Seem like class d can legally go as high as 36,000 maximum gross combination weight?
But that’ll mean need a different tow rig, something that can handle 26,000 MGW (but not manufacturer rated over 26,000) and a trailer with 10,000 manufacturer GTWR.
As stupid it seem to be, apparently can register mgw higher than manufacturer recommended gvwr. Cdl-a requirement is determined solely based on manufacturer recommended gvwr. As I can understand that 2 things matters to the DOT with driver license & registration that 1) your vehicle is not scaled heavier than its registered mgw and 2) correct driver class for the vehicle(s) being driven based on its manufacturer recommended gvwr.
Kinda sound dumb if I understood this correctly. Can go big dumb load legally (just register higher mgw than manufacturer’s gvwr) but to have too much of a truck (Ram 4500 with 16.5k gvwr(?)) to tow a small trailer (10k gvwr) with class d is criminal just because both manufacturers’ combined recommended gross vehicle rating is >26,000lbs.