I have a 01 F250 ext cab 4x2 with a 7.3 psd, I think it weighs in at about 7300lbs, and I use a 14k bumper pull trailer that weighs 3000 lbs dry, but loaded it can have 11,000lbs. Is my truck legally able to pull 14k? And will I have to worry about getting a DOT number. I know I should not need a CDL as I am always under 26k. I am in KS and want to make sure everything I am doing is legal.

 

 

First I would want a high quality brake controller and good brakes on the trailer just to be safe next I would make sure that your trailer axles and tires a rated for the load. If you get stopped they weigh all the axles on the truck and trailer. If you are using it for commercial use the rules can be a lot different than they are for personal use. When I had my business in southern Nebraska (electrical & refrigeration) I had 5 ton plates on the truck (F350) and licensed all my different trailers for the max load they may carry. I did get pulled over on time by the NDOT pulling my trencher trailer and they took one look at my plates and lights then waved me on but the guy in front of me that was hauling scrap steel was over by just looking what he was carrying and they were having their way with him, the funny thing was I was maybe 1K over on the truck and 2K on the trailer. I crossed into KS many times and was never bothered by the weight stations but that was 6 years ago. The last year or so I was in business they where starting to require DOT numbers if you had a truck used for commercial use and over certain weights but I can't remember what they were that was 6 years ago. Check with your KS DOT. As far as being a F250 Nebraska only cared what ton plates you had and I think KS was the same.

Denny

 

I think you register it for the max you can can carry/pull then you would be fine.

Going from state to state if a business then I would go commerical and get the dot # to be safe.

 

All of the axles on the trailer and its brakes are heavy enough for that weight. I am getting a new brake controller installed this week to haul this load exactly. This rig is for my recycling business so is that considered commercial? I am not hauling anything for anyone else and am not going out of state with this. Do I need to have a certain amount of weight on each axle?

 

Yes you are commercial just give Kansas DOT a call and they can tell you if you need DOT numbers. No you don't have to have a certain amount of weight on each axle just balance your load to save your tires and axles. It's a bumper pull you will know when it's out of balanced. If you are using it every day it's easy to take it for granted so be sure to take a walk around it every day and look at the tires, lights and general condition of the trailer' also mark on a calender when you last services the bearings and looked at the springs. I had 4 work trailers some I used all the time and some I didn't and it can be a real pain to keep track them.

Denny

 

I am new to this and thanks for all the help. Cleared up my questions.

 

According to this you need a DOT number.

What is a USDOT Number? - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

 

How do you figure that?

 

Did you click and read the link?

 

Sorry my phone did not show the link. Okay so if the truck does not have commercial plates would that still count?

 

If you are using your truck for commercial use and your state has different plates for commercial and none commercial use I would get commercial plates for it. In Nebraska they only have two plates Farm and Commercial but if you are using a truck for commercial and you don't have the proper weight tags on the plate you will be fined. We are retired and travel the country in our 5ver and I get asked all the time if I have to stop at weight stations because I have commercial plates on my truck, the answer is no because it's being used for non commercial .

Denny

 

Am I correct in the assumption that if your route has no weigh stations then there will not have to be any weighing of the truck and trailer?

 

Except or those nasty portable scales that pup up just when you least expect it!

 

Okay so yes I do need a number. What else do I need to go along with that? I.E. logbook, medical card, and such. What do those things involve?

Edit- Also my truck is rated to pull 12500 lbs would I get fined if I pulled 14000lbs?