Re: DMV Crackdown
 

I don't think so !!!!!!
Better check that again !!!!!
That fifth wheel weight is HEAVY............:-)

Re: DMV Crackdown
 

Utah has a whole set of other rules.
A few years back just before the fall Las Vegas national event everyone travelling in down I-70 from Colorado were being stopped if they were a pickup and fifth wheel trailer of any size. If the truck trailer combo was in excess of 12,000 lbs the Utah patrolman required a CDL. If no CDL was available from the driver tickets and shutdown was made on site. There just happened to be a CDL driver available for a price to drive the rig down the road to the state line. It was a setup from the word go and collected a lot of racers coming in from the east.
Some of the friends fought the tickets and won after the lawers fees. Others just paid.
If the states want to they can write the tickets for something. With public funds being short now those tickets are revenue.
My 2 Cents

Re: DMV Crackdown
 

It seems to me that the vast amount of differences from state to state is as much the issue as anything along with the states need for any revenue they can get right now.
I still contend that my state would not give me a CDL if I showed up to take the test with a vehicle with less than 26,000 GVW or some type of passenger bus. You have to take the test in the type of vehicle you will be "operating".

Re: DMV Crackdown
 

A tag along is what I was refering to. I should have been more definitive.
A fifth wheel is more like a semi trailer.

I could pull a fifth wheel but it would have to be really really light.

Re: DMV Crackdown
 

I Called MI department of truck safty today.And was told i need a CDL and all the other stuff all truck drivers need.
My truck has a GVWR of 11,500 the trailer a GVWR of 18,000= 29,500 LBS

They told me any trailer over GVWR of 10,000 needs a CDL
Anything with a Total combined GVWR of over 26,000 LBS needs a CDL

needing CDL includes log book and all the rest of the stuff Truck drivers need

Was also asked if i had a job Cuz if i work alot i my not even have the hours left to drive??????


forgot to ask about RV's

anyone in MI that wants to call and ask a few ?'s the number for Mich dept of truck safety is 1-800-682-4682

Re: DMV Crackdown
 

I bought a diesel pusher 40 ft motorhome in 2001 and talked to the local DMV (Texas) about what kind of license I needed. I was told at that time since it was an RV all I needed was a regular license.
I questioned the GVW due to the fact the weight was 31,000 and setup to pull a 10,000 lb trailer.
I pull a 28 ft alum trailer with a GVW of 8,000. That gets the combined weight to a possible 39,000 lbs.
All I could get out of them was it is a RV and nothing extra was needed. I was familar with the CDL requirements and the GVW requirements but they kept telling me RV's did not qualify.
I drive it now and have not yet had a problem but that day may be coming. I guess I will just claim to be dumb if questioned about it and fund the local government. I guess they need the money.
My 2 Cents

Re: DMV Crackdown
 

Sounds like these states are re-writing the federal motor carrier safety regulations...............0-26,000 lbs no cdl required.......26,001 & up cdl required.........26,001 & up with air brakes class b with air brake endorsement.........all pertain to commercial vehicles.........its not going to be legal to go camping pretty soon..........even the tolls are getting crazy...................years ago i pulled into a nj dmv check on rt #78 i had my suburban,2500 with a 24 ft. Haulmark trailer,with plackards, bills of laiding, ...carrying my own product, for non-profit racing & a log book..............the stateies got so flustered they didn't know what to do, and with an attitude, told me to get moving......

Re: DMV Crackdown
 

I talked today with the Indiana State Police DOT officer who is the head of our district. I wanted to find out what our state is looking at. I have a Dodge 3500 pulling a 48 foot Gooseneck with living quarters. The trailer is titled and plated as an RV. I have an 11000Lb plate on the truck. I need to weigh the truck but she said I was ok as long as the plate was above the actual weight of the truck. Being an RV the trailer was ok and exempt. But, hear comes the kicker. If you go to a race track and any money exchanges hands in anyway, that is considered commerce and you are considered a commercial vehicle. You must have Dot number, Class A CDL etc. As has been shown on here, if you are plating the trailer as a trailer, the 10000Lb GVWR of the trailer applies and you need all the DOT requirements. So it looks like we are as bad here as in any of the other states. The 10000Lb GVWR for trailers is DOT and has been on the books for some time now.
Not good news for sure. We'll have to hope that the DOT folks don't decide to look at all of the folks coming in next week. Good Luck!
Thanks!
MFR426

Re: DMV Crackdown
 

Good point, once again the catch 22 bites you......................i was just reading the new dragster.........and the good ole "effective immediately " rules for pit vehicles smacks you right in the face....all the don'ts & no do's.............................................t he very next page has a mc cormicks add for golf cart rentals at national events................................how many racers today don't have some type of pit vehicle support..................when it states that only those particpating at an event will be allowed to have a pit vehicle.......i don't know who's rules are more confusing....... State & federal dot / puc, or n.h.r.a's either way if we don't get beat getting to the track, we'll get beat at the track........................and yet we always figure out a way to go back & give them our money again...............and its all for " the wally ".........what a way to go..!!

Re: DMV Crackdown
 

Try this thought ...
IRS says its a hobby... Cops & DOT say its a commercial venture... If you get a ticket & get found guilty
of operating as a comercial vehical because you can win prize money.
Now you have proof its not a hobby....deduct all racing exspenses from your taxable income!!!