Greentow wrote: The 26K weight factor applies ONLY in the commercial world, as in hauling for hire.
It is called a CDL (COMMERCIAL Drivers License), however the requirement is NOT TIED to USE - it is tied to WEIGHT:
In Florida, per the DMV (http://flhsmv.gov/ddl/cdl.html):
"To operate trucks or truck combinations weighing 26,001 lbs or more, and towing a vehicle/unit over 10,000 lbs, then a Class A license is needed".
No where is are the words "in furtherance of a business eneterprise" or "commercial" or "use" mentioned.
Your USE dictates whether you are commercial and thus must abide by State and Federal motor carrier (commercial) regulations. But the WEIGHT is what dictates the operator license class required, REGARDLESS OF USE, unless exempted specifically (such as fire truck, some agricultural, military, etc.).
Confusing the OPERATOR LICENSE REQUIREMENTS with USE may provide information the leads someone to assume they do not require a CDL by use, when they sure do by weight. Hopefully everyone does their own due diligence and checks their home state regulations - but most States seem to have adopted the federal standards when it comes to LICENSES, and that is how I have stated Florida requirements.
The weight issue does not seem to be one that is interpreted on the side of the road as often as the USE - which can then trigger a whole host of additional requirements. Weight may require the LICENSE, but USE will dictate the "commercial" designation.
The "license" doesn't dictate the commercial designation - the use does.
Check out your state, some exempt RVS, others don't. TX has a non-commercial class A that has requirements no where near the non-commercial class A that CA issues.. And the 26,000 pound ceiling is not actual weight of the combo, it is the sum of the GVWRs of the TV and trailer. A duelly with a GVWR of 12,000 hooked to a 5er with a GVWR of 16,000 requires the operator to have a class A of some type in almost all states.
Greentow wrote: The 26K weight factor applies ONLY in the commercial world, as in hauling for hire. Think of all those BIG Class A's out there. I doubt that 1 in a hundred drivers even have more than a standard D/L, much less a CDL of any kind.
Lee
Wrong! Here is a cut and paste from the Nevada DMV website. Attention RV, Boat & Trailer Owners! You need a Class A or B license to drive vehicles 26,000 pounds or heavier. You also need additional license endorsements to tow multiple trailers or trailers in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Link
The highway patrol is enforcing the laws now, more than ever, as it's easy revenue.
You would be surprised how many of us have class A's to avoid problems.
Get a MDT or HDT, you will potentially save money and definetely be more comfortable.
On most of our Pickup Trucks, the GVWR is under 13k lbs... The GVCWR is under 23000 lbs.. When registering a pickup for PERSONAL USE, I registered mine at 5900 lbs... There is no need to declare weight on a non commercial use personal pickup, van or car...
To the OP's question, I towed a 16K GVWR 5th wheel through New Mexico, Colorado and small parts of Arizona with a Ford F350 with Tow Boss. It's a dually and the 5th wheel usually weighed "only" 15,500 or so, but that setup stayed within all ratings.
Pulled just fine, only issue was to watch the turbo temps on long uphill pulls.
FWIW, over the years, I saw that same trailer towed by all 3 makes of duallys plus the F350 SRW. Guy I met in Amarillo had towed the same trailer many, many miles with his C3500 dually and was really happy with the pulling power and stability.
A 450/550 would not be necessary, might provide some higher degree of ease on the truck.
CRL
Temporarily (6! years & counting)displaced Alaskan
My Other RV is a 1946 PA-12
Take a look at the Ford F450 pickup. Bigger brakes, bigger axle and bigger springs. It will pull and stop your load without coming close to maxing it out. You can't have too big of a truck.
Yeah, I'd wonder more about braking than whether a truck can pull it. If there is a truck that is similar to what you want but would provide better brakes, I'd likely buy that one. It's my understanding that the F450 has better brakes than the F350 and therefore I'd buy the F450.
I tow 15K with a 450. Was looking at 350s but discovered they had same brakes as the 250 so I went with the 450. Also I don't intend to buy another truck but may end up with larger trailer if I decide to go full time.
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