Special drivers license to tow your Redwood?

[jlandon13399]

Rick and Kerry,



Wish I would have know about the Timbren option before I purchased the aig bag system. I have an appointment to have the air bags installed on Thursday at Lazydays. The kit I purchased is now at Lazydays. Thanks for the information. This definitely may help others in making a suspension decision.

[Hoistman]

The best thing about them is you don't have to worry about someone hoisting your truck up without supporting the wheels, which you have to do with the air bags or you can rip them apart. Not quite an equal to the airbags but pretty close and really nothing that can break. Just my opinion.......

[jlandon13399]

Hoistman,



Good information about lifting the truck and supporting the air bags. I will will keep this information in mind for future use!

[TexasRider]

We haul horses and have had issues with airbags in the past. I haul the 39HH with a 2008 F350 diesel and had extra springs installed. We now do that on all our trucks and have had no issues and a better ride.

[RollsRoyce]

Rick kerry

You mentioned you didn't use air bags but did give an alternative...Assuming you ment some kind of suspension kit...but Didn't name it

[RollsRoyce]

[Hoistman]

Timbren suspention kits.

I posted a link before.

[Campers]

Ok. Can we get back to the problem. Drivers liciences. Thanks all

[Amishco]

I hate when any topics get hijacked! I start out reading about one issue or solution and within 4 responses were off on something totally differant. Don't get me wrong I like the forum but why can't we stay on topic? If you have a response to the topic great, if not start a new topic. that way I don't have to go back and forth. JMO

[TravelinAnderson]

It's sad that it happens but with no moderator to move posts to a new or more relevant thread we'll just have to live with it.

[jlandon13399]

I attended the Lazydays Driver's Confidence Course last Friday Nov 30th. A retired AZ state police officer was the instructor. I asked about different state's laws regarding special license requirments. He stated that as long as you are in compliance with your home state you are OK in other states. Do not take this as gospel but I have heard this in other conversations so I thinking it is true.

[Hoistman]

That sound right, other wise you would not be able to travel anywhere with all the different state and provincial differences with towing and licensing.

RickO

[Dave&Ginny]

Various states have different laws so there's usually a blind eye turned unless there's a big problem. In some states you can only pull a 40' RV type trailer while in others a 43' RV trailer is acceptable.

In Illinois, you can pull doubles (bumper hitch behind a 5th wheel) as long as the total rig does not exceed 60', however several state cops have said they'd turn a blind eye for extra length unless there's a serious problem.

[FranknRascal]

Just tohelp clear up something, it is not how much you truck or RV weights. It is the total GVWR of both the truck and RV.
For example, if the truck has a GVWR of 11,500 lbs and the RV has a GVWR of 14,000 lbsthen you have a total GVWR 25,500 lbs. For those states where you need a special endorsement for anything over 26,000 lbs you would not need a special license.

Now if you truck has a GVWR of 11,500 lbs and your RV has a 16,000 lb GVWR then you have a conbined GVWR of 27,500 lbs and in some states you would need a class A (non-commercial CDL) license.

[mhs4771]

Frank, that's my understanding. So legally we're over as the TV gross is 13K and the RW is 16.5K, but actual scale weight of the combo was 25720 last time on CAT Scale.

[RollsRoyce]

Mhs4771
you are not over ... those are just your capability figures...if your TV doesnt weigh over 13.0 and yourGCWR is not out of whack or your trailer is not out of whack...you are still ok....what you are carrying and what you are capable of carrying are 2 different things.
Edited by: RollsRoyce

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by FranknRascal

Just tohelp clear up something, it is not how much you truck or RV weights. It is the total GVWR of both the truck and RV.
For example, if the truck has a GVWR of 11,500 lbs and the RV has a GVWR of 14,000 lbsthen you have a total GVWR 25,500 lbs. For those states where you need a special endorsement for anything over 26,000 lbs you would not need a special license.

Now if you truck has a GVWR of 11,500 lbs and your RV has a 16,000 lb GVWR then you have a conbined GVWR of 27,500 lbs and in some states you would need a class A (non-commercial CDL) license.

My TV is rated at 13,300 so I have to have the "F" plates which are expensive. But since I'm not towing for hire I don't need a commercial CDL even though I've had one for well over 30 years. It's my understanding that "for Hire" is the key phrase. If you look past the paragraphs covering the weight classifications, you'll find that RV's have different laws pertaining to them in most states.

[RollsRoyce]

After much discussion with Austin HDQ DPS and local DPS in Ft.Worth and Cleburne Driver Licensing offices I have taken care of business...In TEXAS if you have any combination where the GCWR is over 26,000 pounds you have to have a CDL A or a non CDL Class A. In my case I already had a CDL B with P and S endorcements...I had to take the on road driving test which did include straight line backing and parallel parking....No written tests since I already had my clas B CDL...The officer was very professional and personable (very pleasant and smiled)she and gave great instructions as to what she expected. I never have backed up more than 25 feet before and certainly never have and never will again parallel park..It was nerve racking but I managed to get throughh it. My new licence because it is only a few months before renewal I had renewed while I was there...So now I still have my Class B CDL with P and S endorcements and Restriction code P which says Class A EXEMPT VEH AUTHORIZED...Also I had them add my Veteran status included by showing them my copy of DD-214 Honorable Discharge parpers. This licence usually will get you added discounts at many places like Home Depot and others. DPS will not take anything except a DDD-214 for this added benefit... I was told while at the DPS Office they were aware that many who drive and tow RV"s only operate on Class C licences but if ever pulled over and their GCWR isover 26,001 lbs they will be cited and in the state of Texas you are are required to have an annual safety inspection (for trailers) cost is $14.50. Thois is something that DPS ise beginning on cracking down on...I saw several rigs pulled over last year and when I asked a DPS trooper why he said the State needs money and it is the law... Soooo my Texas friends get correct Driver Licence and get those State Safety Inspections annually...Inspection is only for brakes and lighting assemnlies as far as I could see.
Edited by: RollsRoyce

[rcflame]

Just more reason to be registered in SD.

[atom ant]

Forget GCWR - my true weight is 26,350 lbs. Guess its a good thing I slipped out of Texas in the middle of the night, eh Royce?