Dixie Strokers Chat Thread

Good point starcommtrey1! I had to read through the flow chart a few times and the paragraphs on the first page to catch that bit that the new trucks might fall into.

That is the same thing I noticed when running through the book from AL DOT. I also noticed that the AL DOT website has this manual from 2005 which if I remember correctly most of the trucks from that day even the F350s maxed out at 26k GCWR. That would make sense to allow people to pull over 10k trailers without a CDL. Doesn't make sense from a common sense standpoint because logically there is no difference between an F350 GCWR under 26k and an F450 GCWR over 26k pulling a 10,000lb trailer because neither one are over 26,000lbs GCW.

I think this is an extremely convoluted issue that we run into all the time when towing things that aren't RVs. This all goes out the window if you are doing any of the above for a business. That is another set of guidelines. For example, My father in law runs a plumbing company and some of the pump trucks have a GVWR over 26k and GCWR somewhere over 40k. If he hooks up a trailer that hypothetically weighs 1lb - 10,000lbs it still falls under the CDL category because the original tow vehicle GVWR is over 26k plus he is operating it under the business for profit.

On the other end of the spectrum, some of the newer trucks have GCWRs rated in the 30k range so they have the ability to weigh enough with a trailer to be above 26k GCWR but their GVWR is usually in the 14k range (insurance limits seem to be uber more expensive past 14k).

Does this mean we can't use a new F350 dually (first model over 26k GCWR) to pull a 10,001 pound trailer? According to the first page YES, but according to the flow chart, NO. This is extremely confusing and I think it is something that needs to be addressed by AL DOT to encompass the newer trucks ratings. This wasn't really an issue for older 7.3s and most 6.0s.


Reading the flow chart this is what I interpret:

GVWR less than or equal to 26k = Truck and trailer not to exceed manufacturer's ratings (of course) and 26,000lbs GCW (The category most of us fall into)
GVWR less than or equal to 26k BUT GCWR is over 26k = Truck and trailer (less than 10k) combo 26k or less GCW without CDL
GVWR less than or equal to 26k BUT GCWR is over 26k = Truck and trailer (more than 10k) combo 26k or less GCW REQUIRES CDL ? (Contradicts first page of ALDOT book)
GVWR less than or equal to 26k BUT GCWR is over 26k = Truck and trailer combo over 26k with CDL
GVWR greater than 26k = Truck plus trailer with less than 10k GVWR requires class B CDL
GVWR greater than 26k = Truck plus trailer with over 10k GVWR requires class A CDL


I obviously can't pull anything heavy enough with my 2001 F250 to worry about the GCWR issue applying to some of the newer dually trucks. BUT, how often do you see guys with brand new F350 dually trucks that fall into the GCWR over 26k pulling a triple axle 5th wheel camper that is over 10k. I know there is an exception for RVs as previously stated.

Just some good food for thought and maybe this conversation will help answer future questions. I personally won't run into the issue of needing a CDL because of the limiting ratings of a 3/4ton truck, but it is rated for 10,000lbs conventional, 13,200lbs gooseneck / 5th wheel, and 20,000lbs GCWR. Kind of interesting that according to the book I can max out my 3/4 ton with a 13,000lb non RV trailer and not need a CDL, while a 2016 F350 dually doing the same thing would require one.

Anybody care to add any more insight? This is a great topic for this forum especially since we all live in the same state!

I also found this on the Alabama Department of Public Safety website:
State of Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

Referencing the following portion:

Commercial Driver License

Alabama adopted the Federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986, and is part of a nationally uniform system of classifying, testing, and licensing commercial vehicle drivers.

If you drive a commercial vehicle that falls into one of the following classifications, you must secure an Alabama Commercial Driver License (CDL).

CLASS A - This classification applies only to "combination" vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) exceeding 26,000 pounds, provided the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds. The holder of a Class A license, which includes any appropriate endorsements, may operate all vehicles included in Class B, C, and D

CLASS B - This class includes single or combination vehicles where the GVWR of the single vehicle exceeds 26,000 pounds. The vehicle in tow must not exceed 10,000 pounds. Class B licensees, with appropriate endorsements, may drive all vehicles in Class C or D.

CLASS C - Vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, and vehicles placarded for hazardous materials, that do not meet the criteria for Class A or B above fall under this classification and may drive all vehicles in Class D.



Seeing as most half ton trucks now can tow up to 12k does that mean a driver with an F150 can tow a 12k equipment trailer without a Class A CDL while a driver with an F350 is limited to 10k or less even though it is actually safer / more logical to use the F350. All simply because the 1 ton dually has a GCWR over 26k.

And at the same time someone who has never pulled anything a day in their life can stroll down to the dealership, buy an F450 pickup, drive it to the RV dealership, and buy the biggest RV he wants, and legally drive as long as the combination does not exceed 26k.