trailer weights 9990 or 10000

[257NH]

I see trailers around that have a rating of 9990 instead of 10000.And I was wondering what the legal benefit is?

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

In Ontario I would need a "A" class driver's license to haul a trailer over 4500 kg (10,000 lbs) instead of a regular "G" license.

 

[wushaw]

That number keeps you from needing a CDL liscense or a class A non-CDL.

 

[Builder]

That number keeps you from needing a CDL liscense or a class A non-CDL.

You do not need a CDL to tow a 10,000 lb trailer, or a 12,000lb trailer for that matter as long as the combination of vehicles does not exceed 26,000 lbs.

 

[kevinj]

You do not need a CDL to tow a 10,000 lb trailer, or a 12,000lb trailer for that matter as long as the combination of vehicles does not exceed 26,000 lbs.

The following is from the Michigan law. Pretty much says for commercial you need a CDL for a trailer of 10,001# but an individual for personal use only is exempt.

Who Needs a CDL?
Any resident who intends to operate:
�� VEHICLES:
Having a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
�� COMBINATION VEHICLES:
Towing a trailer or other vehicles with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more with a gross combination
weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more.
�� ANY VEHICLES:
Designed to transport 16 or more people (including the driver)
Carrying hazardous materials in amounts requiring placards.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the recommended maximum total weight of the vehicle and load as
designated by the vehicle manufacturer. The GVWR label is usually found on the driver side door post of the
power unit and on or near the front of the trailer. The GVWR should not be confused with the elected GVW which
is declared by the vehicle owner for registration purposes.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum
loaded weight of a combination vehicle. In the absence of a label, the GCWR will be calculated by adding the
GVWR of the power unit to the GVWR of the vehicle(s) or trailer(s) being towed.

Are There CDL Exemptions?The following people do NOT need a Commercial Driver License (CDL):
�� ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY: Operating military vehicles with military licenses (includes National Guard).
�� POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS: Operating authorized emergency vehicles.
�� FARMERS: Operating vehicles within a 150 mile radius of their farm.
An F-endorsement is needed by farmers operating combination vehicles whose towing vehicle has a
GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. A knowledge test, but no skills test, is required to obtain the Fendorsement.
The F-endorsement is NOT a CDL.
Farmers who carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placards while operating combination
vehicles whose towing vehicle has a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or a single vehicle with a GVWR
of 26,001 pounds or more, need a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement.
�� INDIVIDUALS: Operating motor homes or other vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions
or family members, for non-business purposes.

Kevin, with CDL AT

 

[Builder]

The following is from the Michigan law. Pretty much says for commercial you need a CDL for a trailer of 10,001# but an individual for personal use only is exempt.

Who Needs a CDL?
Any resident who intends to operate:
�� VEHICLES:
Having a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
�� COMBINATION VEHICLES:
Towing a trailer or other vehicles with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more with a gross combination
weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more.
�� ANY VEHICLES:
Designed to transport 16 or more people (including the driver)
Carrying hazardous materials in amounts requiring placards.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the recommended maximum total weight of the vehicle and load as
designated by the vehicle manufacturer. The GVWR label is usually found on the driver side door post of the
power unit and on or near the front of the trailer. The GVWR should not be confused with the elected GVW which
is declared by the vehicle owner for registration purposes.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum
loaded weight of a combination vehicle. In the absence of a label, the GCWR will be calculated by adding the
GVWR of the power unit to the GVWR of the vehicle(s) or trailer(s) being towed.

Are There CDL Exemptions?The following people do NOT need a Commercial Driver License (CDL):
�� ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY: Operating military vehicles with military licenses (includes National Guard).
�� POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS: Operating authorized emergency vehicles.
�� FARMERS: Operating vehicles within a 150 mile radius of their farm.
An F-endorsement is needed by farmers operating combination vehicles whose towing vehicle has a
GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. A knowledge test, but no skills test, is required to obtain the Fendorsement.
The F-endorsement is NOT a CDL.
Farmers who carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placards while operating combination
vehicles whose towing vehicle has a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or a single vehicle with a GVWR
of 26,001 pounds or more, need a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement.
�� INDIVIDUALS: Operating motor homes or other vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions
or family members, for non-business purposes.

