shorbeds and goosenecks?

[Ramairfreak98ss]

Im looking at an 06 F350 diesel, its a crew cab short bed dually. I recently figured id go for a dually to tow a future 30' gooseneck equipment trailer.

Can you still mount a gooseneck ball hitch in the bed and is there enough clearance towing room since the ball mount in the bed would be pretty close to the back of the crew cab?

[IA_James]

Have to be very careful turning and backing, but you can do it. Bash your cab corners and bust the rear glass if you don't watch it.

[Ramairfreak98ss]

Have to be very careful turning and backing, but you can do it. Bash your cab corners and bust the rear glass if you don't watch it.

Is something like this something i should worry about? being its just the post? I'd probably never be pulling a wide enclosed trailer that is im guessing what your referring to having to really watch out how sharp you turn?

This is the only type of gooseneck id be using below.
http://i19.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/d0/a1/df6c_1.JPG

[IA_James]

Yeah, you'd have to be careful with that.

[TXNSLighting]

Yeah, you'd have to be careful with that.

No you wouldnt! Its only 5th wheels you have to be careful with in short beds:hammerhead:

Goosenecks have no trouble in short beds. Mine is a short bed with a gooseneck and it doesnt come anywhere close to the cab...Come on man...

[IA_James]

Then you're hitch is probably too far back.

[Jerry Lee]

if u have half a brain, than u wnt forget that there is a trailer back there when ur backing and u wont jck knife. Txn is right all u have to worry about is a 5th wheel.

[TXNSLighting]

Then you're hitch is probably too far back.

Not even close man! Have you ever towed a gooseneck? You have at least 3 feet between the neck and the cab...:hammerhead: Jeez...My hitch is centered right over the axles. You really dont know much about this stuff...

[IA_James]

Your hitch should be at ahead of the axle, for weight distribution. And you're not watching out for the neck, you're watching out for the corners of the trailer.

[ProTouch Groundscapes]

you would have to be at less than 90* angle to even worry about the corner of the trailer coming close to the truck.

you could prolly have that trailer pictured at a 90* to your truck and still have some clearance from the neck to your rear cab posts.

[TXNSLighting]

Your hitch should be at ahead of the axle, for weight distribution. And you're not watching out for the neck, you're watching out for the corners of the trailer.

Yes i know that...Still the corners are not going to be close to you. My gosh...You have nothing to worry about Ram air...

[Junior M]

If you hit the fifth wheel on the trailer you dont need to be pulling a trailer, much less driving, once you start pulling it, you will learn what to do and not to do, its just an experience thing its hard to teach or tell what to do and not to do..

[GravelyNut]

Measure distance from cab to center of ball. Measure 1/2 width of cab. Take those measurements and use the cab one to go straight back from the center of the gooseneck. Measure out from that point to the side of the trailer/trailer tongue. If the distance is greater than the ball/cab distance, you've got troubles. If the cab/ball distance is greater, then you're fine.

[nosparkplugs]

TXN is right!!! I think some of you guys, like listening to yourself talk? or your full of BS. You need not worry about clearance issues when towing a gooseneck trailer, or when installing a gooseneck hitch in a shortbox; furthermore if you get the B&W Hideaball you can get the "slider" attachment if your really worried about clearance when towing a 5th wheel or gooseneck.

[TXNSLighting]

TXN is right!!! I think some of you guys, like listening to yourself talk? or your full of BS. You need not worry about clearance issues when towing a gooseneck trailer, or when installing a gooseneck hitch in a shortbox; furthermore if you get the B&W Hideaball you can get the "slider" attachment if your really worried about clearance when towing a 5th wheel or gooseneck.

Thank you!!!

[IA_James]

TXNS, if you were half as smart as you think you are, you'd be a pretty smart kid. If you had been around any time at all you would see the stupidest stuff happen to people that know better.

