Im not sure if the laws vary from state to state. I know in PA you need a CDL is the GVW of the truck or the truck and trailer combined are 26,001LBs or more.

 

Evan528 exactly correct! I would think that if your towing anything more than 10,000lbs with either of those trucks burn up something.

 

I believe that even if the combination is under 26K, if the trailer is over 10K, you need a CDL.

 

Pick up a Federal Motor Carrier manual. All questions pretty much covered. (except how much can a Ford tranny handle maybe). http://www.jjkeller.com/browse/prod...se/product.html?group_id=2282&ticket=4240371584362753762465752437&pageseq=10000

 

Operating in Mass I believe your answer is yes. I know they are very strict about it. I'm about 90% sure.

 

There was a thread several months back that covered this topic... Basically what was decided was that each state will vary somewhat, and you need to check with your state.

I'll see if I can find it for you....


Dan

 

Here's the thread: http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=73460

Eric (Treegodfather), checked into stuff for Mass. so you will find some good info there.

Dan

 

Aren't CDL requirements the same in every state? Anyway, why such a heavy trailer for a skid steer?

 

Aren't CDL requirements the same in every state? Anyway, why such a heavy trailer for a skid steer?

No they arent. I was absolutly posative that they were, but I was wrong. I thought this was the reason they came up with the cdl, to make everything standard.

 

I have a CDL because I drive a bus in the winter but at least in Kentucky it isn't needed until the magic 26K or more. I pulled a Bobcat and trailer last week about 2 miles with my Toyota Tundra and just took it real easy and slow. I had no trouble but wouldn't recommend it. I was about 2k over the rating for my vehicle. It pulled fine but without trailer brakes stopping was the trick. It really wanted to push me along. Each state varies a little on CDL requirements so please check with your DMV. One thing I would point out. Having a CDL changes everything. You don't get as many points to play with and the BAC level is about half if you get busted for DUI. Annual or Bi-annual physical requirment for medical card is required to hold a CDL. They check out your background in much more detail, which I like. I will keep my CDL current because it gives me more options of what I can drive or rent.

 

I just got my CDL last winter. The federal government set up minimum regulations that each state must meet. However each state can go above and beyond those minimums. In my state, NH, the rule for having a cdl is if the combination of vehicles is 26000 gcvw or greater and the trailer has a gvw of 10000 or more you must have a cdl. Now these figures are registered gvw's not manufacturers gvw's. I can legally register my f550 for up to 33000 gvw. I have a 15000gvw trailer that I am only registering for 12000 so I don't have to pay as much at registration.
As for a f250/f350 there is no way you should be towing more than 12000 with those. That 12000 is the rated towing capacity with a fifth wheel or goose neck trailer not a bumper pull. My F550 is rated to tow 18000 trailers gvw or 26000 gcvw. Technically I shouldn't be towing more than 16000 because my truck with the body is 10000lbs.

 

I take it you didn't get the payload upgrade?

I'm pretty sure that here in IN, they go by whichever is greater between the registration and the manufacturer's rating. That's something I probably need to check to be sure, but every piece of literature I've seen regarding CDL's state's GVWR, not registered rating. BUT- we can register a vehicle for more than it's rated at.....


Dan

 

Evan528 exactly correct! I would think that if your towing anything more than 10,000lbs with either of those trucks burn up something.

I have a f350 crewcab dually PSD diesel (11,000 gvw) that pulls a 40' gooseneck trailer with tandem dually(derated down to 15,000) . The truck was bought new for mobilizing equipment between jobsites "long hauls"....On the trailer you will find a New Holland 865 (8500lbs with counter weights & foam fills), multiple buckets, a John Deere 955 with bucket (3000 lbs), a modified landpride laser grading drag box (1500lbs), small roller (1000lbs)...Keep in mind the trailer weighs about 5600lbs.

Yes thats a lot of weight!!!!! But the Ford F350 has towed it no problem for many years up and down the mid atlantic coast line and now has about 160,000 miles on the original transmission and motor. When the truck isn't towing for that trailer its towing a skid steer on a smaller tow behind trailer or has 3000lbs+ in its bed. I know in the snow it had a 3400lbs of building stone for weight and a skid steer being towed behind it...It tows without any problems and rides like a train.

So as far as burning something up that is not the case. We have a bunch of late model F250 & 350 non dually that tows skid steers and load with pallets of 3000lbs or more on a daily basis. Some of these trucks even have V10s and they still haven't burned up their engines or trannies.. Our fords have between 60-160K on them with very minimal problems. The fords are build tuff and are built to last. Yes we all hear about problems that some guy have with chevy, dodge and fords but bottom line is I have to go with what I have seen with my fleet as well as all my buddies fleets..

