CA registered F-350 GVW question

[Vecman]

AZ does the same confusing crap. All 1-ton pickup trucks have to pay a commercial fee and declare a GCWR which then determine more fees, regardless of use. But since I don’t use my F350 commercially, I don’t meet the states definition for then needing to have a DOT number, a “not for hire” sign, or any other BS related to commercial vehicles. Just have to pay the commercial fees every year. Makes no sense to me, but I do know the confusion made a few guys go F250 when they wanted F350, because they thought they would be a commercial vehicle. Just have to pay fees is all. Not a huge deal, but annoying all the same. I dont have any special commercial plates or anything, but my declared GCWR is listed on my registration, so if I’m pulled over towing, and I exceed this number, they absolutely can fine me. But I don’t have to abide by any commercial regs as I’m not a commercial vehicle by statute.

 

[Vecman]

Best bet is to either go to the DMV and see if you can change registration (I agree that to me, looks like trucks have to be registered commercial in CA, whether they technically are or not) and/or, ask a CHP guy about your situation and see what they say. My state trooper buddy helped me understand the AZ stuff, since there’s a bit more confusing parts than what I listed above, but that was the gist

 

[RS90]

My guess is.... And it's only a guess, is the first time you pull into an open scale and get red lighted and have to go around back and go inside, is that once the officer inside finds out your situation, he'll tell you technically you're supposed to stop, but don't ever stop again. That would be my guess.

This is almost certainly what will happen. DOT scales don't want anything to do with privately owned vehicles. They'll red light him and start grilling him about where his DOT numbers and company info are and then once they realize he's not operating commercially they boot him out and tell him not to come back.

If it was me I'd be registering the truck for a lower weight and moving on with life. Highly doubt anybody is ever going to check a private vehicle unless you just punched a cop in the face and they are looking to stack charges. Just throw the stickers in your glove box. If they stop you and give you a hassle for it then put them on.

Here in WI we have a similar setup where we get either light or heavy truck plates. 90% of the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks I see have 8,000lb light truck plates on them. I got 10K heavy plates entirely because I like the way they look vs the light truck plates. I also have a 5500 with a flatbed registered for 20K that I only use a few times a year.

I blow right past scales in the 5500 and there's nothing they can legally do about it because I only use it to haul my own stuff.

 

[Optimus🤖]

 

[Canyon Trekker]

Best bet is to either go to the DMV and see if you can change registration (I agree that to me, looks like trucks have to be registered commercial in CA, whether they technically are or not) and/or, ask a CHP guy about your situation and see what they say. My state trooper buddy helped me understand the AZ stuff, since there’s a bit more confusing parts than what I listed above, but that was the gist

So, if you do a search on a sign that is still posted on most CA weight stations, the answer is:
Yes
Yes, California weigh stations still post "No Pickups" signs. This indicates that most personal pickups are exempt from stopping at the scales unless they meet specific criteria defined by California law. If a pickup truck has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 11,500 pounds or more, it is required to stop at the scales.

I guess this would imply that according to this statement, @Apples is correct, but I think @Donnie With A Dee is likely the true outcome. Only the DMV or CHP will be able to resolve this.

Clarification:

Weigh-Stations (Enforcement Facilities) | Caltrans

State of California

dot.ca.gov

 

[McE]

New drinking game. Any time someone starts hulking out or lobbing ego grenades...take a pull

BYOS (bring your own salt)

 

[Apples]

^ ^ ^ hahaha!

But, WAIT! There's MORE!

*guffaw*

(one more, then I go away)

If I get a trailer, then I’ll up the sticker from 15k to what’s needed. If I don’t, then I’ll keep it as is.

Sounds like a plan!

When you and your other half decide on the RV trailer, here's Ford's manufacturer Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating/combination vehicle spec for your 2025 F350 Tremor 6.7 H.O. Powerstroke Platinum TREMOR, according to the 2025 FORD RV & Trailer Towing Guide: 31,200 lbs.

However! the heaviest trailer you're spec'd for with your truck is 18,200 lbs. Remember, when the time comes, consider the new trailer's tongue weight which becomes another deficit to your truck's GVWR).

We've thrown an awful lot at you, El Don Matteo, sir, here in this thread. That's fer damn to0tin'. You're a good sport. There is some great experience posted by others here. Hammering out my gibberish here helps me to understand it all a little bit better. Cheers.

 

[donmatteo]

^ ^ ^ hahaha!

But, WAIT! There's MORE!

