When did official towing weight ratings begin?

[wcampbell47]

Nonsense.

What do you base that on.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/383.3

This nonsense: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/drivers

Class A: Any combination of vehicles which has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) whichever is greater.

Paying particular attention to the last portion of the last sentence. This appears to be the case when crossing state lines, however in my state as long as the combination does not exceed 26,000 lbs a commercial license is not required. So my F350 at 9980 and my 14,4000 trailer does not require a commercial license. However, if I cross the state line I become subject to the 10,000 lb towed unit regulations.

In my area the dually 3500 trucks are now being scrutinized by state and local DOT. The farm boys get a break however the duallys towing tandem axle dual wheel trailers are having to meet all the requirements of over the road 18 wheelers including log books.

My conclusions come from research online as well as personally speaking with someone involved with DOT enforcement. But you are free to have your own opinions and conclusions. I am not sure when these weight ratings and enforcement began, but they are real now.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
My conclusions come from research online as well as personally speaking with someone involved with DOT enforcement. But you are free to have your own opinions and conclusions. I am not sure when these weight ratings and enforcement began, but they are real now.

You left out the the little bit of "being engaged in commerce".

Drivers are required to obtain and hold a CDL if they operate in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce and drive a vehicle that meets one or more of the classifications of a CMV described below. - See more at: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/drivers#sthash.IOO9CC87.dpuf

from YOUR link.

 

[Rock knocker]

Brother just ordered a new Diesel f250 and went for the optional 9990 Truck GVW... it was a no cost option as everything remained the same... just the tag has a lower GVW.

The sales person suggested it as some have been having trouble with the higher factory GVW requiring a commercial license.

Which is kind of hard to reach with a F250, or even a F350.

 

[Rock knocker]

This nonsense: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/drivers

Class A: Any combination of vehicles which has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) whichever is greater.

Paying particular attention to the last portion of the last sentence. This appears to be the case when crossing state lines, however in my state as long as the combination does not exceed 26,000 lbs a commercial license is not required. So my F350 at 9980 and my 14,4000 trailer does not require a commercial license. However, if I cross the state line I become subject to the 10,000 lb towed unit regulations.

You misunderstand.

These rules apply when the combination is over 26K with the trailer over 10K, as long as the power unit is less than 26K.

So a combo of an 11,000# truck and a 14,000# trailer does not require a CDL. In fact, a 26K truck with a 10K trailer does not require a CDL.

My conclusions come from have been the DOT auditor at my place of work.

All these rules are separate from the DOT record keeping requirements mandated for commercial interstate commerce, which begins at 10K, but only for bona fide commercial drivers.

 

[ultrarunner]

Interesting that Ford has a de-rate option for the super duty trucks...

All I know is my brother discussed it with the Dealer and opted to de-rate to 9990

I do know my PJ trailer has two 6,000 axles and the trailer was factory de-rated to 9990 for California

Neighbor State Nevada has rules that kick in at 10,001 lbs... do not know the details.

 

[Rock knocker]

Neighbor State Nevada has rules that kick in at 10,001 lbs... do not know the details.

It has to do with apportioned commercial vehicles

 

[ultrarunner]

Found this interactive regarding DOT numbers...

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/do-i-need-usdot-number

 

[ModMech]

The 10,001 for trailers and 26,001 "DOT requirements" only apply if you are "for commerce" ie: A business and NOT for personal use.

So your vehicle and your trailer can haul almost anything anywhere for recreation etc., (RVs are excellent examples) without being subject to GCVW/CDL rules.

Now if you take and old R model Mack and a flatbed trailer from IL to OR and try to move a D6 CAT, even though you by the letter of the law would not need a CDL etc, that will take some fast talking and convincing of the LEO when you get stopped.

 

[ultrarunner]

My brother just said this is the reason he went for 9,990 de-rated

The Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 definition of a motor carrier of property (MCP) includes trucks with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds or any motor vehicle when used to transport any property for hire, including courier services.

CALIFORNIA
CDL required for:

Vehicles with a GVWR > 26,000 pounds.

Vehicles designed, used, or maintained for carrying more than 10 passengers (including driver) for hire.

Vehicles towing a vehicle or trailer with GVWR > 10,000 pounds.

Vehicles transporting hazardous materials requiring placards.

Vehicles towing two trailers or trailer and vehicle.

Notes: Recreational not-for-hire travel trailers > 10,000 pounds GVWR and fifth-wheels > 15,000 pounds GVWR require a non-commercial Class A, as do livestock trailers > 10,000 pounds but < 15,000 pounds GVWR operated within 150 miles of the (home) farm to transport livestock.

 

[MossRoad]

I would love to have an ATC all aluminum enclosed trailer if money was not an object. Anybody familiar with the Amish built Aluminum Trailer Company, ATC for short?

Nope. But I haven't been looking for a trailer for 15 years and that company is 13 years old. From this website, though, they are located about 1/2 hour from me...maybe 40 minutes.

ATC Trailers - World Class, Precision Built

Amish built? Well, there's a huge Amish community over there and that area is also the RV capitol of the world. All of those trailer/RV companies employ thousands of Amish people, and non-Amish as well. And it doesn't say anything about Amish on their "about us" page.

ATC Trailers - About Us

Anyhow, I'd go by owner reviews and see what you get.