Unforeseen Costs Associated with owning a CDL truck

[lumberjack]

If the trailer goes over 10 k a class A CDL is required. A mail man has a class D, I believe.

 

[NeTree]

If the trailer goes over 10 k a class A CDL is required.

No.

 

[lumberjack]

Yeah, I figured out my error while driving down the road! oops!

 

[FJR]

You can have a 10k plus trailer and be under cdl as long as your gross combination weight is under 26,001 pounds.

 

[brendonv]

Correct, FJR. You need DOT numbers if your towing over 10,000lb trailer for commercial use. I have two F350's. The dump is 12,500lb GVW, the single wheel is 9900lb GVW (the single wheel is a personal vehicle, only plan to tow in emergencies). My grapple trailer is 15,000lb GVW (10,000lb usable weight). No matter what in the end I need a CDL, and am willing to get it as it will open other doors in the slow times.


Thanks for the suggestions above, I guess I really need to talk to a state official about it. There aren't many nice rear mount trucks out there, and finding one under CDL even more rare. "My" truck is a CDL truck, so I have to look into it further.

 

[NeTree]

Your grapple behind your dump = CDL.

Nothing wrong with getting a CDL; you might find yourself to be an old fart someday and need to drive a school bus.

 

[SkwerI]

If you're going to drive a bus you need a passenger endorsement.

 

[NeTree]

And earplugs.

 

[SkwerI]

And a billy club.

 

[Burnham]

I don't recall Dennis saying anything about such as that when HE drives the bus...

 

[NeTree]

'ing at the thought of Brian as a school bus driver...

 

[arborworks1]

I think he has a different name for it....

 

[NeTree]

Whole new meaning to "rear view mirror".

 

[Burnham]

Brian's smarter than to even start that gig.

My BIL drives a school bus, now that he's semi-retired, mostly for the health benefit package. I had absolutely no idea how much responsibility for the kids and their discipline the schools put on drivers. I sure wouldn't want the job.

 

[NeTree]

You couldn't pay me enough.

 

[Burnham]

Same here.

 

[SoonerFan]

No earplugs required. Don't forget the air brake endorsement. I don't have the "S" endorsement so I'm not qualified to drive a School Bus. I'm also restricted to an automatic transmission CDL vehicle since I didn't take the drive test in a standard.

Charter Bus work "on the side" during the slow times is something I would recommend.

 

[NeTree]

Air brakes isn't an endorsement; it's a restriction.

 

[SoonerFan]

Air brakes isn't an endorsement; it's a restriction.

I stand corrected, but at the same time can't agree with Erik.

Erik is correct that the air brake is not an endorsement. I just remembered taking the air brake test many years ago.

It's not a restriction on my CDL though.

 

[lumberjack]

I've never heard of a transmission restriction on a CDL. Dennis drives one happy bus, wouldn't need hearing protection there!

 

[SoonerFan]

Carl, here is the quote... "When operating class B vehicle, restricted to automatic transmission"

Now here is the odd thing - the buses have a Cat engine with a standard transmission BUT there is no clutch and the computer does all the shifting. So, am I in compliance?

Answer is yes, but it seems odd to me. Passengers think I am up there shifting away because of the feel.

 

[tophopper]

Times have changed.......years back when I got my CDL I took it in an automatic. Didnt matter auto or manual twas all the same.
Air brake was also an endorsement at that time too

 

[SoonerFan]

Don't let Erik hear you say that.

 

[tophopper]

Say what?

 

[SoonerFan]

Air brake was also an endorsement at that time too

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