*guffaw*

(one more, then I go away)






Sounds like a plan!

When you and your other half decide on the RV trailer, here's Ford's manufacturer Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating/combination vehicle spec for your 2025 F350 Tremor 6.7 H.O. Powerstroke Platinum TREMOR, according to the 2025 FORD RV & Trailer Towing Guide: 31,200 lbs.

However! the heaviest trailer you're spec'd for with your truck is 18,200 lbs. Remember, when the time comes, consider the new trailer's tongue weight which becomes another deficit to your truck's GVWR).

We've thrown an awful lot at you, El Don Matteo, sir, here in this thread. That's fer damn to0tin'. You're a good sport. There is some great experience posted by others here. Hammering out my gibberish here helps me to understand it all a little bit better. Cheers.

Thanks for this, and the chat today.

Cheers and all the best.

 

[donmatteo]

Went to the local CHP office this morning.

Here is the final say from the CHP regarding the weight stickers.

1. The truck 100% need them as the truck, to even their surprise, showed 12,000 GVRW and not 11,499.
2. Placing them on the window was ok.
3. It is 100% correct as a commercial registration as all trucks in CA are commercial. To not be considered I need a camper shell attached.
4. The truck was registered by the dealer correctly due to the 12,000 GVRW noted on the silver sticker on the door jam.
5. I 100% need to enter the scales only if I am towing. I can go though as just a truck but I most likely will be waved by. If I get pulled over with a trailer and pass a scale along the way, I can be fined.
6. I am limited to a 3K trailer for now as noted by the 15 on the weight stickers but that can be changed at any point and that was done correctly by the dealer assuming items in the bed.

Long and the short of it is, If you have a 23+ F350, with a GVRW of 11,500 lbs or higher and you don't have the weight stickers on your truck, the CHP can fine you.

 

[Vecman]

Went to the local CHP office this morning.

Here is the final say from the CHP regarding the weight stickers.

1. The truck 100% need them as the truck, to even their surprise, showed 12,000 GVRW and not 11,499.
2. Placing them on the window was ok.
3. It is 100% correct as a commercial registration as all trucks in CA are commercial. To not be considered I need a camper shell attached.
4. The truck was registered by the dealer correctly due to the 12,000 GVRW noted on the silver sticker on the door jam.
5. I 100% need to enter the scales only if I am towing. I can go though as just a truck but I most likely will be waved by. If I get pulled over with a trailer and pass a scale along the way, I can be fined.
6. I am limited to a 3K trailer for now as noted by the 15 on the weight stickers but that can be changed at any point and that was done correctly by the dealer assuming items in the bed.

Long and the short of it is, If you have a 23+ F350, with a GVRW of 12,000 or higher and you don't have the weight stickers on your truck, the CHP can fine you.

Hate to hear this, but glad you asked them.

 

[donmatteo]

Hate to hear this, but glad you asked them.

Apples was 100% spot on when I talked to him yesterday but yes, I'm glad I talked to the CHP directly.

Now I'm wondering, Why is my SRW F350 12,000 GVWR and who else in CA has the same issue.

 

[donmatteo]

And of course, I just now see this on the window sticker for it....

12000# GVWR PACKAGE

 

[Aaron24F350]

I had nothing better to do this morning but drink my coffee and clean the leaves from my pool so I sat down to have a smoke and read this thread in its entirety...

... and now I have a headache

That is all.

Lol.

 

[Apples]

You mean the FoMoCo Kentucky Plant build sticker!

These damn stickers! LOL

Appreciate the support, amigo. You got good help from our colleagues McE, BadMan, and one or two others. Some of what Heavy On The Salt posted was on point as well.

Just glad it's cleared up.

 

[donmatteo]

I had nothing better to do this morning but drink my coffee and clean the leaves from my pool so I sat down to have a smoke and read this thread in its entirety...

... and now I have a headache

That is all.

Lol.

The TLDR of this is.....CA being CA doing CA things

 

[Apples]

I had nothing better to do this morning but drink my coffee and clean the leaves from my pool so I sat down to have a smoke and read this thread in its entirety...

You're a good man.

Reminds me of a feller who was attempting to illustrate the difference between "problems" and "first world problems".

He said, "Oh, I GOT PROBLEMS.

This morning when I got up, I discovered LEAVES in my swimming pool! and then my FERARRI wouldn't start!"

 

[Aaron24F350]

Canada is easy... you get it registered/insured at the dealership, they ask you if it's commercial and you say "no" lol.

