LLeopold
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Re: California DL towing an Exactly 10,000 lb GVWR trailer
A few years ago, I went through adding a restriction (yes, I said restriction) upgrade in California for my RV endorsement. Read on. For California, one can tow a fifth-wheel 10,000 lbs or less with a Class C (standard) license. 10,001 to 15,000 lbs. requires an RV endorsement, but the key words to ask the DMV is "Restriction 41", which is the endorsement. This endorsement requires a non-commercial Class A written test, but not the road test, nor the medical form. The DMV workers do not know what the RV endorsement is, but they do know what Restriction 41 is, so if you go for this, make sure that you use these words, otherwise you'll be there for 2-3 hours like I was while they look it up and argue with you that there is no such thing (even though I showed them the manual from the web site). 15,001 and over requires a non-commercial Class A license, which includes the written test, a road test with trailer (and I found there might be a parallel parking portion with trailer - a former moderator DianneOK had this happen to her a few years ago, and a medical form submittal every two years. Finally, if you want to double tow (tow vehicle, fifth-wheel, boat trailer), you must get a Commercial Class A with the double towing endorsement. There is no non-commercial license for this type of towing in California. The precise wording on the back of my Class C CA drivers license read as follows: CLASS C - Veh w/GVWR <= 26000. NO M/C ENDORSEMENTS: None RESTRICTIONS: 41-ClassA restricted to operating fifth-wheel travel trailer between 10,001 and 15,000 GVWR There was no cost to add the endorsement and it was renewed automatically when my CA license expired. So, if you're at that "edge" of 10,000 and 10,001, go for the endorsement and sleep well at night. PS: Now that I'm living in Colorado and awaiting my DMV appointment (December was the earliest appointment I could get), I'm checking into CO RV endorsements along the same line.1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Fighting zoning ordinances that hurt RV owners
A few years ago, Good Sam published a parking rights handbook to assist RV owners in working with their HOA and community establish or modify rules that were more equitable. The handbook may be found here. Part of being a Good Sam member is to work with your local chapter to work with the HOA or community. Behind the local chapter is the national Good Sam members who know the "rights and privileges." Of course, there may be resistance, but with every noble cause, working within the system and patience goes a long way. Hope this helps.762Views0likes0CommentsRe: want to put my rv into rental agency, which one is best?
For those of us who live in coastal communities and have frequent interactions with those who RV and those who boat (and those who have both), there are commonalities between the two hobbies and there are also obvious differences. I, myself, have rented boats (not yachts, but 40 foot pleasure craft with sleeping and eating accommodations) and do appreciate the same level of pleasure of "camping" on the water as well as on land and treated the rental with the same courtesy and respect as my own RV. I'll let the boat posts stand and, while it is nice to compare and contrast the two, it would behoove us to stay on the RV side of the topic.538Views0likes0CommentsRe: Making the jump from tent camping to RVing
Let's keep the rhetoric and getting personal to am minimum and stay on topic, please. I sanitized a few posts, but will not hesitate to close the thread or recommend a "time-out" if members cannot restrain themselves. First notification...748Views0likes0CommentsRe: New to RV'ing
I'm querying the forum administration on bloggers promoting their web log site as opposed to fully commercial web site promoters. We have had bloggers post their experiences and travels in the past on this forum and even provided ideas and suggestions for products and services they used (within their site, not on the forum, though it is not against the forum rules to share your experience and the product you personally used). I've reviewed mycamperfriend's profile and blog. The reason why this is not so "cut and dry" is that mycampingfriend has not posted any promotional information directly in the threads, and has participated as with any other member in various areas; well within the Forum Rules. After reviewing mycamperfriend's blog, based on the link in their sig however, there is a section entitled "Product List" that explicitly states, "We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates." and while the products listed are items that the blogger has used, it does run in a grey area in that they are benefiting financially through the affiliation with Amazon and the affiliated sites. So, until I get a decision from the forum administration about this, I'm letting their post and sig stand.453Views0likes0CommentsRe: Fifthwheel supports
Bought one when I purchased my FW back in 2001. Used it less than 5 times and threw it as a "sweetener" in when I sold it in 2017. As was said, the front jacks and rear stabilizing jacks extended just enough to take the weight off the tires (do not raise the tires off the ground entirely) and using wheel chocks was enough to make my FW rock-solid.326Views0likes0CommentsRe: New laws and guns/ammo in California
All: While I cleaned up a number of offensive posts, I will remind every member that we have Forum Rules that will be enforced. While there are those who cite the first amendment as their "right" to post what they want, I want to remind you that this is not the U.S. government for whom the Constitution and Bill of Rights was written for, not a privately sponsored forum. This is *not* a city street corner nor public sidewalk for protesters. This forum is similar to a corporate building with a number of conference rooms and those visiting must adhere to the rules and protocols of the corporation (i.e. the Forum Rules). If you cannot help yourself to stay on topic, don't post at all. The OP asked a legitimate question and I'll permit the thread to remain open, but I will not be a referee. If the thread degrades again, I will be forced to close it and recommend those who cannot help themselves to be restricted from posting in this and other areas of the forum until they can abide by the Forum Rules. 'Nuff said. Thank you for your cooperation.271Views0likes0Comments
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