QuestionQUESTION: Hello. I live in Ohio and have a SRW Dodge truck with a 9000lbs GVWR and am going to Georgia to buy a gooseneck trailer (from a private individual)with a 20,000lbs GVWR. My truck is just my personal truck, non commercial. Do I have to get temp tags to pull this home? Do I have to cross the scales with it? This trailer will be used for personal use, and farm use. Do I have to get commercial tags for the trailer when I get to Ohio? and does my truck need commercial tags to be able to pull this trailer? I have other questions about his but will start here. Thanks!
ANSWER: Hello Adam,
As long as it's for personal use, you can go any where you want. If you had a farm in Texas, you could haul a tractor to Texas. If you ever get stopped, you just tell enforcement it's you equipment and it's for personal use. The only time you would fall under the Federal Regulations is if you are hauling equipment to make money. You can move equipment for other people, just claim it as yours while traveling. No special permits required and you don't have to go through the weigh stations. 1 exception is Florida, if your empty and they can see that you're empty, you don't have to stop. But if you are loaded, even with private property, you must stop at the Agriculture Stations in Florida. Florida has a weigh station and a Ag. station, they check all trucks at the Ag. station. You may not ever go to Florida, but I thought I'd throw that in for free.
I hope this answers your question, if you have any other questions feel free to shoot me a line.
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QUESTION: Thank you. So do I have to get temp tags to bring this trailer home, or will the bill of sale be all that's needed if I get pulled over till I get home. Is there any weight limit to what I can legally pull with my truck and this trailer then? I'd just like to keep this as legal as possible. Thanks again!
AnswerHi Adam,
As far as Georgia is concerned, a bill of sale will be all you need to get home. As long as you're hauling private, there's not a weight restriction. Just use common sense, don't go over the combined GVWRs. You may already know, just so I know you understand the GVWR is what the vehicles are rated to carry. Your gross weight does not need to go over 29,000 lbs. as long as the trailer has breaks. This particular set up will require CDLs if you decide to haul for hire. Just remember if you by chance get stopped, just tell the officer it's personal use and you property being moved. You're not in business to make money. So don't worry, you'll be fine. Besides, most states are more interested in tractor trailers, especially Georgia.
I hope this gives you peace of mind, there's nothing to worry about. Let me know if you need anything, I live just north of Valdosta, GA.
