Beginning of March, I'm going to be going from NC to TX with a stop in central TN.. The way down there takes me through Tennessee, Arkansas, and Texas. The way back could potentially take me through LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, and NC, but the milage is nearly the same, I may just take the same way back.

My truck/trailer combo will be grossing ~20k (8k towed on a 32' goose (4k empty?))

I am tagged as "weighted" in NC, and do not have to stop at weigh stations. I do not have a Class A...yet. If I have time, i will get it before I leave.

Are there any easy resources to determine if I need to prepare for any state-by-state idiosynchrosies?

Thanks..

EDIT: forgot to mention.. NOT commercial. Personal stuff. Goose is 14k GVW

 

If you are commercial you must be 100% legal! and stop at all scales! If you are hauling your own stuff, you don't stop at scales but you still must have CDL, if truck gvw and trailer gvw are over 26k, if needed and be registered for the correct weights if you get stopped!

 

Does the edited info help any?

 

Actually you don't need a CDL for personal RV no matter the weight. For commerical purposes you would need a CDL (B) if your tow vehicle weighs over 26K and your towing under 10K. Otherwise No CDL for a lighter than 26K tow vehicle.

 

Plan your trip around the scales.

 

He's not towing a RV he's towing a 14k gvw gooseneck!! He needs a CDL A if the gvw of the truck and trailer combined is over 26k, regardless of commercial or private! If under 26k he doesn't need a CDL. He must also have his truck registered for the gvw of the truck and the gvw of the trailer, in PA the cost up to 26k is $405/year. You cannot pull any trailer over 10k unless you register your truck to do so!! RV's included!! YES I know 100's of people are illegal, but that doesn't make it OK.
Eskimo knows better now, so he has no excuse but to do it legally.

 

I was planning on getting my Class A (but not CDL, there is a difference in NC).

I am 110% sure I will NOT go over 26k GVW. My truck's GVW is 11 or 12k, and the trailer is 14k.

Calling the DMV now to see about registration fees.

EDIT: Good deal, looks like I can up my registration to 20k for the trip, then knock it back down when I return for what I normally need..

Really my questions more revolved around the OTHER states, i.e. TN, AR, TX... Do they have any funny requirements (such as needing to stop at the weigh stations though I'm not commercial, etc?

 

From what I understand here in KY is that, if you are legal in your state, then it will usually fly in others, I could be way wrong here.

I have a question for you northern guys (seems they have stricter laws).

I have farm tags that have a 26k limit. As long as I don't go over the manufacturers gvwr I can haul it. How would that fly in the north?, say I came up there to pick up a large farm tractor and hauled it back. I know people do it all the time and do it illegally but with my tags I am good, in KY, would I have trouble in PA or NY or whatever?

 

Don't farm tags have a certain mileage limit from the farm you can use them at?
I know in Connecticut farm tags are only good to use within a 50 mile radius of the township the truck is registered in.

So no, I don't think you'd be legal to haul anything when you are completely out of state with farm tags.

But like you said, people do it all the time! Do you feel lucky?

 

NC SHP looks for farm tags... If you're hauling a tractor, they might let you slide.. But empty, they're gonna gitcha..

 

I believe KY has a 250 mile limit, and I think you can get an exception for extended travel, to pick up equipment etc. but not sure.

 

In the state of Texas, if the RV weighs more than 28,000 lbs. you must have a Class B CDL. Many people are not aware of that, but it is the law. That is true of a motorhome. Not sure about a Fifth-Wheel or gooseneck.

 

you still don't need a cdl, you need to up grade to a class a or b but you don't need a cdl. you can drive a tractor trailer rig and still not have a cdl,if it is not commericial.

 

In Florida you need a Class D for towing a RV. Length issue. Once over 26,001lbs you need a Class A Non Commercial license.

Dave

 

I have to correct my last post about the Class D license.. Florida has done away with it. Class E is all you need now.

Here is the lattest, http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ddl/dlclass.htm

Gonna have to call to find out about Fifth Wheels and tow vehicles over 26,001lbs combined (non commercial). Not mentioned in the link or anywhere else I can find.

Just tried to call and find out, no one will answer the phone anywhere.

Will find out and repost.

Dave