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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Tow Vehicles -> GVWR
Post Info TOPIC: GVWR
Flashman


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GVWR
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Texas now requires a non-commercial Class A license if the rig exceeds 26k lbs.  My question: what is the rule of thumb for the added weight of 'stuff' (dishes, furniture, food, fuel, water, golf clubs, etc., etc.).  I know the only true way to determine the actual weight is to (drum roll, please....) take it a scale and weight it.  But I'm trying to figure if the dry weight is X, then what should I add to approximate whether or not I'm going to need this license?  Is 26k lbs ridiculously heavy and there are few rigs that weight that, or is easily possible to be there without a lot of effort?  This will be a high-end, 38+ ft rig and 1-ton dually.



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Bill and Linda


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Its real easy to add 2,000lbs of your “stuff” and then remember water weighs 8.3 lbs  per gallon.So even if you only carry 25 gallons of water plus 10 in the hot water tank that adds right at 300lbs right there in water alone. 

Very easy for a 1 ton truck with two people, extra fuel, hitch and tools to hit 8,500lbs+. That puts you over 26,000 lbs if the rig dry only weights 15,200 lbs.

Yep, pretty easy with even a modest size big rig to go over 26,000.

A lot of states are requiring a NON-commercial Class “A” license now.  Mine does.  Welcome to the club.

As a point of information, driving a vehicle with the wrong class of license is the same as driving with no license.  Just saying. . . .

Bill



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heyjohnm


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These license reqirements to my understanding are based on DOT guidelines to the states.  In most cases, if the state has adopted the DOT guidelines they are very similar,  in MD the Class A ( non commercial) license requirement applies if the gross vehicle weight rating of the 5th wheel plus the gross vehicle weight rating of the Truck exceeds 26,000 lbs. So, let's say the GVWR of your truck is 13,000 lbs, then if the GVWR of your proposed 38' 5th wheel exceeds 13,000 lbs you would need the Class A license to legally drive the rig. (How you have the rig loaded is not part of this determination.)”.   I would be surprised if the Texas license requirement is based on actual weght of the rig vs the GCVWR of the rig as that would surely present an enforcement issue.  



-- Edited by heyjohnm on Wednesday 17th of June 2015 05:29:38 PM

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Barbaraok


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Flashman wrote:

Texas now requires a non-commercial Class A license if the rig exceeds 26k lbs.  My question: what is the rule of thumb for the added weight of 'stuff' (dishes, furniture, food, fuel, water, golf clubs, etc., etc.).  I know the only true way to determine the actual weight is to (drum roll, please....) take it a scale and weight it.  But I'm trying to figure if the dry weight is X, then what should I add to approximate whether or not I'm going to need this license?  Is 26k lbs ridiculously heavy and there are few rigs that weight that, or is easily possible to be there without a lot of effort?  This will be a high-end, 38+ ft rig and 1-ton dually.

 Texas has required that for a LOOONG time, this is nothing new.  We got our Class A (we can tow over 10k) in 2006.  Normally it is a Class B for motor homes.  Same tests.  And it goes by Mfg listed weights not scale weights.    For diesel pusher motor homes it is a given that you will be over 26K.

How high end is your proposed 5th wheel?  You sure a 1 ton is enough truck?

Barb



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Flashman


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Thanks for clearing this up - the 26k is not the scale weight, but the total of the rating weights, so I don't need to worry about the 'stuff' weight.  Nevertheless, after adding those up, I see the weight can still exceed 26k without too much effort.  As to whether the 1-ton is enough, I think so, but more homework is required!  As I've read, 'you can never have too much truck'.  Well, maybe not, but the corrolary to that is 'you can never have too much money'.  The first requires the second.... 



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Bill and Linda


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My license, on the back, specifically says GVWR which means rating – not scale weight. Might take a little study but once you have the license your done with it and have no worries.

Dealing with the truck and trailer situation only, not a motorhome and getting kind of technical, most “one-ton” trucks now have a GCVWR of over 26,000lbs.  As I noted, even if one were to use scale weights it hard to stay below 26,000 with a dry weight trailer over 15,000 lbs plus the truck when you actually load it for travel with a 38’ fiver.

Pretty much says you will need a Class “A” non-CDL, IMO.



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Barbaraok


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Flashman wrote:

Thanks for clearing this up - the 26k is not the scale weight, but the total of the rating weights, so I don't need to worry about the 'stuff' weight.  Nevertheless, after adding those up, I see the weight can still exceed 26k without too much effort.  As to whether the 1-ton is enough, I think so, but more homework is required!  As I've read, 'you can never have too much truck'.  Well, maybe not, but the corrolary to that is 'you can never have too much money'.  The first requires the second.... 

 Or, you scale back a little on the 5er so that it matches the truck.

 

Barb

 



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Flashman


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Oh no Barb, I can't do that!  Won't be living in the truck...find the 5er we like and will live in, then buy the truck that will haul it.  Hopefully, it won't require a semi-tractor....



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DB
Barbaraok


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Yup, that's another option. Remember, it isn't whether a specific truck will pull the rig, it is whether it can STOP it.



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MarkS


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Flashman wrote:

Oh no Barb, I can't do that!  Won't be living in the truck...find the 5er we like and will live in, then buy the truck that will haul it.  Hopefully, it won't require a semi-tractor....

 I won't pull with anything less than a class 8 tractor. I don't know if that is a function of testosterone or the fact that it's paid for!



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RonC


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Mark ... the answer is YES

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Glenn West


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That class 8 is one sweet tow truck. Only draw back I know of is limiting number of rv parks.

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