Trailer Towing

[cdail28590]

Something alot of people don't know is if your truck and trailer are over 10,000 lbs you have to have a Class A endorsement on your license not the standard class C. If your truck and trailer is over 6,000 lbs you have to have weighted tags. Most diesel trucks are at 8-9,000 lbs empty. Any you trailer you hook to it and you need a class A endorsement. Your truck tags have to be enough to cover the weight of your truck and your trailer even for recreational use. Over size permits allow you to only tow during the day M-Sat. no towing on Sunday or at night and 12 hours before a holiday or on a holiday. Trailers that are rated for 7,000lbs or higher are supposed to be inspected yearly just like the 18 wheeler trailers (this was a shock to me), I don't think the troopers are enforcing this. Weighted tags for 24,000 = $372 a year plus the oversize permit which is $98 (I think) and you have to get the class A endorsement. Just another way to get money.

[offshore]

According to the DMV.

Class A:
Required to operate any combination of vehicles exempt from commercial driver license (CDL) requirements with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is greater than 10,000 pounds. Also required for operating any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds, if the vehicle being towed has a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds.

Class B:
Required to operate any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more that is exempt from CDL requirements, and any such vehicle while towing another vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less.

Class C:
Required to operate any vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds that is exempt from CDL requirements and is not towing a vehicle with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds. Most drivers need only a Regular C license to operate personal automobiles and small trucks.

Unless I am reading this wrong you only need a Class C unless you are towing a boat in excess of 10000lbs.

[cdail28590]

Class C is for a single vehicle no trailer. Anytime your truck and trailer exceed 10,000 lbs you should have Class A endorsement for a combination of vehicle and trailer.

[cdail28590]

I am also thinking about my boat which weighs 13,000 lbs. You are correct in only needing a Class C license. If you are towing over 10,000 lbs. then you would need a Class A endorsement. Sorry for the mistake.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by cdail28590

Something alot of people don't know is if your truck and trailer .......................

Some people don't know that these requirements vary from state to state just like the age requirements for drivers licenses in general and the regulations for trailer brakes, length, width, etc.

[offshore]

This is where NC is really screwed up. Every agency has a different take on the laws and how they inturpet them. You can call 5 totally diferent places and get 5 different answers to your questions........Mark

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by offshore

This is where NC is really screwed up. Every agency has a different take on the laws and how they inturpet them. You can call 5 totally diferent places and get 5 different answers to your questions........Mark

Rather than call, write or e-mail your questions to the director of the agency. This way, they will research the question before they answer you and your answer will be in writing. You can show it to the police and if necessary, show it to a judge.

[offshore]

Originally Posted by rwidman

Rather than call, write or e-mail your questions to the director of the agency. This way, they will research the question before they answer you and your answer will be in writing. You can show it to the police and if necessary, show it to a judge.

You are correct!! I sent a letter to the AGs office to get some clarification. I sent a list of 16 questions and concerns but I have not received any response! I get the feeling that the system is so screwed up no one really knows the answers. Hopefully I will hear something soon...Mark

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by offshore

You are correct!! I sent a letter to the AGs office to get some clarification. I sent a list of 16 questions and concerns but I have not received any response! I get the feeling that the system is so screwed up no one really knows the answers. Hopefully I will hear something soon...Mark

Keep after them. They work for you, the taxpayer.

They may not respond to your "concerns" but they should be willing to answer your questions. You may have to ask them one at a time.

[Kern O]

This sounds like a new State name might be needed.

Something like "The People's Republic of North Carolina".

These are boats we're talking about, fer crying out loud. People tend to use them on the weekend. That's the same time that there are fewer heavy trucks on the road. This will require a lobbyist and dollars to fix it.