Most states do require an endowment for towing over 10000 pounds. California requires an endorsement for all fifth wheel trailers and a non commercial class a for any trailer or fifth wheel over 10000 pounds. Most people just pull their trailer and don’t ever look into what’s required. It’s all good until they crash and are denied by their insurance company because they were unlicensed or they get pulled over and their rig gets towed. Our setup is very similar to yours. Identical truck and our trailer is about 17000 pounds loaded. We added airbags to keep the truck level when towing. I rigged up solenoids to completely empty the bags when empty . Keeps the truck from bucking with no weight on the rear axle. Three other must haves are a dashcam, onboard air, and an air horn.
Great video JAM PACKED full of good information. Stumbled on you alls channel as we are about to become new RiverStone owners as well. Look forward to seeing more from you all.
Excellent video Mike. I've been driving tractor trailers for the past 36 years and been camping since I was a child. One thing I will not do is back someone else's camper for them. I will help them while I'm out side of there vehicle. Too much liability to be blamed for these days.
Chris, thank you! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. One never knows these for sure. Thanks again for watching and leaving a comment. Safe travels!
In Hellinoiz, you can get a non-commercial Class-A license. I absolutely believe RV'ers should have the appropriate licenses. Hell, half of the folks I see towing big trailers (with F-250's/2500's, or SRW F-350's/3500's) probably shouldn't be driving the pickup trucks WITHOUT the trailers!!! Same thing with these folks giving people horrible advise in the forums!!! If you don't know what the capacities of your truck are (not just tow capacity, but payload/tongue weight capacity), and the weight/capacity of your trailer is, you have NO business driving down the road!!! I am selling my old 31'/12k/5th-wheel trailer, and have refused to sell it to several folks that did not have an appropriate vehicle to tow it with. Like I always say.....It's all fine, until it's not....
Towing a 46'/21,000# 5th-wheel, with my 2019 F-450, I'm getting between 7.8-9mpg. Lots of things effect that, such as speed (drops off fast over 65mph), terrain, weather, and head-winds. Speed is usually the biggest factor. I believe it's supposed to be required that they post the heights, if it's under 14'. I don't rely on that, and would rather err on the side of caution. It's cheaper and a lot less headaches that way! 😆
Tail swing is a big issue with my 3-axle rig. Takes some getting used to, and requires a lot of paying attention to. I installed side & rear cameras, which help a lot when I'm travelling solo. I always ask the campground if they can spot me in addition to that. I have been to campgrounds where they said "Sure, you'll fit!", and others that said "No way you'll fit." Guess what? I didn't fit in the one they said I could, and fit perfectly fine in the one they said I wouldn't fit into!!! Never rely on the info you get from the campground. The people telling you if you will fit or not, have most likely NEVER pulled a big rig... Google Maps/Earth is your friend... A 45' Class A is a lot easier than a 46' toy hauler! When you add the length of the truck, my overall length is about 62'... My understanding is that your home state rules apply as well, when traveling out of state. In Hellinoiz, that is over 16,000# CGVWR, or a trailer that is over 10,000# GVWR.
I live in Pennsylvania, here a non-commercial class A is required for towables and class B for single vehicle based on the weight. I had to get a non-commercial class A to haul my toy hauler. There was no written test for con-commercial but I had to take the same road test. They excluded pre-trip inspection for some reason but I wasn’t new to towing and I did read the book. Air brake wasn’t required either. Even if you are not required to get one of these permits, reading the CDL manual has lots of great info. PA is not the only state FYI. Maryland, Texas and others require it. Now you are only required to have it if the state you live in requires it. I highly recommend you check your state of residence laws because if you are required to have these "unicorn" permits and a cop who knows the laws catches you without it, you are in big trouble. I say unicorn because very few people know about these permits, even PennDOT looked at me like I had 3 heads when I asked for a non-commercial class A application.
Peter, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Yah, laws change quickly and people may not even be aware of it. Thanks again for leaving a comment and watching!
I 100% believe that drivers that will tow the larger RV's should be required to take some sort of lessons, permits.. I actually carry my CDL - A license with the following endorsements : Doubles / Triples / tankers / HazMat / passenger bus/ Motorcycle. It is scary to think that there are a bunch of us ( RV'rs ) towing large RVs' with absolutely no idea what they should be doing at first.... As far as pre-trip.... Start at drivers front tire and work a circle....... cover everything...
Joey, thank you for sharing your thoughts. You’ve got a lot of endorsements, that’s great! Safe travels and thanks again for watching and leaving a comment.
Mark, the Alcoa’s came with my truck from the dealership, that’s why I referred to them as “factory” but you’re right about the chromed steel. Thanks again for watching!
This is what we hope for
Most states do require an endowment for towing over 10000 pounds. California requires an endorsement for all fifth wheel trailers and a non commercial class a for any trailer or fifth wheel over 10000 pounds. Most people just pull their trailer and don’t ever look into what’s required. It’s all good until they crash and are denied by their insurance company because they were unlicensed or they get pulled over and their rig gets towed. Our setup is very similar to yours. Identical truck and our trailer is about 17000 pounds loaded. We added airbags to keep the truck level when towing. I rigged up solenoids to completely empty the bags when empty . Keeps the truck from bucking with no weight on the rear axle. Three other must haves are a dashcam, onboard air, and an air horn.
