CDL for personal use w/7T trailer? C65 costs?

Question is, do I need a CDL because the trailer GVW is over 10k? Even if there is no commercial intent involved? I'm not legally a farmer. I've read the law handbook and many other postings and I'm still unclear on this.

Other option - I have a 86 Chevy C-65 with 24900 GVW. I could get a 16' flatbead and add 2' tail, install a lift (already has PTO) and run that. Any guess on how much temp insurance and tag would be?

As always, thanks for your help.

I am in Michigan and have reviewed SOS site pretty well.

I am the same as you, 8600# truck and 15,300# trailer. COMBINED weight must be 26,001 to require a CDL, you don't need a CDL just because your trailer is over 10K.

Now, one thing I didn't see mentioned, you can get a Farm CDL if you are over 26K versus the full blown Michigan CDL.

I carry a copy of the "who needs a CDL" off the Michigan website in my glove box, after I ran into 2 police officers that told me I needed a CDL since my trailer GVW was over 10K.

Good luck,
Rick

Per the SOS website:
Who Needs a Commercial Driver License (CDL)?
Any Michigan resident who intends to operate the following commercial vehicles is required to have a commercial driver license:

Single Vehicles - Having a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)* of 26,001 pounds or more.

Combination Vehicles - Towing a trailer or other vehicles with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more when the gross combination weight rating (GCWR)** is 26,001 pounds or more.

Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a combination vehicle. In the absence of a label, the GCWR can be calculated by adding the GVWR of the power unit to the GVWR of the vehicle(s) or trailer(s) being towed.

The following people do not need a CDL:

Individuals: Operating motor homes or other vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members, for non-business purposes.

Can I tow a 14K trailer unloaded without a CDL? Or is it the GVW and not the actual weight that is the issue?

How do the people with the 32' travel trailers get around this?

Maybe I'll just put a flatbed on my 3/4 ton and stick to 2500# Allis B's.

I live in town, but have acreage 100 miles away where I grow hay and exercise vintage equipment. I have a 1 ton pickup with a 25' gooseneck trailer. I am right at 26,000, but am over 10k on the trailer, so in MN that requires a CDL unless it is for farm use.

The trailer is used exclusively for hauling farm equipment and hay. In your professional opinion am I ok, or should I get a CDL?

There may be a similar deal for you, but you may have to dig dig dig to find it as this stuff is not well understood by anyone. Least of all the DMV people as they told me things that were grossly factually inaccurate.

I got this from the MN dot - it seems you DON'T need a CDL. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 requires each state to meet the same minimum
standards for commercial driver licensing. You must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate
any of the following commercial motor vehicles (CMV) in Minnesota:
• A combination of vehicles in which the gross combination weight (GCW) is more than 26,000 pounds
and the towed unit has a gross vehicle weight (GVW)* of more than 10,000 pounds (Class A) —
Minimum age 18**
• A single vehicle with a GVW exceeding 26,000 pounds (Class B) — Minimum age 16**
• A vehicle designed to transport more than 15 persons, including the driver (Class B with passenger
endorsement) — Minimum age 18**
• Any size vehicle that requires hazardous materials placards (Class A, B, or C with hazardous
materials endorsement) — In most cases, you must be 21 years of age to transport hazardous
materials. ***
• Any size vehicle outwardly equipped and identified as a school bus (Class B with school bus and
passenger endorsements, Class C with school bus endorsement) — Minimum age 18
* Minnesota law defines gross vehicle weight (GVW) as the greater of:
1. The actual weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles plus the weight of the load, or
2. The manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++