Big Trucks and GVWR / Registration

[burnin oil]

A little late but I hope this helps someone down the line. You can down rate the trucks GVW but the DOT will still consider it at what the truck was originally rated at. For private use you will not need a DOT number or fuel sticker nor run a log book. Anything at 26,001 pounds (truck or combo truck and trailer) needs the driver to have a CDL according to the Feds. There are a few exceptions to this but the only one people will see is an RV is exempt unless their state requires a RV CDL liscense (rare). You can have a CDL and not have a medical card but it takes checking the right box on the self certification form as long as you are not running commerce out of state and qual another requirement.

I have a 5500 dodge that is tagged for 38k lbs to carry a heavy trailer. This is where laws get really funny. Your style of hitch dictates the tags. One way you pay for the entire combination like a semi and the other lets you tag for what is on the truck and the trailer tag carries the remainder. That said, I do have a CDL to haul my own junk as I am over 26k pounds but the wife can drive it when hauling the RV. Only I can haul the heavy flat bed loads. I do not have a DOT number, fuel stamp, or log book as I am not required to. I am the way less than 1% that are not a commercial vehicle which the laws are written for. Also the guy cutting grass and using an F150 to haul the mowers technically needs a CDL and the DOT number, as does the kid delivering pizza in his Honda. The are constituted as commerce.

Ironically I have a 51 Mack road tractor with antique tags. Since it is an antique I am not required to have a CDL, even with it having air brakes. Once again no DOT number, fuel stamp, or log book required. Insurance is the hard part. there are a few companies out there such as Gulfway that will insure big trucks. One or two will let you haul a trailer as long as there is no living quarters. None will let you insure an old wrecker that I know of since it can easily be used to make some side cash. At least that is the insurances line.