Community Forums

tamdle · 08-19-2015, 05:04 AM

Hello Everyone,

I am looking into the Thor Palazzo 33.3 which has the GVWR rating right at the max limit for class C license 26,000 pounds with a tow of 5,000 pounds Jeep Grand Cherokee.

I am living in Maryland where you could use my class C license which allows me to do so.

I am planning to move to Houston, TX. Reading the rule from Texas, it said and I quote "A Class C license holder could drive a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds towing a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 pounds".

I am translated as I could legaly drive the Palazzo 33.3 which weight 26,000 pounds and tow my 5,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Am I right?

Anyone who is the residence in the Big Texas the use the Class C license to drive this Palazzo and towing any type of vehicle, please comment.

Thanks in advance,
Tam Le

StevieD · 08-19-2015, 05:21 AM

I think this is why palazzo is 26000. No class B necessary .

osok · 08-19-2015, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamdle

Hello Everyone,

I am looking into the Thor Palazzo 33.3 which has the GVWR rating right at the max limit for class C license 26,000 pounds with a tow of 5,000 pounds Jeep Grand Cherokee.

I am living in Maryland where you could use my class C license which allows me to do so.

I am planning to move to Houston, TX. Reading the rule from Texas, it said and I quote "A Class C license holder could drive a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds towing a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 pounds".

I am translated as I could legaly drive the Palazzo 33.3 which weight 26,000 pounds and tow my 5,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Am I right?

Anyone who is the residence in the Big Texas the use the Class C license to drive this Palazzo and towing any type of vehicle, please comment.

Thanks in advance,
Tam Le

Yes you are correct.

Class C Driver License:
A Class C driver license permits a person to drive:
1. A single vehicle or combination of vehicles that are not included in Class A or Class B; and
2. A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 26,001 lbs. towing a trailer
not to exceed 10,000 lbs. GVWR or a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 lbs.

Class B Driver License:
A Class B driver license permits a person to drive:
1. Any vehicle included in Class C;
2. A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more and any such
vehicle towing either a vehicle with a GVWR that does not exceed 10,000 lbs. or a farm trailer with
a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 lbs

tamdle · 08-19-2015, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevieD

I think this is why palazzo is 26000. No class B necessary .

Steve, thanks for your response.

You were right about Thor purposely set the weight limit to 26,000# for class C. The part that I am trouble with when translate the Texas rule book on license is the additional tow will put this thing over toward 30,000# or more.

Since the Texas rule book specifically states the word "TOWING A FARM TRAILER less than 20,000#" on the CLASS C license vs. on the CLASS B specifically states the work "TOWING A VEHICLE less than 10,000#". This made me overly cautious.

However, seeing you are having the Palazzo 33.2 which is the same model that I have in mind and assuming that you also tow and use the class C license... I think that would give me more comfort if my statement here is right.

Thanks again.

tamdle · 08-19-2015, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osok

Yes you are correct.

Class C Driver License:
A Class C driver license permits a person to drive:
1. A single vehicle or combination of vehicles that are not included in Class A or Class B; and
2. A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 26,001 lbs. towing a trailer
not to exceed 10,000 lbs. GVWR or a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 lbs.

Class B Driver License:
A Class B driver license permits a person to drive:
1. Any vehicle included in Class C;
2. A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more and any such
vehicle towing either a vehicle with a GVWR that does not exceed 10,000 lbs. or a farm trailer with
a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 lbs

Thanks Berry & Karen for your info.

TL

CampTBug · 10-05-2015, 08:28 PM

It's not the weight that will be an issue. Its just under the 26,001 weight limit. It's the fact that you need an air brakes endorsement on your license and that is applicable to the class A and Class B non-CDL Texas license.

We are looking to purchase a 33.2 soon and we've made calls to the Texas Department of Public Safety at two different offices and they have confirmed we must get a Class B non-CDL license to legally drive the 33.2.

My husband has been studying the Texas CDL handbook portions which you will be tested on in the written exam for a class B non-CDL. After he passes the written portion, he must make an appointment to do the driving/air brakes test at a drivers license office which administers this type of test (not all DPS locations do).

If you search some of the FMCA forums you will find others here in Texas that have taken the tests and can give some insight on what to expect. There are also free practice tests online that we found helpful. We are only getting the class B as our Jeep is within the weight limit for the B. We would never tow anything heavy enough to need the class A. Our salesman at Motor Home Specialists also told us we need the air brakes endorsement on a class B non-CDL to be properly licensed here in Texas.

Thanks

tamdle · 10-06-2015, 04:42 AM

Thanks CampTBug for the clear information regard to the license to drive a Palazzo in Texas.

After all consideration, I have decided to go ahead and spend another $2500 to take a CDL driving course. Not just for the license only, but need to learn how to be safe for my wife and I as well as everyone around me and the motorhome as well.

Since we will spend a great deal of money for the motorhome, a little over 1% of the cost and 5 days of training for the CDL, I would think this is a great investment since I never drove a large unit like this before.

Hava a wonderful day,

Tam Le

tamdle · 10-06-2015, 05:08 AM

Even though I have decided to take the CDL training before purchase my new Palazzo RV in the next few months for safety purpose, I still like to feel how the sales people recommended regard to the driver license to drive to coach.

Many of the sales people using the 26000# Palazzo chassis as the selling point that anyone could drive the coach with their class C license to sell the coach.

I am currently living in Maryland and will soon moving to Texas. After checking the rule of these two states, they were about the same as far as the class C and class B license.

I know that the rule in each state was slightly difference, but not very much, because after all, you will drive the coach all over the country, therefore the rule must be the same or close to be the same for everyone safety.

With the clear explanation of CampTBug above, I was wondering how many of the Palazzo owner out there driving their 33.x coach and tow your 5000# vehicle in the back with the class C license.

Peterrrr · 10-06-2015, 05:42 AM

Tam Le: I am sure you would benefit from taking the CDL course, but I think you would derive a bigger benefit, if you went another route.

How much hands on driving will the course you intend on taking give you? The hands on driving would involve the driving of a tractor and trailer, that involves some different techniques then a motorhome. (For instance tail wag of a motorhome would not be covered.). At the price point you quote, there may not even be any driving involved. If the majority of the course is in class, involving the study of the CDL manual, then this is something you could do on your own by downloading and studying the material yourself. There is quite a bit of useful and valuable information in the CDL manuals which apply to driving a MH or any large vehicle. The manuals also outline components of these vehicles which are important from a safety aspect. (understanding air brake components and their proper use and function etc.).

In my opinion you would be better off to find a qualified instructor which will give you personal instruction on the driving of the motorhome while you study the CDL manual on your own. The instructor could also show you on the motorhome, items which taking the CDL course would have been shown to you on a tractor or trailer.

Now finding the instructor could be the challenge. But I am sure others can help, in this regard.

StevieD · 10-06-2015, 01:29 PM

I think Escapees has a course

tamdle · 10-06-2015, 05:02 PM

Thanks Peter for your advice. Your comment makes a lot of sense.

The price quote is from one of the community college here in Maryland. The cost including 1-day classroom, 4-days of range driving and driver test. The cost includes equipment and lectures. I have to go this route to get the driver license. Once I have it then I could purchase the RV and get training on the RV specific. I am not sure if I have any other choice since I do not own any RV yet.

Lazydays in Florida also offer the RV training, seems to me that would cover some of the important about RV driving. I watched their video once and may be benefit more with actual on-site training.

TL.

gfs1943 · 10-06-2015, 05:22 PM

You may want to review the Texas driver license requirements again. There ain't no such thing as an air brake endorsement in Texas.

Now, if you are driving a vehicle that requires a Commercial Driver's License (which a motor home does NOT), and you take the test in a vehicle without air brakes, you will have a RESTRICTION of L on the license -- that means you can't operate a vehicle with air brakes. But it does not apply to motor homes. If you don't believe me, read the license manuals again.

I recommend that you study the CDL manual, especially Section 14, as that's what you will be tested on for the Non-CDL license. If you will be driving a motorhome that has air brakes, you should also study Section 5; that covers air brakes. You definitely need to know and practice the air brake checks in your daily operations, even though you probably won't be tested on them for the Non-CDL.

ferg182 · 10-06-2015, 05:23 PM

I have been driving an RV in Texas for years and my Palazzo for 2 years. Never heard of, are seen anything about needing a class C license. Never had a dealer require one to buy RV in Texas. Not saying it not needed just giving personal experience.

Sent from my iPhone using iRV2 - RV Forum

gfs1943 · 10-06-2015, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferg182

I have been driving an RV in Texas for years and my Palazzo for 2 years. Never heard of, are seen anything about needing a class C license. Never had a dealer require one to buy RV in Texas. Not saying it not needed just giving personal experience.

Sent from my iPhone using iRV2 - RV Forum

Ferg, I hope you have a Class C license -- that is the standard license which everyone who operates a car is supposed to have. If you don't have one, and are getting by with it, more power to you!