Towing Heavy In North Carolina

[Viper Puller]

Hi everyone!!! I'm a new TDR member and a first time poster. I've been lurking on the board for a while and find it incredibly useful!!

We pull a 48' Featherlite 3 axle gooseneck car trailer to haul our 2 Viper GTS Coupes to track events. The trailer weighs 7200lb empty and about 16000lb loaded with cars, tools, tires, etc. Gross weight rating of the trailer is 21000lb.

After seeing warnings on this board we investigated license requirements in North Carolina to find out if we were legal. We weren't!!! North Carolina requires what is called a Classified A license for towing a trailer with a Gross Weight Rating higher than 10000lb. It doesn't make any difference what it actually weighs - only what its GWR is.

To get this license you take the same written test as for a CDL. You then can get a "learner's" permit to allow you to learn to tow. You then bring your truck and trailer down to your local DMV office for a road test!!! Never mind their parking lot wasn't big enough for me to fit the rig - I had to park it on the street next to the DMV office. Anyway, you drive around as instructed (you don't have to parallel park the thing!!!) and if they are satisfied, you get your Classified A license.

The only difference between this license and a CDL appears to be whether or not you haul for hire. We only haul our own cars (or friends as a favor) and this is a hobby for us so I don't have to have a CDL. I don't want a CDL either as it brings other hassles with it.

Sorry for the long post. I hope that this helps - I don't want anyone to get caught unaware.

------------------
Henry Cone
2x 1996 Viper GTS Coupes

2001. 5 3500 Sport ETH/DEE
48' Featherlite Enclosed 2 Car Trailer

 

[Batman]

Welcome aboard! This is a great for info. Speaking of which, maybe you can answer something for me?
I towed my 5th wheel camper this weekend (10k lbs) and my auto didn't seem to like it much, I believe my TC slipped going up a failry steep grade at 50 mph in 3rd gear (OD locked-out)
Any suggestions?

------------------
George
2001, 3500 4x4 dually, auto, 4. 10 LS, camper & tow groups, RBW 15K hitch, Lund Visor, Westin Platinum CPS nerf bars, OEM front mud flaps, after-market rear flaps.
Stock... ... ... . for now!

 

[Ramboy00]

George,
Since you are stock, your TC should not be slipping. You probably need the control module reflashed. Once you start bombing, you will have to upgrade your TC.
Phil

------------------
'99 D3500, auto. ,2WD,3. 55 LSD, all options, Banks Power Pack w/K&N filter,DTT TC & VB, Mag-Hytec pan, '99 40ft. Alfa Gold Triple-slide 5'er
"Ignore your rights and they'll go away. "

 

[WyoJim]

Bill Kondolay's valve body will cure the slipping. It did mine. Or unlock the OD and the TC will unlock also. It will shift into OD and require too much pedal to let the TC lock up. The only problem is that on a long hill in fluid drive, the transmission will tend to warm up.

------------------
98. 5 24 valve auto, QC, LB, EZ, DTT vb 9 1/2ft 3500# slide in S&S Camper

 

[Batman]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm currently waiting for a response from Bill K. for TC & VB.
Thanks again
George

 

[rob10858]

viper, although our company is located in soutwest va, we travel alot in nc. as a matter of fact im a grad from a school in your town [see my username] if you dont travel out of your home state, and race for a "hobby" as long as you have your proper lic and regisration, as far as weight goes, dont let these guys hassle you. weve been to court with them and won, although we gained nothing , they still hassle us. they will consider you commercial as long as you pull into the scales, so dont. after many bad experiences ive told my guys to bypass scales and let them come after you if they want. one finally got me at the scale in mt airy,nc and put me out of service for no logbook. i was under 26001 combined and the reg of the vehicle clearly said "private" i was registered at 25999 gcvw. there was no fine involved but it was the principal of the whole thing that p..... d me off. the judge didnt reward lost revenue,etc but said that the officer may have "misinterpreted" the meaning of commercial vehicles. he more or less told his own law brethern that the cdl req were meant to apply to the big rigs that use our highways and if every pickup hauling over 10000 lbs whether for profit or fun pulled into the scales, it would be "dangerous and non-productive" so there, and you thought you were long winded, im just getting started.

 

[1BIG44]

Welcome Viper,
Nice to see another "neighbor" on board. Just curious as to the cost to the Classified A license. I don't need it at this time as our trailer rates just under 10,000, but may need it in the future.

Thanks,
Wes

------------------
2001 QuadCab 4x4 ETH/DEE
Mag-Hytec rear cover, SPA DG-111, Hadley airhorns, Jacob's E-brake. 30' Wilderness 5th wheel

 

[Viper Puller]

Packman, I'm a State grad as well. Anyway, I don't stop a scales either. My understanding that it is not required if I'm not hauling for hire. Since I now have a license that makes it legal for to tow the trailer, we have a truck tag rated to 23000lb to cover the combined wieght of the truck and the trailer, and we have titles for the cars to show that we own them I thnk that we a safe not to stop at weigh stationa, at least in North Carolina.

We do tow to other states so we have to be concerned there. Since I can only carry a North Carolins license at least the license shouldn't be an issue in other states...

Thanks for sharing your info. .



------------------
Henry Cone
2x 1996 Viper GTS Coupes
2001. 5 3500 White Sport ETH/DEE, 3. 54's, Loaded, Jacob's Exhaust Brake, Horton Fan Clutch, Rhino Liner, Mopar Folding Bed Cover
48' Featherlite Enclosed 2 Car Trailer

 

[Viper Puller]

1BIG44, nice to hear from someone local. I don't remember the cost of the license for sure but I believe it was only $10 since I already had a valid NC license. It was more of a hassle than enything else but better safe than sorry. .

------------------
Henry Cone
2x 1996 Viper GTS Coupes
2001. 5 3500 White Sport ETH/DEE, 3. 54's, Loaded, Jacob's Exhaust Brake, Horton Fan Clutch, Rhino Liner, Mopar Folding Bed Cover
48' Featherlite Enclosed 2 Car Trailer

 

[rob10858]

when you go out of state, it can be pretty tricky. take this advice, when the dot sees a out of state rig it raises alot of flags. you are going to a car show for a hobby, no, youve never been in this state before, and no i didnt know that. do i have to pay a fine, or what? youll go away without problems every time. just remember what that state says, and keep it in mind the next time you go there. another good reason to cruise on by weigh stations, when you pull in you are a sitting duck, when you go by, you are another pickup with a trailor. by the way si has state #3 in b ball recruits this year. they need it.

 

[RAMalama]

I'm moving to E-City, NC in July! My 5er's GVW is 13. 7K. I'm 21K CGVW. I intend to shift all my plates (have motorcycles too) and DL over to NC. Looks like I had better go through all the rigamaroo as well. Thanks for the heads up Viper...

Ian.

------------------
'95 2WD 3500 std cab, 4:10, 5spd. 68K miles all towing 35ft 14K-lbs triple slide 5er. Completely stock but learning...