Commercial Plates vs Non Commercial GCWR...Question

[nitro4you75]

Hi all, so I was at a family function and my know it all friend and I got into a discussion over GCWR I have a 2012 Keystone Laredo Dry weight is 7400lbs I have a 2014 Ram with the 3.92 gears, 4x4 Quad cab hemi with air bags the MAX GCVW according to Dodge is 15650lbs ...now all that being said my friend continues to tell me this is against the law that the "vehicle" is not registered for that weight and I should have commercial plates with the required weight. In addition to that he said if I was to get in a accident id be liable because im pulling too much weight. I have no issues pulling the trailer at all as a matter of fact dont even know its back there.
I said why would Dodge sell a truck they state 15650 GCWR and im WAY under that and pull something that would be unlawful? Please tell me there is proof I can get to have him CLAM it ;-)

[Festus2]

In most jurisdictions, a commercial vehicle is one that is used to transport goods and merchandise or for services and also has some form of advertising or signage on it.

I can't see how your truck could require commercial license plates if it is just used as a tow vehicle to pull your Laredo or as a means of getting to and from work or other non-commercial use.

Regardless of all the weights and other descriptors you used to describe your truck, it still isn't a commercial vehicle.

There may some other factors such as special driver's license endorsements for towing RV's over a certain GVRW but I think your "know-it-all" friend" is incorrect when he says that your truck should have a commercial license plate.

I'd search out your State MV regs and I am sure they will specify what the requirements are.

[nitro4you75]

Thank you...it seems everywhere I have read...and there have been some heated discussions its more or less states this -
There is no law of being over the GVWR or the GCVWR as far as I know for non-commercial vehicles.. Insurance will NOT deny coverage for being overweight... It's not so much legal issues as it is for the LONGEVITY,safety, handling, stopping, cornering, cooling etc on the tow vehicle..another article I read stated this from the state -
We have no State or Federal Law that sets guidelines for how much weight a vehicle can tow. We have axle and bridge weight limits and the actual combined weight, the actual weight of the two units totaled together, is a concern only when you are in commerce. If
you are conducting any kind of business or hauling hazardous materials, then this weight is governed by Law.
You must have the proper class of driver's license for the combined
weight of your units and your towing vehicle must be powered enough to
safely tow and safely stop your trailer. For the class of
license we use the GVWR of each unit totaled together. If the CGVWR is over 26,001 lbs. and the GVWR of trailer is over 10,000 lbs. then you must have a class A license. It does not have to be a CDL unless you are in commerce.

[hankaye]

nitro4you75, Howdy;

Go down to the DMV, and get them to show you the definition of a
commercial vehicle, and the differences between that and a RV pulled for
personnel use.

hankaye

[nitro4you75]

For sure......need to silence him. ;-) If I do the math im pretty good and safe where im at. i guess hitting him up with facts will be the best bet.

[chuckster57]

If he resides in a different state, his rules may not be the same as yours.

[nitro4you75]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

If he resides in a different state, his rules may not be the same as yours.

Im In NJ as is the other guy. HE has a CDL so he thinks he knows it all and im a "peon" that is the opposite.

[hankpage]

Check your registration. ..passenger at commercial fee. Your truck should be registered for it's total weight, not combined weight. Your trailer is registered for whatever it weighs. I register my 2500 at 7999 so I can use local roads restricted to under 4 tons. My trailer is registered for its gross weight. While towing the combined registered weight make it legal. JMHO, Hank
I'm in Jersey also

[Ken / Claudia]

I believe the the question was answered but, here is why (short form).USDOT says a truck/pickup is a truck if over 8,000 lbs. Each state does what it wants regarding licensing that vehicle. Here in Oregon it remains a passenger licensed vehicle if NOT USED FOR HIRE. So, for example your F350/F450 is over 8,000lbs and is a passenger vehicle when used to tow the rv. If your F350/F450 is used for work it is a truck and needs a truck license plate. That plate costs more and the ONLY other requirement is it must have fire extinguisher. Here likely else where it is a way to get more tax's for the state for road repair due to the vehicle being heavier than most others on the road.

[hankpage]

Originally Posted by nitro4you75

For the class of
license we use the GVWR of each unit totaled together. If the CGVWR is over 26,001 lbs. and the GVWR of trailer is over 10,000 lbs. then you must have a class A license. It does not have to be a CDL unless you are in commerce.

In New Jersey there is only one class of drivers license for driving non-commercial or non-agricultural vehicles on a highway. (Class D) Private utility or travel trailers or motorhomes do not at this time come under the 26,001 or 10,000 lb. rules. Those rules are for commercial or "For Hire" vehicles. Your friend should have learned this when he took his CDL tests for each endorsement he holds. In many localities you can not park a commercial vehicle on the street over-night. Also in many states you cannot enter state parks or use highways designated "Passenger vehicles only" if you put commercial plates on your pick up. JM2¢, Hank

[gearhead]

Go to your New Jersey drivers license office and ask them. There's no point in asking someone in another state what you need.
But, I do believe that all states are trying to follow federal guidelines. It's the different interpretations that gets us all messed up.

[CWtheMan]

Let me enter another confusion factor. Here is SC my truck has to be tagged with a commercial tag but I do not have to have a CDL for towing our fiver. However, when I initially went to the DMV to register the truck here in SC I was asked what my normal towing load would be. Once they knew I was towing a 14.1K Trailer regularly I was required to have the red and white commercial tag. The tag agent also informed me that the GCWR of my truck would be on its registration. Dodge lists my particular truck at 21.5K, GCWR. However, With an auto trans and 4.10 it's increased to 23.5K and that’s what’s on my registration. The SCDOT actively seeks out overweight trucks and issues stiff penalties for those that are found in violation of their GCWR limit.

CW

[christopherglenn]

Just to make thing exciting, all pickups registered in California are commercial tags - unless you try to get passenger tags. The catch with passenger tags is haul ANYTHING in the open bed, and you get sited. A shell on the bed with cargo under it is ok.

[Ken / Claudia]

Chris, if Ca DMV is like OR DMV they have the vehicle R/O declare the vehicle weight. And the cops become bad guys for stopping a f550 dump truck with a passenger plate as happened yesterday. It was listed as a passenger vehicle, ford pickup. The biggest, sadest part about that I wrote to DMV in 1998 and asked them to train the DMV employees to check the VIN, of it on any pickup or light truck since it shows what the GVWR of that vehicle is per the maker. They would not do it. They said it is the job of the owner to tell them what the vehicle weight is, so we have many trucks who are illegal.

[cabinfever]

In PA RV use does not require a CDL or other commercial registration. You do need to keep all your axles under the max weight. Can not be overloaded just because you are an RV. I believe most states require you to be weight legal as well.