California CVRA Stickers/Weight Fees and Declared Operating Weight Questions

[TheLexx]

Very interesting. So this confirms that when CHP actually looks at your rig, they're looking at tire ratings vs the gross rear axle rating or actual rear axle load. Did they look at the GVWR sticker on the trailer and that of the truck? It sounds like they at least looked at the GVWR of the trailer, because that's how they must have determined the driver has a DL that was out of class. But they actually used the actual load on the rear axle and the load rating of the rear tires to determine if you were over load.

Everyone always posts about being overweight according to your yellow payload sticker, but folks who've actually been inspected usually state that the inspector looks at the rear axle load compared to the rear tire load ratings.

I saw theCHP inspecting rv’ s on the way to Glamis in California last year. They were stopping all rv’s on the highway. This is a large sand dune area popular for off-roading. Many people have toyhauler’s that are waaay overweight for the trucks they are attached to and you have to haul water with you to this area, it is primitive pick a patch of sand camping. My inspection consisted of the CHP Officer having me pull my drive axel onto the scales and then he looked at the tires. I assume he was looking at weight ratings. He then checked my license and let me continue on my way. I saw at least 5 truck trailer combinations pulled over receiving citations. I later talked to one of the drivers camped near us and he received an overweight ticket and another for no non-commercial or commercial class a license. The licensing for weight in California isn’t what the trailer weighs on the scale its is what it is capable of weighing at max or gvwr.

[SolarPoweredRV]

Hard to get tires that exceed the axles in most HD trucks. Ram sez my rear axle is only capable of carrying 6.5k lbs. AAM who makes the axle sez 11k lbs. I can’t find tires that carry 11k (5.5k per tire) for my truck. A little over 4K lbs is the best I can find.

It's a lot easier if you have a Dually.

[RSteele]

Very interesting. So this confirms that when CHP actually looks at your rig, they're looking at tire ratings vs the gross rear axle rating or actual rear axle load. Did they look at the GVWR sticker on the trailer and that of the truck? It sounds like they at least looked at the GVWR of the trailer, because that's how they must have determined the driver has a DL that was out of class. But they actually used the actual load on the rear axle and the load rating of the rear tires to determine if you were over load.

Everyone always posts about being overweight according to your yellow payload sticker, but folks who've actually been inspected usually state that the inspector looks at the rear axle load compared to the rear tire load ratings.

The Officernever had me open the door to look at the sticker. When they run your plate they can get the vin. Not sure if they are getting information this way. He definitely went right to the ratings sticker on the trailer. I have never seen this go on anywhere else but this area is known for high volumes of people with toys. I have seen quite a few over 40’ toyhaulers being hauled with 3/4 ton srw pick ups.

[TheLexx]

There you have it. It's the GVWR of the trailer that determines your DL class in California. Over 15k lbs you need a non-commercial class A. 10-15k lbs, you need a trailer endorsement on your DL known as "Restriction 41".

And to determine whether you're overweight on the truck, law enforcement looks at the rear tire load ratings, not the yellow payload sticker.

The Officernever had me open the door to look at the sticker. When they run your plate they can get the vin. Not sure if they are getting information this way. He definitely went right to the ratings sticker on the trailer. I have never seen this go on anywhere else but this area is known for high volumes of people with toys. I have seen quite a few over 40’ toyhaulers being hauled with 3/4 ton srw pick ups.

[Redapple63]

There you have it. It's the GVWR of the trailer that determines your DL class in California. Over 15k lbs you need a non-commercial class A. 10-15k lbs, you need a trailer endorsement on your DL known as "Restriction 41".

And to determine whether you're overweight on the truck, law enforcement looks at the rear tire load ratings, not the yellow payload sticker.

I believe 15k for 5er, 10k for bumper pull.

[zinman]

So so glad I left California. My ADOT registration fees for both RV and Truck were what I paid for truck only in California. That plus the California regulations are over the top.