[Ramairfreak98ss]

well thanks for the comments :p Didnt intend on the heated debate, i think were all arguing over 5th wheels and gooseneck trailers and then some are saying a box/enclosed gooseneck will be close or hit, yet the trailer i have in that picture is just the neck, and it appears youd have to turn pretty darn sharp to get it close.

How much tongue weight can a newer 05+ dually F350 have on the gooseneck hitch? its got a 9k rear axle, thats 2k more than our srw F350 now and ive had well over 4k in the bed before and it could have still taken more..

A gooseneck tongue weight could possibly be closer to 5k on a dually right? Even at 4k, thats allowing for a total trailer weight of 23k~

Im looking to get a 30' gooseneck down 2 earth trailer thats a 3 axle 7000k each so it would top out at 21k plus whatevers on the truck. It would be nice to think i can transport some nice heavy pallets of stone, hardscape block and salt on that setup

[stroker51]

I pull my 22' flatbed gooseneck with a 01 F250 crew cab short bed all the time. And a weatherguard box on the front of the bed. The ball is probably about 3-4" ahead of center in the bed, as have all of the gooseneck balls in every truck i've ever owned. Pulling a gooseneck the only thing I would worry about hitting is the top of the bed sides if you are in extreme angles with the trailer turned. You will be no where near the back glass or the cab.

[SimonCX]

Do you have a cdl class a? Because your going to be over the limit and the tickets are big if you don't have one.

[ovalracer44]

If it was an enclosed gooseneck I would say you would have problems. Open gooseneck like the one in the photo. Not a problem at all.

[ovalracer44]

Do you have a cdl class a? Because your going to be over the limit and the tickets are big if you don't have one.

Are you a dummy?

I have a 36 foot enclosed Haulmark elite II. Dry weight is only 4,900 lbs. My truck is a F350 Crew cab dually. Curb weight 7,900 lbs.

Fully loaded with car, pit cart, tools, generator, parts and extra engine I still dont come close to 21,000 lbs. CDL starts at 26,000 lbs on weight.

[TandM]

a friend of ours has a 06 f350 dually short bed crew and has no problem pulling his 30ft gooseneck which looks just like the one in the pic.

[Ramairfreak98ss]

Do you have a cdl class a? Because your going to be over the limit and the tickets are big if you don't have one.

No and i dont want to get into all of that. Already we have to have DOT #s for the trucks, and pay $100 a clip yearly extra to have each one privately inspected in mt. holly at the Ford dealer. Bunch of BS. The trailer would be a 21k trailer, yet my F350 is weighted rating of 19k gvw... so thats my combined weight. If i think im going to start going a lot over 19k, i can always increase it to 24 or 25k still under the 26k limit.

[SimonCX]

Read the post before you start calling people dumb. He stated the trailer has 3 7k axles so it has a 21k gvw and a 1 ton dually ford is around 13k giving a grand total of 34k gvw so it's cdl class a. I really could careless what you pull, learn to read and do math before you make rude comments.

[SimonCX]

No and i dont want to get into all of that. Already we have to have DOT #s for the trucks, and pay $100 a clip yearly extra to have each one privately inspected in mt. holly at the Ford dealer. Bunch of BS. The trailer would be a 21k trailer, yet my F350 is weighted rating of 19k gvw... so thats my combined weight. If i think im going to start going a lot over 19k, i can always increase it to 24 or 25k still under the 26k limit.

I wish it worked like that but they care what the gvw sticker and axle rating is on the trailer. Your going to be asking for trouble if you pull a 21k trailer without a cdl. Believe me if they pull you over it's a ticket and they won't let you move the truck until someone with a cdl comes to get it. Just a warining but be careful when you get in cdl area and you don't have one.

[ovalracer44]

1 ton dually ford is around 13k

A 1 ton truck is not 13k curb weight. Between 7 and 8 at the most.

