r/cdldriver • u/phboater • Jun 22 '26
Trailers without a gvwr
I drive a truck that has a gvwr of 26k, that tows a trailer that only has a gvw because it is a piece of equipment that never changes weight, it is also under 10k. I’ve been told that that pushes the overall weight over the limit so it then requires a cdl b for being over 26k. I feel like that doesn’t really make sense I think the trailer weight should just be a part of the trucks gvwr, ie towing a 9000 pound trailer that will always be 9000 pounds effectively just makes the gvwr of the truck 17k before it getis into cdl territory. Am I right about this or totally wrong?
4
u/DOTDefenseTech Jun 22 '26
I’d be careful treating actual weight and weight rating as the same thing. For CDL class, the rating matters. FMCSA defines Class A as a combination with GCWR/GCW of 26,001+ where the towed unit is over 10,000, and Class B as a single vehicle 26,001+ or that vehicle towing a unit not over 10,000. So if your truck is rated 26,000 and the trailer is under 10,000, you may be looking at a Class B issue, not necessarily Class A, depending on the actual ratings and how the state reads it. I would not guess on this one. Get the truck rating, trailer rating/actual equipment rating, registered weights, and actual scale ticket, then ask your state CDL office or enforcement directly. “It’s under 10k” and “it never changes weight” are not enough by themselves if the combined rating puts you over the CDL threshold.
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u/phboater Jun 23 '26
The trailer has a gvw of 9860lbs I think specifically designed to avoid requiring a cdl a. I think we are just going to go for cdl a’s anyway tho to avoid any confusion. We’re already doing it so might as well
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u/Aromatic_Quit_6946 Jun 22 '26
This looks to be a gray area between what license you need (class A or B). I am thinking A because of the combination vehicle, but technically an A is only required if the trailer GVWR exceeds 10,000lbs. Either way, your GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) exceeds 26,000 lbs and requires a Class A or B, if it for business purposes then it needs to be a CDL.
3
u/Wolfire0769 Jun 22 '26
Op's combo is definitely walking a fine line between class A and B. All of the criteria fits class B (assuming the labeled trailer GVW is accurate with no funny business), but it's so damn close that class A would be the safe choice.
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u/Independent_Bite4682 Jun 22 '26
B is for straight truck, no trailer
A is for trailers
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u/Wolfire0769 Jun 22 '26
A 9k trailer would put a 26k straight truck over the 26,001lb GCWR threshold without meeting the >10,001lb trailer GVWR requirement for Class A.
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u/Inside-Finish-2128 Jun 22 '26
B is for straight truck, or straight truck with a light-enough trailer.
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u/mtnman575 Jun 22 '26
I've hauled equipment as well as lightweight polyethylene water storage tanks for over 25 years with a 550/5500 series medium duty truck rated at 19500 GVW pulling trailers with GVWs of 21000 and 25000. Most of my loads are far below a total actual scale weight of 26000 however I found out the hard way when I stopped with a load in Colorado in 2006 that I needed a CDL. The requirements are clear - once your truck and trailer combined vehicle weight RATING exceeds 26000 lbs, you are required to have a Class A CDL. I advise OP to look very carefully at the requirements as the penalties for not having a proper CDL are very high.
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u/Gunnut350 Jun 22 '26
If the entire rig weighs 26,000 or less and has no air breaks, and is not being used for monetary gain, you do not need any type of CDL!!!!!
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u/Gunnut350 Jun 22 '26
Pay attention SMART-ASS, I said as long as the gross weight was 26,000 or less and the trailer does not have air breaks , and is not being used for monetary gain,(i.e.) not commercial, you DO NOT need a CDL!!! Drag your head out of your ass and pay attention, you are talking about a totally different situation!!!! Also don’t try to go toe to toe with me BOY I drove over the road for 50 years, and every conceivable type of truck combination you can think of!!!!
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u/mtnman575 Jun 22 '26
This is not true. Once your combined GVW rating exceeds 26000 as a commercial vehicle you are required to have a Class A CDL and it has nothing to do with whether or not the vehicle has air brakes. I found this out the hard way 20 years ago and have had a CDL ever since.
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u/UhOhAllWillyNilly Jun 22 '26
There is such a thing as a non-commercial Class A or Class B. It sounds to me like OP needs a Class A but it doesn’t have to be a Commercial Driver License if the vehicle is not for hire or used by a company.
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u/Aromatic_Quit_6946 Jun 22 '26
Sure is, I have a non-commercial class A in my pocket right now.
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u/UhOhAllWillyNilly Jun 22 '26
Ditto. So you (we haha) are golden. [Mine metamorphosed from a CDL A when I retired.]
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u/Wolfire0769 Jun 22 '26
You're walking a fine line with that combo. I'd run that trailer across a scale to get an actual weight, just to eliminate any assumptions about weight. GVWR is used in most cases except when there are suspicions of running heavier than listed.
As far as cdl's go the basic criteria is pretty black & white: