[radioman]

guys -- i been banging my head on the wall. i been trying to figure out the requirements for dot and what do i need to do to have/keep/maintain the dot numbers on my promaster van.

how many of you have done this?

here is what i understand so far: the van is registered 7k and My vehicle GVWR says 8550lbs. my trailer gvwr says 7000lb. what i am told is that you need a DOT number once your combined weight is over 10001 lbs you need a dot number. also they also said it doesnt matter if you are empty with trailer or not - the possible over 10k weight you need dot numbers no matter what when you are working as a business. this doesnt apply to those using promaster as a camper towing things.

I applied for dot numbers less then a week ago online a fmcsa and yesterday i got 2 letters saying overdue dues for road tax and unc fees. i was like wth? its not even a week old and im getting these kinds of letters?! why ?! it looks like fmcsa sells names to third party complaince officers to "help you set up for dot numbers" is this right or i do i have a choice?!

 

[Swoop]

I guess I'm in the same boat as you. I thought that the GVWR was all I needed to be concerned about, but I just looked at the FMCSA site and I see that CGVWR matters. I can't shed any light on your question, since I haven't gone through the process, but I'll add a question to the mix:

If a person acquires a DOT number for a ProMaster (under 10K GVWR), can he put the numbers on a magnet, and only put them on the vehicle when pulling a trailer (over 10k CGVWR)? Would he only have to log time & miles when pulling a trailer?

 

[Swoop]

my trailer gvwr says 7000lb.

You know that the Promaster is only rated to tow 5,100#, right? I assume that it will haul more, but there may be some issues with climbing, stopping, or handling.

 

[Swoop]

I don't mean to take over your thread, but I'll toss out another question:

For vehicles such as ours, that are only slightly over 10k CGVWR, does anyone know how closely the weight-based DOT laws are enforced? If I am only using my trailer for interstate deliveries (commercial) a few times each year, do I really need to bother with a DOT number (and logs)?

 

[TedV865]

Swoop,

you can put the DOT numbers on magnetics and stick them on when you are towing a trailer. You probably want the DOT numbers on there with no trailer when you are hauling something in the van for the business. Just your personal belongings you might be fine without the numbers.

The DOT will want to see your log book filled out for the last seven days at a minimum. Logs usually have enough pages for a month. If you don't have the full month, they will ask a whole lot more questions and look at you closer to see what they can find. The days you don't drive lets say you are working in a shop. Log those days as On duty, not driving. Make sure you don't go over hours per the book. They can find a lot of things to cite you for.

You are in Asheville, West and South you have weigh stations. NC can be extremely picky on commercial vehicles. Especially on vehicles that look commercial and are not a big rig. I can't tell you who in NC to talk to since experiences by folks I know prove the DOT officers don't really know. Too many horror stories to type them all out here. Even stopped rigs labeled "Not for Hire". They can find a lot of things to cite you for. Some even make things up.

Y'all might want to verify the PM and trailer weight ratings labeled on the van and trailer combine for the same amounts or less than you are tagged. If they add up to more than you are allowed, even though you are not over the limit, you will be cited if they feel like it. Remember, they can find a lot of things to cite you for.

 

[radioman]

I guess I'm in the same boat as you. I thought that the GVWR was all I needed to be concerned about, but I just looked at the FMCSA site and I see that CGVWR matters. I can't shed any light on your question, since I haven't gone through the process, but I'll add a question to the mix:

If a person acquires a DOT number for a ProMaster (under 10K GVWR), can he put the numbers on a magnet, and only put them on the vehicle when pulling a trailer (over 10k CGVWR)? Would he only have to log time & miles when pulling a trailer?

here what i found out yesterday on the phone with fmcsa. they say it doesnt matter when you have dot numbers on the van - but when you are towing --- you better have the dot numbers on there. second they told me you have to log miles anytime you are 100 miles from "work" or in my case from home.

 

[radioman]

You know that the Promaster is only rated to tow 5,100#, right? I assume that it will haul more, but there may be some issues with climbing, stopping, or handling.

yes - i am aware of that - but dot dont care about that. they want to see the weight of van and potential of trailer combo. if you are over 10001 lbs .. you need a dot when towing. period. however - you if get pulled over aand dot looks you over - yes you could be overweight if you didnt "measure" whats weighing in your trailer. the fine is supposely smaller then not having a dot number. not having a dot number is over 200 bucks.

 

[Kip-on-truckin]

All I can add is yes, there is a whole industry out there of doing things for truckers that truckers are too fearful to do themselves. M/c numbers, authority, plates, irp stickers, ifta filings, factoring, taxes - there are companies who want to handle this for you...for a fee.