Pdepperschmidt

People with long trailers are typically hauling something expensive to shows, events, races, etc. It's about money. If the race people can't bring their equipment without hassle, that race/ car show/ event may not last long. Even the small rigs will get the picture that RV's are targets in that state. It does not have to be true. Rumors and myths are much more powerful than the truth. There is a rig here that is about the same length as mine. He is carrying a car worth more than his very expensive coach. We discussed the licenses and he had never heard of them. He has been hauling these types of things around Texas for the last 10 years.

Yes, they could. Then the word would get out that they enforce these types of violations and the RV's start to avoid those states and areas taking their money with them. My guess is that is why you rarely hear of them being enforced. Not all states have the same restrictions. They had the same issue with aircraft in a lot of states. Some money hungry states would try to charge sales/property tax for the aircraft when it was in a local shop for repairs. The easy answer is, don't go there. Many states backed off when they realized it was putting people out of business.

Based on what you are posting, I have already done everything that would be required for a Class A other than the air brakes test. As you suggest I will go in to the office in Kilgore to see what they think I need. We will be staying at Fernbrook RV Park that is about 2 miles from that office for a couple of weeks. And we have friends with trucks and trailers locally that they may allow us to borrow. I will let everyone know what I find out.

Our recent Class B test did not include anything on air brakes. It was all about the Chapter 14 Special requirements. This was in Marble Falls. In the skills test the examiner did want to see that the air brakes came up to full pressure. But I bet that was more about his hide than a test.

Good question. Placard is 12K. Actual should be a little over 11K. Trailer is 5K, Jeep is 5K. Plane is 820#s. Then the additional things in the trailer. But honestly, I don't know how much the extra things weight. My guess is 5-700#. We are headed to Livingston next week to get some weights on everything. Based on that I could be jettisoning things from the trailer. From the beginning I knew it would be right at the limit. Towing with the Jeep (Trailhawk 5.7L engine) is also close. It is rated for 7200# towing and 1200# tongue weight with 6800 GVWR. Betting on 6600 on the trailer w Plane and no Jeep. Should be a few hundred pounds under GVWR. But the plan with the Jeep is short hauls or positioning the trailer. Long hauls are with the Coach. Also watching the totals on the Newmar. My guess is we are well under the weights for cargo. But that is why we are headed to Livingston.

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Would a dually pickup have a GVWR over 26,000 #s? I thought that was the requirement for the tow vehicle to push it in to a Class A? Someone today suggested I go the other direction and use another trailer. It would have to have a GVWR over 10K, but that would not likely be difficult. Something like this. GVWR of 10K.

My assumption going in is that I will have to take the Chapter 6 test on Combination Vehicles. That was not part of the Class B test we took. I have been practicing online and it should not be difficult to pass. Besides, there is good information in it. My other assumption is that I will have to take the skills test hauling the trailer. So here is a twist. Our combined trailer and motor home length is 75'. The maximum Texas length is 65'. Over almost 2 years of investigation I have yet to find a story of someone in an RV being pulled over and ticketed for length in Texas. (Or any other state for that matter) But I will be pulling up to take a test in a rig that is 10' longer than legal. If I point it out they will surely have a problem with it. Will they figure it out and refuse to give the test? Will they miss it or ignore it? If they refuse, it would seem I will simply have to run with a Class B and hope it is never noticed. Considering the vast percentage of Texas RV'rs who don't even know they are supposed to be licensed (ran in to 5 in the last 2 days), that would likely put me in significant company. Honestly, the only reason we are working the licenses is for insurance. The chances of actually being pulled over are lottery odds. But if they won't allow the test there is not much point in starting the Class A process. In case anyone is wondering why in the world I would have such a trailer, this will help. www.blackpearladventures.com

I will check with them and let you know what I find out.

Agreed. I should have just gone to the Class A to start with. It does cover a lot that has nothing to do with what we are doing. But that is path to be legal.

Thanks David and Cheryl for your fantastic overview of the licensing process. Your article in the Escapees magazine is dog-eared and highlighted. It really helped prepare Karen and I for the testing. Ours was done in Marble Falls as we were staying at Sunset Point Resort. We both passed the written for the Class B Exempt without much fuss. I passed the skills test, but Karen needs to retest based on an affinity to kill curbs. She is timid on using both lanes in right turns to small 2 lane streets. In her case there were cars at the stop signs and she tried to cut it short to miss them. In my case I was dinged for not using a turn signal when starting the test and pulling away from the curb on the street where we were parked. I was also supposed to signal when pulling up to the curb again at the end of the test. I do have a question. What will it take to get a Class A exempt now that I have the Class B? We now will have a trailer that we will pull behind the 44 ft. Newmar Dutch Star that will put us in the Class A category. Is it effectively starting over?