pickup truck to dump truck

[Ellistrees]

DOT regulations are federal not state, just state inforced.

I am assuming that it must depend on the state
I can drive a conventional Kenworth in bobtail mode with a class B, it is when the trailered item reaches a weight of 10,001 lb or more that you need the Class A.

If what you say is true then I can drive a semi with an empty trailer with nothing more than a class C with an airbrake endorsement, the tractor only weights about 14-15,000 lbs & an empty flatbed at 8,000lbs, thus the combined weight is under 26k......Try this & see what happens!!! (END of Quote)

It's not how much you weigh, it's the max of plated rate or the GVRW (gross vehicle weight rating) which ever is higher. I'm sure your bottail tractor is 33,000lbs GVRW and the trailer even empty is somewhere around 80,000lbs GVRW.
A normal F250 is around 9,000 for just the truck, pull a 10,000 lb trailer and you do not need any CDL just a DOT number. A F350 does not requre a CDL

Just because DAvey Tree requires their drivers to get a CDL does not mean everyone needs one.

 

[STLfirewood]

I am assuming that it must depend on the state????? I have buddies who work for 1st energy in massilon ohio, they were forced by the company to upgrade to class A (1st energy paid for it), the reason for such was that often their trailers exceed the 10,001 lbs rating even for their light truck division.

The safety supervisor for Davey Tree (good friend of mine) told me regardless of the type of vehicle towing the trailer...if the trailer weight exceeds 10,001 lb you are considered a combination vehicle....here is the catch 22!!

a combination vehicle is not based on combined weight, I can drive a conventional Kenworth in bobtail mode with a class B, it is when the trailered item reaches a weight of 10,001 lb or more that you need the Class A.

If what you say is true then I can drive a semi with an empty trailer with nothing more than a class C with an airbrake endorsement, the tractor only weights about 14-15,000 lbs & an empty flatbed at 8,000lbs, thus the combined weight is under 26k......Try this & see what happens!!!

the term "combination Vehicle" is very broad & subject to interpretation, alot of guys in my area run 1-ton dumps with trailers & the smallest skidsteers possible to stay under the CDL class A requirement.

there was a poster who made mention of his pickup truck towing 14-15k or something like that......I checked with the 2003 ford towing manual & unless your driving an f-450 or above you are exceeding the tow rating on your truck, the f-250 series 4x4 with dual wheel, auto tranny, diesel equipped legally cannot tow over 10k give or take, the 13-14k mark doesnt come into play until you reach the high end of the 350`s or 450`s.

Again I havent taught from the FMCSR in years but it seems the confusion hasnt gone away either, remember you cant exceed the Mfg`s requirements & must be within the D.O.T`s requirements...........oh hell were all illegal, I remember when an F-150 4x4 with a full tank of gas & a passenger was legally overweight.... go figure!

Stay Safe, Be Careful


LXT...................

LXT here is the difference. You have to have the tow truck licensed below 26k to not need a class A if the trailer is rated to tow above 10k. You can have a 7k pound truck hook on to a trailer that weighs 16k and still be legal. If the truck is licensed above 26k then you need a class a for a trailer withe a GVW about 10k. It all depends on what the tow truck is rated for. Also I was told by the same officer that manufacture weight rating don't mean a thing. They are a suggestion. As long as you don't exceed the hitch,ball,tires, or legal axle weight your fine. This was a local weight station but these are federal laws. Again not saying this is true but it's what I was told.

 

[lxt]

It's not how much you weigh, it's the max of plated rate or the GVRW (gross vehicle weight rating) which ever is higher. I'm sure your bottail tractor is 33,000lbs GVRW and the trailer even empty is somewhere around 80,000lbs GVRW.
A normal F250 is around 9,000 for just the truck, pull a 10,000 lb trailer and you do not need any CDL just a DOT number. A F350 does not requre a CDL

Just because DAvey Tree requires their drivers to get a CDL does not mean everyone needs one.

Wrong....! the reason for a Class A is what? its needed only for "combination vehicle"........

My bobtail tractor weights 15K the unladen weight of the trailer is 8K...what you are suggesting is just because its rated to haul a certain weight that means I need the proper license? this is unfounded

a normal F250 weighs around 6800lbs with a laden weight rating of 88-8900lbs, hauling a trailer at 10,001 pound is beyong the MFg`s tow rating & yes you do need a License allowing you to drive a combination vehicle..........whala class A, Davey invoked that requirement as did others because here in PA you will be fined!!!!!

Im just stating what has happened here, you guys can haul 15-20k behind a 1/2 ton subaru for all I care, Its subject to interpretation & believe me, you get put on the scale here & 1 thing doesnt match with weight...you are gonna pay!

Hell just get the class A!


LXT...........

 

[lxt]

LXT here is the difference. You have to have the tow truck licensed below 26k to not need a class A if the trailer is rated to tow above 10k. You can have a 7k pound truck hook on to a trailer that weighs 16k and still be legal. If the truck is licensed above 26k then you need a class a for a trailer withe a GVW about 10k. It all depends on what the tow truck is rated for. Also I was told by the same officer that manufacture weight rating don't mean a thing. They are a suggestion. As long as you don't exceed the hitch,ball,tires, or legal axle weight your fine. This was a local weight station but these are federal laws. Again not saying this is true but it's what I was told.

I understand what you are saying, however,... the weigh masters only care about axle weight....that is all they can check for!

State Police & Dot are more thorough, if you think you can trailer haul a 15k load with a 1/2 ton........LEGALLY, you are crazy! an F-450 hauling a 14k loaded trailer................driver needs Class A & the F450 falls under the 26K rating!! hey this has been debated for many years, the truth is its upto officer interpretation!

LXT....................