If he was pulling a 21,000 pound trailer with a 1 ton truck anyways it wouldn't hold up long. Most I think a dually would gross with load would be 24,000 safely. Learn your trucks.

For the record I own 2 f350 crew cab duallys.

[SimonCX]

I didn't say a 1 ton curb weight was 13k the gvw is 13k and thats what dot is going to be looking at. Gvw of the trailer and truck is what they care about even though you might be empty and be way under your still in cdl territory pulling a 3 axle trailer. I had a friend get pulled over by dot in a k5500 and 14k trailer and they didn't care what he registered it as they looked in the door jam to see the trucks gvw and the sticker on the trailers gvw. He was lucky that he has a cdl and didn't have to worry about it but got a ticket because he was overwieght for a bridge he went over.

[ovalracer44]

I didn't say a 1 ton curb weight was 13k the gvw is 13k and thats what dot is going to be looking at. Gvw of the trailer and truck is what they care about even though you might be empty and be way under your still in cdl territory pulling a 3 axle trailer. I had a friend get pulled over by dot in a k5500 and 14k trailer and they didn't care what he registered it as they looked in the door jam to see the trucks gvw and the sticker on the trailers gvw. He was lucky that he has a cdl and didn't have to worry about it but got a ticket because he was overwieght for a bridge he went over.

No the GVW is the amount of weight that is allowed to be exerted on the tires on the truck. the weight on the axles have nothing to do with the GVW of the truck If they put the scales under the tires on your truck and you were over the GVW of the truck you are in trouble. The towing capacity of my 97 F350 as stated in the owners manual is 16,000 lbs. That is the amount of trailer weight that truck is legal to carry.

Think of GVWR the amount of weight you and truck are allowed to have in payload. That means total weight if all the weight was in the bed of the truck.The axles on the trailer add to the GVWR. GVWR has nothing to do with towing capacity.

[SimonCX]

Yes I meant gvwr not gvw, I was talking about combined weight of truck and max load. I think it's gcvwr for max combined truck and trailer weight which will be over.

[ovalracer44]

Yes I meant gvwr not gvw, I was talking about combined weight of truck and max load. I think it's gcvwr for max combined truck and trailer weight which will be over.

No gvwr does not include the weight on the tires on the trailer. Towing capacity is the amount of weight you are allowed to tow.

GVWR is the amount of weight allowed to be sitting on the tires on the truck

If it went by the tag in the door there is not a legal landscape company in the country.

gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the maximum allowable total weight of a road vehicle or trailer when loaded - i.e including the weight of the vehicle itself plus fuel, passengers, cargo, and trailer tongue weight.

[TXNSLighting]

Simon is right guys.

You add the truck GVW which is 13k or whatever + the trailer GVW which is 21k. You are well over 26,001. I love that they threw that one in there...

[ovalracer44]

Simon is right guys.

Simon is wrong. There isnt a dually out there with a GCWR of 13,000 lbs, If that was so there would be millions of trucks parked all across the country.

A half ton dodge, 2004 model with a class 4 hitch has a towing capacity of 10,000 lbs.

If a half ton can tow that with the right hitch and trailer brakes, how would a truck that curb weight is almost 7,000 lbs not legally be able to tow it.

Come on people use common sense.

Just because the trailer has a capacity of 21,000 lbs does not mean that is what the load will weigh. You dont combine the numbers on the tags. you actually have to weigh the truck and trailer.

[ovalracer44]

GVWR of a 97 f350 is 10,000 lbs

That means truck, occupants and tongue weight can not exceed 10,000 lbs. That number has nothing to do with the amount of weight it can tow.

[TXNSLighting]

Here that is how it works. The capacity of the truck and trailer combined. I didnt word mine right. Doesnt matter if your towing or not. If the capacity is above that 26k mark then sorry.

[ovalracer44]

Here that is how it works. The capacity of the truck and trailer combined. I didnt word mine right. Doesnt matter if your towing or not. If the capacity is above that 26k mark then sorry.

