So my Secretary of State website gets confusing after staring at it long enough. I'm still looking to get into hauling travel trailers and my friend who did it said that he didn't need a CDL to do that because every IL drivers license is automatically a Class D CDL and he is correct about that. A Class D CDL covers a vehicles GVWR to 16,001 lbs.
Now this is what the Sec of State website says:
"Class A — Combination of vehicles with a GCWR* of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Class B — Single vehicle with a GVWR* of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Class C — Single vehicle with a GVWR* of at least 16,001 pounds but less than 26,001 pounds.
Class D — Single vehicle with a GVWR* of less than 16,001 pounds.
GCWR — Gross Combination Weight Rating
GVWR — Gross Vehicle Weight Rating"
Now I'm using a 2006 F350 Super Duty Crew Cab Dually as a reference. The maximum GVWR is 11,200 lbs. According to Ford, the truck weighs 7300 lbs (rounded up) and from all the mixture of info I'm getting on the interwebs, the GVWR doesn't include the trailer. So that should be within CDL specs right?
I also have to figure out license plates. They have minimal information for that. I think I need "F" or "H" plates.
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/vehicles/license_plate_guide/truck_and_trailer_plates/truck8000.html
Looks like you're good with the license. You'll want to look into this too: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/do-i-need-usdot-number
Keith Tanner wrote:
Looks like you're good with the license. You'll want to look into this too: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/do-i-need-usdot-number
Thanks for that. It says I don't need one. I'm going to double check with the Transport Company, but I honestly have never seen travel trailer transporters with DOT numbers.
travel trailer GVWR plus truck GVWR. 26000 or below, no class A. 26001+ class A. i've researched this exhaustively and have been fighting to find the right combo of truck/trailer to keep the combined ratings below 26k.
I know somebody who hauls trailers out of Elkhart, IN - she said she follows DOT since it is for hire and crosses states.
All those haulers have magnetic signs they take off and high tail it home driving as long as they want.
SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote:
... but I honestly have never seen travel trailer transporters with DOT numbers.
Disagree.
As commented above, DOT number showing while hauling and then DOT off the truck when empty.
You might find the comments section of this article interesting.
http://m.elkharttruth.com/news/business/rv-industry/2014/07/15/RV-transport-driver-shortage-improved-but-still-exists.html
In reply to JohnRW1621:
As I said I was going to check with the company to make sure, but that answers my question. I knew they gave the magnetic placards, I just never noticed the DOT number on them. But that also answers another question which is that they provide it and I don't have to get it myself.
I also saw the comments, yeah I know it's not going to be the best paying gig, but its going to be more then I'm making now, like a lot more.
Just be real wise with your expenses.
More comments here https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Horizon-Transport-Reviews-E385295.htm
The key problem I see with the industry is that you are coming back to Indiana empty.
You are paid by the mile but only when loaded. This means if you get paid $1.75 per mile to drive from Elkhart to Philadelphia, you are really only getting 87.5 cents (half of $1.75) per real mile driven.
Be mindful of tolls too. They charge more for a heavy truck with trailer than what just a regular car would pay.
In reply to JohnRW1621:
Trust me man, I've done a ton of research. Horizon has horrible reviews. I'm looking at CWRV Transport. They have a lot of positive reviews. I know there's going to be expenses. I'm not planning on making this my life work, I'm going to do this for a while then switch up to freight or car transport.
Just out of curiosity why the aversion to getting a CDL. Its not that hard to get and can save headaches down the line. In my experience with tow trucks it is easier to hand a small town cop your license than it is to explain why you don't need one, then go to court to get a BS ticket dismissed.
A Super Duty by itself - or carrying a car on a flatbed - looks like it would be Class D. But if it's pulling a trailer, even if the trailer is the cargo and not carrying the cargo, it sounds like it would be a class A or B.
In reply to Wall-e:
No adversion. I technically have a CDL, it's just not a Class A CDL and I'm trying to figure out if I need to get a Class A. I'm not operating anything with air brakes, so I'm not sure I need a Class A.
