Confused about requirements

That looks like a Silverado 1500?
If you you will not be pulling 8,000 lbs for very long. You will burn out the rear end, not to mention the transmission. Also will be getting crappy mpg because of the engine overworking.
You really need to think this. a 1/2 ton pickup is simply not made to pull stuff 5k+ pounds on an extended basis.

 

DOT goes by CGVW, not how much weight you have on it at the time. In other words what is the vehicle and trailer RATED at? If they are rated at or above 10,001K then yes you need MC, DOT, Medical card. If you where to drive a truck that was rated at 33k, but scaled it and only had 25K total weight and didn't have a CDL you could be fined, put out of service and could also be arrested, that is because anything over 26,001 pounds you need a CDL. You only had 25K pounds total, but DOT goes by the Rating of the vehicle. Hope this helps. There is no "derating" when it comes to DOT

 

Start reading everything on this part of the forum. There are other forums out there. If you want your own business you can approach it a couple of ways. You could lease on to someone using their connections while you learn. You could get your own numbers and work with a dispatching company. Working with a dispatching company you use a percentage of your gross or set amount to pay for their services in exchange they find work for you. Some people will get their own numbers and try work off the load board with no experience...a recipe for failure IMO. Try to gain as much knowledge off the Internet. Look for people that have their own business. If you lease on with someone, be sure they have their own freight or has long term relationships with shippers and brokers. Same thing when working with dispatching company. Follow the successful people on here running big truck ( same concept). Hope this will help you get started. Mike

 

ZVar is correct. You need another truck to get started. At the very minimum 3/4 ton diesel. A one ton DWD for safety. I had a flat tire on the rear and was able to get to tire shop without changing it on the side of the road

 

MC number is what you give to brokers ( motor carriers ) a DOT number is ( Department of Transportation ) Find a company that specializes in Truck Insurance. Progressive got into the truck insurance business a few years ago and had some high claims from new entrants now they overcharge for new people. If you are going to work this truck you need to think about small packages or as a courier. (Medical etc.) ( Clint Eastwood line “ a man’s got to know his limitations “ ) Using USHIP is a race to the bottom. There are load boards that you pay a monthly subscription. Brokers post their freight and you may post your truck there. But the majority of stuff on a freight board will be to heavy for you with that truck.

 

Insurance is going to be high, you are hauling as a commercial carrier, no matter if you are using dot numbers or not.

What causes the high cost is the lack of experience, wrong equipment and going for freight competing with carriers at their level.

The real issue is what are you going to do about the truck, it won't last. It is not a "work truck" as others are designed to be, it is a light duty truck that can have up to a GCVW of 16k (depending on the package that had been installed) but then that's a superficial number at best, GM doesn't do anyone justice with their lies.

If the sales dweeb said that it will work, I would bring it back and tell him he lied.

You need to get this part too, if you haul commercial, you may have an issue with the drive line warranty, they can tell you that nothing is covered if you are hauling a heavy load and the truck craps out.