I'm having a little trouble getting my facts straight in setting up a trailer. The DMV knows less than I do and my local title guy won't spend more than 30 seconds on the phone with me, so I'm hoping someone here might have some insight on this.
First, in PA is it true that you do not need to register for a combination if you are pulling a trailer less than 10,000# GVWR? If you don't have to register it in combination then does GCWR = Truck GVWR + Trailer GVWR.
Second, what do I have to do to determine my GCWR to register a combination? I know if it is not on the title I can use the number from the manufacturer. However, I also heard that I can take the truck to a mechanic, who will look at my hitch and mechanicals and assign a GCWR for the truck. Is this true?
Fianlly, when DOT puts you on the scales in PA, what weights are they checking? With a pickup and gooseneck it seems possible that I could have a scenario where I would be under the GCWR and all GAWR's would be fine, but the tongue weight would push me over for the GVWR of the truck (b/c like most pickups the GVWR is less than the front + rear GAWR). Conversely, I could register a trailer at 10k with 2 6k axles and due the truck not being maxed out have more than 10k on the trailer and still not be over on GAWR and GCWR. So when they check weights it is GCW and axle weight, or do they check the truck and trailer to see if you're not over rated weights for each one?
First, in PA is it true that you do not need to register for a combination if you are pulling a trailer less than 10,000# GVWR? If you don't have to register it in combination then does GCWR = Truck GVWR + Trailer GVWR.
Second, what do I have to do to determine my GCWR to register a combination? I know if it is not on the title I can use the number from the manufacturer. However, I also heard that I can take the truck to a mechanic, who will look at my hitch and mechanicals and assign a GCWR for the truck. Is this true?
Fianlly, when DOT puts you on the scales in PA, what weights are they checking? With a pickup and gooseneck it seems possible that I could have a scenario where I would be under the GCWR and all GAWR's would be fine, but the tongue weight would push me over for the GVWR of the truck (b/c like most pickups the GVWR is less than the front + rear GAWR). Conversely, I could register a trailer at 10k with 2 6k axles and due the truck not being maxed out have more than 10k on the trailer and still not be over on GAWR and GCWR. So when they check weights it is GCW and axle weight, or do they check the truck and trailer to see if you're not over rated weights for each one?