So ARP to answer your question you will most likely need a CDL when your trailer exceeds 10,001 lbs. I wouldn't worry about it. All of our trailers are over 10,000 cause we have them built heavier than what we need so we dont exceed it for safety reasons. We currently do no employ any CDL drivers. You will find they are very lazy and rather sit in a dump truck for the same amount of money. You should consider getting one yourself for those days you plan to run heavy....If you are going to go with a dump trailer that heavy go with a gooseneck configuration. It will ride and tow much better. Just make sure you get brakes on both trailer axles. Brimar makes some of the best built dump trailers. We have had ours for about 4 years and have yet to have any real problems with it. If this is a daily trailer you will need to change the front tires every 1-2 years and adjust the brakes and inspect the pads 1-2 times a year.

When you run heavy often you need to check your brakes often. Plus its best to be safe. Electric brakes are a PITA!!!!!! That is why we switched to surge on the tow behinds.

 

What it really comes down to is everyone that has a trailer over 10000 lbs really should go check with their respective state DOT offices and speak with someone to make sure they are in compliance. I myself am still confused about whether I need a DOT physical or not. I have been told by the owner of the CDL school I went to is that I will only need a DOT physical if I cross state lines. I did read the federal rules and found out that I needed a Federal DOT number.
It would be really nice if the states would put packages together to be given out when you go a register your vehicles that explains all of the rules and regulations that you must meet. The federal and state governments leave it up to the consumer to discover what the regulations are. Most of the time you find out after you have recieved a ticket for some DOT infraction. I found out most of what I know after I recieved a ticket for being overweight.

 

I take it you didn't get the payload upgrade?

I'm pretty sure that here in IN, they go by whichever is greater between the registration and the manufacturer's rating. That's something I probably need to check to be sure, but every piece of literature I've seen regarding CDL's state's GVWR, not registered rating. BUT- we can register a vehicle for more than it's rated at.....

Dan

As I said mentioned before you are correct that the 2005 F550 has a 19500 4x4 option. In 2004 they did not have that. It is kind of stupid because the manufacturers tags on my door jamb say 6000 front axle and 13500 rear axle. However the the gvw is stamped 17500. I think it is probably because they increased the braking capacity in the new models. I am a little disapointed in the rear springs on the truck. My old 96 f350 has nose down attitude when unloaded and levels out when loaded. My new F550 is level unloaded and dips considerably when loaded. My rear hitch plate sits about 6" lower when loaded. I have trouble with it in off road situations. It hits when going through dips in the terrain. Other than that I love the truck. I might put some timbrens in the back or auxilary air bags.

 

I pulled this out of NH state CDL driver's manual.

 

I got this from the NH CDL Manual

 

Sorry about the last two posts. Here is the quote from the NH CDL manual.


On October 26, 1986, Congress passed the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This law requires
each State to meet the same minimum standards for commercial driver licensing. The standards
require commercial motor vehicle drivers to hold a Commercials Driver’s License (CDL). A “commercial
motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle or combination used in commerce to transport passengers or
property. You must have a CDL to operate any of the following Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV’s):
• A vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 pounds.
• A combination of trailer and towing unit which exceeds 26,000 pounds GVWR with the trailer exceeding
10,000 pounds GVWR.
• A vehicle designed to transport more than 15 persons (including the driver).
• Any size vehicle which transports hazardous materials which requires placarding.

 

On a related question, does anyone know what types of vehicles are considered acceptable for taking your class "A" road test?

Like many guys here, I'd like to be able to tow a larger trailer, but all I'm ever looking to do is tow a tag trailer with a single-axle dump. I'd like to have the option of running a 33k truck with a 20-30k equipment trailer.

I looked into the local driving school, but the cost for their basic CDL course was way more than I wanted to spend ($4500).

Can I show up to take the road test with an F550 and a 18' skid-steer trailer? I'd be taking the test in PA.

Joe Kantz

 

this may help you
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/interp383.113.htm

 

this may help you
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/interp383.113.htm

you have to test in a vehicle representative of the class of license you are trying to get

 

If I was to purchase a used F250 or F350 diesel and tow with it either a drop deck equipment trailer or a dump trailer rated at 14- 16,000 lbs. (GCVWR at approx. 20- 24,000 lbs) for a skidsteer business- would I need a CDL to operate this rig?

Indiana AND Kentucky require CDL/med card/log book/ect on ANYTHING with COMBINED GVW of over 10,000LBS, AND being used for ANY commercial use. It was fully explained to me (By Ky DOT, and In DOT) that this is intended to target MOST LCO truck/trailer rigs. Get the CDL.....

 

Terraventure, Last week I attended a DOT regualtion class taught by a local DOT certifified officer. He made it very clear that they couldnt care less what you registerd your vehicle or trailer at....... they care about what the manufacturer labeled it as for a GVW. So basicaly registering your vehicle at a lower GVW to get around needing a CDL or meeting those requirements will bring some pretty hefty fines your way if your pulled over and that is looked into.

 

in CT youd need a cdl. combined weight of 26,001 or more needs cdl, or if your towing a trailer over 10k lbs.

 

also if you cross state lines you need a dot number and you need to run a log book for the previous 7 days. if your just doing local driving you just put local driving without trailer. etc etc.