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Tuesday Towing Question (Weight Restriction/Endorsements for RV/Motorhome/Campers)

ridered3

ridered3

Low Talent Wheelin
Joined
May 20, 2020
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644
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2,589
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Rockvale, TN
Preface this whole thread with 1) yes I searched, 2) I waited until Tuesday to ask a dumb-ish question, and 3) I did not think this topic needed to be cross posted in the HDT thread or other threads with similar topics but not exactly what I was asking either.

Our current setup of truck (2012 F-250 diesel) plus enclosed trailer with living quarters (28' overall) is under the 26k weight requirements both on paper and on the scale so I'm good to go there. Our setup is only for personal use and we reside in Tennessee so that's the nature of the following questions.


1) I've always had the understanding that tow vehicle (pickup truck for example) + trailer (camper or otherwise) cannot exceed 26k pounds without an endorsement on your drivers license/non-commercial CDL.


2) I've always had the understanding that the only exception to the 26k weight restriction without an endorsement on your drivers license/non-commercial CDL is if the tow vehicle (rv/motorhomes/campers or MDT trucks, or converted semis, etc) is registered as a rv/motorhome/campers with GVWR greater than 26k pounds. Meaning something like a Kodiak Chassis Duramax Super C with a GVWR of 19,500 pounds could not exceed the 26k pounds with a loaded trailer but a diesel pusher with GVWR of 33,000 would be perfectly legal to exceed the 26k pound threshold.


3) What brought this up was a discussion in the Crawler Haulers FaceSpace group in which a couple of people stated that as long as the trailer was registered as an rv/motorhome/camper then the 26k weight restriction did not apply to the tow rig or to the necessity of an endorsement on your drivers license/non-commercial CDL


4) So basically either my understanding has been incorrect or their understanding is incorrect or mine and theirs is both partially correct/incorrect. Which one is it?
 
1) rock on, fight the ticket if you ever get one. Unless toeing doubles in CA at 80mph, nobody will look at you.

Otherwise, pull up each states language. That's the only way to know for sure
 
In a penske, I manged to go across the country over 26k lbs, amd then also plus a trailer. Being a newbie to all that jazz, stopped at several weigh stations whenever the highway signs lit up.

Only got flagged into the office one time, being I'm obviously not commercial, was sent on my way


Edit: also , the Kodiak super c in your example is an rv and therfore just as exempt as a class a

Edit 2: Thor Magnitude Super C Diesel Motorhomes

Thor f550 chassis gvwr 19ish k lbs advertising 12k lbs towing capacity. At the very least, they expect you to go above 26k lbs
 
Provience said:
1) rock on, fight the ticket if you ever get one. Unless toeing doubles in CA at 80mph, nobody will look at you.

Otherwise, pull up each states language. That's the only way to know for sure
Click to expand...

Ha doubles, CA, and speeding won’t be a problem for us. I looked into Tennessee’s languages and it was clear as muddy water. I asked at a Weigh Station and the guy looked at me like I had 8 eyes on my head but wasn’t willing to give me contact info to someone that would be helpful.

Provience said:
In a penske, I manged to go across the country over 26k lbs, amd then also plus a trailer. Being a newbie to all that jazz, stopped at several weigh stations whenever the highway signs lit up.

Only got flagged into the office one time, being I'm obviously not commercial, was sent on my way


Edit: also , the Kodiak super c in your example is an rv and therfore just as exempt as a class a

Edit 2: Thor Magnitude Super C Diesel Motorhomes

Thor f550 chassis gvwr 19ish k lbs advertising 12k lbs towing capacity. At the very least, they expect you to go above 26k lbs
Click to expand...
Great point on the Super C’s and hadn’t considered the GVWR + advertised towing capacity.
 
All of this is about weight rating. Not actual weight.

Any 5th wheel travel trailer over 15k requires a Class A out here in NV. Over 10k and under 15k requires an endorsement. Those do not have to go through scales either. Heavy RVs over 26001 lbs require a Class B. Under 26000 rated weight is a class C. Utility trailers over 10,000 lbs require a class A (commercial or non-commercial).

