Pulling Double trailers in CA

[SandyHelton]

I want to pull a boat or motorcycle trailer behind my 30' 5er and can not seem to find a definitive answer on this in CA. I have seen them on the roads out here, but do not know fully the legal requirements if any. Does anyone know if there are any special requirements like a CDL? Reading through the DMV literature was very confusing - they seem to state that you can only pull a second trailer if you have a Class A Commercial CDL.

 

[Raybocop]

While I am not a CHPie, I can pass on what I know about the Cal Vehicle code,and hopefully steer you in the right direction... .



12804. 9. (b)(1) CVC on outlays what the different licenses are authorized to drive.



It is my understanding that a truck/5th wheel/bumper mount double is acceptable with a Class A license, but a truck/bumper mount/bumper mount is not.



Your best bet would probably be to call your local CHP office and ask for their commercial enforcement officer. My expertise is in Penal code, not Vehicle code

 

[surfbeetle]

I too have looked into doing this. I spoke to a Class A driver instructor, he in turn asked the CDL officer for CHP. Here's what I got back. Pulling a trailer behind a fifth wheel is legal, behind a travel trailer is not. You must be under 65 feet total length for California. Some of the other states are 60 feet, so you may get in trouble if you are 65 feet and you go to that other state with a 60 limit.

As for the license, you will definitely need a class A, either a commerical class A or a non commercial class A. You will also need the doubles and tripples endorsement for that license. When you take the written test, you will take the non commercial class A and the doubles and tripples. You will also need to take a driving test, I was told that I would need just the truck and the fifth wheel for that, I would not need the 2nd trailer for that one. I already have a commercial class B so I have expericenced the next bit of information he told me first hand. He said that you will should go to a DMW office that routinely deals with commerical drivers and tests as they will know the requirements far better than one that doesn't. Also, for more information, I would find a CHP officer who specializes in this subject and do more research.



One other thing about california and driver's tests, when I got my class b, it was for driving school buses, the district that I worked for only had automatics. As a result, I had to test in an automatic vehicle. My license has a restriction for automatic transmission for commerical vehicles. If I had tested in a manual, I would not have this. My point is that if you have an auto now and get your license, then later get a stick, it could be a problem. My truck is a stick, so I plan to test with it and should be good to go.

 

[SandyHelton]

Thanks surfbeetle. This is great insight and is consistent with what I gleaned from the DMV site, but they were not very clear about whether or not a non-commercial Class A could pull a trailer behind a fifth wheel. The other thing I picked up was a requirement to have a fifth wheel endorsement, if the fifth wheel was over 10,000 lbs. for a Class C license. They didn't tell me that when I bought the behemoth.

 

[surfbeetle]

You're welcome. As far as the Fifth wheel endorsement, I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that all it required was a dmv physical. I have a 6500 lb trailer so it doesn't effect me. I would assume that if you were going after the class A, then it would supercede the endorsement if a test was required. Sadly, some salespeople only care about making the sale, not whether or not you are legal when it comes to things such as towing capacities or licensing.

 

[bombero]

Great!! just hook and go! I wouldnt stop at any scales anywhere in Calif or about any other state. You might be "legal" but wait till some kid in a inspection station dosnt think so. In Cal you need a Class A with a current Doc cert. No air brakes, liqiid, Haz mat, nothing. Pretty easy to get. I just hope I dont have to follow you on some two lane road when your going 50 and I am going 62mph. Have a nice day

 

[TKingsbury]

Great!! just hook and go! I wouldnt stop at any scales anywhere in Calif or about any other state. You might be "legal" but wait till some kid in a inspection station dosnt think so. In Cal you need a Class A with a current Doc cert. No air brakes, liqiid, Haz mat, nothing. Pretty easy to get. I just hope I dont have to follow you on some two lane road when your going 50 and I am going 62mph. Have a nice day

If you look at the signs at the truck scales, it clearly says "no pick-ups" so that is a non-issue.

Travis. .

 

[bombero]

Ya I guess I m wrong again. The CHP will know the dif between pickup and a truck pulling a set of doubles past their scales without stoping. I guess I lost my mind.