2021 Ford F150 -> XTF pre runner build log

[crash]

I would check the actual weight rating of the axles and tires on that, or any trailer you are considering. A lot of times they will rate the trailers higher and just up the tongue weight allowance. That trailer may have as low as 5K axles on it. In my experience the axles are really the limiting factor on most trailers, and usually that is about brake component size. Once you jump up to the 10K axles everything gets "industrial".

As far as the CDL, you should talk to somebody, maybe at a trailer place, near you that can advise on what the actual laws are. Be cautious about talking to people at trailer places about proper licensing as their goal is to sell you a trailer, not have you licensed properly. Probably better to enquire with your local Highway Patrol/State Trooper/etc. Most of the local trailer sales people probably do know the laws to the T, but getting them to explain them, especially if you are not buying a trailer from them, might be difficult. Surely though, there is at least one person at every trailer business that knows exactly what is required for you to legally drive their trailers off their lot.

I have a couple friends that are CHP and they were helpful in telling me what I needed and how to "work the system". When I showed up to take the CDL driven the ride along tried to tell me I did not need a CDL. I was prepared and explained the "grey area" that my buddies told me about and why I actually did need a CDL. Also, there are "secret" things about CA law that lets you get a "non-commercial Class A" CDL with no medical exam by a Dr.

This Class A process in CA is much like the SB100 licensing of kit cars. You need to know what the process is, what your specific requirements are for specifically what you are trying to do, and then be prepared to educate the DMV on all of it...in a way that doesn't piss anybody off.

I took no classes, studied for the written test online with free materials available from both the DMV and others, aced the written test, and passed the driving test with my 33' RV trailer. The length of my RV and where the trailer wheels were at made the dock parking test difficult. This is the shortest goose neck trailer I have though, and it did work.

Things get very technical. In CA there is an exemption for 5th wheel RV trailers that makes towing a 5th wheel RV legal up to 15,000 lbs without a CDL. One of my CHP buddies pointed out that since I had converted my RV 5th wheel to a goose neck it now required me to have a CDL because it is rated at 13,500 GVW, which is over the 10k blanket law. This is what I had to explain to the ride along when I showed up for the driving test. Obviously something that would be near impossible for anyone to know unless you had researched in detail what the specific laws and exemptions are. This is why I recommended talking to local people about how to do what you want, as well as figure out specifically what you need.

Beware, in CA if you show up for a drivers test and you fail they take your license on the spot. This includes if you are simply trying to up your license class from C to A. If you don't pass the written test you will not be able to drive yourself home legally from the DMV, and you will not have a drivers license until you can retake and pass the test. There is a way around this also, although I have never actually done it, but I understand you can then pay your fees for a Class C learners permit and be able to leave the DMV with the ability to drive again, but study up exactly what is needed and what consequences are before going down this path to avoid getting stuck without a license.

BTW- I do not think you will be able to fit two vehicles on that trailer you have shown there.

EDIT: I looked up what I did on the last trailer I built and indeed the deck/frame width is 102". There is a clause that accessories like fender lips and marker lights can stick out further, and I think my trailer is at about 104"-106" when the 1-2 inches of fenders are included, but you are correct with the 102" max width.