So many mixed results

So true. Bought a 3500 because I wanted to do non cdl. That didn't work out cause my truck was too heavy and limiting myself to 26k would have limited me to very light loads. Got my cdl and now I wish I would have bought the 5500 instead. I'm stuck with the 3500 for at least a year.
Went out and bought a $21k trailer and had issues with it straight away. Mechanical and load limiting issues. By sheer luck I sold it and got the "correct" trailer. Lost a few grand on the deal but worth it for the long run. Trailer was paid cash, if it was financed I'd be in stuck and full of regret.

 

The role of GVWR and GCWR in specifying work trucks

There are three key aspects to consider when assessing CDL operator requirements for commercial work trucks involved in towing a trailer: truck GVWR, trailer GVWR and GCWR of the truck-trailer combination. Trailer GVWR is most critical to determining when a CDL is required. When a trailer has a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more and the combined GCWR of the truck and trailer is 26,001 pounds or more, a CDL is required of the operator. For example, if a trailer has a GVWR of 11,500 pounds and is towed by a truck with a GVWR of 15,000 pounds, resulting in a GCWR of 26,500 pounds, then the operator must have a CDL.

In contrast, when the trailer in the truck-trailer combination has a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less, the CDL requirements allow for a greater GCWR for both the truck and trailer without requiring a CDL. For example, a truck with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less can tow a trailer with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less and not require the operator to have a CDL under federal requirements. However, CDL requirements mandate that the truck and trailer GVW not exceed 26,000 pounds and 10,000 pounds, respectively. In short, the truck and trailer cannot be overloaded.



In short the truck and trailer can't have a GVWR over 26000.. So what most guys do is derate the trailers. This is what most of these non CDL guys with 3 car wedges have done, they had the trailer derated.

 

Actually, if the truck is 26k or less and a trailer up to 10k or less and a gcwr of more than 26k does require a cdl class B license (unless you are from California then you do need a class A for any trailer of 10k lbs or more regardless of truck gvwr.)

 

If the sticker on the truck says 14k gvwr the trailer cant have a sticker of more than 12k to stay non cdl. Then you take your fully loaded empty truck, filled with fuel, def, straps, chains, tarps and personal gear and go to the scales. 26,000 lbs minus what ever is on the scale ticket is your max load. Don't forget you can't overload your axles.
My Ram 3500 scaled at a little over 9,000 lbs filled with everything I need. I was expecting my truck to weigh almost 2,000 lbs less than it turned out to be.

What trailer weighs just 5k empty? You have one in mind?

Correcting as you go in this business is very costly. I have researched for almost 2 years before I started and still made a few mistakes on the way. My cheapest mistake cost me $1400 and that was just buying my truck and trailer too early and having to pay parking for 2 months until everything was in order to start working. Buying the wrong trailer cost me twice that. Recently read on the news that a driver drove on a road that had a 6 ton max weight limit and got ticketed for $14k even though he had a load going to the road right after it. That was a mistake that can't be corrected as you go. Hope you have a fat "correct as you go" budget after everything is already bought.

 

I had to wait for MC number to approve. Normally 3-4 weeks ended up taking 6 weeks. Nothing you can do to rush it. Bought my trailer 2 weeks prior. Spent those two weeks just searching for insurance. Had a place to park my truck for free bobtail but when you add a 47 ft trailer your only option is to pay for parking unless you have that kinda room on your private property.

Ram 4500 has a GVWR of 16,000 lbs but actual weight is pretty close to the 3500 and that means you can only get a 10,000 lb GVWR trailer. I told you on the private messages that a cdl license was one of the first things I should have done, ended up getting it done 2 weeks before I bought my trailer and it was my smartest move yet. You mentioned watching youtube hotshotters than you probably heard that a 40 ft trailer is your best bet. A 40 ft cdl A trailer will open up a lot more load options for you. I've seen loads turned down because of dovetails where the shipper doesn't want the load sitting on the steel ramps and getting scratched. Mega cabs won't make anything more tolerable. The extra space is negligible. I took out all the seats and built a bed back to front and use the space behind the driver seat for personal items. I have 4 tools boxes between my truck and trailer all full.

I mentioned here on another post that I nearly got in a lot of trouble even though I have a trucking gps, google maps and rand mcnally road atlas paper maps I got routed accidentally into a 10'1" bridge with a 10' 9" unmovable load on my trailer 2 days ago. All three maps showed I was going the right way. Was also routed numerous times to roads where trucks are not allowed and had to back into a main road and find another way. More than a couple of times the sign that shows trucks are not allowed are after you have already turned onto the road.

 

Most of your information 24 hotshot is spot on your research is very through however each state has its own requirements for when a CDL is required. California, Texas, Florida and Ohio will be different. Always check your home state for the regulation.

 

Actually, Texas, Ohio and Florida are the same. As far as I know only California has different restrictions and regulations.

Copy paste from the respective dmv websites:

Texas:

• Class A – Permits the holder to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle or vehicles towed exceeds 10,000 pounds.
• Class B – Permits the holder to operate any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, anyone one of those vehicles towing a vehicle that does not exceed 10,000 pounds GVWR, and any vehicle designed to transport 24 passengers or more, including the driver. If the skills test is taken in a bus with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds, the holder will be restricted to operating busses under 26,001 pounds GVWR.

Ohio:
Class A
Class A license is required to drive any combination of vehicles with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, if the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Class B
Class B license is required to drive any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more or any such vehicle towing a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating not in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Florida:
check if you need a cdl through this questionaire: Do I need a CDL? - Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Class A Requirements – To operate trucks or truck combinations weighing 26,001 lbs or more, and towing a vehicle/unit over 10,000 lbs, a Class A license is required.
Class B Requirements – To operate straight trucks and buses 26,001 lbs or more, a Class B license is required.