Trailer towing advice needed

[LBrown59]

Hey guy's been awhile since I posted. Just wanted you guys to know that I pulled the trailer once to cincinatti but didnt get a very big load. Truck did good. The bad news is Thursday I was headed to Atlanta nad went thru the weigh station and was pulled in to have a truck inspection done. They pulled me inside and said I need a Class A cdl to pull the trailer because the GCWR is 30200. They did not write a ticket but made me unhook the trailer and leave it until a CDL driver had to come get it.

Bet that wasn't cheap!

 

[Builder]

Don't he still have another problem here being that the GVWR's add up to 30,200#, way beyond his 22,000# GCWR of the 2500HD truck? It may just be a matter of time that he will get called on that one.

Chris

Absolutely! It's just a matter of time for him.....and anyone else who is crazy overweight.

Even if someone doesn't care what your GCWR is, if you're over on tires or rear axle, you're toast.

I think 1/2 the guys that get away with it are simply lucky. They get pulled over by a cop who isn't smart enough to look at a truck/trailer and know by common sense it's time to get the scales out.

 

[loggskidder2]

What's the GCWR for the dodge dually. Are we over for it. The dodge GvWR
is 11,200 and the trailer is 21,000.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Absolutely! It's just a matter of time for him.....and anyone else who is crazy overweight.

Even if someone doesn't care what your GCWR is, if you're over on tires or rear axle, you're toast.

I think 1/2 the guys that get away with it are simply lucky. They get pulled over by a cop who isn't smart enough to look at a truck/trailer and know by common sense it's time to get the scales out.

Lord i hope LB doesn't end up like this.

 

[Diamondpilot]

What's the GCWR for the dodge dually. Are we over for it. The dodge GvWR
is 11,200 and the trailer is 21,000.

You will have to give me more info or look in the manual. I assume its a diesel but is it 2 wheel drive, long bed/short bed, stick/auto, rear gear ratio, cab style like reg/extended/mega/ect.

The best thing to do is look it up in the manual. If you can not find it give me all the info.

Chris

 

[loggskidder2]

It is a 2008 2wd, 4 door, longbed, diesel, manual, but not sure on the gear ratio.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Your dually should have either a 23K# a 26K# CGVWR. That's pretty typical of the newer 1 ton dually's.

To be legal you've got to stay under your axle ratings, your tire ratings, have enough tagged weight paid for on your vehicle, and have CDL's if your combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is over 26K#.

One caveat to that in NC and some other states is that a CDL is required if your trailer is rated over 10K# even if your combined weight of truck and trailer is under 26K#.

You are not illegal if you follow the law.

Now, it is illegal to go over your trucks CGVWR. No, if you adhere to the letter of the law.

Is it smart.

You be the judge.

Personally, I would not pull a trailer rated for 22K# with a 1 ton dually even though you can do it legally. That size trailer needs a F450 or F550 IMHO.

 

[Builder]

Your dually should have either a 23K# a 26K# CGVWR. That's pretty typical of the newer 1 ton dually's.

To be legal you've got to stay under your axle ratings, your tire ratings, have enough tagged weight paid for on your vehicle, and have CDL's if your combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is over 26K#.

One caveat to that in NC and some other states is that a CDL is required if your trailer is rated over 10K# even if your combined weight of truck and trailer is under 26K#.

You are not illegal if you follow the law.

Now, it is illegal to go over your trucks CGVWR. No, if you adhere to the letter of the law.

Is it smart.

You be the judge.

Personally, I would not pull a trailer rated for 22K# with a 1 ton dually even though you can do it legally. That size trailer needs a F450 or F550 IMHO.

I'd doubt it's 26K GCWR.

You don't need a class A cdl if you're over 26K. You need a class A cdl if your combined is over 26K and your trailer is over 10,000 lbs. That's federal DOT standards. That's the minimum. Some states go even further/stricter.

For example, you can tow a 10K trailer behind a 25,999 truck with an ordinary driver's license.

 

[Diamondpilot]

From the info I have on hand it should be a 24,000# GCWR truck. So, in simple terms it really can not haul much more weight than your truck because I assume it weighs in at 7,500# or so being a 2 wheel drive model. So just because it has a 2,000# advantage on the GCWR the weight penalty on the truck itself makes it about a wash.

