Translating PA's towing limits - can I tow a 15,000 pound trailer?

   / Translating PA's towing limits - can I tow a 15,000 pound trailer?
  • Thread Starter
#11  
If you’re not doing it to earn, get a non-cdl which Pa does offer. Less hassle

Classes of Driver's Licenses​

Non-commercial Driver's Licenses​

  • CLASS A (minimum age 18): Required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, where the vehicle(s) being towed is/are in excess of 10,000 pounds. Example: Recreational Vehicle, when the towing vehicle is rated at 11,000 pounds and the vehicle towed is rated at 15,500 pounds (total combination weight of 26,500 pounds).
  • CLASS B (minimum age 18): Required to operate any single vehicle rated in excess of 26,000 pounds. Example: Motor homes rated at 26,001 pounds or more.

This is great info. Thank you for this! My exact situation is that it's a combined GVWR of 26,600 between my truck (11,600) and trailer (15,000), and it's all for a non-profit Christian ministry situation, 100% volunteer.

Now all I have to do is figure out how to actually get my license to change its pronoun from "class C" to "class A."
 
   / Translating PA's towing limits - can I tow a 15,000 pound trailer? #12  
Yes the PA doc is horrible!
I will chime in here about your load -- it's not just the CDL you need to be worried about in PA.

I will assume that you checked all your load ratings. The truck will have a GVWR, GCWR, max tow load, and max payload weight. You need to take the trailer weight into account, along with anything in the truck cab/bed, subtract from the GCWR, and PICK THE LOWER NUMBER -- that is how much you can legally tow no matter what the door sticker or owners manual says. Many people don't do this. They just see that their truck can tow xx pounds and think they are fine. But if you are over the GCWR for the truck then you are illegal in PA.

Also note that in PA any trailer with 2 or more axles rated at 3500# or greater (so basically any trailer rating greater than 7000#) must have working brakes on EVERY axle, and the trailer must be inspected yearly.

Hope this helps ....
 
   / Translating PA's towing limits - can I tow a 15,000 pound trailer? #13  
In most locations you can get a NON CDL class A license if not performing work for hire.
 
   / Translating PA's towing limits - can I tow a 15,000 pound trailer? #14  
You’ll also need a med card if you are doing business in PA over 17,000lbs.
Might need a DOT number, too.
 
   / Translating PA's towing limits - can I tow a 15,000 pound trailer?
  • Thread Starter
#15  
You’ll also need a med card if you are doing business in PA over 17,000lbs.
Might need a DOT number, too.

What's a med card?
 
   / Translating PA's towing limits - can I tow a 15,000 pound trailer? #17  
What's a med card?
I think they check for diabetes.

You have to get a med card if you are over 17,000 and in business in PA.
You get a semi-annual doctors physical, just like the one I get for my CDL. They check vision, hearing, urine, and a bunch of other stuff.

Mostly they want to check your urine for drugz
 
   / Translating PA's towing limits - can I tow a 15,000 pound trailer? #18  
If you hook a 15,000 pound trailer to single rear truck with a 10,000 pound GVW then you don’t need a CDL. If you hook the same 15,000 pound trailer to a dually with a 12k GVW then you would need a CDL.
 
   / Translating PA's towing limits - can I tow a 15,000 pound trailer? #19  
In most locations you can get a NON CDL class A license if not performing work for hire.

Where can you get such a license? I’ve only ever heard of a CDL vs regular license.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2009 Schaben X-fold 3-Point Sprayer (A35780)
2009 Schaben...
Kubota FZ2400 Diesel Front Deck Mower (A36602)
Kubota FZ2400...
Kromer B200HP Ride-Along Paint Sprayer, (A35430)
Kromer B200HP...
Unused Portable Bathroom w/Shower. (A35430)
Unused Portable...
2007 Volvo VNL Truck Tractor (A36338)
2007 Volvo VNL...
Coleman 2500 Watt Generator (A34127)
Coleman 2500 Watt...
 
Top