The whole GVWR is confusing. Some things I've read say it's the combined weight of the truck and the trailer, then some say it's just the truck alone. If it's just the truck alone, then my current Class D covers it, if it's the combined weight, then I need a higher CDL.
Make sure you're distinguishing between GVWR and GCWR.
In reply to Keith Tanner:
That's what I'm trying to figure out.
GVWR is just the truck. It has nothing to do with what it can trailer. Is that correct?
In reply to SyntheticBlinkerFluid:
Class B also allows for air-brake and hazmat endorsements, or at least it did 20-years ago.
Well I'm just going to try for a class A. The DMV isn't open today, so I'm going to call tomorrow to find out what is needed for the road test.
SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote:
In reply to Keith Tanner:
That's what I'm trying to figure out.
GVWR is just the truck. It has nothing to do with what it can trailer. Is that correct?
I think what's confusing you is the fact that truck/trailer combos below 26,000 lbs aren't listed. If you're below that number, then you don't need a Class A. You don't need anything beyond your normal license as long as the truck isn't unusual - which it isn't.
For towing campers it would look like you would at most need a Class B unless you are towing campers over 10,000 lbs. Once you move up to towing cars that's not impossible. The rules seem to be a bit confusing about combination vehicles but I agree with Keith that it looks like a pickup and camper aren't heavy enough to require a special license. When I started towing NY had a Non-CDL C which was a written test. You needed that and a towing endorsement to drive a tow truck or small truck of any weight if you were driving it commercially. That doesn't seem to exist anymore now that all states are bound to the same set of rules.
CDL and Non-CDL Classifications
•Class A — Combination of vehicles with a GCWR* of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
•Class B — Single vehicle with a GVWR* of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
•Class C — Single vehicle with a GVWR* of at least 16,001 pounds but less than 26,001 pounds.
•Class D — Single vehicle with a GVWR* of less than 16,001 pounds.
*GCWR — Gross Combination Weight Rating
*GVWR — Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
If you decide to go for an A or B license the easiest way is to call a driving school. For a little money some will give you some time to get familiar with the truck and take you for the road test. We did this for my brother and I think we paid $200.
I live in IL and have a class A license. You don't need anything other then a drivers license to operate a vehicle and trailer with a GCVW of less then 16,000 lbs. IF you're wanting to upgrade then the class B is as high as you'll need to haul RV trailers or a flatbed with multiple smaller ones on it.
I believe you're in the south suburbs of Chicago. Stop by the CDL office in South Holland and you can get all the info you need as well as the requirements for any upgrades. It's also the place you would have to take any tests, either written or behind the wheel.
I don't know that much about trailers but operating a commercial operation vs recreational is different. You will need a DOT number for 10,001 and over. You will also be required to carry a medical card. This is all assuming you will be leaving your state. I can't find a quick firm answer but it looks like you will only be able to tow up to 9,000 without a different license because of being compensated for your efforts. License Restrictions it is CA but it should be the same.
In reply to Andy Neuman:
I already have my DOT Medical card for my current job and as stated above, the RV transport company provides a DOT number.
In reply to jimbbski:
We have a CDL facility down here in Bradley, which is like 10 minutes from me.
Unless the CDL facility in Bradley (by OAK right?) has been revamped I'd go anywhere else. I stood there three hours, place was ridiculous.
Commercial Trucking Insurance Underwriter checking in.... Vetting drivers and their licenses is one thing I do almost once an hour every work day.
Class C, E, D licenses in almost 50 states will allow a person to drive any power unit/trailer combo up to 26,000lbs. The CDL version of these is only available in a handful of states and were created for the Taxi industry.
CDL B will allow a person to drive a power unit over 26,000lbs and and trailer up to 10,000lbs. (think city bus, dump truck, $$$ RV, Garbage Truck, etc.)
CDL A will allow a person to drive a power unit and trailer of any weight. (semi truck and trailer) - There are many endorsements available for haz mat/ oversize/over weight/ multiple trailers/ etc.
