michigan firewood questions

pdqdl · Jan 28, 2010

Yes! You must have a COMBINED GVWR greater than 26,000.

BTW, F-550 is NOT over 26,000 GVWR. Rather, it is 17,500 lbs.

The error that is being made here is that the GVWR that the Federal regulations are referring to is the sum of the truck GVWR and the trailer GVWR. I guess if you had a 12,000 lb trailer, and were towing it with a truck that only had a 14,000 GVWR, then you would be OK. Most one tons will come in around 11,000 lbs. So...you might get away with that if everything adds up to less than 26,001.

glassman · Jan 28, 2010

thank you

Thats some good info, the 6' by 10' dump trailer that I used last fall to get some personal firewood has a gvwr rating of 7,000 lbs. The 80" by 12' dump trailer that I want to purchase has a gvwr rating of 12,000 lbs. I was planning on driving my tractor with the wood processor hooked up to the rear pto right up on the trailer so I could drive right to the site to process. I know the prices of firewood are all over the place, a buddy of mine that owns a fireplace shop gets 195 a full cord picked up. He doesnt budge on his price because its not worth it to sell it any cheaper to him. He does it as a service to his customers. I dont think he would sell firewood otherwise. I am working on a way that a customer can get a semi load of pulp wood, have me process it, he can split the cost with a neighbor/family member or sell some of it outright and can end up with 20 face cords for themselves for as low as 300 bucks. A lot of people cant afford to buy a semi load, so this would only work with people that can come up with a little over 2 grand to do this. The info I get on here is better than buying a book sometimes. thanks again,,,,glassman

glassman · Jan 28, 2010

pdqdl

My truck is a 1/2 ton that is rated at 10,000 lbs, the 80" by 12' dump trailer that I want to purchase has a gvwr rating of 12,000 lbs. My new holland tractor weighs 3500 lbs and the firewood processor weighs 1500 lbs. I called the trailer company and they said I should be ok. I will go to my secretary of state and get the booklet and probably get the cdl regardless. Again thanks for all the input from everyone.

pdqdl · Jan 28, 2010

You will be ok legally, although you should still have a class E license.

I can advise getting a bigger truck if you plan on towing a full 12k around.

glassman · Jan 28, 2010

pdqdl

Thanks again for your input. I am going to see a friend that works at secretary of state, talk to her, get any necessary booklets. I will be towing 5,000 lbs plus the weight of the trailer. I have pulled that much weight before from firewood without any problems. I just drive a little slower. I will get whatever is necessary in regards to license. I will let you guys know what they say at sec. of state. Thanks again,,,,glassman

CaseyForrest · Jan 28, 2010

WSTREE said:
if your truck is not over 26,000 pounds you do not need a cdl it doesn't matter what you are pulling. if your truck is over 26,000 pounds what you are pulling changes the classification.hope this helps.

Ellistrees said:
If your trailer is rated (GVWR) for 10,000 lbs, you will be required to have a Class A CDL. End of story.

It's not the end of story. I have a lot of experience in this field with drivers with and with out CDL and DOt regulations does not require you to have a CDL for pulling a trailer over 10,000 lbs.
You can get a DOT regulations manual at most State license agencies and probably on line. Please look it up.

Thats not true. Its true if you have a chauffers and farm endorsement.

But otherwise you need a Class A.

pdqdl · Jan 29, 2010

Ellis trees and I beat this up pretty good, so I will explain again: The trailer weight greater than 10k is not entirely the determining factor to whether or not you need a class A CDL. If your "combination vehicle" weight is greater than 26,000 lbs AND your trailer is more than 10k: get the Class A.

If your truck is greater than 26k, and the trailer is LESS than 10k, get a Class B.

If your trailer is greater than 10K, and the COMBINED weight is LESS than 26k: get a Class E. By the way, a "Class E" license is NOT considered a "CDL", as it does not require taking the core test for a CDL of any other class.

All of these weights apply to gross vehicle weight RATING, not at all on how much it weighs, nor how much you have loaded on it.

woodchux · Jan 29, 2010

Regardless of everything else said here look at your trucks registration slip... you must not exceed the weight on your registration or you will get fined from the dot

pdqdl · Jan 29, 2010

There are SEVEN ways to get an overweight ticket !

#1

woodchux said:
Regardless of everything else said here look at your trucks registration slip... you must not exceed the weight on your registration or you will get fined from the dot

OR your weight rating
#2...........per vehicle
#3...........per axle
#4...........per tire
#5...........per "bridge law" ruling: too much weight on a total length of vehicle wheelbase. (Never an issue with smaller trucks)

#6 OR your actual weight per posted weight restriction on any road or bridge.
#7 OR your GVWR per posted GVWR (or registered weight) restriction for some municipal streets (I think these are for the police to enforce and not need a scale to prove the overweight violation)

Those DOT boys love to write overweight tickets!

glassman · Jan 29, 2010

final answer

I went to the sec. of state today, got her booklet, she cant advise. Called the sheriff dept. the sgt. there said I would be ok with a regular license. I also told him that it would be used in a business. The 12' trailer has a gvwr rating of 12,000 lbs.
trailer weight--------3660 lbs.
pickup weight-------7200 lbs.
tractor weight------3500 lbs.
firewood processor--1500 lbs.
total weight--------23,860 lbs.
I have about 8,000 lbs. I can load on that trailer so I have plenty of weight to spare with that too.

Thanks again for everyones input, was very interesting post.

woodchux · Jan 29, 2010

Check with the state transport police, not the sheriff's dept. The DOT will be the ones giving you the tickets not the sheriff deputies... most cops cant even tell you the regulations.

pdqdl · Jan 29, 2010

woodchux said:
Check with the state transport police, not the sheriff's dept. The DOT will be the ones giving you the tickets not the sheriff deputies... most cops cant even tell you the regulations.

Ain't that the truth!

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