Community Forums

mikaho · 12-16-2015, 09:43 AM

I have a 2002 Fleetwood Southwind 37U. I already passed the knowledge exam and am preparing to do the skills test. My Southwind is actually a class C vehicle on its own (GVWR 22K) but since we will tow a car when we are traveling, it will become a class B (GCVWR over 26K with towed vehicle less than 10K). The rub is that to make my southwind qualify for the test, I have to do the test with a trailer. Driving with the trailer is not an issue. but I would like to know in advance so I can practice, what sort of backup skills i will have to perform with the trailer. I know that parallel parking is a possibility in general but I can't imagine that would be included since I would think you would NEVER try to parallel park with a towed vehicle anyway. Again, straight backing with the trailer is not an issue and I'm not overly concerned if I have to back around a corner as I have done that with a moving truck before.

Any thoughts would be nice.

Thanks!

Wayne M · 12-16-2015, 09:53 AM

My experience has been: back up in a straight line for 100 feet. (Usually they will not have you go the entire 100 feet.) Turn the corners without any of the wheels crossing the center line. Parallel park, but I never had to do that. I have been the "designated" driver and the person I was escorting did have to parallel park. I have been to two campgrounds that I had to parallel park the 40' mh. No big problem - especially since the only inspector was my ground guide, DW. (I'd rather have the inspector.)

Plus the common driving skills: check mirrors, both hands on the wheel, stop behind the stop line, turn signals, etc.

mikaho · 12-16-2015, 10:00 AM

Wayne,

when you were the designated driver, was the person testing that had to parallel park pulling a trailer? 20 years ago, I had a class b cdl when I drove a school bus. I had to parallel park for that test but obviously was not pulling a trailer.

JohnBoyToo · 12-16-2015, 10:07 AM

My GUESS is that they would not WANT you to bring the trailer...
After all, they are testing your driving of the rv...

good luck.

mikaho · 12-16-2015, 10:28 AM

JohnBoyToo,

I thought about that but the issue is the published rules for the skills test specifically say you MUST test in a vehicle that represents the class of the target license. That is my conundrum since my southwind is by rule a class c vehicle by itself with no trailer. it did occur to me that I could just drive up and see if they even look at the GVWR. The risk would be that they would refuse to do the test and I would have to reschedule. I might go that route anyway just to have more time to practice if I do have to use a trailer.

mikaho · 12-16-2015, 10:30 AM

BTW, JohnBoy,

your tag made me LOL literally!

Dutch Star David · 12-16-2015, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikaho

I have a 2002 Fleetwood Southwind 37U. I already passed the knowledge exam and am preparing to do the skills test. My Southwind is actually a class C vehicle on its own (GVWR 22K) but since we will tow a car when we are traveling, it will become a class B (GCVWR over 26K with towed vehicle less than 10K). The rub is that to make my southwind qualify for the test, I have to do the test with a trailer. Driving with the trailer is not an issue. but I would like to know in advance so I can practice, what sort of backup skills i will have to perform with the trailer. I know that parallel parking is a possibility in general but I can't imagine that would be included since I would think you would NEVER try to parallel park with a towed vehicle anyway. Again, straight backing with the trailer is not an issue and I'm not overly concerned if I have to back around a corner as I have done that with a moving truck before.

Any thoughts would be nice.

Thanks!

I would take the test with your toad attached. Then you can't back up.

alpha99 · 12-16-2015, 10:41 AM

Sure glad I don't live in that State.

montyhp · 12-16-2015, 12:34 PM

I think you are misinterpreting the requirement. You don't need a class b unless your rv is over 26,000 lbs. Gcwr is not part of the requirement. You would need a class a if your trailer weighed more than 10,000lbs

montyhp · 12-16-2015, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikaho

JohnBoyToo,

I thought about that but the issue is the published rules for the skills test specifically say you MUST test in a vehicle that represents the class of the target license. That is my conundrum since my southwind is by rule a class c vehicle by itself with no trailer. it did occur to me that I could just drive up and see if they even look at the GVWR. The risk would be that they would refuse to do the test and I would have to reschedule. I might go that route anyway just to have more time to practice if I do have to use a trailer.

I doubt that they would check the gvwr, but they might ask questions if your vehicle does not have air brakes.

mikaho · 12-16-2015, 01:11 PM

Monty,

As I read the definitions, they are:

class A: GCVWR over 26K AND towed vehicle GVWR over 10K as you stated.
class B: GVWR over 26K OR GCVWR over 26K AND towed vehicle less than 10K.

You are correct that I don't need class B to drive the RV itself since it is less than 26K. But when I add the towed car, the GCVWR will be over 26K. Since the car is a prius, it will be well under 10K hense the combined vehicles at that point will be class B.

Does that make sense?

barmcd · 12-16-2015, 01:15 PM

I didn't think you needed any other license to drive a motor home in Texas.

JohnBoyToo · 12-16-2015, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barmcd

I didn't think you needed any other license to drive a motor home in Texas.

And you would be incorrect

as discussed many, many times on irv2.com

montyhp · 12-16-2015, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikaho

Monty,

As I read the definitions, they are:

class A: GCVWR over 26K AND towed vehicle GVWR over 10K as you stated.
class B: GVWR over 26K OR GCVWR over 26K AND towed vehicle less than 10K.

From the tx dps website, class b non commercial requirements:
"
Authorizes an individual to drive:

Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more and any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR that does not exceed 10,000 pounds or a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 pounds
A bus with a seating capacity of 24 passengers or more including the driver
Any vehicle included in Class C"

It doesn't mention combined weight anywhere.

The problem is, I don't know who to ask for clarification. The clerks at the drivers license office seem confused. Maybe a dps trooper or a judge?