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Biggest dozer to pull without having a CDL?

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lantraxco

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Nobody here seems to understand the law. Either it's a 10,001 LB trailer, or GCW over 26,000. If it is 10,000 trailer, you're over CDL.

You are correct sir to a point. You actually need a class B cdl in a "commercial" vehicle towing a trailer up to 10,000 pounds, class A for over 10,000. Or that's the way I read it anywho.... That's the federal deal.
 

fast_st

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Well, some of the law is a little contorted, Class A is usually defined as combined weight over 26,001 and having a trailer in excess of 10k. So an F250 GVW depending on year is about 8-10,000 pounds, that would leave you a trailer GVW between 16 and 18k to pop over the MCGVW greater than 260001 and trailer over 10k
 

Dickjr.

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Can't argue with that. Guess I better buy a semi tomorrow. In all seriousness I'm more worried about the guy pulling a ski boat with his half ton and a bunch of screaming kids while he's getting directions on his cell phone to the boat ramp from his buddy.
I think it has allot to do with where you live and how well you keep your tow vehicle up.
I own a c-store in a small town and if any of you met half the OTR truck drivers I deal with you would never get on the road again. Most can't turn a truck around much less back it up or speak english.
I'm definitely not scared to pull my 10k skid steer with either pick up. Both have exhuast brakes and stop surprisingly well. Now my '95 F 250 feed truck on the other hand...well I wouldn't feel safe pulling a golf cart around and the truck is in excellent shape.


I understand what your saying about some truck drivers. I had a guy in a semi get hung up not bad , a pickup could pull it out. I pull up to offer atow and he gets out wearing a turban and yells at me " I see you and run off road" , I replied go get f***cked and say see yah later. I quit watching Johnny Quest after that. Generally speaking most drivers are good at what they do and courteous.
 

Birken Vogt

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Well, some of the law is a little contorted, Class A is usually defined as combined weight over 26,001 and having a trailer in excess of 10k. So an F250 GVW depending on year is about 8-10,000 pounds, that would leave you a trailer GVW between 16 and 18k to pop over the MCGVW greater than 260001 and trailer over 10k

Around here it is "tows any vehicle [trailer] in excess of 10,000 lbs"

26,000 applies to class B only.
 

JS300

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Yea I shouldn't throw all truckers in one group. I have several friends that drive and most truckers are good folks like you say. Some just cause me a lot of grief though. Those guys get stuck in my ditches, tear up my parking lot, block cars in, pretty much just don't care.
I bought a dozer in Kentucky and didn't feel comfortable hauling it to Tx with a 1 ton so hired it done...go figure guy showed up in a Dodge dually. I understand everyones concerns with towing heavy and doubt I would tow a really heavy load like the dozer out of the county. I didn't have an issue hauling the skid back from OKC though. It's an everyday day thing to see guys towing a equipment,hay, or say a 36' cattle trailer loaded with cows around here. Some of the stuff you see looks pretty sketchy. We rarely here of an accident involving a trailer though.
Newer diesels have so much power they will pull almost any load, it's the getting it stopped that most people don't think about.
 

Dickjr.

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Its ok to haul a dozer from Kentucky in a Dodge as long as its a cummings ( pun intended ). If your not moving but a few times a month the calculated risk goes down significantly. 4 times a day maybe not a good idea. What about vac brakes on the trailer , don't they work decent ? Or do like people around here do , buy a dump truck and tag trailer and license it farm , you only have to have a medical card then. If you get a dump with a cummings and wear a turban it could be highly questionable. Highly.
 

JS300

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Do I have to wear a seatbelt if I have my farm tags and turban on? I'm out on this thread. Good stuff though
 

td25c

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I own a c-store in a small town and if any of you met half the OTR truck drivers I deal with you would never get on the road again. Most can't turn a truck around much less back it up or speak english.

Time to call the wrecker JS300 , LOL ! Know what your sayin Bro .:yup
 

Heavey Metal

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You might get by with lots of stuff.

But if you go out and wheel pack a school bus they are going to hold you to the letter of the law.

The law is federal and supersedes all state laws.

A cdl is required for any vehicle or combination of vehicles with a carrying capacity over 10,000.
 

CM1995

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The law is federal and supersedes all state laws.

Correct, however there are some exceptions that States may make.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/states

A cdl is required for any vehicle or combination of vehicles with a carrying capacity over 10,000.

