Translating PA's towing limits - can I tow a 15,000 pound trailer?

[RayCo]

I'm trying to determine if I can legally tow a trailer in PA. This is the document that I am apparently not smart enough to parse. https://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/DVSPubsForms/BDL/BDL Fact Sheets/FS-NCAB.pdf

I have a 2016 Silverado 3500 SRW. The trailer that I'd be towing has weight rating of 15,000 pounds. The maximum combined weight rating for a normal drivers license in PA is 26,001. So, what's the actual data to use? Is it the GVWR of my truck (where do I get that exact number? Didn't see it on any stickers in door jam or glove compartment) + 15,000 weight rating of trailer? So, if the GVWR of my truck is 10,000, I'm good, because it'd be 10,000 + 15,000?

 

[ericm979]

I'm trying to determine if I can legally tow a trailer in PA. This is the document that I am apparently not smart enough to parse. https://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/DVSPubsForms/BDL/BDL Fact Sheets/FS-NCAB.pdf

I have a 2016 Silverado 3500 SRW. The trailer that I'd be towing has weight rating of 15,000 pounds. The maximum combined weight rating for a normal drivers license in PA is 26,001. So, what's the actual data to use? Is it the GVWR of my truck (where do I get that exact number? Didn't see it on any stickers in door jam or glove compartment) + 15,000 weight rating of trailer? So, if the GVWR of my truck is 10,000, I'm good, because it'd be 10,000 + 15,000?

What a confusing document. But one of the examples says you need a class A to tow an empty trailer with a GVWR over 10k lbs. That's pretty straight forward and probably not what you wanted to hear.

I think that with a 3500 and a 15k GVWR trailer, you're likely to also be over the combined 26k GVWR because the truck's probably over 11k. I'm surprised that either the GVWR or payload + curb weight is not on a door sticker somewhere.

 

[Hay Dude]

You don’t need a CDL unless your truck has a GVWR of over 11,000. Look on your door jamb sticker again. I bet the GVWR is on there.
If it’s over 11K, you need a CDL.

 

[bcp]

This type question which comes up about once a month proves how poorly written the regulations are.

Bruce

 

[Hay Dude]

The PA laws and CDL laws in general are desperate need of re-writing. Trucks, their safety, brakes, suspensions, etc. are so much improved from when those laws were written-probably in the 80’s.

 

[RayCo]

Thanks y'all. Sounds like it's:

• If combined weight < 26,001 and trailer weight > 10,000, Class A CDL

I suspect I won't be able to get a class A CDL by Saturday. Oops.

 

[Hay Dude]

Thanks y'all. Sounds like it's:

• If combined weight < 26,001 and trailer weight > 10,000, Class A CDL

I suspect I won't be able to get a class A CDL by Saturday. Oops.

De rate your trailer until both are under 26

 

[D&D]

Thanks y'all. Sounds like it's:

• If combined weight < 26,001 and trailer weight > 10,000, Class A CDL

I suspect I won't be able to get a class A CDL by Saturday. Oops.

If you’re not doing it to earn, get a non-cdl which Pa does offer. Less hassle

Classes of Driver's Licenses​

Non-commercial Driver's Licenses​

• CLASS A (minimum age 18): Required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, where the vehicle(s) being towed is/are in excess of 10,000 pounds. Example: Recreational Vehicle, when the towing vehicle is rated at 11,000 pounds and the vehicle towed is rated at 15,500 pounds (total combination weight of 26,500 pounds).
• CLASS B (minimum age 18): Required to operate any single vehicle rated in excess of 26,000 pounds. Example: Motor homes rated at 26,001 pounds or more.

License Types & Restrictions

License Types & Restrictions

www.dmv.pa.gov

 

[RandyT]

Thanks y'all. Sounds like it's:

• If combined weight < 26,001 and trailer weight > 10,000, Class A CDL

I suspect I won't be able to get a class A CDL by Saturday. Oops.

I don't interpret it that way. To me it looks like If combined weight >26,001 and trailer >10,000 Class A CDL. Everybody likes to focus on the trailer over 10K but miss the qualifier that the entire combined weight has to exceed 26,001.

 

[ericm979]

De rate your trailer until both are under 26

How do you do that?

 

[RayCo]

If you’re not doing it to earn, get a non-cdl which Pa does offer. Less hassle

Classes of Driver's Licenses​

Non-commercial Driver's Licenses​

• CLASS A (minimum age 18): Required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, where the vehicle(s) being towed is/are in excess of 10,000 pounds. Example: Recreational Vehicle, when the towing vehicle is rated at 11,000 pounds and the vehicle towed is rated at 15,500 pounds (total combination weight of 26,500 pounds).
• CLASS B (minimum age 18): Required to operate any single vehicle rated in excess of 26,000 pounds. Example: Motor homes rated at 26,001 pounds or more.

License Types & Restrictions

License Types & Restrictions

www.dmv.pa.gov

This is great info. Thank you for this! My exact situation is that it's a combined GVWR of 26,600 between my truck (11,600) and trailer (15,000), and it's all for a non-profit Christian ministry situation, 100% volunteer.

Now all I have to do is figure out how to actually get my license to change its pronoun from "class C" to "class A."

 

[sklunk]

Yes the PA doc is horrible!
I will chime in here about your load -- it's not just the CDL you need to be worried about in PA.

I will assume that you checked all your load ratings. The truck will have a GVWR, GCWR, max tow load, and max payload weight. You need to take the trailer weight into account, along with anything in the truck cab/bed, subtract from the GCWR, and PICK THE LOWER NUMBER -- that is how much you can legally tow no matter what the door sticker or owners manual says. Many people don't do this. They just see that their truck can tow xx pounds and think they are fine. But if you are over the GCWR for the truck then you are illegal in PA.

Also note that in PA any trailer with 2 or more axles rated at 3500# or greater (so basically any trailer rating greater than 7000#) must have working brakes on EVERY axle, and the trailer must be inspected yearly.

Hope this helps ....

 

[LouNY]

In most locations you can get a NON CDL class A license if not performing work for hire.

 

[Hay Dude]

You’ll also need a med card if you are doing business in PA over 17,000lbs.
Might need a DOT number, too.

 

[RayCo]

You’ll also need a med card if you are doing business in PA over 17,000lbs.
Might need a DOT number, too.

What's a med card?

 

[Fixastuff]

What's a med card?

I think they check for diabetes.

 

[Hay Dude]

What's a med card?

I think they check for diabetes.

You have to get a med card if you are over 17,000 and in business in PA.
You get a semi-annual doctors physical, just like the one I get for my CDL. They check vision, hearing, urine, and a bunch of other stuff.

Mostly they want to check your urine for drugz

 

[4570Man]

If you hook a 15,000 pound trailer to single rear truck with a 10,000 pound GVW then you don’t need a CDL. If you hook the same 15,000 pound trailer to a dually with a 12k GVW then you would need a CDL.

 

[4570Man]

In most locations you can get a NON CDL class A license if not performing work for hire.

Where can you get such a license? I’ve only ever heard of a CDL vs regular license.

 

[D&D]

What's a med card?

One of the requirements for a commercial drivers license. Non-commercial, there are no special requirements.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/dot-medical-exam-and-commercial-motor-vehicle-certification