QuestionI am starting a hot shot trucking company. I have a GMC 3500 dually, but have not purchased a trailer. What is the best size to buy. I would like to haul cars, machinery, and equipment. I plan to lease out to another company once I get set up.
Thanks
AnswerHi Bud,
Let me make one thing clear first. No matter what setup you use, you will be operating a commercial motor vehicle. You will be required to follow all the regulation that a trucking company and a driver with CDLs would. A CMV begins at 10,001 lbs.
Now your question, as long as your trailer GVWR does NOT exceed 10,000 lbs. and your truck GVWR does NOT exceed 26,000 lbs., you will NOT be required to have a CDL.
Example 1: truck GVWR 26,000 lbs + trailer GVWR 10,000 lbs. = GCWR 36,000 lbs. NO CDL
Example 2: truck GVWR 16,000 lbs + trailer GVWR 10,001 lbs. = GCWR 26,001 lbs. CDL REQUIRED (Class A)
Example 3: truck GVWR 26,001 lbs + trailer GVWR 10,000 lbs. = GCWR 36,001 lbs. CDL REQUIRED (Class B)
Take notice of the 1 lb. added to examples 2 & 3. That 1 lb. makes all the difference. Class B license begins at 26,001 lbs. for the truck. If the trailer is 10,001 lbs. or more and the combination of the 2 together are 26,001 lbs. or more, then a Class A license is required. You will notice in example 1 a gross combination weight rating of 36,000 lbs., the truck falls 1 lb. short of a Class B and the trailer falls 1 lb. short of a Class A. NO CDLs required for this operation and is the maximum weight you can get by with without CDLs. I can back up my answers with code sections out of the Federal Regulations if I need to. I understand how easy it is to get different answers, but I can prove it if I need to.
I hope this answers your question. If you need me to clear up anything you might not understand or just ask a whole new question, feel free to shoot me another line. I don't believe in stupid questions, I figure if you knew the answer you wouldn't have asked the question.
God Bless, Israel
