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Old 09-21-2013, 05:12 PM   #1
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Double Towing in CALIFORNIA

I have been searching and searching and still cannot get all the info I need.

I recently was at the DMV finally registering my truck and 5th wheel. While at the office, I asked the women there a couple questions. Basically they gave me a "no" response, but I could tell it was not an educated response.

One did mention to contact the CHP, which I did, the local office. They referred me to the Commercial office the next town over

(Ya, we are finally getting somewhere !!!)

The office there informed me that all I need to do is add the "doubles Endorsement" to my existing class C.

I said "ARE YOU SURE I DONT NEED A CLASS A ??!?!"

He said as long as your not over 15,000 lbs (which I wont be)

I've searched the DMV online VC's, and it doesn't say you can, but it doesn't say you cant either.

Basically states you cant tow without an endorsement.

Now, I want to get this done so I am ready for next year, but I know those women will probably give me hell ....

Ideas ?

Links ?

HELP !!!

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Old 09-22-2013, 08:41 AM   #2
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An RV is not a "commercial" vehicle, so the commercial vehicle folks at either DOT or CHP will probably give you bad info. You must make it clear that you are asking about an RV and not a commercial vehicle.

One rule that is probably firm is that the combined length of the rig cannot exceed 65 feet. So with a 22' crewcab plus a 30' 5er that has a 5' overhang, the rig is already 48 feet long before you tie on the second trailer. That leaves only 17 feet for the second trailer. Subtract another 3' for the hitch on the second trailer, and that leaves a box not longer than 14'. Not much of a boat, and only a short box trailer. My 14' long box on my cargo trailer, maybe, that is over 16' counting the hitch, but certainly not the normal 16' utility trailer that is over 18' including the hitch.

Pickups towing RVs do not stop at the weigh stations, so the folks there might also give you bad info concerning RV double towing. I doubt you need anything other than an ordinary "car" driver's license to tow a doubles RV. But then California has some weird rules, including a 55 MPH speed limit for RV trailers, so you may well have some other rules that other states don't have.

I would go to a regular CHP office - not the commercial office - and talk to the officer in charge. Emphasize that you are talking about RV doubles, not commercial, and ask what rules his CHiPs enforce concerning RV doubles. I can't find any answers on the CHP website, so maybe ask that officer for a link to the rules for RV doubles - not commercial doubles.
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Old 09-22-2013, 08:50 AM   #3
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Double towing is absolutely forbidden in the state of California!

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Old 09-22-2013, 08:59 AM   #4
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Double towing is absolutely forbidden in the state of California!

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Well you are not quite correct, IF I have a cdl A lic with doubles or tripples endorsment I can tow about anything I dare.

My partner is an old UPS tripples train driver and got stopped and Ok trooper said sorry I will have to give you a ticket and you can not leave here with that thing.

He handed him the lic and the answer was Just a minute I gotta check on how this works. Trooper said sorry have a nice day and left...

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Old 09-22-2013, 09:12 AM   #5
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Yup, you're correct. Having a CDL with the proper endorsements changes everything plus if it's used for commercial purposes you also have to stop at every weigh station too.

However, those people who do have CDL's with endorsements are the rare exception and not the norm.

You probably won't find too many of them hanging around here.

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Old 09-22-2013, 09:41 AM   #6
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I have, in the past towed a 5th wheel with my boat behind as well as had a CDL (Commercial Drivers License) for my work. What I found, was that many States do not have rules regarding the double towing of your personal vehicles. Some officers will use the commercial vehicle rules when quoting what your allowances are. Some will admit they do not know what the rules are. There are also States that do have the rules spelled out. Finding them requires your homework. I no longer tow doubles and realize that the laws do change and any info that I might quote may now be antiquated , therefore I will not! What I did find out at the time was that if you cannot find any laws about it in your State, that you could "takes your chances", as I did. If you stay within the other Laws, such as speed, you may find that no one will question you.
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Old 09-22-2013, 10:17 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokeyWren View Post
An RV is not a "commercial" vehicle, so the commercial vehicle folks at either DOT or CHP will probably give you bad info. You must make it clear that you are asking about an RV and not a commercial vehicle.

