Good reasons NOT to go with 5er over TT....

Personally I've towed both a 30ft TT and a 30ft 5th wheel, with my Ram and the 5th wheel pulls much easier/nicer/smoother loaded or empty than did the 30ft TT.

I have maintained my CDL even after my retirement as one would think "WHO KNOWS" if i would ever need it for something. So often thought about those people that drive or pull big stuff if some day a requirement would be in the works. I guess for me, i will do some checking on it. But good info, thanks! Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !

N-Trouble wrote:
Bet 99% of those on the road towing 5er under 15K lbs only have a Class-C and nothing else. Yes these laws are on the books but highly overlooked and rarely enforced.

Agreed. But it would be just my luck to be pulled over by that ONE CHP officer who knows the law.

I just got my restriction 41 stamp last month. I was fortunate to get a DMV clerk that had "heard" about it. Even so, it took her, another clerk and their supervisor to find the right test and process it correctly.

The intent of my post wasn't to necessarily draw attention to the law, itself, as much as the possible DIFFERENT license requirements as they apply to 5ers vs. TTs (at least in CA).

Bet 99% of those on the road towing 5er under 15K lbs only have a Class-C and nothing else. Yes these laws are on the books but highly overlooked and rarely enforced.

Be aware of driver license requirements for the different kinds of trailers. In California, for example:

1) A TT rated with a GVWR over 10,000lbs requires a class A non-commercial license (health questionnaire, written test, skills test).

2) A 5th wheel trailer rated with a GVWR between 10,000lbs and 15,000lbs requires an endorsement (actually called "restriction 41") on your class C license (written test). 5th wheels over 15,000lbs require a class A non-commercial license.

It could be that California is the only state with these laws, but it would be worth checking out your state's requirements.

Thanks for the thoughts. This has been fun to read.

Happytraveler wrote:
The only thing my sister hates about her 5th wheel are the high ceilings and it came with two air conditioners and a very pretty ceiling fan. When the outside temps gets over 100 degrees they have a very hard time keeping the inside cool. To help with the problem she bought 2 fans to circulate the air inside and outside window coverings.

I have high ceilings and 3 AC's with the temps at 120 here in SoCal 75 was not hard to maintain. The 3rd AC was worth EVERY penny!

Personally I like the 5er's, they keep the tree limbs cleared so I don't hit them and damage my TT.

The only thing my sister hates about her 5th wheel are the high ceilings and it came with two air conditioners and a very pretty ceiling fan. When the outside temps gets over 100 degrees they have a very hard time keeping the inside cool. To help with the problem she bought 2 fans to circulate the air inside and outside window coverings.

saw a couple mentions but the ONLY problem I have with our 5er is the sheer height of it. ripped the antenna off twice now. having that S-O-B removed!
been to several GC's that I won't have a chance to stay in simply because the trees aren't trimmed up enough. other than that wouldn't trade for anything else.

safe travels