Two Trailer Questions

pat sublett · Oct 1, 2011

1.Is anyone familiar with Kaufman Trailers?

2. If I buy a trailer rated by the manufacturer
at 14,000 GVW and only haul 10,000 lbs, am I legal without CDL liscense. I checked with the county and they said that I could liscense it for any amount over 1/3 the rated GVW. It is unclear reading the law on CDL though.

D7fever · Oct 1, 2011

How much is your truck rated for? Need class A CDL if combination of truck and trailer has a GVW of 26,000 lbs or more. so if your trailer is rated 14,000 lbs and your truck is rated for 12,000 lbs, your GCVW (gross combined vehicle weight) is 26,000 lbs. Bingo, you need CDL class A or you are in violation. It doesn't matter what the vehicles are registered for, the rated GVW of the vehicle is what they go by.

D Slater · Oct 1, 2011

It would depend on the use and where at. 10000 pound load will be over the 14000 GVW of some trailers. In my state the truck has to be licensed for the combined weight of truck trailer and load.

rustyfarmall · Oct 1, 2011

(quoted from post at 14:01:49 10/01/11) 1.Is anyone familiar with Kaufman Trailers?

2. If I buy a trailer rated by the manufacturer
at 14,000 GVW and only haul 10,000 lbs, am I legal without CDL liscense. I checked with the county and they said that I could liscense it for any amount over 1/3 the rated GVW. It is unclear reading the law on CDL though.

The D.O.T. officer doesn't care that you are hauling only 10,000 pounds. He is only concerned with what the trailer is capable of hauling, so combine that 14,000 pound trailer rating with the capacity of the truck, and then you will know if you are in CDL territory or not.

Ray · Oct 1, 2011

If it's a single tire trailer and a single wheel truck there not going to bother you.A dually truck with a dual wheel trailer is what they will check.

Welding man · Oct 1, 2011

That is not correct he is legal at 26,000.26,001 is the starting point for CDL.That is just like 10,000 is not a commercial vehicle but 10,001 is. To answer the other question Kaufman trailers are built in lexington, NC. A few years back they were a piece of crap. Sorry welds almost no paint on them and very light wiring, but I think they have improved some over the years. Yes they are cheaper than the others, but you get what you pay for.

DH in Carolina · Oct 1, 2011

Don't buy a kaufman trailer!!! I bought one about 8 years ago from them. Was a nice built trailer rated for 8,000 lbs two axle with electric brakes on both axles. I thought!!! Pulled it empty about 500 miles and found axle nut on one axle had come almost off. Found no cotter key or nothing left of one. Nut was cross threaded on chinese axle with no back up washer. Ruined bearings, seals, and could have been bad problems if I had lost wheel.
Called crapman trailers and talked to salesman. Said he would get back to me never did. Called about 10 times to speak to mananger finall got him and he said no warrantry on axles as they didn't make them. Reported to BBB and they never answered complaint. Had to fix myself but they said full warranty when I bought it. DH

S2710 · Oct 1, 2011

I was always under the impression that it was the conbination of what you had your truck licensed for and what you had your trailer licensed for to determine if you need a CDL. The next time I see little boy blue setting along side the road I will stop and pick his brain.

Bob

Bret4207 · Oct 2, 2011

I don't know what your states rules are, but in general a Class B CDL comes in when the power unit has a GVWR over 26K. The Class A comes in when the CGVWR exceeds 26K and the trailer GVWR exceeds 10K.

Aaron SEIA · Oct 2, 2011

The trailer weight makes the difference. On my class B I'm ok with "26001 GCWR or more towed unit is less than 10001" The real trick is for hire or private. They are starting to pick on private guys too.
AaronSEIA

Owen Aaland · Oct 2, 2011

In Minnesota the license weight rating does not enter into determining whether or not it is a commercial vehicle. You look at the manufacturers gross vehicle weight rating and the actual loaded weight and take the greater of the two. If your total weight is over what your vehicles are licensed for it is a separate infraction from any DOT regulations.

Hay_Man · Oct 3, 2011

And I'll bet it is there as it is here, it your loaded weight on any axle exceeds the mfg. Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and or you exceed the mfg. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) you will get a ticket. Then you will have to get some of your load off before they will let you get back on the road (Shut-down). If it is possible to adjust your load to get the weight distributed more evenly across the axles and get it into legal territory they might let you do that without giving you a ticket, but its their call on that. You would still have to be under the max. GVWR. I have even seen them look at the load rating of the tires to see if you are exceeding that per tire.

Then if your truck and or trailer weighs more than it/they are licensed for, you get another violation on top of the overweight violation.

They will stack violations on top of violations. It has become a revenue generating tool and the fines are sky-high for violations of this sort.

Hay_Man · Oct 3, 2011

To figure out how much you can haul on your truck and trailer, go weigh it unloaded, full of fuel and whatever else will be on the rig minus the payload. This will give you its empty weight. The GVWR minus your empty weight will give you your max load you can put on it. You can weigh it for about $12.00 at CAT Scales at truck stops, or on the scales at the feed mill. Spare tires, tools, chains, etc. cut down on how much payload you can go down the road with.

Two Trailer Questions

pat sublett

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D7fever

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D Slater

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rustyfarmall

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Ray

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Welding man

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DH in Carolina

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S2710

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Bret4207

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Aaron SEIA

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Owen Aaland

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Hay_Man

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Hay_Man

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