Capacity has nothing to do with anything. Its all about actual weight.

I can legally tow a trailer with a 21,000 GVWR. As long as I don't roll across the scales at more than the GVCW of my truck. Which is 20,000 lbs. And dont have mroe than 10,000 lbs of weight on the axles of my truck

[TXNSLighting]

Maybe there but not here. I know my state rules.

[SimonCX]

No gvwr does not include the weight on the tires on the trailer. Towing capacity is the amount of weight you are allowed to tow.

GVWR is the amount of weight allowed to be sitting on the tires on the truck

If it went by the tag in the door there is not a legal landscape company in the country.

gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the maximum allowable total weight of a road vehicle or trailer when loaded - i.e including the weight of the vehicle itself plus fuel, passengers, cargo, and trailer tongue weight.

I did not say gvwr includes the trailer I said gcwr does. And yes dot goes by the tag on the door 13k gvwr truck and 21k gvwr trailer is cdl if empty or loaded. Otherwise I could hook up a empty semi trailer to my 1 ton and say well it's not over 26k on the scale so I don't need a cdl. Look up the dot laws this is from the book "Any truck and trailer combination with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds – provided that the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is more than 10,000 pounds". It does not matter if you are not loaded, dot cares about the sticker in the door jam to them your truck equals 13k not the 8k it weighs empty. GCWR is the sticker in the door jam of the truck and trailer not the actual weight. Call state police or fmsca and ask because your going to get a big surprise how legal it is to tow that kind to trailer without a cdl.

[Ramairfreak98ss]

No gvwr does not include the weight on the tires on the trailer. Towing capacity is the amount of weight you are allowed to tow.

GVWR is the amount of weight allowed to be sitting on the tires on the truck

If it went by the tag in the door there is not a legal landscape company in the country.

gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the maximum allowable total weight of a road vehicle or trailer when loaded - i.e including the weight of the vehicle itself plus fuel, passengers, cargo, and trailer tongue weight.

So am i paying extra for nothing really? THe one f350 is registered with NJ motor vehicles for 19k, which i assumed because our trailers are rated commercially and at "zero weight", the trucks registration sucks up their weight while in tow? Thats how they explained it so i have my 1 ton f350 registered for 19k. I see F550s at 16k, F350s at 8k :dizzy: and F150s at 5k, many times its less than the truck weighs empty? wtf, least thats what i see often in NJ with companies like ours

I think im doing the right thing registering high.

So Simon, if you get pulled over by a DOT weight check, they check the trailers/door GVW and add them together or they actually "weight" your truck and trailer? Ive never seen a time when they can ticket and didnt weigh you ? :confused:

If i dont need 19k on my f350, and can do 11,400 like on the door jam i gladly would lol.

We have a 14k dump trailer that says 12k on the hitch and a 24' carmate enclosed trailer that has tires/brakes/wheels for 14k and dual 6k axles, can theoretically carry close to 14k if loaded with trailer weight included and that trailer says #9990 since they dont change the stickers when you upgrade to the bigger frame/tires/wheels/axles combo, all 24' carmates have this weather its was a 10k axles, 12k axles or 14k axles :/

[Ramairfreak98ss]

Simon is right guys.

You add the truck GVW which is 13k or whatever + the trailer GVW which is 21k. You are well over 26,001. I love that they threw that one in there...

Well if thats the case, i now will need a freking CDL to pull our dump trailer with the new dually f350 but we can pull it "legally" with the non dually f350? Thats backwards right? What is safer, larger truck and smaller load or smaller truck and larger load?

Why dont i just take my F150 and pull the new 21k gooseneck with that :hammerhead: Would be legal... or maybe downgrade to a ford ranger or something from toyota or a honda crapline to make sure the vehicle gvr is low enough ? Anyone have the fine print of this theyve ever found from a DOT online source?

