I have a Class A CDL, and have seen a lot while driving throughout the US. This is something I have thought of and would like to see one day. This is a personal opinion only. I hate big brother telling me what to do, but I would concede if it meant keeping unqualified drivers from pulling something they know nothing about.

Knowing driver's licensing, passenger or commercial, is up to each individual state per the federal government, I wish every state would require an endorsement for passenger driver's licenses in order to tow a trailer, of any kind. What would be inclusive, be it a class, a booklet, a test, etc. about weight distribution, weight capacities, brakes, required equipment, etc. is another topic. Nonetheless, the idea is for the general population to be a little more knowledgeable before pulling something behind them. Granted, there would be a fee, but let's assume it's small.

Many states' law enforcement agencies do a fair job at catching trailers in tow with inadequate equipment, poorly secured loads, and the typical lack of working brake lights, etc. Some, however, like mine, do not. Some folks really have no clue what their doing, many however do.

What's your opinion, and more importantly... why?

 

My biggest issue is the amount of ignorance RVers seem to exercise. We'll just hook up and go to the lake! Well, a little dakota PU hauling 4000lb boat isn't wise, but it can be done and safely. My buddy has been doing it for years. Yet the uneducated seem to think they can just get in and drive, not having towed before. They only seem to think that it's a matter of getting the load moving. Sorry guys: you have to stop that load sometime!

Another issue is when the ignorant don't bother maintaining their tow vehicle, specifically the brakes, the trailer brakes, tires, etc.
Or, when the salesman sells an older couple a 35' 5th wheel to be towed by their F150, knowing the F150 won't handle the weight.

I think there needs to be some sort of accountability on ALL fronts. I too don't like big brother. Yet, he is a necessary evil at times.

Just some quick thoughts before heading out...

Tony

 

yea their should be something because i see so many people towing with stuff that just aint right.

 

Actually it all boils down to common sense // the gov. lacks it, a lot of people lack it.. so I guess we will pay for everyones stupidity with higher insurance premiums.. That is the benefit to good forums like this one as it allows people access to good common sense information..

AS for more gov. regulation I SAY NO...look what the feds did with the sleeper birth idea in the quad cab trucks.. heck those looked pretty comfy to me..They would rather have you dead in the ditch than to be sleeping in your truck

 

Here in BC we need an endorsement if the trailer is over 4600Kg (that's 10,120 lbs - yep, we gained an extra 120 pounds for free when they converted everything to metric. )

Or... we can go for a couple different commercial drivers licenses. The cool thing about the trailer endorsement (cool, as in lack of red tape) is that once you have it... you have it for life. No retesting, medicals, etc.

It's not hard to get 5th wheels or toy haulers over 10,000 lbs.... yet you talk to these clowns and they have no idea about the endorsement.

Since anything under 5500Kg (12,100 lbs) doesn't need to stop at the scale, these guys keep trucking along.....

 

I think everyone should have to pull a trailer as part of the road test to get a regular driver's license. I think it's far too easy to get a license, and many who do really aren't capable of handling a motor vehicle. Having to pass a road test, including backing and parking with a trailer, would weed out those who were incapable of picking up that skill, but those capable of learning would be all the better for it.

 

I have a class one and I have to do a medical every five years. If you drive even a taxi you have to do the medical.Use to be ya had to p in the bottle but that is no more. Must have been too many hac drivers not making that test

 

Gov regulation is why everything is so expensive. I don't need or want Gov. approval to live my life and perform the tasks I perform throughout that life. Everything they add to their regulation list gives them the excuse to add millions of our dollars to their taxation without representation plan.

 

Absoulutly anyone who pulls a trailer of anykind anywhere should have to qualify before they could get one. Now I can hear the RV & boat industery crying allready, but after over 2 million otr miles the stupid things I've seen happy-campers do could fill a book bigger than war & peace, & they should have to stop at scales for a rectal exam just as through as the ones the state makes for me.

 

So you want a special exemption for you but don't have a problem with truckers being discriminated against, just a thought but wasn't america founded on the principle of EQUAL RIGHTS for all it's citizens?

 

I think that in order to title and register your trailer you would have to show competency in towing a vehicle. Your child when they apply for their driver's license have to show basic competency, does anyone think that is a bad idea. After seeing people pulling oversized trailers with undersized vehicles in horrendous conditions that the commercial truckers will not drive in, something has to be done. Imagine if it is you and not "someone" that is injured by an idiot that had no idea about towing.

Example: My 79 year old father had his driver's license yanked by the state because he could not drive safely. He blamed the observer for putting him into a situation that "caused" him to do a foolish act. WRONG!!! Driving is a full time job and you need to be competent to be allowed to have the priviledge to drive. Needless to say my father was a terrible driver at 79 and we all slept better after he lost his license. Fortunately he did not drive when we were in the vehicle, even his own. Towing a trailer is a priviledge not a right!

L8r,........dogger

 

I don't think the Government should be involved with the trucking industry either. Not sure where you pulled that one from. The Government should do what the Constitution says they should do and nothing else. Afterall the Government has chosen to not be involved with the mexican truckers they are going to be allowing over the border. Without the over regulation our poly-tick-shuns impose on the US citizens the Mexican truckers will probably take over the industry in a couple of years. If everyone gets every piece of regulation passed in this country they want passed we won't have to worry about working, driving, towing a trailer or living for the matter. Welcome to Socialism/Communism we are closer than you think already. Heck go ahead and pass 100 new regulations and make it cost more to live in this country we are all rich anyway right.

 

B I N G O

We have a winner here..

The county I live in just tripled its user fees for oil & gas wells... they say it is to offset the ever increasing demands for their services to maintain roads ect..

The kicker.. the funds get siphoned off to non oilfield related projects.

Between the greed of the State and Counties some of the majors are talking about pulling out of future projects... Greed ya got love it!!

 

That isn't a bad idea, except... What do you do when you work for a company that has an equipment trailer that really anyone could tow, despite whether or not they know how to or should. Or, if someone uses someone else's trailer with an SUV that's too small? Uhaul... there's another issue altogether.

I wish there was a way around the money issue. But, I would pay for an endorsement on my license (except, I already have a Class A) if it meant keeping those who shouldn't be towing from pulling a trailer. I don't even use my CDL anymore, but I keep it current.

You are right though. Driving is a privilege, not a right afforded by just living here.

 

I'm not asking for a political opinion on the subject, however everyone's thoughts are welcomed. However, excessive politics will get this closed from Admin. I'm interested in alternative ideas here.

Please keep political opinions simplistic, and to a minimum.