26K Combined GVWR enforcement.

OX1

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Was thinking of selling the enclosed 28' I just got and getting the same exact trailer in 34'.
Want to be able to haul two vehicles here and there. I was considering triple 7K axles
(I technically would not need more than tandum 14K, but figured triples would be
safer long term).

But that puts me way over 26K limit, assuming 11.4k on 23 SD.
Have read some threads here and there, some in Pa specifically, have been pulled over
and had to locate someone with a CDL to drive their junk off a highway.
I'm sure it's rare, but with a triple axle 34', kind of opens you up to extra scrutiny.

Mostly I will be in Jersey, Pa, NY (not city or near city), Va.
 
^^ he's right, but not all states have licenses the same way. NY at one point just had an "RV Endorsement" that enabled private operators to run over 26kGVWR, and by contrast NC has a "non commercial Class A" license, which I have.

Anyway, I've been towing around my 28' enclosed goose with a F550 for 5 years all up and down the eastern seaboard, including every type of road from interstate to 1.5 lane rural gravel roads, and have never been pulled. I did put "not for hire" stickers on my F550 and goose to let them know I'm not commercial. YMMV.
 
CarterKraft said:
We've covered this some before, you often don't need a CDL for this just a class A license which doesn't require any of the Commercial BS to get.

Unless you are talking "for hire" then you are gonna have to CDL for that rig.
Click to expand...
Should probably clarify the state in question, cause it varies state by state, other than the things the Fed DOT specifies. Where I am there is no non-commercial class A. If I want to tow my 15900lb GVWR goose trailer with my 11500lb GVWR legally in ME I need to get a CDL, regardless of if/how the trailer is loaded because it is GCWR >26k and/or towed unit is over 10k, and Maine defines class A as GCWR (Truck GVWR+Trailer GVWR)>26klbs with a towed unit >10klbs.

If I get the trailer derated to 14499, or tow it with a gasser version of my truck with a 10k GVWR all the sudden nobody cares (in my state) because I'm under 26k GCWR again. Some people read a poorly written sentence in the statute to interpret any trailer over 10k as class A, but I think most people understand that wasn't the intent and ignore it as long as GCWR is <26k, although I have asked one commercial vehicle trooper about it and that's what he thought anything towed over 10k was Class A, but nobody likes those guys for a reason. All that said as long as I'm hauling toys and not skidders or excavators, and tied down properly, my likelihood of being hassled is low.

Regarding the OP - my thoughts are that anybody who knows what they are looking at knows a tandem dually or triaxle trailer is over 16k, and thus beyond a class C license at a glance as most fullsize trucks are a minimum 10k GVWR. A tandem non-dually trailer passes a straight face test behind a SRW truck for class C generally speaking. Obviously being enclosed you have other things going for you in terms of the load not being visible, and if it looks camperish I don't think it gets a second look. Given the part of the world you're in, is the toll difference to the triaxle worthwhile?
 
djljeep said:
Regarding the OP - my thoughts are that anybody who knows what they are looking at knows a tandem dually or triaxle trailer is over 16k, and thus beyond a class C license at a glance as most fullsize trucks are a minimum 10k GVWR. A tandem non-dually trailer passes a straight face test behind a SRW truck for class C generally speaking. Obviously being enclosed you have other things going for you in terms of the load not being visible, and if it looks camperish I don't think it gets a second look. Given the part of the world you're in, is the toll difference to the triaxle worthwhile?
Click to expand...
This. Stick to tandems even if you have to go to 10Ks and 17.5s to do it.
 
I've looked more into it and I can have the trailer de-rated. If I get triple 5.2's or 6K's, can
still have it rated for 14,600. That is plenty for what I need. Max combined vehicle weight would only be 7K.
It seems like over 7K tandems you have to go 17.5 wheels, which I didn't really want to do.

Anyway, I am in jersey and go to Pa a lot. I've seen plenty of guys probably grossing well over 30.
Never heard of any hassles until recently.
 
OX1 said:
I've looked more into it and I can have the trailer de-rated. If I get triple 5.2's or 6K's, can
still have it rated for 14,600. That is plenty for what I need. Max combined vehicle weight would only be 7K.
It seems like over 7K tandems you have to go 17.5 wheels, which I didn't really want to do.

Anyway, I am in jersey and go to Pa a lot. I've seen plenty of guys probably grossing well over 30.
Never heard of any hassles until recently.
Click to expand...