[JB1]

crazy but true, I have a gooseneck, would of liked a tandem trailer but got single wheel axles for the weight issue.

[Ramairfreak98ss]

maybe i should just keep the dually registered non commercial, same with the trailer and then i can overload it and they cant do much about it right?

Since there are dually new f450s ive seen and f550 custom haulers that pull 50' race trailers well into the 30k range total weight same with horse farmers, they dont have CDLs to pull horses and race cars around.

[JB1]

maybe i should just keep the dually registered non commercial, same with the trailer and then i can overload it and they cant do much about it right?

Since there are dually new f450s ive seen and f550 custom haulers that pull 50' race trailers well into the 30k range total weight same with horse farmers, they dont have CDLs to pull horses and race cars around.

or medical cards, or paper work ,or all the other stuff, the part that amazes me is these huge motor homes pulling a car behind them being driven by a very seasoned senior citizen.

[TXNSLighting]

maybe i should just keep the dually registered non commercial, same with the trailer and then i can overload it and they cant do much about it right?

Since there are dually new f450s ive seen and f550 custom haulers that pull 50' race trailers well into the 30k range total weight same with horse farmers, they dont have CDLs to pull horses and race cars around.

Thats right, they dont have to have it. Its only for commercial crap. Rv's and horse trailers are exempt from this rule.

[ovalracer44]

or medical cards, or paper work ,or all the other stuff, the part that amazes me is these huge motor homes pulling a car behind them being driven by a very seasoned senior citizen.

Like my girlfriends dad.

Granted he does have a CDL but he is 76 years old. :hammerhead:

[KrayzKajun]

Thats right, they dont have to have it. Its only for commercial crap. Rv's and horse trailers are exempt from this rule.

we can put our lawn equipment in a horse trailer!!! PROBLEM SOLVED:laugh:

[KACYDS]

we can put our lawn equipment in a horse trailer!!! PROBLEM SOLVED:laugh:

I know someone in Metaire, that pulls a horse trailer for his lawn equipment.

[Ramairfreak98ss]

I know someone in Metaire, that pulls a horse trailer for his lawn equipment.

krazy, its NOT the trailer thats exempt its the registration of the truck and/or trailer. only commercial stuff gets this, or i think if your a farmer or you pull livestock/horses and you are still commercial, you dont need it.

anyone over 60 years old in NJ and that has caused an accident in nj should be requird to get a CDL lol not the guys who drive all the time with trailers.

[Junior M]

I know a guy that raises horses on the side, and finishes houses for a living and to keep from having to get all that medical, government crap he hauls his stuff in a horse trailer that he has modified to make some what water tight and then he can take that crap off and haul his horses..

[SimonCX]

It sucks that it only applies to commerical but you don't want to get stopped by dot and be overweight or try to pass off as non commerical when you are. Not sure why you registered your truck so high, legally you can't weigh more then 11,400 on the scale truck alone. When you have a trailer it just gets added on to the truck tag so the only thing your getting is higher cost when you register it at dmv. When they stop you they will check the gvwr of the truck and trailer and add it up, then they can weigh you and as long as your under the combined gvwr your going to be ok. So if the truck is 11400 and the trailer is 14000 your ok because combined its 25400. As long as you are not over that weight when they put the scales under you your fine. The actual weight on the scale of the truck and trailer is only used to see if your not over the limit of the combined gvwr. It's confusing but I was told keep it under 26k of the tag weights and your ok, anything over and your risking it without a cdl. Consider nj good for one thing because alot of states any commercial trailer over 10k is cdl even if your under 26k combined.

[ovalracer44]

Another thing to add to what Simon said.

Make sure you load trailers properly. You can easily be under weight but be over axle with a trailer hooked up loaded improperly.

[Jerry Lee]

guys be practical here. tow what needs to be towed and dont worry about the weight. i dont think there gonna scale in a dually with a dump trailer, im shure the hi po has more imporntant things to do.