That said I don't think any of this shit is ever enforced as I highly doubt the boomers flat towing their new Cherokees behind their Prevost chassis motorhomes have class B licenses.
 
TN is easy


TN doesn't actually care if it is an RV or not.

Class "A" for GVWR over 26k lbs AND trailer over 10k lbs

Class "B" for GVWR over 26k lbs AND trailer Under 10k lbs

Class "C" for GVWR Under 26k lbs IF hazmat/school bus

Class "D" for GVWR Under 26k lbs. I.E. all "normal" vehicles.

So your super C with a gvwr under 26k lbs and any size trailer would be a class D, because they don't care about the combined weight until you get into the class A stuff for tractor/trailer combos

Class A diesel pusher would require Class B license or Class A depending on your trailered weight.


which is to say, nobody is going to stop and ask you about it :flipoff2:
 
Texas is also pretty easy


Class "A" for GCWR over 26k lbs, provided at least 1 vehicle or towed is over 10k lbs

Class "B" for GVWR over 26k lbs AND trailer Under 10k lbs

Class "C" for GVWR Under 26k lbs, any combination.

Though Texas does specifically state that Recreational Vehicles for personal use can use Class B or Class A NON COMMERCIAL license if required due to vehicle weight.

TN just doesn't seem to have the noncommercial option
 
FordFascist said:
All of this is about weight rating. Not actual weight.

Any 5th wheel travel trailer over 15k requires a Class A out here in NV. Over 10k and under 15k requires an endorsement. Those do not have to go through scales either. Heavy RVs over 26001 lbs require a Class B. Under 26000 rated weight is a class C. Utility trailers over 10,000 lbs require a class A (commercial or non-commercial).

That said I don't think any of this shit is ever enforced as I highly doubt the boomers flat towing their new Cherokees behind their Prevost chassis motorhomes have class B licenses.
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Agreed on this not being enforced but it was a topic I was curious about. Between what you typed and Provience I'm getting some clarification.
 
Provience said:
TN is easy


TN doesn't actually care if it is an RV or not.

Class "A" for GVWR over 26k lbs AND trailer over 10k lbs

Class "B" for GVWR over 26k lbs AND trailer Under 10k lbs

Class "C" for GVWR Under 26k lbs IF hazmat/school bus

Class "D" for GVWR Under 26k lbs. I.E. all "normal" vehicles.

So your super C with a gvwr under 26k lbs and any size trailer would be a class D, because they don't care about the combined weight until you get into the class A stuff for tractor/trailer combos

Class A diesel pusher would require Class B license or Class A depending on your trailered weight.


which is to say, nobody is going to stop and ask you about it :flipoff2:
Click to expand...
Awesome info and didn’t think to check the drivers license manual. Hadn’t looked at the manual in 20 years.

Agreed on not stopping to ask as long as you aren’t doing something stupid or look like something in the “Big Dumb Loads” thread.
 
ridered3 said:
Awesome info and didn’t think to check the drivers license manual. Hadn’t looked at the manual in 20 years.

Agreed on not stopping to ask as long as you aren’t doing something stupid or look like something in the “Big Dumb Loads” thread.
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if you were maxed out on your TN class D, it looks like you could have a fully loaded 25.9k lbs truck pulling a pair of 25.9k loaded trailers. Roll 77.7k lbs through the scales and be good as long as the registration for "home made" car and trailer doesn't state GVWR 26k+ :laughing:

the above may not be correct or legal, but it would be comical to explain to a cop on the side of the road
 
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Provience said:
if you were maxed out on your TN class D, it looks like you could have a fully loaded 25.9k lbs truck pulling a pair of 25.9k loaded trailers. Roll 77.7k lbs through the scales and be good as long as the registration for "home made" car and trailer doesn't state GVWR 26k+ :laughing:

the above may not be correct or legal, but it would be comical to explain to a cop on the side of the road
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I’ll send that challenge to a buddy who routinely hauls overweight for him to try out. :lmao:
 

Idaho is kind of a pain to find.

