WEIGHING THE OPTIONS The Right Truck for the Regulations by Noah Lopez for the Rancher Technical Assistance Program
When it comes time to buy a new pickup there is a lot to consider. In addition to price, gas or diesel, 3/4 or 1-ton, single wheel or dually, fuel economy and manufacturer, one consideration that is easy to overlook is the regulatory implications. Certain pickups might cause some unintended consequences when it comes to regulatory requirements and understanding these implications could save you a future headache. For the most part, these regulatory implications depend on the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle. The GVWR is the maximum weight that the vehicle is rated to weigh, including passengers and cargo. GVWR is provided by the manufacturer and is usually found on a sticker on the inside of the driver side door jamb. As we’ll explore later, GVWRs vary widely based on the options that the vehicle is outfitted with, so checking the sticker is the best way to determine a given vehicle’s GVWR. Trailers also have GVWRs that are supplied by the manufacturer. These GVWRs are usually a combination of the axle weight ratings (e.g., two 7,000 lb. axles result in a 14,000-pound trailer GVWR). When combined, truck and trailer GVWRs result in the gross combined weight rating (GCWR). GCWR is the maximum weight rating of the vehicle and any trailer it is towing. For example, the combination of a pickup with a 10,000 pound GVWR hauling a trailer with an 8,000 lb. GVWR results in a GCWR of 18,000 pounds Although they may not always be top of mind, GVWR and GCWR are used by the State and Federal governments as thresholds for regulatory requirements. This article explores two areas where weight ratings create regulatory 24 California Cattleman February 2024
implications for the owner, licensing and emissions. Licensing Implications The first regulatory implication to be aware of is related to the driver’s license. In California, a Class A commercial license is required to tow a trailer with a GVWR over 10,000 pounds (CVC § 12804.9(b)(1)(A)). This means that under California law the hauling of most heavy-duty trailers, such as livestock trailers, generally requires a Class A license. However, this is not the case for farmers and ranchers. California Vehicle Code § 12804.9(b)(3) (G) provides that a farmer or rancher can operate a vehicle combination with a standard Class C license so long as (i) the vehicle is operated by a farmer or rancher or their employee, (ii) the vehicle is used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations, (iii) the vehicle is “not used in the capacity of a for-hire carrier or for compensation,” and (iv) the combination has a GCWR of 26,000 pounds or less. This means that many ranchers are able to conduct normal operations with their truck and trailer combinations without needing to obtain a Class A license because they meet the exemption requirements. The issue arises when the truck and trailer combination has a GCWR exceeding 26,000 pounds While this may seem like a lofty threshold to exceed, here at the Rancher Technical Assistance Program (RTAP) we’ve heard from numerous ranchers in this exact predicament. In recent years vehicle manufacturers have begun making pickups with higher GVWRs than ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 26