CDL Required for Tandem/Dual Trailer?
05-20-2010, 09:55 AM
#1
Tin Foil Hat Wearin' Fool
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CDL Required for Tandem/Dual Trailer? Ive been pulling gooseneck float trailers for years hauling hay/tractors that have tandem duals under them. According to my dad he went to look at some new trailers and the salesman said you have to have a CDL to pull a trailer like that. This is the first Ive heard of it and never seen/heard of anyone pulled over because of that. Its not that big of a deal to me except we're starting up a little side business where Ill be hauling a cat 416d backhoe fairly often and since it weighs 19K with the rock hammer it will have to go on our big trailer. I know txdot leaves the "farmers" alone for the most part but since Ill be hauling construction machinery I could see them messing with me more. I did a quick google search but couldnt find anything about it. Id really rather not get nailed for no CDL, I dont mind getting my CDL if I need to but if I dont have to then I dont want to of course.
Interesting enough, in my google search it came up with this thread but no one responded
https://ls1tech.com/forums/texas-mem...x-dot-cdl.html
Interesting enough, in my google search it came up with this thread but no one responded
https://ls1tech.com/forums/texas-mem...x-dot-cdl.html
05-20-2010, 11:25 AM
#3
On The Tree
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CDL class B lic is required for anything with air brakes and weighs over 26000lbs (GVW), CDL class A is required for anything over 26001lbs and hauling anything that weighs more than 10000lbs.
05-20-2010, 12:58 PM
#4
+1^^^^
I have searched and searched for a "real" answer on this. the above is the closest I have got to it. My trailer GVW at 18,000 and I dont' have a cdl. BUT Tx says if it is used as a RV you don't need one. It's not registered as a RV, but I DO use it as one. Basically a personal vehicle that doesn't make any money or farm vehicle you don't need one. I also heard that it depends on the cop that pulls you over and harasses you.
I have searched and searched for a "real" answer on this. the above is the closest I have got to it. My trailer GVW at 18,000 and I dont' have a cdl. BUT Tx says if it is used as a RV you don't need one. It's not registered as a RV, but I DO use it as one. Basically a personal vehicle that doesn't make any money or farm vehicle you don't need one. I also heard that it depends on the cop that pulls you over and harasses you.
05-20-2010, 02:14 PM
#5
www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/CDLhandbook.pdf
Section 1 page 1 ...
So ...
A single vehicle with a GVWR of 26K requires a CDL. Something like a bobtail truck ...
A vehicle PULLING a trailer with a GVWR of 10K+ AND a truck with a GVWR that EXCEEDS 26K GVWR total requires a CDL. So a 20K gooseneck being pulled by a 1 ton Dodge dually rated at 10K GVWR would require a CDL because combined it exceeds 26K GVWR AND if the reason for pulling was comercial.
A bus for 15 or more requires a CDL. Church bus is exempt, I believe.
Any vehicle carrying hazardous material requires a CDL regardless of GVWR.
And the actual weight being pulled at the time doesn't factor into the need for a CDL, rather the GVWR limits of the rig.
Thats the way I read it ...
Section 1 page 1 ...
You must have a CDL to operate:
A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds.
A trailer with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds if the gross combination weight rating is more than 26,000 pounds.
A vehicle designed to transport more than 15 persons including the driver.
Any size vehicle which requires hazardous materials placards
A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds.
A trailer with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds if the gross combination weight rating is more than 26,000 pounds.
A vehicle designed to transport more than 15 persons including the driver.
Any size vehicle which requires hazardous materials placards
A single vehicle with a GVWR of 26K requires a CDL. Something like a bobtail truck ...
A vehicle PULLING a trailer with a GVWR of 10K+ AND a truck with a GVWR that EXCEEDS 26K GVWR total requires a CDL. So a 20K gooseneck being pulled by a 1 ton Dodge dually rated at 10K GVWR would require a CDL because combined it exceeds 26K GVWR AND if the reason for pulling was comercial.
A bus for 15 or more requires a CDL. Church bus is exempt, I believe.
Any vehicle carrying hazardous material requires a CDL regardless of GVWR.
And the actual weight being pulled at the time doesn't factor into the need for a CDL, rather the GVWR limits of the rig.
Thats the way I read it ...
05-20-2010, 02:23 PM
#6
Page 6 #4-A recreational vehicle that is driven for personal use.
It doesn't say it HAS to be registered as a RV. I consider my truck and trailer a recreational vehicle used for personal use. And my trailer dealer "said" I didn't need a cdl. So far, knock on wood, I have not had ANY problems "yet".
