Why are deck over trailers (usually) only rated for 10k?

[ultrarunner]

You are right... most really don't

My single axle car trailer has a 1964 date of manufacture... it was sold for SCCA car hauling to the track and back

There are "New" DMV regs that apply to new trailers built after 1966 and again to new trailers built 1982 and newer.

Since my trailer predates it is grandfathered and only the regs from 1940 apply...

I'm guessing most Law Enforcement are not familiar with Grandfather applications...

Run into this all the time with Horseless Carriage vehicles...

 

[buickanddeere]

Not in most states. I know you are correct for some states though. In Texas for example you can pull any weight trailer you want with a class C license provided your combined gross vehicle weight rating is not over 26,000. You could pull a 16k trailer with a 10k truck legally with a class C.

There are provinces and territories too.

 

[Illini22]

I'm sorry, I was very vague. I was looking at trailers 20'-22' foot equipment trailers. Either tilt bed or deck over for my tractor (dk40). I didn't see any over 10k, but the tilts you could get in 10,12 or 14k.

 

[TMGT]

Are you only looking at local dealer lots or online also? Around here (VA) I see deck overs from 7k on up in just about any configuration you could want; tag, gooseneck, tilt, straight, dovetail etc.

And someone asked about 12k rated 2in balls. They are out there.
Hitch Ball with 2" Diameter Ball, 12,000 lbs GTW - Chrome Curt Balls 40038

 

[joefromga]

The information you present in post #9 and #11 highlight your apparent unfamiliarity with ball, and more importantly, trailer coupler weight ratings. What you now say you were trying to point out was poorly presented by someone purporting to be a trailer sales guy who presumably has the ability to accurately steer buyers in a safe direction. I'd like for somebody to post a photo or link to a 2" trailer coupler rated for 12K lbs; I'd happily eat crow.

For 2 5/16" there's this:

 

[RickB]

View attachment 457318

OK there's a 12K 2" ball. Now how about a 12K 2" trailer coupler?

 

[streamin]

I'm confused here. If the trailer weight is over 10k then it changes everything. So is that the trailer weight itself or is that the total carrying capacity? my 20 ft bumper pull weighs about 3k with 2 7k axles.With tractor on it and a few implements it goes over 10k total. Should I be concerned? And yes it crosses state lines.

 

[3930dave]

I'm confused here. If the trailer weight is over 10k then it changes everything. So is that the trailer weight itself or is that the total carrying capacity? my 20 ft bumper pull weighs about 3k with 2 7k axles.With tractor on it and a few implements it goes over 10k total. Should I be concerned? And yes it crosses state lines.

I'd check with the Transport Departments of the States that you travel through, on the web at least. Or just post the States on here but be ready for various answers..... up here even a lot of regular LEOs don't necessarily know the ins/outs of trailer regs.

Up here, hauling anything other than an RV trailer that is over 10k# leaves you open to having equipment detained, heavy fines etc unless you have all the correct paperwork, stickers, and CDL.

There's been a few discussions on TBN re. Farm Use/trailers.... exemptions can vary by State/Province, and there are often distance-from-farm limits that apply.

To answer your question (I think), it is the Gross Weight. Trailer plus load, or as I like to think of it - the weight that would display if you parked that trailer on a scale.

In picky jurisdictions, the load doesn't even have to be present - if the trailer is capable of hauling a rated load that exceeds the typical 10k total limit, you can be in trouble.

Some guys will tell you that they've gotten away with dodging these rules a long time...... all I know is that where I live it is really expensive to get caught.

Rgds, D.

 

[bdog]

It is a federal law that any time you cross state lines for business purposes and your total vehicle rated capacity (GVWR of the truck plus GVWR of the trailer) is over 10k that you have dot number, med card, log books etc. This could apply to a guy in a half ton with a single axle trailer crossing state lines to mow lawns.

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm thinking I should be pleased that most of my trailers are too old to have GVWR as they date from the 1940's to early 1960's.