State Towing Info............

Came across this.

Any thoughts about double trailering info?

Specifically Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minesota, North Dakota and Montana. Will be towing through these states with a double combination. Fifth wheel and then a enclosed utility trailer.

Overall length should be in the 57' range.

http://www.wecamp2.com/size.html

57' combined length? Your fifth wheel and cargo trailer must be pretty tiny. My truck and my fifth wheel alone are nearly 50' in length. What are your specs?

You will need a CDL. Don't trust these trailering info. sites, they are not always correct. Check with the States you will be towing in.

You will need a CDL. Don't trust these trailering info. sites, they are not always correct. Check with the States you will be towing in.
Well, part of this is good information, you shouldn't trust the websites, check with the states themselves. The BAD information is that you will need a CDL. You might need a CDL in California, but not in Minnesota, or most of those states he's listing.

Well, part of this is good information, you shouldn't trust the websites, check with the states themselves. The BAD information is that you will need a CDL. You might need a CDL in California, but not in Minnesota, or most of those states he's listing.

I guarantee you that in CA you would need a CDL.

I second that ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I guarantee you that in CA you would need a CDL.


Not doubting your knowledge of CA, but how can it be that if the rig is legal in my state using a class D that I need a class A in some other state that does not have jurisdiction over my license?

Or am I hopelessly naive?

jb

No CDL in Wisconsin unless you are over 26K. Towing doubles in WI, 65' total length if first trailer is a fifthwheel type trailer (also needs brakes). 60' total length if both trailers are ball hitch type trailers (again 1st trailer needs brakes). The 2nd trailer will need brakes if over 3500lbs if I remember right.

I have towed doubles from eastern WI thru MN, SD and WY w/o a CDL or a 2nd look from anyone. Actually in SD they look at us funny cause of our short (65') total length. Seen some pretty long setups out west.

Not doubting your knowledge of CA, but how can it be that if the rig is legal in my state using a class D that I need a class A in some other state that does not have jurisdiction over my license?

Or am I hopelessly naive?

jb

You have to obey the laws of the state you are in. Where your from don't count. Press hard four copies.

Thanx guys.

Guess I'll go through the each state and check first.

If you have a copy of your state rules to show a officer most will let you go. Thats why we have recoriptal laws no state can force you to make your truck fit there laws and expect tourist from out of state to go there.

Unless you get stopped for speeding or some other violation, nobody will know what license you have.

I do have a D class license. G is for cars and light trucks.

Thanx guys.

in california there are 5 classes of license.

C, B, A
m1 / m2 is motorcycle


there are special flavors for firefighters, ambulance drivers, bus drivers,
commercial, noncommercial, restricted...

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/pgs03thru06.htm#licenseclasses

in california there are 5 classes of license.

C, B, A
m1 / m2 is motorcycle


there are special flavors for firefighters, ambulance drivers, bus drivers,
commercial, noncommercial, restricted...

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/pgs03thru06.htm#licenseclasses

There are also certifications that may be needed. Hazmat, air brakes, doubles, triples, etc.

Wisconsin also requires an annual fee that was around $40.00 if you are a resident. There is no CDL requirement. They were pushing for a 70' length a couple years back but don't know that it made it through the legislature. For brakes on the second trailer if you need them a surge brake setup simplifies the issue.

Here's the Wisconsin Statute on towing double. no mention of CDL requirement.

348.27 (7m )
(7m ) The department may issue an annual or consecutive month permit for the movement of a 3-vehicle combination consisting of a towing vehicle and, in order by weight, with the lighter of the towed vehicles as the 3rd vehicle in the 3-vehicle combination unless not structurally possible, a recreational vehicle or camping trailer, and a trailer for a personal recreational vehicle, if the overall length of the combination of vehicles does not exceed 60 feet or, if the 2nd vehicle in the 3-vehicle combination is equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold it, does not exceed 65 feet, and the towed vehicles are for the use of the operator of the towing vehicle. A permit under this subsection may be issued only by the department, regardless of the highways to be used. The department may designate the routes that may be used by the permittee. The fee for an annual permit under this subsection is $40. The fee for a consecutive month permit under this subsection shall be determined in the manner provided in s. 348.25 (8) (bm), except that the $40 fee for an annual permit under this subsection shall be used in the computation. No 3-vehicle combination may operate under this paragraph if highway or weather conditions include heavy snow, freezing rain, icy roads, high winds, limited visibility, or upon a highway that is closed or partially closed by the department due to highway conditions.

Thanx Frozen Tundra.

Not sure what to make of the info as it applies to me being from "out of the country" and permits.............

Here's the Wisconsin Statute on towing double. no mention of CDL requirement.

348.27 (7m )
(7m ) The department may issue an annual or consecutive month permit for the movement of a 3-vehicle combination consisting of a towing vehicle and, in order by weight, with the lighter of the towed vehicles as the 3rd vehicle in the 3-vehicle combination unless not structurally possible, a recreational vehicle or camping trailer, and a trailer for a personal recreational vehicle, if the overall length of the combination of vehicles does not exceed 60 feet or, if the 2nd vehicle in the 3-vehicle combination is equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold it, does not exceed 65 feet, and the towed vehicles are for the use of the operator of the towing vehicle. A permit under this subsection may be issued only by the department, regardless of the highways to be used. The department may designate the routes that may be used by the permittee. The fee for an annual permit under this subsection is $40. The fee for a consecutive month permit under this subsection shall be determined in the manner provided in s. 348.25 (8) (bm), except that the $40 fee for an annual permit under this subsection shall be used in the computation. No 3-vehicle combination may operate under this paragraph if highway or weather conditions include heavy snow, freezing rain, icy roads, high winds, limited visibility, or upon a highway that is closed or partially closed by the department due to highway conditions.

Where does it say for residents only ??

Chapter 348 of the Wisconsin statutes pertains to size, weight and load. Under chapter 341 which deals with drivers licensing, there is a specific exemption for RV's in the CDL section. I'm not sure which statute covers the reciprocity or if there is even a statute and not just some other trans order or other agreement. I'll research that and see what I come up with.

The Wisconsin stautes do not state a residency requirement. I know our officers honor some other odd out of state statutes for instance some states including Minnesota allow their school buses to tow trailers and Wisconsin does not. We see out of state buses pulling trailers all the time and it's not an issue because we know their states allow it.

I also know quite a few troopers and would be shocked to see any of them harassing someone with an RV unless the Rv did something exceptional to attract attention. Most of the time our Troopers are working speeders and criminal interdiction.

As stated earlier by soemone else, I would carry a copy of your state statute in your vehicle in the evnt you are stopped so you can explain your position in the event a nice officer has an occasion to stop you.

Did a ride a long with the CHP out of Oakland. Was told (among other things) If you are in CA, then CA laws apply. End of story. For example if you are from NV and have tinted windows, you are going to be ticketed in CA (front windows can't be tinted in CA). (his example, not mine)..
We spent most of out time writing seat belt tickets, 1 speeding ticket, towing a car, moving furniture that fell off a truck into traffic lanes off the road, and 1 property damage only accident, 2 major injury accidents (one in the backup from moving the furniture, the other from hitting the divider at Jackson st onramp to N880. Teenagers kid brother was almost ejected, big mess..

My understanding in CA for CA residents is you need a CDL with doubles endorsement. If you are from out of state and have the license that makes it legal in your state you are legal here, but you are restricted to the limits(length, etc) of CA. I believe those are 65ft total, but if all are 28'6" or less you can go to 75ft.

I'm guessing the same rules apply to other states. You have to follow their rules, but the license will carry over if legal in your state.