A CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) is a driver’s license required to operate large, heavy, or hazardous material vehicles in the United States.The laws defining whether or not you need a CDL to pull a gooseneck trailer can be somewhat misleading. The federal government makes each state responsible for deciding when a CDL is required. However, the states do have to follow the federal rules when writing their law.
A gooseneck trailer alone does not require you to have a CDL License. A CDL is written as being needed when you are operating a commercial motor vehicle intending to do business. The CDL itself is divided into categories depending on the type and the weight involved. A trailer with a GVW (gross vehicle weight) over 10,000 pounds does require a CDL. If you are trying to determine if you need a CDL, make sure to check your weight.
If you do not have a CDL, the max weight you can carry is 26,000 pounds. For example, if your truck weighs 10,000 pounds and you have a trailer that weighs 5,000 pounds empty, then you can only haul up to 11,000 pounds max. Your total combined weight cannot exceed 26,000 pounds. The laws can be cumbersome and below are a few to help guide you.
What is a Gooseneck Trailer?
The gooseneck trailer or sometimes referred to as gooseneck hitch is used for a wide range of towing. It can be used to tow machinery and equipment, livestock, horses, boats, and plenty more. A bumper pull is sometimes used instead of a gooseneck trailer but when asked which they prefer, most drivers are going to say they prefer to pull a gooseneck trailer over a bumper pull.
A bumper pull is not as stable. The gooseneck trailer places more of the weight over the vehicle’s rear axle instead of behind it. This weight distribution keeps the vehicle and trailer less likely to sway at higher speeds.
A gooseneck trailer is a trailer with a long arched “neck” section at the front. The trailer is designed that way to be able to clear a pickup’s tailgate. The trailer hitch is mounted inside the bed of a truck, in front of the rear axle, the ball is left protruding from the truck bed. You will be given detailed instructions upon purchasing a gooseneck trailer.
Gooseneck trailers are made to haul longer loads or smaller loads. You can get a trailer for just about any towing need you may have. Each trailer has its weight limit and the gooseneck trailers are made to carry multiple weight loads and some trailers can carry up to 30,000 pounds.
What is GVWR?
When it comes to the rules of towing and weight limits, there is a lot of talk about GVWR. This stands for gross vehicle weight rating. This is the maximum total safe weight of your vehicle. This includes the weight of your vehicle, passengers, fuel, any accessories, and lastly the weight of your trailer and what you are hauling.
When you are wanting to use a gooseneck trailer for your towing needs, you need to know the total combined weight you will have.
The total weight is where you will determine if you will need a CDL or not. If you are towing under 26,000 pounds, you do not need a CDL. If you are towing a total weight of 26,001 pounds or more, you are required to have a Class A CDL.
The Three Classes of CDL
A CDL has three classes. A driver may choose to have one of them or all of them. The classes are:
- Class A – Required for any vehicle with a semi-trailer or trailer with two or more axles. The combined weight greater than 26,000 pounds
- Class B – Required for any heavy straight vehicle with a GVWR greater than 26,000 pounds as well as any towing vehicle with a GVWR less than 10,000 pounds
- Class C – Required for any vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers or used to transport hazardous materials
A gooseneck trailer has several benefits. They offer better stability, they can tow more weight, they are safer in windy conditions and provide a smoother ride all around. Goosenecks are versatile and will allow you to haul awkward loads much more safely and easier.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are hauling a boat for a day on the lake or maybe you are a hotshot business and using the gooseneck for work, the one word to keep in mind is weight. You need to be sure of the weight of your vehicle, your trailer, and what you are hauling. As we mentioned above, you do not need a CDL if the weight limit total combined stays under 26,000 pounds.
This is very important because you don’t want to have your day ruined by being pulled over and getting a pretty hefty fine because you forgot to check one of the most important things when hauling your gooseneck trailer.