Best I can tell, page 25 specifically exempts RV's from commercial license requirements, but I can't for the life of me see where they grant or recognize a "non commercial" class A or B. It really seems like the don't care.

and then there is this blurb in the handbook, specifically warning Idaho residents about the risks of driving in other states :laughing:

crop.png


edit: and their "farm exemption" is "not to exceed 150 miles as the crow flies from the farm"...which is pretty dang far
 
Thanks for the info/clarification so far.

So that leaves the combination in Part #3. Does using a regular pickup truck + a towed unit registered as rv/camper make the entire setup weight exempt since the trailer is registered as an rv/camper or does the 26k weight limit still apply?
 
ridered3 said:
Thanks for the info/clarification so far.

So that leaves the combination in Part #3. Does using a regular pickup truck + a towed unit registered as rv/camper make the entire setup weight exempt since the trailer is registered as an rv/camper or does the 26k weight limit still apply?
Click to expand...
In TN there doesn't seem to be an rv exception.

If your pickup truck is under 26k gvwr it is a class D license. It reads to me that as long as your trailer is also under 26k gvwr you are good.

Personal use and all that.

I'm not up to date with modern stuff, does a new f350 safely tow a trailer above 26k lbs, which would put you about 34k gcwr. Does anybody make a a 26k lb fifth wheel?
 
Provience said:
I'm not up to date with modern stuff, does a new f350 safely tow a trailer above 26k lbs
Click to expand...

The number of 350/3500 trucks I've seen with 5-car wedges behind them says yes.

I think the specific details of what/where/how you're towing matters a lot more than the weight. 30k of bricks on a tag trailer would probably be a lot less asshole puckering than 20k of bumper pull toy hauler with heavy shit in the garage at 80mph through Utah on a windy day.
 
arse_sidewards said:
The number of 350/3500 trucks I've seen with 5-car wedges behind them says yes.

I think the specific details of what/where/how you're towing matters a lot more than the weight. 30k of bricks on a tag trailer would probably be a lot less asshole puckering than 20k of bumper pull toy hauler with heavy shit in the garage at 80mph through Utah on a windy day.
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Is a 5 car wedge private use though? It seems like by nature that would be commercial license territory.

Guess I've typically only seen or noticed the 350 running 3 car wedge, and 450 or 550 with a 5 car, but I do believe you that it is being done and successfully

Heavy 5th wheels seem to still be advertised below 20k gvwr, not sure on toy hauler or redneck towhauler combos
 
Provience said:
In TN there doesn't seem to be an rv exception.

If your pickup truck is under 26k gvwr it is a class D license. It reads to me that as long as your trailer is also under 26k gvwr you are good.

Personal use and all that.

I'm not up to date with modern stuff, does a new f350 safely tow a trailer above 26k lbs, which would put you about 34k gcwr. Does anybody make a a 26k lb fifth wheel?
Click to expand...
I read into this bullshit when I had my bumper pull triple axle'd 35' car hauler, as it sure dang looked like overweight and/or commerical and wanted to make sure I have my ass covered.

long story short; class A is not needed if your gcwr is below 26,000lbs (actual and ratings!). IF you want to get the most out of your class D Driver license, you can be legal going down the road grossing at 36,000lbs gcwr if your tow rig's gvwr is 26,000lbs and towing a trailer with 10,000lbs gtwr.



also, the thing to watch out.... class a CDL is mandatory to be 'legal' if your tow rig and towed vehicle's combined weight ratings exceed 26,000lbs even if you won't register your shit that heavy or will get that heavy (actual) whatsoever. Hence, too much 'tow rig' or 'trailer' sound good, but can bite your ass one day. May want to get a F250 or F350(SRW) over a F350(DRW) and larger trucks to avoid this kind of headache.

