Trailer Weight Rating CA.

P

Pat

Active member
Joined
Mar 7, 2017
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33
Fluid Motion Model
R-21 EC
Vessel Name
Sea RV
Hello All, my first post. I am awaiting delivery of my new Cutwater 28 in the next couple of weeks. I've read close to a thousand posts, in the last few weeks and haven't seen this addressed. I was wondering if any members might have an answer to this question. In California for utility trailers rated over 10 thousand pounds it is required to have a class 1 license. Seems that the trailer that comes with the Cutwater 28 is rated at around 14k, has this triggered the class 1 requirement for anyone, or are boat trailers treated differently?
Thank you.
 
Good Luck with your new boat Pat,

Not sure about California, but most states consider boats and RVs a bit differently than commercial. Under 26,000 lbs no drivers license change from regular passenger vehicles. However over 26,000 lbs and you will be close depending on your tow vehicle. A one ton truck is about 10K and a 14K trailer puts you at 24K triggers a class change in your license.

So a call your DMV might be in order, just be sure to let them know that you are towing for recreational use and see what happens.

By the way you probably do not want to tow that new boat with less than a 3/4 ton and 4x4 is recommended. That is just my humble opinion, and I am sticking to it. 😀

Best Wishes,

Herb
 
Thanks I'll see if DMV answers a phone 🙁 I have a one ton so should be good there. Old boat was close to 10k and with the camper 3.5k . I should be good now, cuzz I won't need the cabover when towing the new boat. New boat sends tingles when I write that 🙂.
 
Clarification is indeed called for. I read up the ca papers and the talk about 26000 GVWR which means I can drive a 13.5 ton vehicle. What you refer to is the GCWR gross combined weight rating of truck plus trailer

In the columnar description they say under what you can tow is 10000lbs if your tow vihicle isn't under 6000lbs and 9000lbs if your tow vehicle is over 6000lbs. Exceptions are 5th wheel trailers that can be up to 15000lbs.

Now for me that would mean I can't tow my r27 which is 7000lbs, the trailer is 2500 and my tow vehicle is almost 8000 on the scale.

Very confusing.
 
On the other hand, I've lived in Cali off and on for a total of about 10 years. Judging from the overall intellect of the average Cali HP officer, I doubt any can make a guess at what your weights are, close enough to be within a ton or two. I'm a rocket scientist and couldn't come close to making such a guess either. If you are driving carefully, in the slow lane at no more than 65 and your truck and trailer appear well matched, I'd be very surprised if you were ever pulled over for popping their regs by a couple thousand pounds. If you are driving a half ton Nissan, pulling a big ol' 25 footer, then they might get curious. I doubt they will pull out their smart phone and start researching the boat, trailer, and truck set up weights and guessing at how much fuel is in the tanks, etc.

They pretty much have their minds on moving violations and lunch.

Now, don't get all upset. I'm a big supporter of all law enforcement and they do a very difficult job for low pay and considerable danger. My point is that they aren't going to worry your total weights versus license class. Now, if you find a sign saying all vehicles towing must enter weigh station, then that is another issue.
 
I never seen a sign saying all vehicles towing enter weigh station. There has always been a sign along with it saying no pickups. Looks to me like they are just interested in commercial traffic
 
Could not agree more with the prior post. I live in your neck of the woods and have been towing 11K (boat,trailer and fuel) all over Cali for years. My truck is a 3/4 ton Duramx Crewcab 4x4 so GCVW is almost 19K. This is right in the sweat spot per my owners manual and I don't even seem to get a second look from CHP or any other law enforcement from Canada to Lake Powell.
 
Thank you all.
I think getting the trailer plates won't be an issue. But more than likely when towing I'll probably be over the allowable weight limit. But as some of you have said they don't often check recreation type vehicle. With a one ton truck and a cautious driver (me) I'll probably be okay.
 
harry ames":4f9m6lag said:
On the other hand, I've lived in Cali off and on for a total of about 10 years. Judging from the overall intellect of the average Cali HP officer, I doubt any can make a guess at what your weights are, close enough to be within a ton or two. I'm a rocket scientist and couldn't come close to making such a guess either. If you are driving carefully, in the slow lane at no more than 65 and your truck and trailer appear well matched, I'd be very surprised if you were ever pulled over for popping their regs by a couple thousand pounds. If you are driving a half ton Nissan, pulling a big ol' 25 footer, then they might get curious. I doubt they will pull out their smart phone and start researching the boat, trailer, and truck set up weights and guessing at how much fuel is in the tanks, etc.

They pretty much have their minds on moving violations and lunch.

Now, don't get all upset. I'm a big supporter of all law enforcement and they do a very difficult job for low pay and considerable danger. My point is that they aren't going to worry your total weights versus license class. Now, if you find a sign saying all vehicles towing must enter weigh station, then that is another issue.
Click to expand...



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harry ames":3fzb3ytc said:
On the other hand, I've lived in Cali off and on for a total of about 10 years. Judging from the overall intellect of the average Cali HP officer, I doubt any can make a guess at what your weights are, close enough to be within a ton or two. I'm a rocket scientist and couldn't come close to making such a guess either. If you are driving carefully, in the slow lane at no more than 65 and your truck and trailer appear well matched, I'd be very surprised if you were ever pulled over for popping their regs by a couple thousand pounds. If you are driving a half ton Nissan, pulling a big ol' 25 footer, then they might get curious. I doubt they will pull out their smart phone and start researching the boat, trailer, and truck set up weights and guessing at how much fuel is in the tanks, etc.

They pretty much have their minds on moving violations and lunch.

Now, don't get all upset. I'm a big supporter of all law enforcement and they do a very difficult job for low pay and considerable danger. My point is that they aren't going to worry your total weights versus license class. Now, if you find a sign saying all vehicles towing must enter weigh station, then that is another issue.
Click to expand...



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Now, don't get all upset, but a lot of retired law enforcement, including CHP, own Ranger Tugs.


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Well said.
 
R25....retired
 
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