[Lawnworks]

The real question is... why would you want a shortbed f350??? They look wierd, resale is probably not as good, and who needs a shortbed on a worktruck?

[SimonCX]

Are you kidding, I know for a fact there is one dot guy in a township near me that will have you on the side of the road if he feels your over the limit. If you are over get ready for big fines and your truck is not moving for a while, so I wouldn't say don't worry about the weight and just tow what needs to be towed. He has also been known for stopping landscapers because alot don't tie down there mowers and thats a ticket right away.

[Jerry Lee]

Are you kidding, I know for a fact there is one dot guy in a township near me that will have you on the side of the road if he feels your over the limit. If you are over get ready for big fines and your truck is not moving for a while, so I wouldn't say don't worry about the weight and just tow what needs to be towed. He has also been known for stopping landscapers because alot don't tie down there mowers and thats a ticket right away.

im only joking dude. but people that are so lonely they have to call the hi po any time they feel a truck goes by is over weight, needs to get a life!!

[carterslandscaping08]

I own 3 goosnecks ... and pulled goosnecks for 9+ years. NEVER, NEVER had one get anywhere close to the cab. Your ball mount should be 3" in front of the center of the axle for proper weight distribution. Even with a enclosed goosneck, you would really really have to jack-knife one, which is hard as hell on the trailer axles anyway. Hope that helped.

[Jerry Lee]

I own 3 goosnecks ... and pulled goosnecks for 9+ years. NEVER, NEVER had one get anywhere close to the cab. Your ball mount should be 3" in front of the center of the axle for proper weight distribution. Even with a enclosed goosneck, you would really really have to jack-knife one, which is hard as hell on the trailer axles anyway. Hope that helped.

here we go listen to this dude!!:clapping:

[dwc]

guys be practical here. tow what needs to be towed and dont worry about the weight. i dont think there gonna scale in a dually with a dump trailer, im shure the hi po has more imporntant things to do.
Don't come to SW Oklahoma, they have absolutely nothing better to do! I see more 3/4 and 1 tons with goosenecks pulled over getting the going over than I do semis around here.
In OK if they look at the tag on your truck and trailer and add them together and it's over 26,001 you need a cdl. BTW, even the horse people and farmers are having to get dot#'s/cdl's here. The cops excuse is when you pull that horse trailer to a horse show you are there to make money and if you are a farmer you are in it for a profit so you have to have them. It is all a legalized scam!!!!!!

Also, if you have a unloaded semi that weighs under 26K you still can't drive it without a cdl, just like if you have a 1 ton with a goose.

I have a swb dodge srw 1 ton and have a b&w gooseneck ball. I have pulled a trailer like you posted and I also have the companion hitch from b&w for my 5th wheel rv. You would never have to worry with the goose, but with the 5th you better watch it and get an extended pin box or slider!

[TXNSLighting]

Don't come to SW Oklahoma, they have absolutely nothing better to do! I see more 3/4 and 1 tons with goosenecks pulled over getting the going over than I do semis around here.
In OK if they look at the tag on your truck and trailer and add them together and it's over 26,001 you need a cdl. BTW, even the horse people and farmers are having to get dot#'s/cdl's here. The cops excuse is when you pull that horse trailer to a horse show you are there to make money and if you are a farmer you are in it for a profit so you have to have them. It is all a legalized scam!!!!!!

Also, if you have a unloaded semi that weighs under 26K you still can't drive it without a cdl, just like if you have a 1 ton with a goose.

I have a swb dodge srw 1 ton and have a b&w gooseneck ball. I have pulled a trailer like you posted and I also have the companion hitch from b&w for my 5th wheel rv. You would never have to worry with the goose, but with the 5th you better watch it and get an extended pin box or slider!


Thats exactly how it is in texas also. They add up the truck and trailer and if its over that 26k your out.