I totally feel that training should be required.
Steve, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Training is always a good thing. Appreciate you watching and leaving a comment.
Great video JAM PACKED full of good information. Stumbled on you alls channel as we are about to become new RiverStone owners as well. Look forward to seeing more from you all.
Thank you! Congrats! I hope you enjoy your Riverstone!
Excellent video Mike. I've been driving tractor trailers for the past 36 years and been camping since I was a child. One thing I will not do is back someone else's camper for them. I will help them while I'm out side of there vehicle. Too much liability to be blamed for these days.
Chris, thank you! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. One never knows these for sure. Thanks again for watching and leaving a comment. Safe travels!
In Hellinoiz, you can get a non-commercial Class-A license. I absolutely believe RV'ers should have the appropriate licenses. Hell, half of the folks I see towing big trailers (with F-250's/2500's, or SRW F-350's/3500's) probably shouldn't be driving the pickup trucks WITHOUT the trailers!!! Same thing with these folks giving people horrible advise in the forums!!! If you don't know what the capacities of your truck are (not just tow capacity, but payload/tongue weight capacity), and the weight/capacity of your trailer is, you have NO business driving down the road!!! I am selling my old 31'/12k/5th-wheel trailer, and have refused to sell it to several folks that did not have an appropriate vehicle to tow it with. Like I always say.....It's all fine, until it's not....
Towing a 46'/21,000# 5th-wheel, with my 2019 F-450, I'm getting between 7.8-9mpg. Lots of things effect that, such as speed (drops off fast over 65mph), terrain, weather, and head-winds. Speed is usually the biggest factor.
I believe it's supposed to be required that they post the heights, if it's under 14'. I don't rely on that, and would rather err on the side of caution. It's cheaper and a lot less headaches that way! 😆
Tail swing is a big issue with my 3-axle rig. Takes some getting used to, and requires a lot of paying attention to. I installed side & rear cameras, which help a lot when I'm travelling solo. I always ask the campground if they can spot me in addition to that. I have been to campgrounds where they said "Sure, you'll fit!", and others that said "No way you'll fit." Guess what? I didn't fit in the one they said I could, and fit perfectly fine in the one they said I wouldn't fit into!!! Never rely on the info you get from the campground. The people telling you if you will fit or not, have most likely NEVER pulled a big rig... Google Maps/Earth is your friend...
A 45' Class A is a lot easier than a 46' toy hauler! When you add the length of the truck, my overall length is about 62'... My understanding is that your home state rules apply as well, when traveling out of state. In Hellinoiz, that is over 16,000# CGVWR, or a trailer that is over 10,000# GVWR.
Ooman, thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts and concerns. - Michael
If you have a TPMS you can check all your tire pressures with that
I live in Pennsylvania, here a non-commercial class A is required for towables and class B for single vehicle based on the weight. I had to get a non-commercial class A to haul my toy hauler. There was no written test for con-commercial but I had to take the same road test. They excluded pre-trip inspection for some reason but I wasn’t new to towing and I did read the book. Air brake wasn’t required either. Even if you are not required to get one of these permits, reading the CDL manual has lots of great info. PA is not the only state FYI. Maryland, Texas and others require it. Now you are only required to have it if the state you live in requires it. I highly recommend you check your state of residence laws because if you are required to have these "unicorn" permits and a cop who knows the laws catches you without it, you are in big trouble. I say unicorn because very few people know about these permits, even PennDOT looked at me like I had 3 heads when I asked for a non-commercial class A application.
Peter, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Yah, laws change quickly and people may not even be aware of it. Thanks again for leaving a comment and watching!
Mike “game changer” lol
😂
I 100% believe that drivers that will tow the larger RV's should be required to take some sort of lessons, permits.. I actually carry my CDL - A license with the following endorsements : Doubles / Triples / tankers / HazMat / passenger bus/ Motorcycle. It is scary to think that there are a bunch of us ( RV'rs ) towing large RVs' with absolutely no idea what they should be doing at first....
As far as pre-trip.... Start at drivers front tire and work a circle....... cover everything...
Joey, thank you for sharing your thoughts. You’ve got a lot of endorsements, that’s great! Safe travels and thanks again for watching and leaving a comment.
In Ontario you require a restricted class a license for towing trailer over 10000#
7.3 ⛽️ for the win 🏆 🏆 🏆
Hey Chad! Yes, 7.3 mpg was the winner! 😀
Factory rims aren't Alcoa. They're chromed steel from a vendor in China. Real Alcoa rims are a lot lighter because they're aluminium.
Mark, the Alcoa’s came with my truck from the dealership, that’s why I referred to them as “factory” but you’re right about the chromed steel. Thanks again for watching!
@@mkexp. Love the channel and the F450!
@@marksr1907 Thank you! We appreciate you following along with us.
The last thing we need is government overreach into our recreational time. Anna and subscribe now
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
ສຸດຍອດລົດຂະໝາດໃຫ່ຍ
Чё Русский забыл язык??? ПУТИН ТОП👈👈👈