DOT and Single Axel Trailers

[CLARK LAWN]

Originally Posted by lalllc

32vld is rt. if you add the truck with the trailer they go by a combo weight.(gvw) not just the truck or the trailer. so if you can hall lets say 100 lbs with your truck and your trailer is 200 lbs dry , your over loaded. you add weight to the trailer of 50 lbs and the trailer can hold 25 lbs then there both over loaded, and that ends up costing you a lot in fines by a dot cop. also look at what your licence plate is rated at. if you have a 7000 lb plate and you are putting 10000 lbs in it you are over loaded too. even if you have the room to add to your cgvw. It can get out of had if you dont pay close attention. Its just common sense.

So much misinformation here I don't even know were to start.
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[djagusch]

Originally Posted by skorum03

Thats a pain. Thankfully around here they're much more relaxed with the lawn care guys.

YardBros Outdoors
www.yardbros.com

No they are not. Been pulled over twice between hudson and st croix falls
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[lalllc]

I do know that you can call Iosc extension office. They should be able to help.
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[stroker51]

Jack, it has nothing to do with actual weight as far as when you become a "motor carrier". It has to do with rated weight. Look at the VIN tag inside the door jam of the trucks, it will say what the gvwr of the truck is, find the vin tag on the trailers, your mow trailer is 7k, tractor hauler is probably 14k, enclosed is at least 7k. Add truck and trailer RATINGS up, and that will decide if you are considered a motor carrier. Anything over 10,001 gcvwr, meaning combined rating, makes you a motor carrier if that rig makes you money. Actual weight does matter as far as overload tickets go, but I don't know any lawn guys that have ever been scaled, it is what your rig is capable of weighing that matters. 3/4 tons are 8-9k on gvwr, my one tons have been between 9500 and 11000 depending on how the truck is set up. The only way I have figured out around the gustapo is 1/2 ton trucks and single axle trailers, but I'm not hot on the idea of hanging plows on half tons.

[Cody S.]

Like others have stated it is all based off of weight RATING, not gross weight. My truck has a GVWR of 6950, and my single axle trailer has a GVWR of 2995. This puts me at a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 9945. Note, this is not actual weight, but the weight rating, which is the gross weight then weight accounted for payload, passengers, etc. So, going by US DOT regulations, I would not need a DOT number to operate this combination as a motor carrier, however my vehicle still needs to be lettered with business name/phone while being operated.

As of last year all states go by US DOT regulations by the FMCSA, although some states enforce more than others. This states that any motor carrier (truck or truck/trailer combo operated to make money) with a GVWR (single truck) or a GCWR (truck and trailer) of over 10,001 needs a US DOT Number, whether you are intrastate or interstate. I have a DOT number on my truck because the minute I hook up to a bigger trailer I'm over my GCWR. It's not hard to get a DOT number. Go to the FMCSA website and apply for one. Most LCO are intrastate non-hazmat, which means you only operate within your state and carry no hazardous materials (Large scale fertilizer tanks, etc.), which then you may need a CDL endorsement or other licensing requirements. It is free to get a DOT number, and you can update it as you need as you grow your company.

Now, for DOT inspections on your vehicles. If you are operating under 10,001lbs, like my example above, you do not need your vehicle or trailer inspected. However, if you go over that, make sure that both truck and trailer have inspection tags and all parts (Lights, brake away controller, etc.) are working, because you do not want a hefty ticket because of a broken light bulb. Most LEO's will not look at a guy with a half ton and a single axle, because most likely, unless it is CLEARLY overloaded, the driver is not. DOT officers are looking more for 3/4 tons and double axles, dump trucks and trailers, etc.

Just my .02 haha

[skorum03]

Originally Posted by Cody S.

Like others have stated it is all based off of weight RATING, not gross weight. My truck has a GVWR of 6950, and my single axle trailer has a GVWR of 2995. This puts me at a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 9945. Note, this is not actual weight, but the weight rating, which is the gross weight then weight accounted for payload, passengers, etc. So, going by US DOT regulations, I would not need a DOT number to operate this combination as a motor carrier, however my vehicle still needs to be lettered with business name/phone while being operated.

