Do you need Commercial Plates in NY to tow a trailer?

[redhat9]

Good morning, I came across this forum and like what I see -- an easy to view website and a wealth of knowledge.

I have a 2019 F-150, SuperCab with 6.5ft box, 2.7 EcoBoost and 10-speed automatic. I plan to mainly tow either a car-hauler with my G-body, 24-ft camping trailer and/or snowmobile/ATV trailer in the future. I am planning on putting airbags in the rear to air up when needed. I am not planning on towing anything ever too crazy, but nothing that I think would overwhelm the little EcoBoost.

I am in New York State, specifically Western New York. Currently the truck is registered with Passenger Plates. I have heard that with Passenger Plates you could be ticketed for hauling a trailer. Is this true? If that is the case, I would plan to get Commercial Plates. I am not too concerned with any restrictions on parkways or certain use roads. I am in a Rural area, and any time I would be on a restricted use road would be in either my Honda Accord or wife's Tahoe.

Thanks for your help.

[gbopp]

Beverley&Ken wrote:
Your most accurate answers would come from your state's DMV website or in person questions.

I'm guessing you have never contacted a DMV in the states. :B

[specta]

Here inn Utah what determines a commercial vehicle is one that provides a service.

Private vehicles don't provide a service.

[Terryallan]

redhat9 wrote:
Thank you for the replies!

Best thing. Go to your local DMV and ask. Laws in all states are different. In NC the answer would be a definite no. But that may not be the case for you. Check your state laws

[redhat9]

Thank you for the replies!

[Lwiddis]

Ask NY DMV. The only official answer.

[QCMan]

The answer is like everything else in NY-it depends! If towing personal items like a utility trailer or a travel trailer you do not need commercial plates. If you are hauling for monetary gain, you need commercial plates and a CDL. Depending on the weight, you may or may not need commercial plates for towing a fifth wheel. Even if you don't need commercial plates to haul said fifth wheel, some jurisdictions will charge you commercial toll rates even though it is personal and private use. I have talked to folks that went across the George Washington Bridge in the Bronx and it seems like the toll taking is random as some get charged commercial rates and some do not (with fw's). Easy Pass goes by plate number so it seems to always be right. If you bypass NYC and take a ferry to Long Island, anything attached by a fifth wheel hitch pays commercial rates but the guy next to you with a much longer tt pays the normal rate. Bottom line is that your car hauler requires you to get commercial plates but your tt and snowmobile trailers do not.

[Beverley_Ken]

Your most accurate answers would come from your state's DMV website or in person questions.
My GUESS, would be that you are ok, all personal use, no compensation received. Trailer actual or GVWR, may also come into play.

Ken

[mooky_stinks]

You do not need commercial plates to tow in NYS.

[JRscooby]

IMHO, short bed and long cab is just a car without a deck-lid.

[Lynnmor]

I would bet that passenger cars are allowed to tow things, so why not your funny looking big passenger car?