One rule that is probably firm is that the combined length of the rig cannot exceed 65 feet. So with a 22' crewcab plus a 30' 5er that has a 5' overhang, the rig is already 48 feet long before you tie on the second trailer. That leaves only 17 feet for the second trailer. Subtract another 3' for the hitch on the second trailer, and that leaves a box not longer than 14'. Not much of a boat, and only a short box trailer. My 14' long box on my cargo trailer, maybe, that is over 16' counting the hitch, but certainly not the normal 16' utility trailer that is over 18' including the hitch.

Pickups towing RVs do not stop at the weigh stations, so the folks there might also give you bad info concerning RV double towing. I doubt you need anything other than an ordinary "car" driver's license to tow a doubles RV. But then California has some weird rules, including a 55 MPH speed limit for RV trailers, so you may well have some other rules that other states don't have.

I would go to a regular CHP office - not the commercial office - and talk to the officer in charge. Emphasize that you are talking about RV doubles, not commercial, and ask what rules his CHiPs enforce concerning RV doubles. I can't find any answers on the CHP website, so maybe ask that officer for a link to the rules for RV doubles - not commercial doubles.
I am good on lengths.

I measured from the frt bumper to the 5th wheel plate, then from the kingpin to the rear of the RV....then from the boay tongue to the end of my jetpump. I came up with 63'

This gives me 2' to play with ballmount location, and when I add the rooster tail to boat ....

I think it will matter on the officer and his or her knowledge and patience.

More homework for me ....
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Old 09-22-2013, 10:26 AM   #8
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Double towing is absolutely forbidden in the state of California!

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Did not see that ....

Last paragraph only states that you may not tow two trailers with a Non commercial license ....
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Old 10-05-2013, 03:25 AM   #9
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Yes You Can

65' Max applies. Yes, you can pull doubles, but must have a Doubles endorsement on your DL, which MUST BE a CLASS A COMMERCIAL DL. The following link is to the Recreational Vehicle & Towing Book from the DMV: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648.pdf
There is no Doubles endorsement for anything "non-commercial." Sorry! Of course, this also means that you have to have a DOT physical every 2 years! Welcome to the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia! :-/

Hope this helps and safe travels!
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Old 10-05-2013, 09:18 AM   #10
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So what type of drivers license does the OP have in California may I ask?

If it's a non-commercial Class C then are you going to go through the time and energy to obtain a Commercial Class A with the necessary endorsements to double tow in California or any other state?

How many owners of NON-CDL's would actually do that?

Just asking!

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Old 10-05-2013, 09:42 AM   #11
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I think my FIL was born with a commercial license. Drove truck when he was tall enough I believe. He towed doubles but did have to keep his commercial license and medical up. I have seen double towing many times in Calif. Some I suspect were not legal based on length,.
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Old 10-05-2013, 03:12 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Dr4Film View Post
So what type of drivers license does the OP have in California may I ask?

If it's a non-commercial Class C then are you going to go through the time and energy to obtain a Commercial Class A with the necessary endorsements to double tow in California or any other state?

How many owners of NON-CDL's would actually do that?

Just asking!

Dr4Film ----- Richard

I have a Class C ....
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Old 10-05-2013, 10:04 PM   #13
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65' Max applies. Yes, you can pull doubles, but must have a Doubles endorsement on your DL, which MUST BE a CLASS A COMMERCIAL DL. The following link is to the Recreational Vehicle & Towing Book from the DMV: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648.pdf
There is no Doubles endorsement for anything "non-commercial." Sorry! Of course, this also means that you have to have a DOT physical every 2 years! Welcome to the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia! :-/

Hope this helps and safe travels!

Wait a minute .....

Was this post edited and shortened ??

In my email alert I recieved, the post was longer with more info.

Or, am I tripping ??
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Old 10-14-2013, 12:04 AM   #14
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Talking Ur not tripping

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Originally Posted by Chiefrocka View Post
Wait a minute .....

Was this post edited and shortened ??

In my email alert I recieved, the post was longer with more info.

Or, am I tripping ??
Sorry, no you're not tripping! I had started typing BEFORE I had double checked my info and had to revise it! It gets a little confusing as the, "Peoples Republic of Kalifornia" has too many Chiefs and not enough Indians, so the rules get, "blurred" sometimes!
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