[stroker51]

My head was starting to hurt trying to sort out all this mess until the last two posts. In KS any truck tag, we dont' have commercial and not, just truck or not truck tags, and any truck tag starts at 12K. The tag on the truck is supposed to cover truck, trailer, and load. So I have a 20K tag on my F250's, because my truck 7-8K, 22' gooseneck, 2-3k, and 773 bobcat, I'm guessin 6K ish with only the bucket on, put me at 17K on the heavy side. The trailer still has to be tagged, but not for any real weight, just so long as the tow vehicle is tagged to cover the total load. This is why i only have a 16k on my F450, it's rated to carry 15K, and there is no way I could even think about pulling anything with it while it's fully loaded.


Oh, and that crap with making farmers get DOT and all is a crock. They might say that ppl going to horse show are to make money, you add up all the cost involved in that hobby, most people aren't gonna make anything doing it. And on the production ag side, unless you're hauling grain or cattle for hire and crossing state lines while doing it, there is no way they should be able to regulate ag that much.

[stroker51]

While i'm thinking about it. If there is anybody else reading this thread that plows....how much overweight are you do you think when you have an 8' v box in the back of a 3/4 or even 1 ton truck and a blade on the front? I know what I scale out at in my 96 with plow and loaded spreader on, and know that it's pretty much the norm everywhere i've pushed. The best solution i've seen is to add more springs to the back so it doesn't look/handle like it's overloaded.

[Jerry Lee]

While i'm thinking about it. If there is anybody else reading this thread that plows....how much overweight are you do you think when you have an 8' v box in the back of a 3/4 or even 1 ton truck and a blade on the front? I know what I scale out at in my 96 with plow and loaded spreader on, and know that it's pretty much the norm everywhere i've pushed. The best solution i've seen is to add more springs to the back so it doesn't look/handle like it's overloaded.


hiniker v box, is that the salt spreader. if so we have one of those at work

[ProTouch Groundscapes]

The best solution i've seen is to add more springs to the back so it doesn't look/handle like it's overloaded.

Hooray for air bags on 1 ton dump trucks!!! the most abused trucks on the road... guilty as charged....

[GravelyNut]

It all depends on what state you live in and travel thru as to what you have to worry about. The states can put lower limits on you than what the Feds have.

And some states decide what is and isn't exempt such as travel trailers being while a landscape, dump or enclosed is not.

Fed rules are CDL for 26001 or more GCWR. With a trailer over a GVWR of 10001,it requires a CDL Class A. It goes by rating, not if it is empty or loaded. Trailer ratings are by weight of the trailer as if it was not hooked to the truck while sitting on the scales and you can be made to take the load off of the tongue for a scale weight. 3 7K axles means 21K max if that is what the maker of the trailer rated it at. You cannot load that trailer to 21K on the axles with 3000 pounds on the tongue legally. You would need a 24K trailer for that load. Tongue load on the truck cannot put you beyond the truck's GVWR or the axle ratings.

So if you have a 3500 rated at 11400 GVWR and a trailer rated at 15000, better go get the CDL Class A as you will meet a DOT cop one day that will pull you. And even with the Class A, you better still be under the Gross Combined Weight Rating or it still could be ticket time.

On my runs to Ohio ( moving there ) with truck and trailer I get weighed at least once per trip. Last trip north the trailer was light at 5380 on a 7K rating and the truck was at ~9K on a 11400 rating. But the tongue load was 760lbs, so that put the truck at very close to 10K. A 2500 rated 9600lbs would have been in ticket territory.

[dwc]

By "tag" I actually meant the sticker on your door and the sticker on the tongue of the trailer is what they will add together to get your gcwr. Trust me they stopped me in our 4700 International (23.5Kgvw) with a car hauler behind it and gave a verbal warning. Said to either not pull even a golf cart trailer or get dot # and cdl. It drives them crazy that we do not have to have the dot # or cdl on the 4700 since it is below 26K.

