Truck & Trailer ideas to tow 14,000 and be under 26,000 pounds

[3930dave]

Eddie - just read the first couple of pages only (might be repeating, apologies if so).... you may be all set with Ag exempt, but wanted to post an option we have here.

We have a Restricted Class A (at least in some provinces), which gives the higher trailer weight limit, but does away with the air-brake endorsement and the requirement to test in a full-size tractor. With the higher tow capacity of modern ton+ pickups, it was recognized that there were utility and personal users who need/want to tow that heavy, but have no interest in air-brake Medium+ platforms.

IDK if this ^ classification is available in TX, but if it is, may give you a legal option for non-farm activities if that comes up.

Rgds, D.

 

[stumblinhorse]

So I have a SRW Ram 3500 with a GVWR of 11,700, trailer max of 17,300 and a GCWR of 25,300 and I have a GN trailer with a GVWR of 18,000. So can I take the test with that combo? Get a CDL-A for no air-brake, automatic only and no 5th wheel? Or will they laugh at me?

 

[LD1]

So has anyone (or know someone that has) taken a CDL-A test with nothing more than a dually and a 16' bumper pull 14k trailer?

 

[kf4uda]

Eddie, I like your choice of truck. I think a 1 ton flatbed would serve you well. Reading your needs list I almost think I would focus on a trailer that would haul the hay, tractors/attachments and forget the backhoe since it requires so much more trailer. Since you are thinking about needing it for just 1 round trip you could most likely hire someone to move it for you. I don't have a way to move my backhoe either and that is what I did when I needed it on another property. Lack of ability to move it also keeps my "friends" list shorter

Just a thought.

 

[RandyT]

You need to reread the requirements for taking a CDL test in Illinois. There is no way to take a CDL test with a pick up and trailer and receive a class A with air brake endorsement. They also distinguish between a CDL with an automatic transmission or a manual transmission. There is also a distinction between having an air brake endorsement which would be a class a license, and a non-airbrake endorsement, which would be a semi truck with out airbrakes. A class B license.

Please reread your information before giving more advice.

You need to read my post again because I said minus air brake endorsement, and there is no way for a pickup to get class B because the tow vehicle is under 26K with or without air brakes. Class B is tow vehicles over 26K with trailer under 10K. Has nothing to do with air brakes or not. Class A is combination over 26K trailer over 10K. Pickup/trailer combination would be class A with L restriction,

 

[RandyT]

So I have a SRW Ram 3500 with a GVWR of 11,700, trailer max of 17,300 and a GCWR of 25,300 and I have a GN trailer with a GVWR of 18,000. So can I take the test with that combo? Get a CDL-A for no air-brake, automatic only and no 5th wheel? Or will they laugh at me?

From just reading my state CDL website I would say no due to verified GCWR under 26K.

 

[Hay Dude]

So has anyone (or know someone that has) taken a CDL-A test with nothing more than a dually and a 16' bumper pull 14k trailer?

Yup
We we are told to test in what you intend to drive.

There’s still some hydraulic braked trucks out there that are over the limit for combo ratings. I’d hate to be driving one.

I tested in a large air braked class 8 dump truck with an air braked trailer.

 

[stumblinhorse]

From just reading my state CDL website I would say no due to verified GCWR under 26K.

My truck is 11,700 and my trailer is 18,000. 29,700 total rating…. Capacity 25,300.

 

[4570Man]

So has anyone (or know someone that has) taken a CDL-A test with nothing more than a dually and a 16' bumper pull 14k trailer?

I took my test in my dump truck because it has air brakes so I got that endorsement but you could have taken the test in a pickup. There’s no rule against it. I pulled my 14k trailer behind the dump truck. I have a class a which isn’t limited to a 10k trailer like a class b is but I have a 5th wheel restriction. I’m guessing a gooseneck trailer behind a pickup would still get you a 5th wheel restriction but I don’t know for sure.

 

[Hay Dude]

A 5th wheel restriction? Never heard of that