My friend got taken off the road by state trooper because his 3rd gen C&C Ram 3500 (14,000lbs gvwr?) with his 38'-ish lowboy 14,000lbs gtwr gooseneck gcwr exceed 26,000lbs. I came to him with my old crusty 2nd gen Ram 2500, hooked up to the gooseneck and drove away while state police troopers were watching us, because my Ram 2500's gvwr is low enough to not go over 26,000lbs and is legal.

fwiw!
 
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Provience said:
In TN there doesn't seem to be an rv exception.

If your pickup truck is under 26k gvwr it is a class D license. It reads to me that as long as your trailer is also under 26k gvwr you are good.

Personal use and all that.

I'm not up to date with modern stuff, does a new f350 safely tow a trailer above 26k lbs, which would put you about 34k gcwr. Does anybody make a a 26k lb fifth wheel?
Click to expand...
Alrighty that’s how I was reading through everything as well. I knew on paper and scales I was good to go with the current setup but had some curiosity questions which you’ve been able to answer.
 
TrailTamer said:
I read into this bullshit when I had my bumper pull triple axle'd 35' car hauler, as it sure dang looked like overweight and/or commerical and wanted to make sure I have my ass covered.

long story short; class A is not needed if your gcwr is below 26,000lbs (actual and ratings!). IF you want to get the most out of your class D Driver license, you can be legal going down the grossing at 36,000lbs gcwr if your tow rig's gvwr is 26,000lbs and towing a trailer with 10,000lbs gtwr.



also, the thing to watch out.... class a CDL is mandatory to be 'legal' if your tow rig and towed vehicle's combined weight ratings exceed 26,000lbs even if you won't register your shit that heavy or will get that heavy (actual) whatsoever. Hence, too much 'tow rig' or 'trailer' sound good, but can bite your ass one day. May want to get a F250 or F350(SRW) over a F350(DRW) and larger trucks to avoid this kind of headache.

My friend got taken off the road by state trooper because his 3rd gen C&C Ram 3500 (14,000lbs gvwr?) with his 38'-ish lowboy 14,000lbs gtwr gooseneck gcwr exceed 26,000lbs. I came to him with my old crusty 2nd gen Ram 2500, hooked up to the gooseneck and drove away while state police troopers were watching us, because my Ram 2500's gvwr is low enough to not go over 26,000lbs and is legal.

fwiw!
Click to expand...
Excellent example and exactly what I was curious about. Having too big of a “non-exempt” truck to haul trailers with.
 
Just echoing what the others have said. I have a non-CDL class A license in NC.

License requirements are all about weight ratings, not measured weights. There are legal implications of being over your truck/trailer weight rating other than your license.

In short, what Provience said applies in NC also. If GCWR is >=26k, and the trailer GVWR is >=10k, then you need a class A license (CDL or not). My F550 (17.8k gvwr) plus gooseneck (14k gvwr) is over 26k, so I got a Class A. If I had a same year F350 with the max towing rating (12.6k gvwr) then I'd still need a Class A. If I had a same year F350 with the lowest towing (10k gvwr) then I wouldn't need a Class A.


While it might seem overkill, I tend to get a CAT scale weight slip for my rig on all of my trips. That way if I'm stopped I can prove I'm under my weight ratings, and my license covers the rating. More of a CYA move than anything else.
 
GLTHFJ60 said:
Just echoing what the others have said. I have a non-CDL class A license in NC.

License requirements are all about weight ratings, not measured weights. There are legal implications of being over your truck/trailer weight rating other than your license.

In short, what Provience said applies in NC also. If GCWR is >=26k, and the trailer GVWR is >=10k, then you need a class A license (CDL or not). My F550 (17.8k gvwr) plus gooseneck (14k gvwr) is over 26k, so I got a Class A. If I had a same year F350 with the max towing rating (12.6k gvwr) then I'd still need a Class A. If I had a same year F350 with the lowest towing (10k gvwr) then I wouldn't need a Class A.