They list the max tow rating of the 5th wheel/GN hitch as 15,650#

Chris

 

[Ken45101]

One caveat to that in NC and some other states is that a CDL is required if your trailer is rated over 10K# even if your combined weight of truck and trailer is under 26K#.

If I understand what you are saying, it's illegal for me to bring our gooseneck horse trailer to NC? Most horse trailers with living quarters are rated over 10K. But ours is licensed (by Ohio) as a recreational vehicle.

I'm not sure about it, but I don't think one can get a CDL in Ohio without extensive training and the using a semi to pass the test with. I'm guessing they'd laugh at me and tell me to go away if I tried to get a CDL with a recreational horse trailer.

Ken

 

[Diamondpilot]

If I understand what you are saying, it's illegal for me to bring our gooseneck horse trailer to NC? Most horse trailers with living quarters are rated over 10K. But ours is licensed (by Ohio) as a recreational vehicle.

I'm not sure about it, but I don't think one can get a CDL in Ohio without extensive training and the using a semi to pass the test with. I'm guessing they'd laugh at me and tell me to go away if I tried to get a CDL with a recreational horse trailer.

Ken

This is argued on a daily basis here. If you are for hire you need a CDL. If it is personal use you do not.

Chris

Just wait, this will be disputed 10 times over

 

[dalotel]

I'm new, not sure if this is the way or place to ask, but some 'experts' are subscribed here so please help. I have a 2005 5.4L gas, auto, F-150 ext cab long bed. The dealer said it had a F-250 axle, 10 ply tires, and can carry 7700 lb load payload. I have a 5th wheel hitch and gooseneck dump trailer to haul, carrying a dump trailer on it, so that's about 8000 lbs empty. Stacked trailers saves on transportation expense, it's a 1100 mile haul and that's what I need to do. Towing 8000 lbs, is it safe as described, although it says F-150, it seems every time I go in for an oil change, the service department tells me how heavy duty "this" truck was ordered. GVWR on the door might give me more info? By the way, it's on I-10, flat, sea level, easy ride.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-7x16-GOOSEN...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1309|301:1|293:1|294:50

 

[Diamondpilot]

Ok, looks like you have the Heavy Version of the f-150. The reason I say that is the 7,700# GVWR. The easy way to tell is if it has the 6 lug wheels, IT IS NOT. If it has 7 lug wheels it is. They made some with 7,700# and 8,200# GVWR and a stouter axle that is 7 lug. A real F-250 axle is 8 lug so what he told you is not entirely true.

The service dept is right, these are heavy trucks for a 1/2 ton. 8,000# tow rating is nothing for this truck. What we really need to know is the max GCWR and gear set. If the truck is what you say it is it should be 15,300# and it should have 4.10 gears leaving it with 9,500# for towing.

Chris

 

[Builder]

The service dept is right, these are heavy trucks for a 1/2 ton. 8,000# tow rating is nothing for this truck. What we really need to know is the max GCWR and gear set. If the truck is what you say it is it should be 15,300# and it should have 4.10 gears leaving it with 9,500# for towing.

Chris

You know, in all your info given to other members, what you might want to point out is that not all F-150's in the brochure tow the same amount. Many versions have substantially reduced payloads & tow ratings due to anything from being a 4x4, a crewcab, a full tank of gas, and extra occupant or anything in the bed that steals PIN weight from the rear axle.

I think we would be misleading others into towing more than they legally can by simply quoting the maximum weight stated in the brochure for the standard cab 4x2 with no options 5 gallons of fuel in the tank and a 120 lb woman driving the truck.

 

[Builder]

I'm new, not sure if this is the way or place to ask, but some 'experts' are subscribed here so please help. I have a 2005 5.4L gas, auto, F-150 ext cab long bed. The dealer said it had a F-250 axle, 10 ply tires, and can carry 7700 lb load payload. I have a 5th wheel hitch and gooseneck dump trailer to haul, carrying a dump trailer on it, so that's about 8000 lbs empty. Stacked trailers saves on transportation expense, it's a 1100 mile haul and that's what I need to do. Towing 8000 lbs, is it safe as described, although it says F-150, it seems every time I go in for an oil change, the service department tells me how heavy duty "this" truck was ordered. GVWR on the door might give me more info? By the way, it's on I-10, flat, sea level, easy ride.

