Can somebody explain to me how the trailer weight rating AND gross weight rating work. I have a 2002 2500hd duramax with a unladen weight of 6,249. I have a bobcat ct450 With attachments weights in around 6,500. If i get a trailer that weights around 3000-4000 will I be able to pull it legally or will i be over what the truck is rated for pulling. thanks

Bumper or gooseneck hitch?

If the total weight is only ~10,400lbs you should be fine in either case, although you will probably need weight dist hitch if pulling off the bumper.

gooseneck. I see guy's talking about cdl's and stuff I just cant figure out how they calculate everything out. So my books says 12,000. So if my trailer and tractor are not over 12,000 Im legal? Is that correct?

That's a whole other can of worms depending on what state/province you are from.

But if I'm not over 12,000 trailer and what I'm hauling I'm legal correct?

gooseneck. I see guy's talking about cdl's and stuff I just cant figure out how they calculate everything out. So my books says 12,000. So if my trailer and tractor are not over 12,000 Im legal? Is that correct?

You are completely legal both with your regular non-CDL license for driving your rig and as long as you are not overweight on your GVW for your trailer[which you didn't mention],you are fine.It's all very simple math,based on your registered weight,based on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration[FMCSA] rules.Sometime,bring your lap top to the best seat in your house and spend a few hours on their site.Better than a coffee enema!:D

Your tow rating is the GCWR minus the weight of the truck when ready to tow.

You are completely legal both with your regular non-CDL license for driving your rig

Unless he is from California.

Unless he is from California.

Show us why.

Show us why.

Assuming the trailer is over 10k.


Who Needs a CDL?

To operate commercial vehicles, you must apply for a CDL. Only California residents may obtain a California CDL. Residency is established by any of the following: registering to vote here, paying resident tuition at a public institution of higher education, filing for a California homeowner's property tax exemption, obtaining a license (such as a fishing license), or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents. You need a CDL if you op-erate a vehicle or combination of vehicles which requires a Class A or Class B license or Class C license with endorsements.
This handbook will help you pass the written and skills tests. However, this handbook is not a substitute for a truck driver training class or program. Formal training is the most reliable way to learn the many special skills required for safely driving a large commercial vehicle and be-coming a professional driver in the trucking industry.

A commercial motor vehicle is a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles that:
Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
Is a combination vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, if the trailer(s) has a GVWR of 10,001 or more pounds.
Tows any vehicle with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more.http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/sec1.htm#needcdl

Well Budworth,it seems you are indeed right.Makes no sense to me but Cali always did do some strange stuff.

Makes no sense to me but Cali always did do some strange stuff.

Lol yep, hence my post regarding the can of worms...

Well Budworth,it seems you are indeed right.Makes no sense to me but Cali always did do some strange stuff.

With the exception of CA your comments are spot on unless using a crazy big trailer.

But that stipulation is towing a VEHICLE over 10k GVWR, not a trailer. Looking at the following link indicates he'll be fine if the bumper pull is 10k or less or his 5er/GN is 15k or less....

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/lic_chart.htm

BTW, not arguing, it seems they deliberately try and confuse everyone. I have a class A due to work, but my wife does not and she sometimes drives the truck when we're hooked up to the 5er on road trips...

But that stipulation is towing a VEHICLE over 10k GVWR, not a trailer.

A trailer is a vehicle. ;)

A trailer is a vehicle. ;)

I always thought a vehicle was something that could propel/move itself? I'd certainly question it as official wording, whoever wrote the CA DMV rules/regs is no stranger to contradiction that's for sure:D

With the exception of CA your comments are spot on unless using a crazy big trailer.

Well thankyou there Budworth.As an excavator who's been in biz for 36 years,I would like to think I know a few things about trucking.What's your resume by the way?

Well thankyou there Budworth.As an excavator who's been in biz for 36 years,I would like to think I know a few things about trucking.What's your resume by the way?

Concrete construction, light excavating/grading and farming.

