DOT experts, 9990 GVWR utility/car hauler trailer behind expedition

[bill_b]

So I am looking at upgrading my single axle 14' trailer that I use to haul my Sportsman/RZR combo because I'm probably going to be making the switch to dual RZR setup when my youngest daughter is old enough to sit forward facing.

I have found a few manufacturers who will make a 22' trailer with a 7k GVWR but many more who offer that size in 9990GVWR (two 5200lb axles just de-rated?). The weight of two RZRs (rougly 3000lbs with full fuel tanks, all modifications, and a 100lbs worth of mud lol) will never be even remotely close to 7k (let's call it roughly 5k payload on the trailer itself because it will probably weigh in around 2k) but I like the idea of the overkill and want this trailer to last a long time. I saw a picture one time of a 3500lb bearing vs a 5200lb and it was like 2x as large.

My only question is... I am a little uncertain as to whether or not I am legally allowed to pull a trailer with a higher GVWR than my vehicle's advertised towing capacity? I think I am fine because I have used a 7500lb GVWR Uhaul car hauler before with a Nissan Frontier with a 6500lb towing capacity and I don't think they will let you tow something you aren't allowed.


Any help?

 

[bushpilot]

@bill_b - are you commercial? racing/hauling (w/ this set up) for a living? if this is purely personal/recreational then youre not subject to DOT rules. Youre not required to top at scaled or have CDL, run EDLs, etc.

in the truck world (depending on the state) - you have to be properly tagged for the weight.....lots of F350 owners put automotive plates on their trucks to avoid paying a higher tax....which IS fine....as long as you dont exceed the weight that your licensed for....

in virginia i have seen plenty of pick up trucks, who were pulling giant 5th wheels, pulled over....virginia state troopers will bring out portable scales....if their combined weight exceeded what they were licensed for then = ticket!

as long as your not commercially pulling (or transporting goods for biz) you should be fine and I doubt anyone will ever stop you or even give you a second look....its rare to even get stopped for length issues if youre a non-commercial (RV'er etc).

no one is ever gonna weigh you and if they do, youll be under the GCWR, anyway.

 

[bill_b]

@bill_b - are you commercial? racing/hauling (w/ this set up) for a living? if this is purely personal/recreational then youre not subject to DOT rules. Youre not required to top at scaled or have CDL, run EDLs, etc.

in the truck world (depending on the state) - you have to be properly tagged for the weight.....lots of F350 owners put automotive plates on their trucks to avoid paying a higher tax....which IS fine....as long as you dont exceed the weight that your licensed for....

in virginia i have seen plenty of pick up trucks, who were pulling goat 5th wheels, pulled over....virginia state troopers will bring out portable scales.

as long as your not commercially pulling (or transporting goods for biz) you should be fine and I doubt anyone will ever stop you or even give you a second look....its rare to even get stopped for length issues if your non-commercial (RV'er etc).

no one is ever gonna weigh you and if they do, youll be under the GCWR, anyway.

Not commercial in anyway, strictly for family fun and will never get used for anything other than RZR hauling and the occasional pallet of mulch every spring lol.

That's kind of what I figured tbh, that a state trooper would have to be having a pretty damn bad day to stop someone hauling 2 RZRs on an inspected trailer lol.

I will be hauling this thing across a lot of state lines due to out of state riding and that's why I'm leaning more towards the 10k over the 7k, at basically a $600 price difference and not much weight difference it's worth the upgrade I think.

 

[bushpilot]

Not commercial in anyway, strictly for family fun and will never get used for anything other than RZR hauling and the occasional pallet of mulch every spring lol.

That's kind of what I figured tbh, that a state trooper would have to be having a pretty damn bad day to stop someone hauling 2 RZRs on an inspected trailer lol.

I will be hauling this thing across a lot of state lines due to out of state riding and that's why I'm leaning more towards the 10k over the 7k, at basically a $600 price difference and not much weight difference it's worth the upgrade I think.

I would be very surprised if anyone of any authority ever gave you 2 looks.
If anyone were ever to stop you - its probably only gonna be in your home state...

@bill_b I would buy the bigger trailer w/ heavier axles too....but remember what they say....
when you have more space (and weight capability)...you tend to fill it up/use it!

I run illegal tint, and no front tags on anything we own....the only folks that know my states laws are (some) of the states LEO's....and theyre they only ones that have ever stopped me (ive never received a ticket for these items).

Texas Rangers dont know Pa laws and theyre not enforcing those laws.
Avoid putting stickers and logos / advertisements on your trailer and youll never have a problem....no one would even think you were commercial if youre just plain Jane going down the road.

