Is your GCWR > 10,000 lbs.?

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, my co-worker's truck was rated to tow 7,800 lbs. He, later, lost control of it while passing a big rig down hill and rolled it. He no longer tows.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I just did a search on this and in California you need a noncommercial class A driver's license if your trailer has a GVWR of 10,000 lbs or more. Also if you have a fifth wheel trailer that has a GVWR of 15,000 lbs or more. And if you have a live stock trailer that has a GVWR of 10,000 lbs up to 15,000 lbs. And these are for personal use only. [not for hire]

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by 2Fast4U

If your GCWR > 10,000 lbs. do you meet all of the Department of Transportation (DOT) commercial operating requirements? Do you have a DOT number? Do you display it on your TV? If so what other "stuff" do you do to stay legal?

Doesn't this apply to most of us? How do y'all handle this legal wrinkle that I haven't seen discussed here before.

DOT Mandates May Apply When Using Trailers - Articles - Safety & Accident - Articles - Work Truck

Thanks!

Hi, I read this link and it's information is in-correct; Read my previous post.

[gmw photos]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, I read this link and it's information is in-correct; Read my previous post.

What part of that is incorrect Robert ? It looks right to me because they are talking about commercial use. That is different from private, not for hire use.

[switz]

Non-commercial (meaning RV trailers and tow vehicles) vehicles seem to be mostly ignored by DOT unless there is a blatant visible safety issue. Highway safety devices (triangles or cones in case of a flat or breakdown) and fire extinguishers are just common sense to have when traveling along with a decent first aid kit.

[m.hony]

What in the world is a non commercial Class A license?
There is no such thing in Mississippi.


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[gmw photos]

Originally Posted by m.hony

What in the world is a non commercial Class A license?
There is no such thing in Mississippi.


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No such thing in Missouri either. I think it's something that is unique to the peoples republik of Kalifornia. Sceptics would say it's just another way for the DMV to collect some more taxes. Supporters would say it's a useful road safety process because it requires passing a test that proves the operator understands the safety issues.
I can see valid points both ways.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by gmw photos

No such thing in Missouri either. I think it's something that is unique to the peoples republik of Kalifornia. Sceptics would say it's just another way for the DMV to collect some more taxes. Supporters would say it's a useful road safety process because it requires passing a test that proves the operator understands the safety issues.
I can see valid points both ways.

Doesn't exist in my province either. But it doesn't appear to be unique to California. On line sources suggest there are non-commercial special license requirements (based on GVWR of TV or trailer) in CA, CT, HI, KS, MD, NC, NM, NV, NY, PA, SC, TX, and WY, plus more if you have more than one trailer connected.

Jeff

[Jammer]

The only laws I see being enforced for Airstreams and similar RVs are:
- Lighting
- Licensing
- brakes on all axles
- breakaway brakes
- Trailer chains

Minnesota still has an oddball rule that travel trailers have to carry two 2x2 flags, either orange or red. I don't think it's enforced.

As Jeff points out there are some states that have enhanced licensing requirements for extremely large RVs. A response to the very large and heavy class A and 5er sobs on the road now.

[paiceman]

jcl is correct at least about CA and PA. In PA there is a Class A and a Class B License required depending on what type of vehicle one drives. For instance if one drives a Class A motor home with a GVW over 26,000 pounds, say a 43 foot tag axle then one needs a Class B license. These are not CDL licenses and failure to comply can result in a ticket, driving without a license is the charge. Never heard of anyone being stopped, but our local DVM suggested my wife keep a Class B when she renewed and did not want to keep her Class B CDL as a school bus driver. Her license is now a regular PA drivers license with Class B and Class M for motorcycle.

If a cop gets a bug up his or her a.. then they can ticket.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, I read this link and it's information is in-correct; Read my previous post.

Originally Posted by gmw photos

What part of that is incorrect Robert ? It looks right to me because they are talking about commercial use. That is different from private, not for hire use.