As of last year all states go by US DOT regulations by the FMCSA, although some states enforce more than others. This states that any motor carrier (truck or truck/trailer combo operated to make money) with a GVWR (single truck) or a GCWR (truck and trailer) of over 10,001 needs a US DOT Number, whether you are intrastate or interstate. I have a DOT number on my truck because the minute I hook up to a bigger trailer I'm over my GCWR. It's not hard to get a DOT number. Go to the FMCSA website and apply for one. Most LCO are intrastate non-hazmat, which means you only operate within your state and carry no hazardous materials (Large scale fertilizer tanks, etc.), which then you may need a CDL endorsement or other licensing requirements. It is free to get a DOT number, and you can update it as you need as you grow your company.

Now, for DOT inspections on your vehicles. If you are operating under 10,001lbs, like my example above, you do not need your vehicle or trailer inspected. However, if you go over that, make sure that both truck and trailer have inspection tags and all parts (Lights, brake away controller, etc.) are working, because you do not want a hefty ticket because of a broken light bulb. Most LEO's will not look at a guy with a half ton and a single axle, because most likely, unless it is CLEARLY overloaded, the driver is not. DOT officers are looking more for 3/4 tons and double axles, dump trucks and trailers, etc.

Just my .02 haha

Very well explained. I think many will appreciate that.

YardBros Outdoors
www.yardbros.com

[Cody S.]

Originally Posted by skorum03

Very well explained. I think many will appreciate that.

YardBros Outdoors
www.yardbros.com

I hope it helps. I went through this about a couple months ago when I wanted to letter my truck. After talking between state and the FMCSA I got one and threw it on my truck.

Also, word of advice to all of those getting a DOT number. When you apply for it, they will assign one to you right away. You will get phone calls from a bunch of second hand companies, but make sure the person calling is from the FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. I had one guy call me saying that he needed $200.00 for my background check, $7.00 for a regulation book, and a bunch of other bull****. I asked him if he was from the FMCSA and hung up on me
The FMCSA will send you a letter telling you what YOU need to do to comply, they won't make you, because if you don't do what they tell you, and you get busted, they'll just deactivate your DOT number. So, for most LCO's, a DOT number is a simple process. It's when you get into 26,001+ vehicles, Hazmat, multiple drivers, etc, things get more complicated (medical cards, inspections, licensing, etc.) but that comes with this job.

Also, make sure you have the proper license to operate a commercial vehicle in your state! Here in Michigan you need a Chauffeurs license to operate a commercial vehicle over 10,001lbs, either GVWR or GCWR, so do your homework.

Hope this helps anybody questioning DOT regulations.

You can check out this page, its the FMCSA DOT Registration page
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registratio...escription.htm

[ncknaklawns]

Note if your over 18K in some states you need a Heavy Inspection done on the pickup. So a 1 ton pickup with twin axel trailer of 5K each your GCWR is 20K

[Duffster]

Originally Posted by stroker51

Jack, it has nothing to do with actual weight as far as when you become a "motor carrier".

Originally Posted by Cody S.

Like others have stated it is all based off of weight RATING, not gross weight.

Actually it is based off of GVWR, CGVWR, GVW or CGVW. If any are over 10k.

[Cody S.]

Originally Posted by Duffster

Actually it is based off of GVWR, CGVWR, GVW or CGVW. If any are over 10k.

GVWR, and CGVWR are ratings. GVW and CGVW is gross curb weight, which is what it actually weighs. That only comes into play for determining payload to make sure you are not overloaded, etc. Determining if you need a DOT is based solely off of your ratings, not your curb weight, because that is already factored into your rating. Truck Weight + Payload = Rating, same with Trailer Weight + Payload = Rating.

GVW/GCVW only matters with weighing your setup. Example. Truck has a GVWR of 10,100lbs, even though your truck may only have a GVW of 8200lbs, you still need a US DOT number to operate it commercially. They look at your ratings for determining if you need a DOT number. GVW/GCVW comes in at the CAT scale.

Point is, when determining if you NEED a DOT number, only look at what you are operating with Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings or Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Ratings.