While it might seem overkill, I tend to get a CAT scale weight slip for my rig on all of my trips. That way if I'm stopped I can prove I'm under my weight ratings, and my license covers the rating. More of a CYA move than anything else.
Click to expand...
we have had people get a tickets before at work for not being over on actual weight but over according the stickered weight of the vehicle. we have one trailer that is rated at 10k and we put a mini on it, everyone can drive it, but we have another trailer that is rated at 15k and same load he is now 5k over the weight limit. but the actual weight did not change much. its crazy hot mess out there
 
chaplinfj60 said:
we have had people get a tickets before at work for not being over on actual weight but over according the stickered weight of the vehicle. we have one trailer that is rated at 10k and we put a mini on it, everyone can drive it, but we have another trailer that is rated at 15k and same load he is now 5k over the weight limit. but the actual weight did not change much. its crazy hot mess out there
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of the 3 states I looked at, every single one of them goes off GVWR rather than loaded weight for licensing. Loaded weight for tickets and such, sure.

it kind of comes down to either get everybody on the same license, or be dilligent about what combinations you throw on the road.
 
ridered3 said:
Excellent example and exactly what I was curious about. Having too big of a “non-exempt” truck to haul trailers with.
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Slight de-rail, if you don’t mind?

DOT Laws are clear on weight limits and cannot go down on weight ratings. Basically, register your vehicle (either trailer or tow rig) below their manufacturer’s GVWR doesn’t make you legal via to not go over 26,000 lbs GCWR on your registrations.

But I cannot find anything about to register your vehicle higher than their manufacturer GVWR (but still below 26,000lbs GCWR).

All I can find are for 18 wheelers.

Is it legal or illegal to register higher than my vehicle’s GVWR? Within reasonable!

Example; My 1997 Ram 2500. Dodge rated it to 8,800lbs GVWR. Unladen weight is about 7,000lbs. It is not unusual to blow right past the 8,800lbs GVWR when loaded for a trip. Usually about 10,000lbs GVW; from camping gears and tools in the bed, 2 people and a dog in the cab, plus tongue weight.
 
TrailTamer said:
Slight de-rail, if you don’t mind?

DOT Laws are clear on weight limits and cannot go down on weight ratings. Basically, register your vehicle (either trailer or tow rig) below their manufacturer’s GVWR doesn’t make you legal via to not go over 26,000 lbs GCWR on your registrations.

But I cannot find anything about to register your vehicle higher than their manufacturer GVWR (but still below 26,000lbs GCWR).

All I can find are for 18 wheelers.

Is it legal or illegal to register higher than my vehicle’s GVWR? Within reasonable!

Example; My 1997 Ram 2500. Dodge rated it to 8,800lbs GVWR. Unladen weight is about 7,000lbs. It is not unusual to blow right past the 8,800lbs GVWR when loaded for a trip. Usually about 10,000lbs GVW; from camping gears and tools in the bed, 2 people and a dog in the cab, plus tongue weight.
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Nothing helpful to add there, but de-rails are always welcome.
 
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YotaAtieToo said:
I see boomers with brand new 1 tons and giant 3 axle 5th wheel mansions all the time. I guarantee most of them do not have any type of class a. If your set up looks ignorant, I doubt you'll have an issue even if over 26k.
Click to expand...

FTFY:laughing:
 
YotaAtieToo said:
I see boomers with brand new 1 tons and giant 3 axle 5th wheel mansions all the time. I guarantee most of them do not have any type of class a. If your set up looks legit, I doubt you'll have an issue even if over 26k.
Click to expand...

arse_sidewards said:
FTFY:laughing:
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I’d say the correct statement is “if your setup looks legit and you play ignorant (if the blue lights get turned on), I doubt you’ll have an issue even if over 26.”

The cynical/realist side of me says not to risk a “park it ticket.”
 
I've seen brand new 3500s with huge new 5th wheels get stopped and scaled by a trooper not 2 miles from my house.

No one is exempt.
 
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