It doesn't say it HAS to be registered as a RV. I consider my truck and trailer a recreational vehicle used for personal use. And my trailer dealer "said" I didn't need a cdl. So far, knock on wood, I have not had ANY problems "yet".
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05-20-2010, 10:15 PM
#8
Staging Lane
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i own a const bussiness and yes you need a class b cdl.cause the trailer you are towing is over 10klbs.and if you are a bussiness you will need a txdot number as well on your truck or you are going to get nailed i have been there and done that.i can write a book about dot the are ****** they will pull you over and write you up for nonsense.just got pulled over with 32ft trailer with some equipment on it cause it wasnt spaced far enuff apart.lol
05-20-2010, 10:27 PM
#9
Use this site:
http://www.testanswers.com/
Go through it, and study it. The questions posted are pretty much all the ones on the tests. I studied this and past ALL the tests needed for Class A in one sitting (besides airbrakes since I don't need it).
http://www.testanswers.com/
Go through it, and study it. The questions posted are pretty much all the ones on the tests. I studied this and past ALL the tests needed for Class A in one sitting (besides airbrakes since I don't need it).
06-15-2010, 03:16 PM
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i own a const bussiness and yes you need a class b cdl.cause the trailer you are towing is over 10klbs.and if you are a bussiness you will need a txdot number as well on your truck or you are going to get nailed i have been there and done that.i can write a book about dot the are ****** they will pull you over and write you up for nonsense.just got pulled over with 32ft trailer with some equipment on it cause it wasnt spaced far enuff apart.lol
06-15-2010, 03:30 PM
#12
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http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/
this is a website they gave us in apprentice school. a lot of stuff has changed in the last few years, so a lot of times when ya have a question you get 8 different answers depending on who ya talk to. definately take it serious and go about everything the right way like your doing. DOT officers are ********. they dont need a reason to pull you over. they can stop you anytime and anywhere, and even make you follow them to a scale.
this is a website they gave us in apprentice school. a lot of stuff has changed in the last few years, so a lot of times when ya have a question you get 8 different answers depending on who ya talk to. definately take it serious and go about everything the right way like your doing. DOT officers are ********. they dont need a reason to pull you over. they can stop you anytime and anywhere, and even make you follow them to a scale.
06-15-2010, 04:35 PM
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If you are pulling a trailer over 10k and the combo is over 26k it would require a class A. The only way you can tow over 10k with a "B" is if the combination doesn't need a CDL.
Air brakes have no bearing on wether or not you need a CDL nor do they dictate what class of CDL you need.
Air brakes have no bearing on wether or not you need a CDL nor do they dictate what class of CDL you need.
06-15-2010, 05:34 PM
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Staging Lane
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If you are pulling a trailer over 10k and the combo is over 26k it would require a class A. The only way you can tow over 10k with a "B" is if the combination doesn't need a CDL.
Air brakes have no bearing on wether or not you need a CDL nor do they dictate what class of CDL you need.
Air brakes have no bearing on wether or not you need a CDL nor do they dictate what class of CDL you need.
06-15-2010, 05:36 PM
#16
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air brakes is an endorsement. just like tanker, hasmat, etc. if you drive a vehicle equipped w/ air brakes, you have to have an air brake endorsement. has nothing to do with weight.
06-15-2010, 06:09 PM
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ok then why did i get ticket before with my 3/4ton truck and trailer that was reg over 10k..that was for no cdl.then we have a 25950lbs truck thta has airbrakes and got a ticket for no air brakes or cdl,it wasn't pulling nothing.what i am trying to say is it is realy up to the officer what he wants to do.
What was the GVWR of the trailer?
Not exacty, air brakes is a restriction. That is why air brakes don't require a CDL.
06-15-2010, 06:25 PM
#19
Staging Lane
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well it was empty i was taking it for repairs.but reg weight is 21k...i found this out when u act like you know more than them they get pissed and write even more tickets..educated or not they still do what they want,they take your time up along side the hwy and then want u to go to court and miss work for your court date to get moved and then miss work again,so i look at it as time is money....
06-15-2010, 06:34 PM
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well it was empty i was taking it for repairs.but reg weight is 21k...i found this out when u act like you know more than them they get pissed and write even more tickets..educated or not they still do what they want,they take your time up along side the hwy and then want u to go to court and miss work for your court date to get moved and then miss work again,so i look at it as time is money....
You can respectfully disagree with a cop. They usually appreciate someone who has done their homework and has an understanding of what is going on.