This could be corrected again just by making the punishment for not doing it large. Maybe like taking away the driver lic. People are not going to follow any laws(rules) until they are inforced. An example would be the braking systems in the states they are needed by law If your caught with out one, inpound the vehecle, Have it toad and stored untill the system is installed and owner pays all expenses and fines.
shirlock1 wrote: Folks
Lots of good comments and some not very realistic one. BUT most longer class A's are quite a jump for the average person and it is quite a dangerous pile of steel coming down the road toward a lot of other innocents. I am really shocked that there is not some review of the capabilities of drivers by state licensing authorities to get permission to subject the rest of us on the road to these dangerous situations.
Now after I read the material about the recent accident in Washington state I realized that I need to have some more driver training for the situations that are somewhat unique to motorhome driving (as well as trucks). I now know a bit more about the need to downshift on cresting a summit where there is a long grade downhill ahead. What else do I not know?
Yes everyone needs better review but the motorhomes coach subset of the driver universe is a group ripe for better licensing regulation
LLT wrote: Geez, a lot of opposition - are we afraid we wouldn't pass? Otherwise, what's to be worried about?
Kind of along the lines of, why worry about the goverment tapping your phone, you got nothing to hide right?
Here is how it works in boating. Generally in a recreational boat you need no license. Some states are changing that, but its mostly voulantary.
For my boat, without passing a basic saftey test I was limited to 10 miles from shore. I don't understand the limitation since its far easier to have an accident in the intercoastal (with tons of drunk idiots around) than in open water, but I was fine with it.
Insurance companys hold the keys. If I had bought a bigger boatI likley would not be insured unless:
I completed some training
I had several years in a smaller boat
Don't take your organs to heaven. Heaven knows we need them here.
----------------
2007 National Surf Side 34DE. Full timing since 1/06/08
2007 Toyota Matrix Da Toad
The whole RV industry is in a slump, sales are down, and there are closures/cut-backs/bankruptcies. Do you really/truly believe that anyone is going to propose/allow ONE more obstacle towards purchasing an RV?
The only thing that would bring about change is if there was proof positive that we were cuasing great numbers of fatal accidents,....killing a whole bunch of people. Or, if the lendors and insurance companies insisted on requiring RV owners having additional training and licenses.
Forget it!
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
For all of those people that have passed an extended RV specific test (non-commercial) - who sat with you when you practised and when you arrived at the DMV for the test?
The rules are that you need to have a qualified driver in the vehicle as you will have a Provisonal License for the class of vehicle that you will be tested in.
The biggest problem is that most RVers don't know anyone who could or is willing to sit with them. That's why I suggested a weekend course for RVers - rather than ad hoc training and a test which is so inconvenient for most.
RV Park Finder
Fulltimers
2002 Beaver Santiam 38DST + Banks + 99 Jeep GC
DH,DW,Jake and Indie
kjames90755 wrote: also note that California requires a supplemental braking system if the towed vehicle or dolly/vehicle combination weighs more than 1,500 lbs.
Did you even read the pdf file to which you linked?
Page 29 of the manual in your post says the following.
"If you wish to tow a vehicle behind your motor home, you need to
consider whether or not your motor home can handle the extra weight
under all conditions (i.e., climbing steep hills or mountains). Your vehicle
must have sufficient power to climb grades without holding up traffic
and its braking power must be sufficient to stop the combined weight
of the motor home plus the car and/or tow dolly effectively. Motor
home chassis manufacturers provide limits on gross combined weight
(motor home plus car)."
Cloud Dancer wrote: The whole RV industry is in a slump, sales are down, and there are closures/cut-backs/bankruptcies. Do you really/truly believe that anyone is going to propose/allow ONE more obstacle towards purchasing an RV?
The only thing that would bring about change is if there was proof positive that we were cuasing great numbers of fatal accidents,....killing a whole bunch of people.
I'm pretty certain that the requirement of a Class B non-CDL for certain groups of motorhomes has not caused an RV industry slump or dogs to start sleeping with cats.
Laws are passed to protect the general public, not passed because a whole bunch of people were killed. These laws govern WEIGHT and LENGTH of all vehicles, not just RVs. I think they are actually pretty fair! I don't want some 16 y.o. kid behind the wheel of a semi dragging a 53 foot 70 ton trailer just because he has his driver's license. YIKES!
Remember, terrorists acts were illegal in the U.S. prior to 9/11. Those laws weren't passed BECAUSE people died.
Stevelv - good points about the licensed driver and testing. I never said I was perfect. Sometimes I speed a little. Maybe a little too much. Sometimes I run a very yellow light. Once I drove my RV and parked it on the street in front of the DPS without a licensed driver with me. Shoot, I had driven for a month without knowing that I even needed a license. The RV seemed to heavy for me to carry it there - I kept scraping the back end every time I lifted the front.
The State Patrolman who tested me knew I'd driven there because I told him in advance and I'm basically an honest person except when I need to lie, and that's usually to my wife. Guys, don't tell your wife to leave her broom at home 'cause you're driving. That seems to cause strife. Every time.
That brings up a lot of 'what ifs' - what if you drive to the DPS to renew an expired license? What if you drive on an expired safety sticker to get a safety inspection?
In getting to the DPS, you are abiding with the 'spirit and intent' of the law, and I'm pretty sure you'll be okay....and leave a licensed driver!
Good Luck. May the wind be at your back and your fuel cost 59cents a gallon.
Bud
Most folks are smarter than me. I'm sure you'll be just fine - but take a couple of weeks to study.
Should Class A drivers be required to have a special drivers license? IMHO the answer is yes it should cost 1 dollar and last for the lifetime of the licensee. Anything else is bureaucracy building.
Motor City Swagman 2000 Bounder 36S
Ford V-10, Banks Power Pack w/ TC,
BrakeBuddy,Davis Tru Trac,Safe T Plus,Aventa II & Xplorer Sport Trac
OK, I gotta put my 2 cents in. I started driving a Semi on my 16th birthday. (a half centry ago) I still have a class A CDL. I never had or caused an accident but a lot of 4 wheelers caused me to drive very defensively. To survive it is necessary to anticipate the dumb things people do while driving. The problem with the highways is mainly people that can't drive. They usually drive a 4 wheeler, they are agressive drivers,they tailgate and can't merge into traffic. I would like to see the police crackdown on these people.
No but some should take a test for common sense!
I had a diesel pusher pass me on the freeway yesterday, towing a mini-van. Problem was, I was already going 80mph in my pick-up truck.
It warmed my heart when a few miles ahead, I saw him pulled over by the CHP. I hope ,that on top of speeding, he was also cited for driving in the wrong lane while towing.
Yeah, I know! I was speeding as well but not with 60' worth of rig in the wrong lane!
* This post was
edited 05/06/08 02:38pm by javaseuf *
Steve
2007 Springdale 291RKL
2003 F150 King Ranch
2001 Dodge Van w/Wheelchair Ramp
1991 Palomino Mustang PUP
Eureka Timberline Tent
Yamaha IF2400isc
Yamaha EF3000iSEBC "Politically Incorrect And Proud Of It"
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Otherwise, what's to be worried about?
& Mary 
