Update:
The 2005 3500 RAM 4x4 Quad Cab w/CM Trailer "toter" body, Cummins w/6spd, with 7K miles averaged 18mpg on the way back to Miami from Dallas.
She has "E" rated General tires, and a 3.73 ratio. I just picked up a 2005 Horton 25' 20,000#GVW equipment trailer. Still curious as to what other 3500 owners are running for trailers/GVW and GCVW on their rigs -
Factory says GCVW is 21-23K# (seems to be 21K# with the 3.73, higher w/4.10). The 3500 weighs in w/full fuel at 8,220 lbs, so under Florida statute, she is a "heavy truck".
Factory also says I can town "16,300" trailer and load w/gooseneck hitch.
Florida Statutes require "heavy trcuks which are 8,000 lbs or more in actual weight to tag the truck along with the weight of the trailer and load" (IE: GCVW). Also, if that is above 26,001 it is considered "commercial". I already have a Class A CDL - so license is not the problem. I am using for my own personal (non commerce) use, but I want to make sure I am both ok (legal) should I get stopped re: weights, and also safe regarding the GCVW.
What a great running truck. I'll try to post photos once I have the trailer and truck together.
Steve in Miami

 

your trailer will weigh around 6k and when it is hooked up to the truck you will legally be over the 26k weight requirement meaning you will need to get a class A liscense. With a daul tandem trailer and the truck you described you are going to do fine up to 18k on the trailer just whatch your stopping distance. your total gvw is truck carrying capacity and trailer together. 16300+20000= 36300 minus the weight of truck and trailer 36300-7400-6600=22,300 is the weight you could haul ilegally i believe but that is overloading the truck some but the total gvw is what the weight guys look at. I used my trailers weight for a reference. ithink what i wrote is correct if not someone will corect me. I tow 18k on mine all the time and have had 21k on it once or twice for a short distance, but 12 to 14 is not a problem for these trucks

 

Thanks - I have been reading a lot on this site about this topic. If I were to tag the truck for its GVW of 12,200 (on the decal), that would (In Florida) but me into the "above 8,000 GVW class" which means I have to declare the GCVW for truck/and trailer and so tag the truck. I am not commercial, although I do have a Class A CDL - it is my truck, trailer, goods.

It is confusing because the truck probably has a curb weight of around the 7,400 (title weight), although with the CM Toter body, it could be actually over the 8K already. As I said, I'll weigh it on the way home. I also read on posts that a gooseneck hitch takes about 20% of traiuler wt, as opposed to the 10% for bumper. If THAT weight is added to the GVW of the trcuk, 7999 won't make it !
The CM Toter body (CM Trailers out of OK) is made for hauling, and I don't know what the "hitch" is rated for, as it is all part of the body, not something someone added on/into a truck bed.

The truck has an electric Voyager brake control. I know my F250 (w/diesel 4x4 off road and automatic) pulled that 16' foot wood-planked 6 ton rated equipment trailer with an 8,000 lbs army truck accelerating up hills with a weight distributing tow set up. I assume that stepping up to a 3500 w/ 6 spd (4x4) with a toter body and a gooseneck should let me increase in weight - just not certain how much. Don't want to buy too much trailer in weight which would decrease what I can load on the trailer - defeats the whole purpose.

For example, a 14,000# GVW trailer with two 7# axles, might weight in at 4,000 lbs. That would leave me with 10,000# of load ability. But a 20,000# GVW trailer with two 10# might weight in at 6,000 lbs, but leave me with 14,000# of load ability - but if the maximum towing capacity is 16K......seee my confusion !Thanks for your reply.

 

The weight of the truck is 8,000 . The trailer weight at 4,000 for a 25' trailer sounds reasonable . He wants to haul . 12,000 . With my math that comes out to 24,000 . The towing capacity of the truck is 16,300 . You add the weight of the truck to that to get the GCVW , not the weight of the truck capacity and trailer capacity combined . Why would he need a CDL ? I know literaly hundreds of RV haulers with 3500's that pull trailers weighing over 14,000 lbs. and they do not have CDL's . Not really an issue since Steve already has a CDL . Knowing the axle ratio is important because it is a factor in figuring towing capacity . There's a lot about towing capacity in the archives . Tire ratings are very important as is staying within axle weights . Be aware of laws in all states you plan to haul in , not just your home state .

 

This seems like it is more of a state issue. For a gooseneck, you want more like 25% on the rear axle. I would register the truck at the GVW of your truck plus the GVW of your trailer, whatever that is since in FL over 7999 you said you need to do that. Your truck WILL likely weigh more than 8000# as it is a dually with a heavy body on it.

 

The GCWR is the GVWR of the truck + the GVWR of the trailer. It isn't the ACTUAL weight being moved, but the max weight that can be moved. That is how the DOT figures gcwr.

I am having the same issue here in VA, as the combined weights of my truck & trailer (gvwrs' that is) comes to right at 25,000. but they say since the gvwr of each (or either) is over 10,000, I still have to pul thru the scales.

 

Past posts on weight limits and the DOT have stated Dodges have no indication of their GCVW marked on the truck so how would the DOT determine this ? The 3500 dually with the HO engine and stock body has a GCVW of 23.000 according to specs at dodge.com . The towing capacity for a 4WD is 500 lbs. less than that of a 2WD due to extra weight of the heavier front axle and transfer case . A heavier body will result in even less towing capacity BUT owners can and do register the vehicles over the planned GCVW without problems . I'd avoid doing it for warranty reasons . Tag a factory rated 23,000 vehicle for 26,000 then bring it in for warranty work on a transmission or axle and see what happens .
As far as it being a commercial vehicle , if you use it for business at all , it's commercial and needs a DOT number and you must have a DOT inspection on truck and trailer ,DOT physical , be part of a drug test pool and keep logs if the GVW is over 10,000lbs and you make trips over 125 miles one way . In Florida be sure to stop at the AG inspection stations . I asked them if I was required to drive through pulling a new camper and they said I was since I was commercial . I've seen them chase down Ryder rentals .Hauling your own goods means you are not for hire and you don't need an MC number and hauling authority . As far as keeping logs goes , you have to record ALL working hours for the past 8 days even if the work is not drive related . Not showing hours for the past 8 days will get you out of service for at least 10 hours . Some people don't realize that flipping burgers or milking cows is NOT off duty time if done within 8 days of making a 150 mile trip .

 

I just got mine registered today. DMV would not let me register it at anything other than the gvwr on the door jamb.

I also had to weigh the truck to prove it weighed more than 5400 lbs (title weight).

That puts me at 25,000 combined gvwr's, and I don't expect to to more than 10,000, so I should be fine.

The DOT determines it by adding the gvwr on the door jamb to the gvwr of the trailer. if that is over 26,000, you could be in trouble.

 

Thanks for the info. I will weigh the truck to get the curb weight (full fuel) - from that I'll be able to determine how to proceed. The ratio is 3:73 per Dodge Customer Service (via VIN#).

There are a couple of issues - for WARRANTY concerns, tagging and utilizing over their GVW or maximum towing capacity could have an impact on any warranty issue.

For DOT, etc, they want to make sure that you are within the weights allowed by your tagging, and also safe. As I have the Class A CDL, there is no "weight" issue as it realtes to me and my operation. I think probably a max GCVW of 21-23K will probably get me what I need, depending on (1) the curb weight of the 3500 and (2) the curb weight of any trailer I purchase.

This website and forum has been very informative and helpful. Thanks to all so far. I am still interested in what others two with THEIR Gen 3 Cummins 6 spd dually.

Steve in Miami