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.
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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***