I may or may not be in violation of some length limits and even when ive been stopped (no front tag), the question never even came up, nor did anyone ask me how much I weighed (probably cause they saw the RV registration)....

 

[JExpedition07]

The above is correct. This is why the guy who owns the marina I keep my boat at runs a pickup truck registered to him as a personal and not the business. Same with his 35 foot trailer. You just better hope he doesn’t get in an accident with your boat because you may end up liable for your damages or property loss (his personal auto and trailer insurance likely won’t cover someone else’s boat and your boat insurance likely won’t cover it either). When he plops the boats in every year he’s just doing it for a friend if he’s pulled over. Only a couple of us have 36 foot and up boats he pulls so to fly by the rule book would be ridiculous for him. He’d need a CDL and air brakes for 10 or so boats twice a year. I’ve been pulled over with him a few times and they always let him go because it’s personal use. I’ve been telling him for years to just invest in a ramp and be done with the road transport.

 

[bill_b]

I would be very surprised if anyone of any authority ever gave you 2 looks.
If anyone were ever to stop you - its probably only gonna be in your home state...

@bill_b I would buy the bigger trailer w/ heavier axles too....but remember what they say....
when you have more space (and weight capability)...you tend to fill it up/use it!

I run illegal tint, and no front tags on anything we own....the only folks that know my states laws are (some) of the states LEO's....and theyre they only ones that have ever stopped me (ive never received a ticket for these items).

Texas Rangers dont know Pa laws and theyre not enforcing those laws.
Avoid putting stickers and logos / advertisements on your trailer and youll never have a problem....no one would even think you were commercial if youre just plain Jane going down the road.

I may or may not be in violation of some length limits and even when ive been stopped (no front tag), the question never even came up, nor did anyone ask me how much I weighed (probably cause they saw the RV registration)....

View attachment 35735

That setup is amazing!!

I guess I'm over thinking this big time lol. It will just be a open flat bed car hauler, seems simple enough.

I learned my lesson already with the buying the trailer exactly to length and size you need. My sure Trac is a nice trailer but I absolutely hate how short it is and the way the single axle pulls.... Unless I'm hauling just a single 800-1300lb unit, I'll never go single axle again. My trailer was meant for like 2 sport quads lol

 

[Dice Roll]

You should be able to find your state dot info online. Or call the cve for your state and ask. Just like submitting a wrong tax return is ok until you get caught, pulling something that “nobody you know has been in trouble for” is ok until you are in an accident and people start lookin*closer at what you have. Like lawyers for instance. It’s also different for joe bob with an f150 than it is for a guy that can afford an expy...deeper pockets means bigger target on back.

 

[Fozzy]

Just keep this in the back of your mind. The recreational exemption does not increase the weight ratings of any vehicle or trailer. No one will ever really care unless you’re in an accident. Then insurance companies and lawyers will let you know all about it.


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[bushpilot]

he's already said he's towing his personal possessions hes not towing for hire or pay.....DOT does not apply.
Non-Commercial is exempt from scales and DOT inspections etc.

recreational towing has nothing to do w/ weights.
vehicle weight ratings should never be exceeded - doesn't matter if it's commercial or individual/non-commercial.

 

[bushpilot]

That setup is amazing!!

I guess I'm over thinking this big time lol. It will just be a open flat bed car hauler, seems simple enough.

I learned my lesson already with the buying the trailer exactly to length and size you need. My sure Trac is a nice trailer but I absolutely hate how short it is and the way the single axle pulls.... Unless I'm hauling just a single 800-1300lb unit, I'll never go single axle again. My trailer was meant for like 2 sport quads lol

View attachment 35738

nice set up!
I can't back up a single axle trailer to save my life...the turn too quick.

I like multi-tire / axle trailers - I figure if I have one flat I'm not immediately dead in the water....assuming im not over weight....I have enough time to get to the side of the road or maybe the next exit, most 2 axle trailers have brakes on at least one axle.

I prefer to stay below 80% of my equipments ratings - I like plenty of margin for safety.

I would encourage the use of an enclosed trailer (keeps prying eyes away), keeps your equipment clean, allows room for tools/tires/coolers...and you can camp in it. We added an AC unit to the car trailer....on weekends I cant go, friends can use the trailer to haul their own car and it provided some nice cool (or warm) sleeping quarters for extras.

 

[Deadman]

If you don't crash most won't care, but if you crash there will be inspections and attorneys ready to pounce if you are over spec on anything.....