Kevin, with CDL AT

Right, you DO need a CDL for a trailer over 10,001 BUT you also must have a combination that is over 26,001, too! BOTH requirements must be met to need a CDL.

So if you have a pickup with a GVWR of 12,000lbs and a trailer that is 12,000 lbs would you need a CDL?

NO!

Because the GCWR of both vehicles is only 24,000lbs

which is UNDER 26,001!!!!!!

If you read the next sentence after the one you highlighted in blue, you'd understand the law properly.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Builder is right. The reason for it being under 10,000# is just as he says, to keep you under the 10,000# rule while towing with a CGVWR over 26,001#

Lets say you have your favorite Diesel pick up truck that weighs 8,000# empty. If it has a CGVWR of 26,000# you could tow a trailer up to 18,000# without a CDL. This will work for most of us who tow just our own stuff not for hire like campers, boats, utility trailers, ect.

Chris

 

[kevinj]

If you read the next sentence after the one you highlighted in blue, you'd understand the law properly.[/QUOTE]

DOH..... Too early. I really do know that. Thanks

 

[Builder]

If you read the next sentence after the one you highlighted in blue, you'd understand the law properly.

DOH..... Too early. I really do know that. Thanks [/quote]

No problem. Sorry if I "shot the messenger" (you) . It's just that we've been over this about 100 times in this forum.

The CDL law is a poorly written law and difficult to understand. I think it's done that way on purpose to make it easy to hand out fines.

I think that my second cup of coffee made me snippy.

 

[MrJimi]

I have a question,, In Florida we can register a truck for less weight than the door jamb sticker. To use a real example my door sticker reads 17,500 pounds and I will be registering it for 9,999 pounds to pull my 14K trailer, I think I should be legal
Jim

 

[kevinj]

DOH..... Too early. I really do know that. Thanks

No problem. Sorry if I "shot the messenger" (you) . It's just that we've been over this about 100 times in this forum.

The CDL law is a poorly written law and difficult to understand. I think it's done that way on purpose to make it easy to hand out fines.

I think that my second cup of coffee made me snippy. [/QUOTE]


No problem, Are you sure it hasn't been disscussed 200 times? I have had the CDL since the begining and had mainly pulled heavy Michigan loads so the little stuff was never an issue for me and having the licsense I do not worry about what I pull.

I am trying to attach a nice chart from the state. Pictures are always good!

 

[Builder]

I have a question,, In Florida we can register a truck for less weight than the door jamb sticker. To use a real example my door sticker reads 17,500 pounds and I will be registering it for 9,999 pounds to pull my 14K trailer, I think I should be legal
Jim

You already asked this question.

If you remember I answered it, too.

The problem you will run into is that you will be severly limiting the "pin" weight of your truck. Better hope the pin weight of your trailer and the weight of your truck doesn't add up to more than 9,999 or it's time to pay the governor!

What do you think your 550 will weigh when it's done?

 

[257NH]

So if my combined weight is always below 26000 there is no practical difference between 9990 and 10000?

 

[MrJimi]

You already asked this question.

If you remember I answered it, too.

The problem you will run into is that you will be severely limiting the "pin" weight of your truck. Better hope the pin weight of your trailer and the weight of your truck doesn't add up to more than 9,999 or it's time to pay the governor!

What do you think your 550 will weigh when it's done?

Less than 8.000 easy, all I'm doing is adding a bed ( guessing about 600/800 pounds ) and a XDR hitch
the title says 6,700 and some change now and I will get it re-weighed when and IF I ever get it done and I'm not much in a hurry and If I get pulled over I'll tell the cop that Builder warned me about things like this.
The part that had me worried was my 14 K trailer but I see now it's combined
As soon as I get back to the truck (22 miles away ) and do some measuring I will order a XDR hitch from Southwest Wheel Company Steel and Aluminum Truck Wheels They have everything that I will need and they have good prices, I like supporting our vendors that keep this site going
Jim

Jim

 

[George2615]

In NY, the difference between 9990 and 10000 lb means it costs more to register the heavier trailer. Trailer registrations vary greatly by weight here. Builder is right saying your don't need a CDL if your combined weight does not exceed 26,000 lb. The same goes for a lighter trailer here. For example, if a trailer is registered for 2990 lb. it does not need brakes according to NY but go over 3000 lb and it must have brakes. I think the whole key to the lower weight is registration costs.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think your truck will weight more than 8,000#'s. My 2006 F-350 single rear wheel short bed extended cab PSD with me in it, 165#, and 20 gallons of fuel weighs 7,600#. Had it weighed the day I got it.

