azdryheat
Tucson, AZ
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I was in CA heading to San Diego on I-8 last Friday and saw a truck doing a double tow (truck pulling a 5th wheel pulling a boat). All three vehicles had CA license plates. My understanding is this setup is illegal in CA or has the law changed?
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Itakethe5th2011
Moreno Valley, Ca
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Only if you get caught. Just kidding, I believe it's legal if that person has a commercial driver license with a double tow qualification.
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KD4UPL
Swoope, VA
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It's illegal in VA too but I still see it sometimes.
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discovery4us
California
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It hasn't really changed it is just the CA vehicle leaves a huge grey area in its definition that makes it really hard to enforce. The CA code that refers to NOT towing more than one trailer only refers to a passenger vehicle which most of us do not use to tow. I have encountered enforcement stops twice and they would make you separate for being over length (65') but not for the doubles. They would do this for MH's towing trailers as well that were over length. And really looked for triple axle toy haulers (requires a non commercial class A).
Most I know get the class A license with double endorsement to avoid any issues. The doubles or "T" endorsement is just a written exam that you take after completing the class A.
Before they instituted the non commercial class there was a exception that required the first trailer to be a FW and the second could only be a boat. With this now removed one could interpret it to allow pulling two bumper tow trailers. I asked about this to a local DOT officer as to pull two trailers behind a MH and he shook his head and said keep it under 65'.
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time2roll
Southern California
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Nothing has changed. Still need a commercial license with a double tow endorsement same as it has been for a long time.
As long as there are no infractions to pull you over and check your license maybe you could get away with it. I recommend getting the proper documentation.
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ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
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discovery4us wrote:It hasn't really changed it is just the CA vehicle leaves a huge grey area in its definition that makes it really hard to enforce. The CA code that refers to NOT towing more than one trailer only refers to a passenger vehicle which most of us do not use to tow. I have encountered enforcement stops twice and they would make you separate for being over length (65') but not for the doubles. They would do this for MH's towing trailers as well that were over length. And really looked for triple axle toy haulers (requires a non commercial class A).
Most I know get the class A license with double endorsement to avoid any issues. The doubles or "T" endorsement is just a written exam that you take after completing the class A.
Before they instituted the non commercial class there was a exception that required the first trailer to be a FW and the second could only be a boat. With this now removed one could interpret it to allow pulling two bumper tow trailers. I asked about this to a local DOT officer as to pull two trailers behind a MH and he shook his head and said keep it under 65'.
Then there is the definition of a passenger vehicle.....A 3/4 ton truck is still designed and sold to carry passengers? And/or are there passengers on board? so how does California define passenger vehicle? probably varies from state to state. I could see pickup, especially a crew cab or extended cab being legally classified as a passenger vehicle.
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time2roll
Southern California
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ktmrfs wrote:Then there is the definition of a passenger vehicle.....A 3/4 ton truck is still designed and sold to carry passengers? And/or are there passengers on board? so how does California define passenger vehicle? probably varies from state to state. I could see pickup, especially a crew cab or extended cab being legally classified as a passenger vehicle. Virtually all trucks are registered as trucks with a different number sequence and an additional weight fee on the annual registration. Can register a PU as a car and skip the weight fee but then if anything is carried in the bed there can be a citation.
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ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
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time2roll wrote:ktmrfs wrote:Then there is the definition of a passenger vehicle.....A 3/4 ton truck is still designed and sold to carry passengers? And/or are there passengers on board? so how does California define passenger vehicle? probably varies from state to state. I could see pickup, especially a crew cab or extended cab being legally classified as a passenger vehicle. Virtually all trucks are registered as trucks with a different number sequence and an additional weight fee on the annual registration. Can register a PU as a car and skip the weight fee but then if anything is carried in the bed there can be a citation.
registration is one thing. traffic regulations another. Vehicle mfg classification yet another. For instance, is your pickup, as a "truck" required to follow truck speed limits? In most states the answer is NO! In fact my SUV is classified by mfg as a TRUCK, but state registration is as a passenger vehicle and likewise for following traffic regulations.
In oregon the "truck" speed limit only applies to comercial vehicles even when towing. A truck (pickup) is considered a passenger vehicle even when towing regarding speed limits, not a truck UNLESS it is towing comercially. If the tow vehicle is something designed for twoing and not normally carrying passengers, then you must also follow truck speed limits. For example towing a 5th wheel with a converted class 8
.
Our son works for state parks and went through lots of training regarding traffic regulations while driving for the state especially since he is often towing a trailer with his work "truck".
Other states require someone towing, no matter what the configuration is to follow truck speed limits.
Then there is california's "3 axles or more" such that most motor homes follow car speed limit, but if you have a tag axle, 55
My pickup is indeed registed as a truck, but at least here there is NO additional fee vs. a passenger car, nor any "weight" based fees.
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jjj
Lancaster,Ca.U.S.A.
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Not to hijack this post but it is legal if under 65 ft. and need a class A also if you pull a fifth wheel over 15000 lb. You need a non commercial class A that is why they are targeting big toy haulers.
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Cptnvideo
Arizona - most of the time
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I THINK Californicate-ya has reciprocal rules.
Non CA licensed drivers don't have to have a non-commercial Class A to tow over 15,000 lbs (I think).
Doesn't matter to me since I plan to never be in the state again since having to work there often before retiring.
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