I usually see 3500 lb axles that are bent like the Golden Arches, but it doesn’t hurt to have heavier axles, even on a lighter rated trailer with tires that won’t support the full axle rating.
 
if it is non commercial , A CDL is not required by DOT. I pull a 53 ft Semi trailer with a Semi and no CDL. My GVW is around 60k. That does not mean you want get pulled over. In court it will get thrown out. I have been stopped for other reasons [ light , speed ] and giving them my regular liceanse. One cop asked what I was hauling The other did not. The one who asked , asked to see it. It was 2 ultra 4 cars and I let him see them and we spent 45 minutes talking about 4 wheeling and his sise by side.
 
djljeep said:
Should probably clarify the state in question, cause it varies state by state, other than the things the Fed DOT specifies. Where I am there is no non-commercial class A. If I want to tow my 15900lb GVWR goose trailer with my 11500lb GVWR legally in ME I need to get a CDL, regardless of if/how the trailer is loaded because it is GCWR >26k and/or towed unit is over 10k, and Maine defines class A as GCWR (Truck GVWR+Trailer GVWR)>26klbs with a towed unit >10klbs.

If I get the trailer derated to 14499, or tow it with a gasser version of my truck with a 10k GVWR all the sudden nobody cares (in my state) because I'm under 26k GCWR again. Some people read a poorly written sentence in the statute to interpret any trailer over 10k as class A, but I think most people understand that wasn't the intent and ignore it as long as GCWR is <26k, although I have asked one commercial vehicle trooper about it and that's what he thought anything towed over 10k was Class A, but nobody likes those guys for a reason. All that said as long as I'm hauling toys and not skidders or excavators, and tied down properly, my likelihood of being hassled is low.

Regarding the OP - my thoughts are that anybody who knows what they are looking at knows a tandem dually or triaxle trailer is over 16k, and thus beyond a class C license at a glance as most fullsize trucks are a minimum 10k GVWR. A tandem non-dually trailer passes a straight face test behind a SRW truck for class C generally speaking. Obviously being enclosed you have other things going for you in terms of the load not being visible, and if it looks camperish I don't think it gets a second look. Given the part of the world you're in, is the toll difference to the triaxle worthwhile?
Click to expand...
Where it gets weird is our gooseneck has Maine permanent trailer plates, which is listed as 0 GVW because on a big truck the tractor carries the GVW total or some ****. If DOT goes by the number on the reg, I'm legal, if they use the number on the serial plate, I'm over, technically. NH AG plates are CDL exempt so I'm legal in dads 1 ton, but my 3/4 has passenger plates, so pulling his GN with my truck isn't legal. Unless this non-commerical clause is true. IDK, never been concerned.
 
OX1 said:
Anyway, I am in jersey and go to Pa a lot. I've seen plenty of guys probably grossing well over 30.
Never heard of any hassles until recently.
Click to expand...

I've heard that certain municipalities in PA are an issue. I have a Class A CDL, so it has never been an issue. One of the local trailer shops had an event the other year to have a PA State Cop from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division come to discuss all the ins and outs of things. There was a big turnout and lots of questions and answers.

EXTREMETOWNIE said:
One cop asked what I was hauling The other did not. The one who asked , asked to see it. It was 2 ultra 4 cars and I let him see them
Click to expand...

That was one of the issues that was discussed and that it was a bit of a gray area. Technically, if you're competing for money it is a commercial enterprise - which applies to the sprint car guys and horse people. Another group getting cited was the lawncare guys.

Some of it came down to that you could argue your way out of it in court, but that you could also end up being put OOS and your rig - or at least your trailer - sitting by the roadside until you got someone with a CDL to move it.
 
posford said:
Where it gets weird is our gooseneck has Maine permanent trailer plates, which is listed as 0 GVW because on a big truck the tractor carries the GVW total or some ****. If DOT goes by the number on the reg, I'm legal, if they use the number on the serial plate, I'm over, technically. NH AG plates are CDL exempt so I'm legal in dads 1 ton, but my 3/4 has passenger plates, so pulling his GN with my truck isn't legal. Unless this non-commerical clause is true. IDK, never been concerned
Click to expand...
Because in Maine registered weight (and fees) are on the truck. my truck is registered for 25999 and the trailers don't show weight. I pay for it in my truck registration, but all my trailers cost the same.

If I were to be stopped with my doody and tag trailer it would be 11500 GVWR + trailer GVWR of 9999 for GCWR of 21499. I *think (would have to verify) that Maine's registered weight is for actual weight not GCWR, but I could be wrong. either way I'm covered. With my goose trailer I am 11500 + 15900 = 27400 by serial plate and thus class A unless I derate the trailer, regardless of if I am using it commercially (because anything here towed over 10k with GCWR>26 is Class A regardless of commerce, unless RV or some other edge case).

For me (and/or people I know) it gets tricky with interstate commerce. Hook on to Buddy's 14k tilt trailer, I'm under 26k, but towing over 10k. if not engaged in interstate commerce I'm fine. So hauling the Jeep around, even into NH I'm fine. but if I am hauling a tractor to do work in Gorham, thats interstate commerce and Class A. But I haul that same tractor to do volunteer trail work in Berlin or whatever and now I'm good again.

In any event, if it looks suspect they can stop and check you. If you look like you are recreating and not blatantly over weight, nobody cares unless you earn it doing something else dumb. When all else fails, Farm Tags and keep a sharpie and alcohol wipes so you can change the town name as you go...
 
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