which largely has to do with drug & alcohol & other violations. IE, a CDL holder getting in trouble in a lesser commercial vehicle can get his ticket pulled.

Section 5, which prohibits the driving of a CMV w/o a CDL would not include the additional definition from 390.5 of 49CFR in its restrictions.

Full text of Section 9: M.G.L. - Chapter 90f, Section 9

-mike

Welcome to TBN MogginMike

Excellant first post

One question though, is yours a CMV?

 

[Skyco]

Now.... the heaviest ball and hitch I could find was only rated for 10,000lbs!!! So, technically I could have been cited and fined for towing without adequate equipment. As, the trailer and load exceeded the capacity of the ball hitch; by almost 2 tons.

(Anybody ever seen a ball and hitch that fits a standard sized receiver rated for more than 10K??? Let me know; cause I'd buy one if I could find one! )

The Putnam XDR line of 2" solid steel ball mounts are rated for 15,000.
Putnam

 

[Builder]

The Putnam XDR line of 2" solid steel ball mounts are rated for 15,000.
Putnam

X2

I have a Putnam 15K hitch on mine. Overkill, since I'm only 12K on the bumper, but that's what my Reading truck body installer puts on 'em.

I highly recommend them. Very sturdy American made stuff.

 

[Skyco]

Overkill is always a good thing with trucks and trailers IMO.
I have a 15k rated ball mount I ordered several years from a company in Chicago that forged them out of one piece, it appears that they are now out of business.

I had bought a new 14k rated dump trailer and had a very difficult time finding a rated towbar for it back then....

 

[BobQ]

I just want to throw this out there, many of the manuals state that in order to tow over 5000lbs and 500lbs tong weight you need to use a load distributing hitch, unless of course you are using a fith wheel. Now this is in the manual and labeled on my hitch, of course the GVWs are all on the door.