HVACR NewsMagazine December 2017

S tate, National, Chapter News Feature Story

Is Your Truck and Trailer Commercial

3/4T Truck (F250) +

12’ Trailer Tandem Axle Trailer =

Potential GVWR -- ~17,000 lbs

One vehicle company published this information on their F250

Gross vehicle weight rating : 9,950 to 10,000 lbs

~7,000 lbs. GVWR

~10,000 lbs. GVWR

Curb weight : 5,683 to 6,695 lbs

One Association dealer was recently stopped by an Arkansas Highway Policeman for a DOT check. The dealer was totally unaware of the need for DOT compliance on a typical HVAC work truck pulling a trailer. In an interview with the state office of the Highway Police, we found that they are looking for smaller trucks and trailers that are out of compliance. It isn’t just Arkansas because a conversation with a compliance company revealed that it is happening nationwide. To that end, the NewsMagazine will take space in the next few issues getting the word out. It isn’t that complicated once you get summaries of the regulations. First, who does it apply to ? The key is GVWR , Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Please note it is rating -- not actual load when inspected. If the truck or combination of the truck and the trailer with a load as rated is over 10,000 lbs,

Towing capacity : 12,300 to 13,300 lbs

lbs you are almost 7k over. Some 3/4T trucks are 11,000lbs and the truck by itsself is commerical and would have to comply with DOT regulations. While there are differences in intra vers inter state driving, the 10,000 lb limit applies to both.

DOT Regulations GVWR--over 10,000

Less than 26,001

Loaded or Unloaded

Including Trailer

Intra state

There are at least eight categories of rules for intra - state (not going out of state) for vehicles or vehicle and trailer combinations above 10,000 lbs and less than 26,001 lbs.: 1. You are not required to have a DOT number; however, there are some advantages just in case you make a trip out of state. 2. You must undergo a New Entrant Safety Audit. (Takes from 2 – 4 hours.)

…it is rating not actual load when inspected. Hauling air or a load, the rating is the same.

it is considered a commercial vehicle and must comply with DOT regulations as well. A typical 3/4T truck, F250, is rated at about 10,000 and a 12’ tandem axle trailer at about 7,000. At 17,000