Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements

[paulsharvey]

License Classes, Endorsements & Designations

Language | Idioma English Español Non-Commercial Driver Licenses CLASS E: Any non-commercial motor vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) less than 26,001 pounds, including passenger cars, 15 passenger vans including the driver, trucks or recreational vehicles and two or three wheel...

www.flhsmv.gov

CDL Exemptions

The following persons are exempt from the requirements to obtain a commercial driver license:


Farmers transporting farm supplies or farm machinery, or transporting agricultural products to or from the first place of storage or processing or directly to or from market, within 150 miles of their farm; or


Drivers who operate straight trucks (single units) that are exclusively transporting their own tangible personal property which is not for sale.



Anyone know what exactly that last item is really talking about? Uhaul truck with car trailer?

 

[LD1]

On a theoretical class D, I would probably actually lower the powered unit (truck) weight from 26,000 GVWR to 22, 000 GVWR and raise the towed unit (trailer) from 10,000 GVWR to 20,000 GVWR for a total of 42,000 GCWR. Trucks today can tow so much more and safer, too. That would blanket all the 4500/5500/6500 class trucks pretty well.

If manufacturers start raising capacities again, that could cause a problem, but at least that would give the guys without CDL’s with a mini-ex a breather for a while.

Probably would still want to make it electric brakes only, and there’s very few situations where it wouldn’t be electric brakes.

OR also include

Offer a 1-day course/exam on the above mentioned packages just to make sure the lower IQ crowd knows how to attach trailer, strapping, dunnage, checking for mechanical issues. That would satisfy the wet hens in the state G_________t that all the “redneck truckers” that landscape their mansions that we are “trained”. It should be paid for or subsidized by taxpayers, since EVERYTHING ELSE IS and it would reduce accidents, so WHY NOT?

Well, there’s my take on it. Go ahead and tear it to shreds, I really don’t give a fart. I got my CDL 30 years ago.

I would be all for that.....but that pretty much limits trailers to tandem singles.

Rules out just about every dual tandem and tri-axle trailer.

Not much difference in towing a 20+5 14k GN vs a 20+5 24k dual tandem GN.

I know no matter where the line is drawn.....there are always gonna be some "just" over the line who will feel shafted by wherever the bar is set.

But quite simply....IMO.....no combination of a PICKUP TRUCK and a trailer made for a PICKUP TRUCK should warrant a CDL.

 

[paulsharvey]

I would be all for that.....but that pretty much limits trailers to tandem singles.

Rules out just about every dual tandem and tri-axle trailer.

Not much difference in towing a 20+5 14k GN vs a 20+5 24k dual tandem GN.

I know no matter where the line is drawn.....there are always gonna be some "just" over the line who will feel shafted by wherever the bar is set.

But quite simply....IMO.....no combination of a PICKUP TRUCK and a trailer made for a PICKUP TRUCK should warrant a CDL.

With the pick ups; if they put a "no interstate commerce" on that, that would be a good compromise. Or offer a CDL A or B, with out the requires truck driving school, like they did till what, 18 months ago.

 

[aczlan]

I would be all for that.....but that pretty much limits trailers to tandem singles.

Rules out just about every dual tandem and tri-axle trailer.

Not much difference in towing a 20+5 14k GN vs a 20+5 24k dual tandem GN.

I know no matter where the line is drawn.....there are always gonna be some "just" over the line who will feel shafted by wherever the bar is set.

But quite simply....IMO.....no combination of a PICKUP TRUCK and a trailer made for a PICKUP TRUCK should warrant a CDL.

I agree, the limits should be high enough to include a dual tandem trailer behind a F550.
IMO, up to 26K truck, up to 24k trailer, max 42k GCWR.
That way you can use a 26k truck and a 16k trailer, or a 18k truck and a 24k trailer.

Aaron Z

 

[Bearsixty7]

I agree, the limits should be high enough to include a dual tandem trailer behind a F550.
IMO, up to 26K truck, up to 24k trailer, max 42k GCWR.
That way you can use a 26k truck and a 16k trailer, or a 18k truck and a 24k trailer.

Aaron Z

SO seems a lot agree there needs to be a change. How do we go about getting it changed?

 

[aczlan]

SO seems a lot agree there needs to be a change. How do we go about getting it changed?

Talk to your congresscritter.

Aaron Z

 

[Bearsixty7]

Talk to your congresscritter.

Aaron Z

I've said this before on other matters, one person does little to nothing. We need a national movement or a petition that we all can get behind and submit. I just don't know how to get started.

 

[aczlan]

I've said this before on other matters, one person does little to nothing. We need a national movement or a petition that we all can get behind and submit. I just don't know how to get started.

National association of landacapers?
RV industry groups?
Horse industry groups?
National association of trailer manufacturers?

Aaron Z

 

[Hay Dude]

With the pick ups; if they put a "no interstate commerce" on that, that would be a good compromise. Or offer a CDL A or B, with out the requires truck driving school, like they did till what, 18 months ago.

That would be good, but the way things have gotten in this country is going towards MORE regulations. Rarely do you see regulations rolled back.

 

[Bearsixty7]

National association of landacapers?
RV industry groups?
Horse industry groups?
National association of trailer manufacturers?

Aaron Z

Now just need a way to get everyone united.