We are constantly at the just under or just over CDL line depending on which trailer is on which truck and then am exempt part of the time. :rolleyes:

Concrete construction, light excavating/grading and farming.

We are constantly at the just under or just over CDL line depending on which trailer is on which truck and then am exempt part of the time. :rolleyes:

That sounds like one of those there desasters-[disasters] just waiting to happen.You do know driving out of class can be a red tag out of service for your rig,huge fine,and finding a friend who has a CDL to drive your ride back to your shop.NOT worth it.I see guys fighting the system all the time to justify in their minds that they don't need it.Just get it over with,you'll sleep much better.

That sounds like one of those there desasters-[disasters] just waiting to happen..

Why do you say that? I've got all my bases covered.

HK45, I still don't see what state/province your working in.
Anyway, the truck, '02 2500HD, should have a decal in the drivers door opening that states the Gross vehicle weight rating GVW, of 9200 lbs. That is the truck alone, but also applies to the truck portion of a truck/trailer combination. It will also show the maximum axle rates for that truck. Axle rate will add up to more than the GVW. But you shouldn't exceed any of those rates.
Then the trailer should have a decal on the left front corner that shows the weight rates of the trailer (a vehicle). A gross weight, that's the weight on the tongue and the axles. Also should show an axle rating. Shouldn't exceed any of those numbers.
When the trailer is loaded, hooked to the truck, the gross combination weight (GCWR) should be less than 22,000 lbs on an '02 2500HD (GM spec at date of manufacture). Keep in mind that the tongue weight is now on the truck, so watch how much junk you put in the truck. Drive axle overloading is easy on those trucks.
Then don't exceed any of the referred to weights, to be completely legal.
Commercial is more critical due to more inspections. Recreational vehicles do seem to be checked less often.

Why do you say that? I've got all my bases covered.

Umm---the part where you say 'We are constantly at the just under or just over CDL line depending on which trailer is on which truck and then am exempt part of the time. '' Bases covered? Not quite. The first time you get stopped by the funny looking bad boys in their orange coveralls,you will wish you have your CDL.They are all business----COMPLETELY unlike any other law enforcement.DOT---DEP'T OF TROUBLE:(

I forgot to suggest that, depending on the jurisdication you operate in, the 22,000 GCVW limit of the 2500HD may keep you off the Cali 26,000 CDL limit.
But with a loader on the trailer, and/or a business name on the door, it sure looks like a commercial situation, and the rules are different in each state/province. In Alberta, Canada, that load requires an annual safety inspection on the truck and the trailer, operator log book (hours on duty, etc), and a class 1 drivers licence (CDL), when in commercial operation. If not commercial, they still like to pull you in "just to check"

So if trailer, truck, what your towing is under 22,000 I'm good to go

Just ad a *Not For Hire* Sticker on your truck... Your Tow Vehicle is not for Hire !!!

At least it helps here LOL

I live In Pa. This is my setup, My truck GVW is 9,200 and unladen weight of truck is 6,249. The trailer I was looking at is a GVW of 14,000 and unladen weight of 5,200. My bobcat is around 6,600. Do I need to have a CDL to be legal?

I live In Pa. This is my setup, My truck GVW is 9,200 and unladen weight of truck is 6,249. The trailer I was looking at is a GVW of 14,000 and unladen weight of 5,200. My bobcat is around 6,600. Do I need to have a CDL to be legal?

NO.

So if trailer, truck, what your towing is under 22,000 I'm good to go
Only if the weight is spread out across the axles so you don't exceed the weight limit of any one axle.

how do you check that?

how do you check that?

Seriously? :eek:

how do you check that?

http://catscale.findlocation.com/

how do you check that?

Anyone that tows a trailer needs to understand this completely!

Webpage on the terms used:
http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com/vehicle-weight.html

PDF from Bridgestone on how to do it:
http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com/support-files/weighform.pdf

Direct Link to Bridgestone PDF
http://www.trucktires.com/bridgestone/us_eng/press/zip/WeighForm.pdf

thanks for all the info