bluefishgary wrote:
The trailer was built by a race car fabricator. The trailer has 3 X7,000
axles (Dexter) and looks very well built. I have not seen the title or registration yet . The reason for asking is if I get stopped how do they know how much the unit can weight. The trailer I have now has 10,000 lbs
GVWR right on the sticker. I do not think there will be any problem as
the trailer is title and registration in the state I live in, so I would just use the same info.
Each state treats or handles things a bit different..
In PA..
The GVWR IS included on my yearly registration card, I pay the DMV a "fee" based off the GVWR of the trailer.
If a trooper pulls you over YOU MUST surrender any and ALL paperwork for the vehicle AND the trailer.
The Trooper determines your GCVWR by adding your truck GVWR and your trailer GVWR. If your truck is 7000lbs GVWR and you are pulling a trailer that is 10000lbs GVWR, then your GCVWR is 17,000lbs.
If you have commercial tags and have a GCWR of 17000 lbs or more, you fall into fed DOT regs.
A few years ago, PA made several changes which impact ANYONE towing an open flatbed or enclosed CARGO trailer..
If your NON RV trailer GVWR is more than 10,000lbs you must register your truck as a combination in PA (combination registration is $400 PLUS per year). Also if you in business you will need a D.O.T # and will need a D.O.T physical card if you drive on interstate roads .
Any Non RV combination tow exceeding 17000 lbs and non commercial it would be prudent to get your physical card, carry at least ONE fire extinguisher AND make sure you have THREE Triangles.
State Police in PA can and do pull over anyone towing a flatbed or cargo trailer and check your registration to see if your combination is exceeding 17000 lbs. If it does and they determine you are using it for business/commercial purposes and you do not have combination registration you will be facing some hefty fines..
If what what you have stated is true with the axle capacity that would place his trailer in the 21,000 GVWR (7K axles times three) just for the trailer. Add that to the vehicles GVWR and it will be a sure bet that their “combination” will be exceeding 26K which is going to easily put them into business/commercial type licensing (at least in PA it would)..
You would also need to make sure your Drivers License is a high enough weight class to tow this heavy of a combination since you most likely will exceed 26K if I figure it correctly from the small amount of info you have given.
That is where you MUST check with your OWN STATES DMV/DOT to find out exactly what your states laws require..
My suggestion is to read the MD Motor carrier Handbook found
HEREThen check with your local DMV..
