Towing our R-29 out West!

[Dale777]

...
We will be checking into what are the requirements for getting a CDL. What we have read is most states require these once you exceed 25,000 GVW. We were at 25,040 with no fuel or water on board.

Although I won't be towing my new R27 for another 1-1/2 weeks, after I pick it up at Wefing's Marine, I do have 10 years experience towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee behind 2 different motorhomes. As a result, over the years I've closely checked out the towing requirements in most states. In the few states where some type of special license is required for an RV or towing, it is usually a non-CDL class A or B rider on your regular license. For the state of Texas, I'm required to have a non-CDL class B rider for my situation and to take a driver license test that is specific to this non-CDL class B rider. This site gives a good summary for all states:

http://changingears.com/rv-sec-state-rv-license.shtml

Before proceeding with getting a CDL, I would seriously reconsider the potential consequences of this for the following reasons:

1. Once you have a CDL the driving record restrictions increase on you considerably. For example, if you are convicted of a serious traffic offense (like DUI, which is usually .04 blood alcohol for a CDL holder, not .08), even when not towing, but just in your everyday sedan, you will either lose your CDL or have it suspended.
2. Also, the physical health requirements are more stringent.

This link for the state of Washington gives examples for both situations:
http://www.atu587.com/Newsletters/Jul_06.pdf

 

[Stella Maris]

Dale,
Great info!
Thanks,
David

 

[Levitation]

I doubt that people from another state towing a personal RV/boat through the state of Texas are required to stop and get a Texas license with a Class A or B rider to continue their tow across Texas...
Under the Interstate Commerce Clause, a driver's license that is valid in the state in which the license is issued is valid in all states... States and local municipalities are not allowed to place additional license requirements on drivers passing through their state...

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

Well put Denny!

David,
You may want to take out that central vac you have in your aft stateroom (What you call your basement) and shed 41 pounds. Problem solved.

All the Ma and Pa kettles out there towing there huge 5th wheels that are well over the 25,000GVW, Well I would place a lot of money on the fact that they are not packin a CDL.

Seems to me that there is a real big deal being made out of a non issue.

 

[walldog]

Well put Denny!

David,
You may want to take out that central vac you have in your aft stateroom (What you call your basement) and shed 41 pounds. Problem solved.

All the Ma and Pa kettles out there towing there huge 5th wheels that are well over the 25,000GVW, Well I would place a lot of money on the fact that they are not packin a CDL.

Seems to me that there is a real big deal being made out of a non issue.

I agree, many folks driving RVs over 26K are not legally licensed.
I have been driving a motorhome pulling a car that the combo weighs over 26K since 2005. Texas requires a Class B CDL for RVs over 26K. I have a Class A CDL, so I am legal. I have never been checked in over 85k miles. However when I was pulling a dozer on a gooseneck behind a F450, I was stopped almost everytime I went through Linden Texas. You will not believe how much hassle it was to maintain legality. I even had to be drug tested. I was not hauling for hire, only to clear my own properties. By the way, it is not how much you actually weigh that counts, although that could factor in to a ticket if in violation, it is how much is the GCWR or combined gross vehicle weight ratings. You can find this out from the placards on each vehicle. The DOT does not care that the GCWR of the truck was only 20K, they took the GVWR of the truck of 10K and ADDED the GVWR of the trailer 20k to put me into the Class A CDL category. Later I bought a trailer and had the manufacturer de-rate it to only 14,900 to keep me out of their crosshairs. I finally quit (retired), but still keep my CDL.