I think it's only forced commercial if you get an F550 or any chassis cab variant if I'm not mistaken.

My trucks insured for pleasure use and bypasses the stupid "luxury tax" for being over $100k because it's a F350 and is exempt from it .

I can't remember but the fee I think to register is $75 or something (don't feel like digging to verify) and, I pay $204/month to insure it with full coverage $5M liability and all the upsell bells and whistles I'll hopefully never need to use haha. Above that replacement coverage tops me off in the event of a total loss with current model year/same platinum trim for the next 8 years

TLDR move to Canada! Haha or just sell and purchase outside of state or something like whistlin' diesel hah!

 

[Aaron24F350]

You're a good man.

Reminds me of a feller who was attempting to illustrate the difference between "problems" and "first world problems".

He said, "Oh, I GOT PROBLEMS.

This morning when I got up, I discovered LEAVES in my swimming pool! and then my FERARRI wouldn't start!"

Don't forget... I did get a headache too so problems abound! Lol will need to sit in the hot tub for a while I think now hahaha

️ ️ ️

 

[McE]

Went to the local CHP office this morning.

Here is the final say from the CHP regarding the weight stickers.

1. The truck 100% need them as the truck, to even their surprise, showed 12,000 GVRW and not 11,499.
2. Placing them on the window was ok.
3. It is 100% correct as a commercial registration as all trucks in CA are commercial. To not be considered I need a camper shell attached.
4. The truck was registered by the dealer correctly due to the 12,000 GVRW noted on the silver sticker on the door jam.
5. I 100% need to enter the scales only if I am towing. I can go though as just a truck but I most likely will be waved by. If I get pulled over with a trailer and pass a scale along the way, I can be fined.
6. I am limited to a 3K trailer for now as noted by the 15 on the weight stickers but that can be changed at any point and that was done correctly by the dealer assuming items in the bed.

Long and the short of it is, If you have a 23+ F350, with a GVRW of 11,500 lbs or higher and you don't have the weight stickers on your truck, the CHP can fine you.

Glad you got authoritative answers. Regulatory/fee thresholds are why sticker de-rates are a thing. You could have two identical trucks where the only difference is the number on the door jamb sticker, and one will make you jump through more hoops and pay more.

Ford offered a de-rate option on mine (to 10,000 instead of 11,900) to avoid some of the Oregon nonsense, but I left it as-is—easier to work around up here and I need the legal/rated payload capacity for liability reasons.

 

[StrokinOut]

Went to the local CHP office this morning.

Here is the final say from the CHP regarding the weight stickers.

1. The truck 100% need them as the truck, to even their surprise, showed 12,000 GVRW and not 11,499.
2. Placing them on the window was ok.
3. It is 100% correct as a commercial registration as all trucks in CA are commercial. To not be considered I need a camper shell attached.
4. The truck was registered by the dealer correctly due to the 12,000 GVRW noted on the silver sticker on the door jam.
5. I 100% need to enter the scales only if I am towing. I can go though as just a truck but I most likely will be waved by. If I get pulled over with a trailer and pass a scale along the way, I can be fined.
6. I am limited to a 3K trailer for now as noted by the 15 on the weight stickers but that can be changed at any point and that was done correctly by the dealer assuming items in the bed.

Long and the short of it is, If you have a 23+ F350, with a GVRW of 11,500 lbs or higher and you don't have the weight stickers on your truck, the CHP can fine you.

The sticker should be indicating what your max operating GVW can be, not max GCVW. So why the 3k limit on the trailer? The total trailer weight doesn't add to the GVW, only the tongue weight does. That 15k on sticker basically just says you are registered (paid $) to operate with a GVW of 15k...which would actually exceed the vehicles GVWR.

EDIT- I wasn't aware that sticker indicates max GVW for a vehicle not towing, AND/OR the max CGW when towing. Still doesn't explain where the 3k number comes from.
This could be why the guy I know with the 10k gvwr truck, pays for the up to 15k reg. Could think he had to since he tows a dump trailer sometimes. (Never has applied the stickers and likely exceeds CGW of 15k sometimes)

There is still the fact that thousands of 11,500+ GVWR pickup trucks run on California roads without those stickers. Have been for many many years, and I have yet to hear from one owner that was stopped or cited because of it. Even if speaking strictly to the Tremor optioned F350, this isn't just a 23+ thing. A 2020 Tremor 350, w/6.7l has a GVWR of 11500.