NEW 7x16 GOOSENECK DUMP TRAILER 14K GVWR - eBay (item 270345764648 end time Feb-26-09 14:04:54 PST)

There are no "experts" here.
I would be very afraid for anyone who takes seriously the advice & "facts" stated here about safe towing or the safe limits of your particular truck.

I've read some good advice here, but I've also read some of the scariest suggestions & advice as to what one can do with their trucks. Seriously- I fear for the safety of others on the road.

My advice would be to contact your local police dept and ask your questions to their motor vehicle carrier enforcement dept. or contact your DMV and ask for someone invloved with MVCE.

 

[Diamondpilot]

You know, in all your info given to other members, what you might want to point out is that not all F-150's in the brochure tow the same amount. Many versions have substantially reduced payloads & tow ratings due to anything from being a 4x4, a crewcab, a full tank of gas, and extra occupant or anything in the bed that steals PIN weight from the rear axle.

I think we would be misleading others into towing more than they legally can by simply quoting the maximum weight stated in the brochure for the standard cab 4x2 with no options 5 gallons of fuel in the tank and a 120 lb woman driving the truck.

I was going off of the info he gave me. Extended cab, 5.4L, HD axles, ect. My towing book show what I quoted but not knowing the axle and lug pattern I was not 100% sure and I stated that I needed more info. Not sure how I can get much clearer than that besides jump in the plane and go to his house and look at what he has.

I do not claim to be a expert but I have been towing 10,000 miles a year for the last 20 years with zero issues and have most all the payload and towing data available to me for popular tow vehicles made in the last 10 years. If given the right info I can just tell him what the manufacture states as the max for that particular vehicle with the setup I am told it has.


Chris

 

[Turbys_1700]

I'd doubt it's 26K GCWR.

You don't need a class A cdl if you're over 26K. You need a class A cdl if your combined is over 26K and your trailer is over 10,000 lbs. That's federal DOT standards. That's the minimum. Some states go even further/stricter.

For example, you can tow a 10K trailer behind a 25,999 truck with an ordinary driver's license.

In NC the statute is given below. It is stricter than the federal guidelines.


License Eligibility / Requirements

There are three classes of vehicles that require a North Carolina Commercial Driver License (CDL):

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

 

[Builder]

In NC the statute is given below. It is stricter than the federal guidelines.


License Eligibility / Requirements

There are three classes of vehicles that require a North Carolina Commercial Driver License (CDL):

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

That's the exact same thing I just said in my previous post. It's also the exact same as the federal statutes.

In your state of NC, just like my state (PA) you can legally drive a truck with a weight rating of 26,000lbs while towing a 10,000 lb trailer-no CDL required.

I don't see where that's stricter.

 

[Harold_J]

That's the exact same thing I just said in my previous post. It's also the exact same as the federal statutes.

In your state of NC, just like my state (PA) you can legally drive a truck with a weight rating of 26,000lbs while towing a 10,000 lb trailer-no CDL required.

I don't see where that's stricter.

You're correct, the requirement for the CDL is not stricter in NC. However, it appears NC does have a requirement for a specail NC Regular Class A license (non-CDL) when pulling trailers over 10K pounds. NY had a similar thing for trucks over 18,000 lbs, ie. a specail non-CDL state license; they got rid of it back in 2005 and now just go with the federal CDL specs like you mention for PA. NY does require however, a specail license endorsement and testing if you wish to operate a motorhome over 26K MGVW.

There's a parallel thread on TBN right now HERE being beat to death about the same NC thing.

 

[Turbys_1700]

You guys are not reading the statute correctly...

Commercial Class A - Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating

(GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle

OR...

(this is the key word)

vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds...

That's where they get you...

Any trailer that is over 10,000 # is being towed requires CDL's...

Don't ask me how I know...lol