As for the farmers and horse people, I see it all the time around here. I know it is arguable but have you ever argued with a troll?? I seriously doubt you will win! I have even watched them run my tags on my 3500 and rv while at a gas station to make sure I wasn't a rv hauler. They have found an easy way to write tickets and they are getting annoying around here.

[nosparkplugs]

Wow, this thread has taken on a life of it's own; from shortbox gooseneck hitch placement to DOT laws.

I put Firestone Ride-Rite air bags on all my trucks, and that ensures a level load, and no "extra" attention drawn to my business. Our DOT will not mess with the "little" guys unless your a "knuckle head" with the leaf springs dragging bottom, and the front end of the truck pointed to the moon, with the trailer swaying back & forth.:laugh::hammerhead:

Check you State DOT laws, and if your crossing state lines towing, it's best to know the states DOT laws your traveling through also. The east coast has some of the strictest DOT laws in the country, and I could not imagine trying to make a living there, my hat's off to you guys.

The only problem I have with GTWR now, is ever since I switched to the Dodge Cummins it's hard to tell how much weight I'm really rated for towing now:dizzy:, the Cummins will get you in trouble; cause if you have the balls the Cummins can tow way more than a 2500 or 3500 class truck is rated for, with ease.:laugh:
Tennessse does NOT require a CDL for up to 26,000GVWR. Now if I cross into another State that law might change, ignorance in DOT law is not bliss:nono:. If your strictly intrastate transporting you are only requied to follow your state DOT laws thats it, some state's are way to strict, and some are far to lax ed.

You cannot sit on the fence in this matter telling others what is right & wrong; because each state is different with State specific DOT laws

Here in Memphis, Tn the DOT has NEVER messed with me or any of my friends in the business, and their main focus is on the larger commercial rigs, is that fair? No, Do we like it? you bet we do. 99% of the major accidents in our greater metropolitan area, are caused buy large Semi's taking out bridge's with their loads or exiting ramps to fast and loosing their loads.

[Junior M]

Wow, this thread has taken on a life of it's own; from shortbox gooseneck hitch placement to DOT laws.

I put Firestone Ride-Rite air bags on all my trucks, and that ensures a level load, and no "extra" attention drawn to my business. Our DOT will not mess with the "little" guys unless your a "knuckle head" with the leaf springs dragging bottom, and the front end of the truck pointed to the moon, with the trailer swaying back & forth.:laugh::hammerhead:

Check you State DOT laws, and if your crossing state lines towing, it's best to know the states DOT laws your traveling through also. The east coast has some of the strictest DOT laws in the country, and I could not imagine trying to make a living there, my hat's off to you guys.

The only problem I have with GTWR now, is ever since I switched to the Dodge Cummins it's hard to tell how much weight I'm really rated for towing now:dizzy:, the Cummins will get you in trouble; cause if you have the balls the Cummins can tow way more than a 2500 or 3500 class truck is rated for, with ease.:laugh:
Tennessse does NOT require a CDL for up to 26,000GVWR. Now if I cross into another State that law might change, ignorance in DOT law is not bliss:nono:. If your strictly intrastate transporting you are only requied to follow your state DOT laws thats it, some state's are way to strict, and some are far to lax ed.

You cannot sit on the fence in this matter telling others what is right & wrong; because each state is different with State specific DOT laws

Here in Memphis, Tn the DOT has NEVER messed with me or any of my friends in the business, and their main focus is on the larger commercial rigs, is that fair? No, Do we like it? you bet we do. 99% of the major accidents in our greater metropolitan area, are caused buy large Semi's taking out bridge's with their loads or exiting ramps to fast and loosing their loads.
A cummins sure will get you in trouble! We used to gross 22,500+ with a 3500 cummins pulling a directional drill with a mud system full of water and the truck wouldnt have a problem pulling it! Course that was before laws got strict, but we still didnt get in trouble when we were working out of state, and no one had CDL's either..