Chris

 

[billfires]

In Mass. any trailer that is 10,000 lbs. and above needs to have an annual safety inspection, but the registration fee is the same whether it is 9900 or 10,000 lbs. Bill C

 

[CumminsLuke]

Man is this discussion getting old. 99 out of 100 of the guys who ask this question do not need it anyhow because they are private and not commercial. I am glad I live in Missouri where they are not near as strict on all this stuff. I have been running a 1-ton dually/48' gooseneck stepdeck combination that grosses 32,500lbs when you add the GVW's of the truck and trailer together, the trailer is over 10k, for over five years and have never been bothered even the least bit and I am no where near legal. Only have the truck plated at 18k and routinely gross 35k, I don't stop at the scale and they never come out after me. I do have "PRIVATE CARRIER-NOT FOR HIRE" on the nose of my trailer, which is partially true. We are not hauling for hire but we are hauling for our own business.

OK, flame away!!!!!!!

 

[Builder]

Man is this discussion getting old. 99 out of 100 of the guys who ask this question do not need it anyhow because they are private and not commercial. I am glad I live in Missouri where they are not near as strict on all this stuff. I have been running a 1-ton dually/48' gooseneck stepdeck combination that grosses 32,500lbs when you add the GVW's of the truck and trailer together, the trailer is over 10k, for over five years and have never been bothered even the least bit and I am no where near legal. Only have the truck plated at 18k and routinely gross 35k, I don't stop at the scale and they never come out after me. I do have "PRIVATE CARRIER-NOT FOR HIRE" on the nose of my trailer, which is partially true. We are not hauling for hire but we are hauling for our own business.

OK, flame away!!!!!!!

I'm envious of your lack of "regulation", however, I'd like to say that what you're doing isn't safe. It's beyond the saftey limits of what your truck was designed for. I know you're aware of it and I also know that a lot of farm country LEOs don't enforce any truck laws and I'm not trying to "preach" at you. I hope for your sake, you never have a collision, because I personally know a state DOT official here in PA that testifies in cases just like that. They dig up the information about what your truck can handle and when they find anything over the limit, they go after everything you own.

Where I live, in a typical DOT routine truck stop this is what happens: There's level 1,2 and 3 inspections. A level 2 is typical. You are asked to produce all papers. If you get through that, you are asked to produce a med card and a log book, show that you have a fire extinguisher and 3 red triangles. When your registration is being checked, that's when they would discover that 30,000+ lbs is FAR in excess of any pickups capability and you would be put out of service immediately and given a written summons for being "out of registration parameters". While that's going on, your truck's trailer weights and trucks weights will be checked with scales. If any are overweight, you are immediately out of service.

That's just the tiop of the iceberg. You should consider yourself lucky to be able to be that far in excess of your truck's capacity and not get nailed to the wall, like you would in my community.

I would also say that the DOT laws are becoming much more of a set of "federal" regulations as each year passes. My guess is that if you got a copy of your DOT regs, even though they're not enforced in your community, you'd find you are not within the DOT parameters for a safe rig.

Everyone is a prouct of their enviroment. Our enviroment is one of regulations to the book. The laws enforced in my area are the federal DOT guidelines.

 

[Builder]

I think your truck will weight more than 8,000#'s. My 2006 F-350 single rear wheel short bed extended cab PSD with me in it, 165#, and 20 gallons of fuel weighs 7,600#. Had it weighed the day I got it.

Chris

Yep, an F-550 chassis alone should be a good 7,500lbs. Fuel, bed & hitch will add another 1,000lbs. Now you've got 1450lbs of tongue weight left. In a scenario where your tongue weight is 15%, your max trailer weight would be ~9,700lbs.

If you're asked to scale your front & rear axle, which is typical in a DOT stop, you'll be overweight with anything much over 10-11K in tow.

Here's what I might suggest. Register your truck at 11K. That way you can more likely pull your desired 15K trailer legally and probably have enough tongue weight left to be legal on your 550's axles.