 

[bushpilot]

If you don't crash most won't care, but if you crash there will be inspections and attorneys ready to pounce if you are over spec on anything.....

pounce on what? hes towing UNDER the GCWR....he may have equipment capable of towing MORE....but by his own admission he will be w/in the specs of the tow vehicle....call it a margin of safety!

he's not required to comply w/ DOT (which is commercial inspections, driving hours, logs, etc).

The OP is taking the right steps....and far more than most travel trailer owners ever do or consider....The OP is increasing the margin of safety (better axles, towing under the GCWR)....if he were ever to get called into court his case for equipment spec would be VERY STRONG!

 

[JExpedition07]

 

[Adieu]

I would be very surprised if anyone of any authority ever gave you 2 looks.
If anyone were ever to stop you - its probably only gonna be in your home state...

@bill_b I would buy the bigger trailer w/ heavier axles too....but remember what they say....
when you have more space (and weight capability)...you tend to fill it up/use it!

I run illegal tint, and no front tags on anything we own....the only folks that know my states laws are (some) of the states LEO's....and theyre they only ones that have ever stopped me (ive never received a ticket for these items).

Texas Rangers dont know Pa laws and theyre not enforcing those laws.
Avoid putting stickers and logos / advertisements on your trailer and youll never have a problem....no one would even think you were commercial if youre just plain Jane going down the road.

I may or may not be in violation of some length limits and even when ive been stopped (no front tag), the question never even came up, nor did anyone ask me how much I weighed (probably cause they saw the RV registration)....

View attachment 35735

Don't tell me you're somehow driving THAT without CDL-A????

 

[bushpilot]

whats your point....is it that the van owner is an idiot and far exceeded the specifications of the van?
I see folks pulling giant 5th wheels w/ 250/2500/350/3500s that I wouldn't touch - 'course those are the same folks that claim their getting 20mpg towing.

Don't tell me you're somehow driving THAT without CDL-A????

I am properly licensed for my state. I am not subject to DOT rules.

 

[rjdelp7]

Bruce Jenner(the former), rear ended a car, pulling a similar trailer in a Escalade. It was a fatality. My first thought was, what does that trailer weigh. What is the Escalade rated at?

 

[oldfordguy]

I have owned trailers with both the 7K and 10K axle ratings. You will never regret getting the 10K trailer, but if you are sitting by the roadside in the middle of nowhere with a burned out axle, you will regret the 7K.

 

[Deadman]

pounce on what? hes towing UNDER the GCWR....he may have equipment capable of towing MORE....but by his own admission he will be w/in the specs of the tow vehicle....call it a margin of safety!

he's not required to comply w/ DOT (which is commercial inspections, driving hours, logs, etc).

The OP is taking the right steps....and far more than most travel trailer owners ever do or consider....The OP is increasing the margin of safety (better axles, towing under the GCWR)....if he were ever to get called into court his case for equipment spec would be VERY STRONG!

Maybe you can't read.....? I clearly wrote--- "attorneys ready to pounce if you are over spec on anything....."

Do you really think because you aren't a business that the rules don't apply to your trailer and vehicle? lol. Sure the fines are different and they don't monitor it as closely, but the weight laws are still the weight laws.

I'm not saying they will ever notice it, but I am saying that If you crash they WILL look into everything and if you are over spec they'll possibly put you at fault for exceeding the ratings of whatever you have.

 

[bushpilot]

@Deadman -

Tell that to the UNINSURED POS that ran into the back of my wife today!

Maybe we should all be as smart as that POS that hit my wife this morning...driving around w/ no insurance....he'll never show up for court, he wont ever fill and SR22, cause he's never gonna get insurance....and he knows nothing will ever happen to him!

 

[bill_b]

So just to be clear, I do not intend to tow ANYWHERE near 9990lbs. This trailer itself will probably clock in around 2100lbs (most manufacturer literature) and my dual RZR setup fully modded, fueled, and caked in mud will clock in around 3000lbs... heck say even 3500lbs incase we ever decide to upgrade both rigs to XP 1Ks. That's a grand total of 5600lbs... even round up to 6k for spare tires, toolboxes, straps, any other nonsense.... I am still 1k under the 7k rating. This is also assuming that 100% of the load is on the trailer when a percentage of it will be on the tongue as well (although I don't think that distribution plays a factor when being overweight.... you're either overweight or you aren't)

My only desire for the 10k is like stated above, wanting the 5200lb axles... its seems like cheap insurance at $600 price difference compared to what could happen if I burn up a 3500lb axle bearing. I love overkill when it comes to towing lol.

Still, just as reassurance I will probably still contact local DOT and check in with them just to be 110% sure I will be legal.

Thanks for all the feedback!