TexasCHLforum.com

srothstein wrote:

Schleprock wrote:A standard 3/4 or 1 ton truck (or even a dually for personal use) should not require safety inspections

Just to add a cautionary note, though only slightly on topic, but a dually can be a commercial vehicle if it has a trailer. The legal definition for a commercial vehicle is any vehicle over 26000 lbs gross weight or any combination of vehicles over 26000 lbs if the trailer is over 10000 lbs. I was told that DPS uses the rule of thumb of a dually with a three axle trailer for a guide to stop and check if it is a commercial vehicle or not.

To further muddy the issue, from a federal standpoint you can actually be a commercial vehicle if the gross combined total weight of your vehicle and trailer (GCWR) are over 10,000 lbs and you are engaged in interstate commerce. I have a friend who used to run the balloon program for Curves, They had a dual axle cargo trailer that was being pulled by a large dually 1-ton pickup. They were stopped going into New Mexico by the DOT. Even though you don't need a CDL unless the vehicle is over 26,000 lbs you are required to have a medical certificate and keep logs. The Feds interpret any reason you travel across state lines and can make money as engaged in interstate commerce. This includes going to balloon rallies where their is prize money, horse shows with prize money, drag racing, etc. I checked this out with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and their lawyers and it is written this way but not enforced very often. But it is still there in the laws and can bite you if not careful.