Not correct as far as the Fed rules go. Here is the Federal rules which constitute the minimum, states may be more restrictive.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/drivers
 

JS300

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STXRancher do run cattle down in South Tx? I know it's off subject but wondering how the cattle handle the country down there. I moved from South Tx to NE Tx been long time now
 

Knocker of rock

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You might get by with lots of stuff.

But if you go out and wheel pack a school bus they are going to hold you to the letter of the law.

The law is federal and supersedes all state laws.

A cdl is required for any vehicle or combination of vehicles with a carrying capacity over 10,000.

That's how these CDL threads go, folks like Heavey spouting off grossly wrong misinformation, then the thread totally derails.
 

StxRancher

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STXRancher do run cattle down in South Tx? I know it's off subject but wondering how the cattle handle the country down there. I moved from South Tx to NE Tx been long time now[/QUOTE

Just enough to keep me busy. They handle it good as long as there is rain :D
 

JS300

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That's about how me I run A few uears ago I bought a truck load of bred 3 year olds from down in Marfa. It took them awhile to adjust. Those cows walked more then any I've seen guess they was used to covering allot of country every day. Rain is the key to success and it's been a good year.
 

fast_st

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Around here it is "tows any vehicle [trailer] in excess of 10,000 lbs"

26,000 applies to class B only.

Yes you are right, Trailer over 10K and you are in the PRK (peoples republic of Kalifornia) then you need a class A California drivers license
 

still learn'n

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1473447207717_9038384079_d7dd5926.jpg

This guy was going to haul this from Kansas all the way to Louisiana and I don't think he put oversize load signs on either looked way overloaded to me

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 

Willie B

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My truck is 12500 empty. I guess my trailer is 5500 empty A four ton load puts me at 26000 the threshold for class A cdl. I did a fair amount of research. The truck registered at 26000 needs no CDL without trailer. With 10,001 LB trailer it needs CDL even under 26000 GVWR.

I can't remember the situation, but a customer found a loophole for his F350 dually, gooseneck, and load. I'll ask him about it.

CDL isn't a big deal except for the games the DMV plays. I tested on their computer with a score of 95, I was told there was no requirement for a medical card in my situation. Upon arrival for my road test with hired truck, trailer, and class A driver, I was told the law would change in a few months. I would then need a medical card. Since they would eventually need one, I would not be allowed to test until I produced one. I made an appointment with my doctor, upon arrival I witnessed him get into an argument with his secretaries about their scheduling the appointment. In the exam room he vented about his anger with state or federal authorities who want him to pay for a week long training session on how to give DOT physicals. The people running these trainings are inevitably med school dropouts desperate for a job! He wasn't willing to waste a week a year learning from failures how to evaluate health.

Appointment three: The examiner failed me on the pre trip inspection. I failed to inspect my mirrors, windshield, trailer headboard, or landing gear. I pointed out the trailer has no landing gear, or headboard. He responded that I should check them, and note that they don't exist. I said I had spent a week cleaning, primping, and confirming that all details were perfect, and drove it 23 miles to get there, so I'd have noticed. He reminded that every trip requires a pre trip inspection.

Appointment Four: Again with a borrowed truck, trailer, and wasting part of a day for a class A CDL driver I must have accompany me, they announced they have no record of me having an appointment!!!!!!!!!!!!. Sorry, there are no exceptions, without an appointment, no test. Thank god I had no gun with me.

Appointment five: My truck, trailer, and driver bailed on me. I don't blame him. I came close to giving up. In a panic, I scurried around, spent a couple thousand on my truck. My trailer had a fresh overhaul with wiring, brakes, tires, bed, and paint. I begged a retired independent trucker to accompany me. He was happy to do it, but said he no longer had a medical card. If they asked to see it we'd be red flagged at the DMV. They didn't ask! I spent two hours on pre trip. He all but begged me to stop. The road test went well except one underpass I've been under thousands of times in my life, after the trip, he asked if I happened to remember the posted clearance. I guessed 13' 6". The sign said 13' 7". He noted that as an error.

In my case it wasn't easy. If you don't encounter people trying to make it impossible, it could be.

Worst of it is they said I have high blood pressure! Ever see the movie Anger Management, with Adam Sandler? I now need a new medical card every year.

Willie
 
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lantraxco

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The standard gooseneck hitch kits don't mount the ball far enough forward on the extended cab Dodges of that era, I had a '97. About three inches further forward you get a more balanced load on the truck, keeps the headlights aimed where they're supposed to be. I was good for 20,000 on the deck of my Eager Beaver gooseneck, but that looks like it might be heavier than that?
 

Heavey Metal

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