I may be totally wrong with this new topic (but I doubt it), but it is worth a shot to warn my fellow off roaders.
According to a VERY reliable source, crossing into Pa. with a combined vehicle weight 10,001 pounds or higher may require your tow vehicle to be substantially bigger than you realized.
But if you are Pa. registered, driving inside of Pa. borders with a combined vehicle and trailer weight of <17,000 lbs. you are legal to tow with just a 1 ton truck???

This entire conversation got started when I inquired about the laws for Pa. towing a 10,000lb. trailer fully loaded (small skid steer). I was informed that as long as my setup was properly rated for the weight and the tow vehicle weight GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) was not exceeded, that my combined weight of vehicle and loaded trailer could legally go as high as 17,000 lb. before it becomes a combined weight situation. If I go above 17,000 lb., then it becomes a combined weight that must have a tow vehicle and corresponding titled/ registered weight sticker on the windshield that is at or above the combined weight.

For you guys that enter into Pa. from Ohio or New York, Maryland or West Virginia, please be aware that your combined weights must be less than 10,000 lb. if you do not have a tow vehicle that is rated for a GVWR of 10,000 lb. or higher. Your axle weight distribution better be correct also. This is on your door sticker and/ or owner's manual. If you are above 10,000 lb. combined weight entering Pa., make sure that you have a tow vehicle with a GVWR above your combined weight.

The main targets are commercial vehicles that provide a service for money such as carrying cargo, moving people (bus) and other money ventures such as auto racing or horse racing. Interstate horse trailers and interstate car-carrying trailers are considered recreational by us commoners, but not to the state of Pennsylvania!. An RV, towed camper or a buggy on a trailer that does not look like it is headed to the Baja 500 to race for money is probably ignored by the bears.

If you are a business, there are plenty of laws for you. This includes a sign on your doors, a cdl license, a medical card, fire extinguisher, emergency triangles and a log book.

Here are some guidelines for federally mandated state cdl:

Class A -- Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Class B -- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.

Class C -- Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials.


Current enforcement in Western Pa. is mostly limited to highways that have the number "2" in them (i.e. 22-30, 279, etc.). Strange indeed.

_________________
a.k.a."PittsburghJim" on www.dune-buggy.com

Thats Interesting Info. PA has always had strict Highway laws. I remember going thru PA 30 years ago and got pulled over and cited for a dented and rusted front fender on a car that was only 2 years old. The officer claimed I was in an accident and wanted to tow the car. Dam I bought it that way to fix!

_________________
Water cooled Dry Sumped Subaru Powered Turbo Charged Fuel Injected 2500CC Tank. Oh Rah! He who dies with the most Toys not only wins, He also wears them out!

if this helps, here's what i have 2007 chevy 2500hd duramax. found these specs might give some refrence Built to tow 13,000 pounds, the Chevy 2500 has a maximum towing capacity of 16,700 pounds when equipped with a fifth-wheel hitch. That ability can be traced to its power plant. Standard for the 2500 is a solid Vortec 6.0L V-8 (LY6) engine that generates 353 horsepower and 373 lb.-ft. of torque on regular unleaded gasoline. Putting the work in this luxury workhorse, my test beast was outfitted with a 6.6-liter Duramax Diesel engine mated to an Allison 6-speed automatic transmission. That set-up provided a brawny, segment-leading 365 horsepower and 660 lb.-ft. of torque. HD MEANS HEAVY DUTY .**Note The Smaller Gas Engine ** Max Is 10,600 lb (4808 kg) with the 6.0 liter engine***

_________________
Air cooled forever,i hate rusty tools!!!!!!!

I have the 6.0l

_________________
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]

[/url]

im glad i never intend to go to pa

_________________
lets just ride

Ya Pa sucks! Actually Dot sucks wich is federal. They say anything over 10,001lb is a cdl vehical, it needs to be combination plated. You need a medical card and all the equiptment the big trucks have. I used my dodge to take a cdl test to drive the big rigs. Now I have a cdl class a and Ive never drivin a big rig leagally.

_________________
"YOU CAN MAKE THINGS HAPPEN, WATCH THINGS HAPPEN OR WONDER WHAT THE F$$K HAPPEND...WE'RE MAKING THINGS HAPPEN" The strong words of Captain Phil! Rest in peice!

wow if i knew you couildve used a truck lie yours steve i would've borowed a friends truck and took my test instead of sitting through all the bull s*%t schooling o well that was right out of high school still got my cdl with only 1 check against me and graduated with an A which never happened for me before lol

wow i think ill stay down south here in bama cause these guys around here drive those big toter homes and pull a fith wheel double stacker trailer with dirt cars and drag cars with a regular license, they just have to have a sticker on the side that says private coach/not for hire and nothing is said since it for recreation use, hell most people dont even have a tag on thier buggy t or h trailer and never get pulled over as long as thier lights are all working

_________________
Just Stand On It!!!!

Chris

Some racers do it for profit, most do it for fun. Make sure that you do not talk about your personal finances and you are probably in the clear. Once you start blabbing that you make money by being a racer, you are now a business.
The good old days of freedom to do as you please are long gone.

_________________
a.k.a."PittsburghJim" on www.dune-buggy.com

I haul cars out of PA every week .The DOT are very strict, when they are working.. I try to go in PA at night and leave at night if i can.Laws are getting stricter on cdl drivers and combination vehicles everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad I know my local DOT Boys!!!!!!!