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 these questions.
First, is it true that you do not need to register for a combination if you are pulling a trailer less than 10,000# GVWR? As I understand it from DMV you must register for a combination with a trailer over 10,000, which puts your truck in a higher weight class (for example for a 9,000# truck and a 15,000# trailer you have to register at a 24,000# combiation in Class 8). As I underdtand in the case of a truck + 10,000# trailer, your GCWR = truck GVWR + trailer GVWR. So the real question is if I have an 8,800# F250 (Class 3) and a 10,000 trailer, is my truck registered as a Class 3 or Class 7 (at 18,800#).
Second, what do I have to do to determine my GCWR to register a combination? Apparently sometimes it is listed on the title. If it is unavaibale I can do paperwork use the number from Ford. However, I also got from the title guy that I should 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 you hit the scales in PA, what weights are they checking? After running some numbers it seems very possible that I could have a scenario where my weight would be less than the GCWR and all GAWR's woud be fine, but the pin weight would push me over for the GVWR of the truck. Conversely, I could register a trailer at 10k with say 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 the check weights it is GCW and axle weight, or do they break apart (in terms of weights) the truck and trailer and treat them separatelly?
i have a 2003 f350 4x4 crewcab dually and a 40 foot haulmark gooseneck loaded iam at 24,700ish total weight.I didnt do anything as far as plates for the truck and i dont stop at scales
The WV DMV is the same way, you get a different answer for every person you ask.
Glad to know that Kentucky is not the only state that doesn't have their act together on towing laws. I've tried unsuccessfully for years to get a straight and consistent answer to some simple questions regarding towing.
Technically yes, you should have a combination plate on the truck. With that said most people don't, and I know of only one person who has gotten pulled over, and told they needed a combination. plate.
Most cops don't know, or don't care, unless you are hauling with a meduim duty or larger truck.
It seems that every state is a little different. If you are legal for your state then other states will usually honor that registration. Here in MO you just get a trailer plate (1yr, 3yr, or lifetime) no wt indicated. The tow vehicle has to reflect the highest TOTAL wieght of the power unit and trailer.
If you are pulling a travel traler or a 5-W RV, weight stations do not want you to stop. Usually you don't have to stop at scales as long as you are under 24.000 lbs (or 26,000 in some states).
If you are in doubt and don't know who to contact, go to your Ford truck salesman, he should know, or be able to get the info for you.
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2006 6.0l Lariat 4wd, CC, LWB, Auto, Tow Command, 18 inch wheel option, 10,000 GVWR
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 these questions.
First, is it true that you do not need to register for a combination if you are pulling a trailer less than 10,000# GVWR? As I understand it from DMV you must register for a combination with a trailer over 10,000, which puts your truck in a higher weight class (for example for a 9,000# truck and a 15,000# trailer you have to register at a 24,000# combiation in Class 8). As I underdtand in the case of a truck + 10,000# trailer, your GCWR = truck GVWR + trailer GVWR. So the real question is if I have an 8,800# F250 (Class 3) and a 10,000 trailer, is my truck registered as a Class 3 or Class 7 (at 18,800#).
Second, what do I have to do to determine my GCWR to register a combination? Apparently sometimes it is listed on the title. If it is unavaibale I can do paperwork use the number from Ford. However, I also got from the title guy that I should 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 you hit the scales in PA, what weights are they checking? After running some numbers it seems very possible that I could have a scenario where my weight would be less than the GCWR and all GAWR's woud be fine, but the pin weight would push me over for the GVWR of the truck. Conversely, I could register a trailer at 10k with say 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 the check weights it is GCW and axle weight, or do they break apart (in terms of weights) the truck and trailer and treat them separatelly?
Thanks for the help.
It depends if your truck is plated as commercial or private. if private than no you do not have to regester combined.
Thanks for those that brought this back up. Yea the website is not that great and most people at the DMV know less than I do. However, I called a couple of good title guys in PA and I found them to be better than anybody at the DMV. Here is what I found.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lars128
First, is it true that you do not need to register for a combination if you are pulling a trailer less than 10,000# GVWR? As I understand it from DMV you must register for a combination with a trailer over 10,000, which puts your truck in a higher weight class (for example for a 9,000# truck and a 15,000# trailer you have to register at a 24,000# combiation in Class 8). As I underdstand in the case of a truck + 10,000# trailer, your GCWR = truck GVWR + trailer GVWR. So the real question is if I have an 8,800# F250 (Class 3) and a 10,000 trailer, is my truck registered as a Class 3 or Class 7 (at 18,800#).
Correct, you do not need to register for a combination if you trailer has a GVWR of 10,000# or less. Once over, pony up the cash and register as a combination.In this case the truck would be registered as a class 3.
Second, what do I have to do to determine my GCWR to register a combination? Apparently sometimes it is listed on the title. If it is unavaibale I can do paperwork use the number from Ford. However, I also got from the title guy that I should take the truck to a mechanic, who will look at my hitch and mechanicals and assign a GCWR for the truck. Is this true?
From what I understand, a mechanic can assign a hihger GCWR than what is listed from the factory, but I have yet to see the paperwork.
Fianlly, when you hit the scales in PA, what weights are they checking? After running some numbers it seems very possible that I could have a scenario where my weight would be less than the GCWR and all GAWR's woud be fine, but the pin weight would push me over for the GVWR of the truck. Conversely, I could register a trailer at 10k with say 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 the check weights it is GCW and axle weight, or do they break apart (in terms of weights) the truck and trailer and treat them separatelly?
I still do not have a definitive answer on this one. However, in the case of the 10k trailer that is a no-no. I am still curious if I will be in trouble for being under my GCWR, and GAWR's for all axles but over on the truck GVWR (remember the GVWR of a pickup is usually less than the sum of the axle ratings).
lars128 – Yes, technically, you would need to register your vehicle at the combination weight of truck and trailer. But your combination weight would not be equal to your max GVWR of the truck and trailer unless your truck is capable of hauling a fully loaded truck bed and trailer and you expect to be doing that. I usually find that most guys are hauling a loaded trailer with an empty truck bed, so you can save yourself some money there. The bottom line, if you got stopped and you were put on a scale, would you be over your registered weight? If that is the case, then you can be ticketed justifiably.
If your GCWR is not listed on your title or inside your door, check your spec sheet or contact Ford directly. I had a heck of a time trying to get the correct info from Ford for one of our customers who had an F350 and wanted to haul a 3 car carrier, but that was the direction I was pointed in.
To increase your weight, you will need to take an MV-41 to an inspection mechanic qualified to inspect the weight you plan to register. Submit the completed MV-41, your title, $22.50 title fee, and the appropriate increase in registration fees to the DMV. Keep handy any spec sheets to support your weight increase request in case you get a rejection from PENNDOT. Hope this helps. Any additional questions regarding registration or titling, go to rushautotags.com.
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2008 F250 PSD Crew Cab 4x4, X-liner, 
