Differences in owing 1t vs 3/4t pickup in Ontario?

Class A license is not needed as long as the combined weight doesn't exceed 24500lb (approx). I don't plan to exceed that.

Acei wrote:
I only plan to tow a 5th wheel, I don't have any commercial purpose for the truck. But I'm pretty sure all of my scenarios will exceed the combined weight of 4.5t.

Sounds like I'll need to do the yearly safety check on the truck no matter what (although it may not be a bad idea to do this regardless).

I don't use my truck commercially either.
It does seem silly that probably the heaviest thing you tow doesn't need a safety because it is an RV. But it will put you over the 4500kg...
Then there is the very confusing A restricted licence!!!!
Micar

I only plan to tow a 5th wheel, I don't have any commercial purpose for the truck. But I'm pretty sure all of my scenarios will exceed the combined weight of 4.5t.

Sounds like I'll need to do the yearly safety check on the truck no matter what (although it may not be a bad idea to do this regardless).

In Ontario all trucks are commercial vehicles. That is why the have the black and white licence plate. It does not matter if you have the personal use sticker on or not.

Trucks under a gross vehicle weight of 4500kg do not require an annual safety. If you are planning on towing you will need to look at the combined weight of both the truck and trailer. If the actual combined weight is over 4500kg or the combined gross vehicle weight is over 4500kg then you require a yearly safety on the truck and any non rv trailer that you tow.

Micar has it right.
I have to have an annual inspection for the dually because of the weight rating of the truck. Therefore I have to have my 5X8 enclosed trailer and my 6X10 open trailer safetied every year as well. I have seen 1/2 tons with the yellow sticker because the combined weight of the truck and the trailer exceed the magic number.
However, I don't have to do anything to the travel trailer, no inspection whatsoever.
It makes things easy if a buddy wants me to tow his trailer... No Yellow sticker... no tow.
Yellow sticker is safety inspection, no need to do the emissions test until the truck is 7 years old( or did they up that to 9 years? )

If there really is a difference when the GVWR goes over 4,500kg (9,900 pounds) that explains why GM used to rate their SRW 3500 at 9,900 GVWR.
You can buy a new truck with different GVWR to help with some of these legal issues.
Where I work we purchased a 2015 Chevy 3500 SRW. It's GVWR is normally 11,500 but you can order it with a sticker that says 10,000. Ours is this way because if it were over 10,000 we would have to follow a bunch of DOT regulations. It's the same truck, no difference what so ever in it's mechanical construction, just a sticker.
This is one reason I don't put a lot of stock in the GVWR of a vehicle when loading it. I generally look at the actual tire and axle weights.

Hi All I have had a few 3/4 ton trucks a 1997 2001 2003 2005 2009 and now a 2015 never in Gas just Oil burners..never had a safety and just one E-test I have never needed a 1 ton or dully had a Cedar Creek that pulled like a dead horse nice trailer but a real heavy weight...never liked the looks of the dully just dumb to have a truck that has 2 extra tires to replace...Most people have a need I think to have one .I do not just as trailer tow mirrors when needed open them up but when not close them I always do .Have a good day all Bushman:B

Where I live in Ontario we don't need drive clean. You will need a yellow sticker based on what weight you are registered at. From what I was told by MTO basically any 350/3500 is going to need one even if you are not commercial.
You will need to have a yearly safety inspection and all trailers that are NOT RV also need yearly inspection. IE snowmobile, flat bed car trailer whether they are for commercial use or not. If your truck has a "yellow sticker" you can't pull a buddies trailer unless it has a yellow sticker.
I have friend's with 250/2500 trucks that also have yellow stickers due to the weight they tow.
IMO if you are pulling a trailer that requires a 350/3500 or even a 250/2500 a yearly inspection is justified and worth the cost for piece of mind that your tires, brakes, steering and suspension is all in good shape.

I made sure my F250 was registered as non-commercial and I do not need the yellow sticker or inspection. When you purchase your truck make sure this is stipulate at the dealer and/or MTO.

Here are the rules for the drive clean program.
The yearly test is only for >7 years old and greater than 4,500 kg.
The rules also vary for diesel.