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?