Hi, My mistake; I thought part of it was in general about trailer weights, but it is under the commercial rules.

[switz]

So the dividing line is either 10,000 or is it 10,001 GVW of the trailer? Funny that no Airstream literature made any comments about driver's license requirements in their literature for the Classic 30' models at 10,000 pounds GVW or the 34' Classic at 11,500 pounds GVW.

Since I do not live in California, I do not have to abide by their license requirements. So far, where your legal residence is determines the type of license you need for non-commercial driving like in the RV world.

Having just turned 70, I can see the rationale for older folks to get some training before hitting the road in a heavy tag axle bus/RV they just purchased.

[m.hony]

Not trailer alone-
GCVWR- Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating- tow vehicle (power unit/tractor) and trailer-
In the world of commercial vehicles, those 10,000# GVWR (or GCVWR) are not DOT regulated- no weigh stations, no log books, and no special license plate-
Those commercial vehicles 10,001# GVWR (or GCVWR) are DOT regulated- must stop at all scales, must keep logs, and must have weighted (apportioned) tags- the price of the license plate goes up as the GVWR goes up-
So- in the commercial world, a pickup or van alone may be under 10,001# GCVWR and not have to stop at the scales or run log books, but when he attaches a trailer, he has to stop at scales and run log books-
I don't know how states with rules for a special license for non-commercial vehicles based on weight handles this- maybe RV's, boats, race cars, sand rails, and snow mobiles, cross the scales in those states?

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Not trailer alone-
GCVWR- Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating- tow vehicle (power unit/tractor) and trailer-
In the world of commercial vehicles, those 10,000# GVWR (or GCVWR) are not DOT regulated- no weigh stations, no log books, and no special license plate-
Those commercial vehicles 10,001# GVWR (or GCVWR) are DOT regulated- must stop at all scales, must keep logs, and must have weighted (apportioned) tags- the price of the license plate goes up as the GVWR goes up-
So- in the commercial world, a pickup or van alone may be under 10,001# GCVWR and not have to stop at the scales or run log books, but when he attaches a trailer, he has to stop at scales and run log books-
I don't know how states with rules for a special license for non-commercial vehicles based on weight handles this- maybe RV's, boats, race cars, sand rails, and snow mobiles, cross the scales in those states?

Our state requires the tow vehicle to be licensed for the full GVW of the truck and trailer.They can cite you for being overloaded, though I have never seen this with an RV. I am using the "RV" excuse to only license my truck at its full GVWR, as if I license it at the CVW, I can no longer legally drive it into my neighborhood to park at my house. But, that is another can of worms.

[Dexterpix]

You need to know the license and registration requirements for your state of residence or the state you have yor vehicle registered in.

Example: in Massachusetts all vehicles with "5" or more wheels (except rv's/motorhomes) are require to be registered as a commercial vehicle. So if you tow with a 1 ton duelly it has to be registered commercially. (CMR 540 -2.05) The operator Could be required to have on board the pickup 3 road flares/rflectors and requirement to list owners name on vehicle (very rarely enforced unless being used for a business. Towing your trailer would be exempt from any combined vehicle weights in Mass as rv's/campers are exempted.

States have agreements to honor valid license and registration from other states. That doesn't mean a local cop or trooper can't cause you a pain in wallet out on the road even if you win latter in court.

Joe D

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Our state requires the tow vehicle to be licensed for the full GVW of the truck and trailer.They can cite you for being overloaded, though I have never seen this with an RV. I am using the "RV" excuse to only license my truck at its full GVWR, as if I license it at the CVW, I can no longer legally drive it into my neighborhood to park at my house. But, that is another can of worms.

In Mississippi that rule only applies to commercial motor vehicles.


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[tjdonahoe]

An rv is not a commercial vehicle, they are exempt ,no cdl is needed, no pro rate plates, besides most scales have signs, no pickups, over 26000 must stop.(commercial only) ..