Just how powerful are they?

wny_pat wrote:

nevadanick wrote:
I now have a CDL with doubles and triples endorsement and dont worry about it no matter where i go as long as i know the state i am traveling in allows doubles.

But in all reality, your CDL reverts to being a regular drivers license when you are not driving a interstate commercial vehicle. And boy are your opening up yourself to a can of worms if you are doing something a non commercial driver with proper RV endorsements can't do, like pulling doubles or triples. One of these days some LEO is going to decide to throw the book at you, and it will be, as us old time truck drivers call it, "longer than a witch's dream"!!!

I agree with this statement 100%, I'm a retired interstate commercial vehicle driver 44 years OTR experience!

Gordon I own a gas powered Winnebago, 8.1 Vortec 496 cubic inch engine and I tow with ease when traveling! A friend of mine owns a Travel Supreme DP with a 525 HP Cummins and he passes me on hills with ease!

nevadanick wrote:
I now have a CDL with doubles and triples endorsement and dont worry about it no matter where i go as long as i know the state i am traveling in allows doubles.

But in all reality, your CDL reverts to being a regular drivers license when you are not driving a interstate commercial vehicle. And boy are your opening up yourself to a can of worms if you are doing something a non commercial driver with proper RV endorsements can't do, like pulling doubles or triples. One of these days some LEO is going to decide to throw the book at you, and it will be, as us old time truck drivers call it, "longer than a witch's dream"!!!

ferndaleflyer wrote:
I am about 72ft long when towing, not double, and have been all over the East in many states where the limit is 60-65ft and never been questioned. For one thing many, including feds, exempt motor homes or RVs.....here in NC the limit is 90ft and I don't think it is that long any where in the country. NASCAR has clout!

You can legally tow longer than 65' foot in California, but there are requirements for it. I think it requires a permit and then there are road restrictions and other such things. At certain lengths and widths you have to have pilot cars. So it can be done, but I doubt too many people are going to the effort for RV's.

RayChez wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:

prism wrote:

Executive wrote:
So much misinformation...so little time....:S.....:B...Dennis

If you know so much what,s the misinformation? Iam wanting to know and learn.I want to tow a 28 ft trailer to california but was told not to (over 65 ft) ?? yet texan says he triple tows 74 feet all over the country??

California has a 65' foot limit, however, I have seen rigs that were obviously longer. Does that make it legal? No, it just means that a law enforcement officer who cares to enforce that particular law hasn't stopped them. But get in a serious accident and they will be checking all those things.

California does have a 65'length limit if you are registered in California, BUT! my understanding is that if you come from a state that does not have that law, and you come into the state pulling a long trailer with your coach that they will not give you a ticket.

You can also tow three long if there is a fifth wheel involved in the threesome. Truck, fifth wheel trailer and boat.

Like already mentioned, there are some laws that have no reciprocity between states. Size and weight limits being one as well as what you can and can't tow. California's double towing law used to say the first trailer had to be a 5th wheel and the second could only be a boat on a trailer. I'm not sure what it says now, but I'm pretty sure the second trailer being a boat no longer applies. I had heard stories of CHP stopping people who were not in compliance from out of state and making them drop off one trailer while taking the other to their destination and coming back for the one they left.

HEY Dennis, Are you dying if laughter yet?

This thread needs to be closed. I give it my vote for the thread of the year containing the most misinformation. I am a Certified Safety Director at a transportation company and have been for 25 years. I don't know where to begin. It would take a hour of typing to respond to all of the incorrect comments.

The OP's question was answered many times about how powerful are the DP motorhomes. He did not ask about length or DL requirements.

To answer the OP, the answer is yes a diesel pusher has plenty of power to tow what you just saw if it is flat country. Might have some problems on real long grades over 6% climb.

Nick,

Are you aware that your CDL has absolutely NO standing when driving a non-commercial vehicle?

Are you also aware that a CDL is not valid UNLESS you have on your person a valid DOT physical card?

Jim

As a retired LEO, I did a lot of research on this and believe me, it is the law. NV does recognize my ID drivers license for RV double towing and I checked with the NV SP in Reno, just to be sure. Now, go to a state that does NOT allow RV doubles, like most of the east coast and my license means nothing, as it is against the law for ANYONE to tow RV doubles.

EX:
CA DRIVER LICENSING for DOUBLE TRAILERS - CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS

12804.9. (b) ..., any applicant for a driver's license shall be required to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive:
(1) Class A includes the following:
(A) Any combination of vehicles, if any vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds.
(B) Any vehicle towing more than one vehicle.
(C) ...

15278. (a) A driver is required to obtain an endorsement issued by the department to operate any commercial motor vehicle that is any of the following: (1) A double trailer. (2) ...

To apply for a commercial driver license, see this DMV web site: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/commercial/commercial.htm.

DRIVER LICENSING for DOUBLE TRAILERS - NONRESIDENTS

12502. (a) The following persons may operate a motor vehicle in this state without obtaining a driver's license under this code: (1) A nonresident over the age of 18 years having in his or her immediate possession a valid driver's license issued by a foreign jurisdiction of which he or she is a resident, ....

(b) Any person entitled to the exemption contained in subdivision (a), while operating, within this state, a commercial vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, shall have in his or her possession a current medical
In summary, nonresidents may tow two trailers with a non-commercial license IF their base state allows it. However, they would still need a valid medical certificate per 12502 CVC.