Bringing this thread back from the dead...

I need some advice on legal towing capacities, types of CA licenses, etc.

I currently have a 2000 F250 PSD with 300k on the clock that I absolutely love. I'm having a custom 14k dump trailer manufactured right now but can have it derated down to 9900#. I'm guessing the dry weight of this trailer to be around 4000#. I'd like to be able to legally tow my 7500# skidsteer on my new trailer but it looks like I'm over limit of my current truck.

That said, I'm open to buying a newer truck that has the legal towing capacity to handle the trailer & skidsteer (either at "9900#" or a true 14,000#).

Questions:

1.) What model/year of truck would I need to upgrade to in order to handle a 14k trailer (standard hitch, NOT gooseneck). I'm also only open to SRW - not DRW.

2.) California licensing:

2A.) If I kept my current standard Class C license and kept the trailer weight at 9900#, would I be OK with this current license and the newer higher rating on the truck/trailer combination?

2B.) If I took the trailer with it's true 14k rating, what type of license in California would I need?

 

when I look at the towing guide http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...tyPU_Mar27.pdf for 2015 models I don't know how they come up with the lower numbers..

Gross combined at 23500, max trailer at 14,000.. but the truck is at minimum 10,000 (f250) 10+14 = 24..

to go higher than that has to be a dually or a gooseneck.
but if gooseneck, I am confused again cause it says ,ax trailer 15,900-16,300, but the truck has got to be 10,000 minimum, 11,500 max.. 11.5+15.9 = 27.4 but combined can't be higher than 23.5?

 

They don't add up because tow ratings never assume the truck is fully loaded. If it were there would be no room for tongue weight. Weight on the tongue is still trailer weight.

First of all, I'm splitting this off into its own thread. It gets confusing when you tack it onto another thread.

1. I would suggest an SRW F350 if nothing else but for the ability to handle the tongue weight legally. You can get the F350 with a 10,000 lb GVWR "option" to save on registration fees if you like, but if ever inspected these are the numbers they will be checking you against. But you get the extra overload spring and taller lift blocks in case you need the extra capacity.

2a: Yes, you'd be fine.

2B: Your current license is fine. Max GVWR of an SRW F350 is 11,400 lbs. So 11,400 + 14,000 = 25,400. That's 800 lbs shy of requiring a Class A CDL.

You're fine any which way you want it. DON'T de-rate your trailer, there's no need.

 

Are you going to use the truck and equipment for business....I.e for compensation? If not then a cdl is not required as far as the feds are concerned.

 

11.5k max SRW GVWR Thomas....

 

California Commercial Driver License Handbook California Driver License Classes

You're bumping up against that non-commercial weight class if you derate it but if your dump trailer is "for profit" it might change.

The "for profit" might be the deciding factor if this is for your business. If this is just personal use I'd change it to a gooseneck and call it a day.

I got my CDL years ago so I don't pay much attention to the requirements any longer. I don't drive truck anymore but I keep it active for this very reason.

(scratching my head and I'm in California. I should know this lol).

 

"For hire" or not makes no difference in regard to drivers license requirements in CA. Other things, yes but not licensing. Simply put, if your dump trailer has a GVWR over 10,000 lbs or a gross weight over 10,000 lbs a class A commercial license is required. The part about gross weight was added at the beginning of this year. Look up CA vehicle code section 12804.9

 

My understanding was that the gooseneck wouldnt help my case as it's not enclosed/considered an RV.

Can I have a gooseneck dump trailer up to 15k on my Class C?

 

There is an exemption for RVs but its for RVs (campers). Your dump trailer is not an RV. If it has a GVWR 10k or less and you also keep the gross weight under 10k AND it's not used "in commerce" then its a utility trailer as defined in CA vehicle code section 667. That would not require anything more than a class C license. Go over those weights and you will need a class A commercial regardless of what it's being used for. It will never qualify for the RV exemption regardless of what type of hitch coupler it has.