Gross Combination Weight Rating GCWR is the value determined by the vehicle's manufacturer and is the maximum weight a combination of vehicles like a truck towing a travel trailer can safely operate. GCWR includes the total combined weight of a vehicle and a trailer plus its occupants and goods together.
Requirements for driver's licenses are based on the driver's home state of record. As long as you have the appropriate license for your state, you can legally drive anywhere in the United States and Canada.
Trying to determine whether you might need a special license to drive or tow an RV might sound complicated, but it's not. Since you won't have to worry about a commercial driver's license, your travel possibilities are almost limitless. With fewer restraints and the open road ahead, what are you waiting for? Whether you rent or own your RV, the time to explore is now! And did you know?
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Use the form to sign-up for our newsletter. Will you need a special license to drive or tow an RV in the United States? It depends. How to use this guide RVezy's team of experts wrote this guide as a tool to help you understand each state's requirements for RV driver's licenses.
Read on or skip ahead! What you need to know about online sources States that require a commercial driver's license States that require either a noncommercial driver's license or an endorsement States that don't require any special licenses How GVWR and GCWR influence driver's license requirements The rules for driving across state lines or into Canada What you need to know about online sources Before you jump into the article and locate your state, we want to point out that we found errors and conflicting information online during our research.
States that require a commercial driver's license Under certain circumstances, two states require RV operators to possess a commercial driver's license CDL test to drive a recreational vehicle. Wisconsin Recreational vehicles over 45 feet long must apply for a CDL. States that require either a noncommercial driver's license or an endorsement The following states require either a noncommercial driver's license or an endorsement to drive or tow an RV. California Noncommercial Class A. Hawaii Noncommercial Class 4.
However, some destination trailers, park models, luxury fifth wheels and mega-sized toy haulers exceed that limit. There is a difference between a commercial and non-commercial license more on that later. Please remember! If your camper trailer weighs 8, pounds dry and you add 1, pounds of gear, your towable rig now weighs 10, pounds and you would be required to possess a special license in many states!
Wondering how much your camper weighs? Generally, driving or towing excess weight requires a special license. Driving or towing an excessive size may require a special permit. All states have rules regarding the maximum length of bumper-pull, fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers in addition to rules regarding maximum length tip-to-tail of combined vehicles.
States also have rules regarding maximum height and width. In fact, these limits can even change by road type! In some states, the maximum height on the Interstates and major highways is 14 feet, but in other areas the maximum height may be just In older areas of the country where low urban underpasses are common, individual roads may limit height to less than 10 feet! In mountainous areas, many roads have maximum size stipulations because of tight road turns, narrow lanes, low tunnel ceilings, and extended steep grades.
You should read our guide to driving an RV for the first time, where we dissect restrictions about RV width, height, length, and weight! Again, thankfully, oversize RVs are somewhat rare.
However, exceptionally large motorhomes, fifth wheels, park models, and travel trailers may fall outside the norm. Show More. Show Less. Connect with D. Notify of. Newest Oldest. Inline Feedbacks. Load More Comments. Disclosure Notice Sometimes we receive products for evaluation at no cost and may use affiliate links to the products and services from which we earn commissions.
Next article —. You May Also Like. Read More 5 minute read. We recently posted an article about how to connect your RV to full hookups to give new RVers…. Read More. Read More 12 minute read. Camping or living in a motorhome is one thing, but safely driving and maneuvering it is quite another. Read More 2 minute read. The increased resistance from putting the engine in a lower gear will help slow the motorhome down while also helping to reduce the wear and tear on your braking system.
Motorhomes have more blind spots than a car, truck, or even a panel van! Feel free to take your time and use your mirrors as much as possible. If you think one parking spot is too small or too complicated, you should consider moving to a different spot. However, there are some small bridges out there in the world, that have weight or height restrictions.
Many gas stations have overhead awnings or roof structures which can be problematic for a tall motorhome. There are also some that have narrow fueling lanes or tight turns.
If you live in a state with special licensing requirements or endorsements, your local DMV might be able to point you in the right direction. Last Updated on April 27, by Aaron Richardson. Aaron and his wife Evelyn have lived on the road since , traveling the country in their Keystone Fuzion. Where can I find statistics of how often new or not new travel trailer owners damage their trailer, property or someone while backing up, parking or driving off with their travel trailer?
I have searched the internet and the only statistics I find are major accidents. GVWR is the maximum weight a vehicle can have when you combine the weight of the vehicle itself and everything in it, as stated by the manufacturer of that vehicle. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Arkansas: requires a CDL for any vehicles that weigh over 26, pounds. They also require a CDL or Class A endorsement for multiple vehicles with a combined weight that exceeds 26, pounds. Hawaii: requires a Class B CDL for any single vehicle that weighs over 26, pounds or a Class A CDL endorsement for multiple vehicles that have a combined weight that exceeds 26, pounds.
Kansas: requires a Class B CDL for a single vehicle that weighs over 26, pounds or a Class A CDL endorsement for multiple vehicles that have a combined weight that exceeds 26, pounds. They require a Class A CDL for multiple vehicles that have a combined weight that exceeds 26, pounds. Washington D. For multiple vehicles, they require a Class A CDL endorsement if the combined weight exceeds 26, pounds.
Wisconsin: does not have restrictions based on weight.
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