I am very confused about the requirements about which class DL applies. We want to get a F350 dually to tow a fifth wheel camper.

In NC, the handbook says:
Regular Licenses Class A: Required to operate a combination of vehicles that is exempt from CDL requirements when the towed unit has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more.
Class B: Required to operate any single vehicle that is exempt from CDL requirements with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, and any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Class C: Required to operate any noncommercial single vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds; and a vehicle towing a vehicle which has a combined GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds operated by a driver 18 years old or older. Most drivers need only a Regular Class C license to operate personal automobiles and small trucks.

Am I right, that if we stay under a combined GVWR of 26,001, class C applies? Or do I need to get a class A if the towed unit has, let's say 13,000 lbs. but the combined GVWR is under 26,000?

Thanks

Drisean

 

I've read it a couple times....

If the trailer is 10,001+ it looks like you need a Class A.

But if the whole thing is under 26,001 you need a Class C.

So an 8,000lb truck can pull a 18,000 lb trailer on a Class C?

If I was pulling over 10,001 I would go ahead and get Class A just to be covered. JMO, easy for me to say.

Do you have a trailer in mind yet or are you just planning?

 

Thank you!

We're in the planning phase. As we won't go full time (we have a bunch of rescued animals on our farm, we just cannot throw them out, so we'll keep our dwelling for now), we'll resort to making tours. Means, <35 ft. should suffice, doesn't need washer/dryer and not a huge storage space. There're some in the 10,000 lbs. range available, but one, I really like has a GVWR of 13,000. Bummer..

Why are they making the DL requirements so confusing? California and NY are much more straight forward.

 

Don't misunderstand me. I can't figure it out either.

I would call or go in and talk with them directly. People are towing over 10k RVs all the time without anything other than a regular DL.

 

A class C should be sufficient, it covers a non commercial vehicle or combo as long as it does not exceed 26000lbs gvw.

 

Sorry for coming back that late. Yes, I agree, I think it's a class C as both parts of the combo are clearly noncommercial. Class A reads now to me as if it were for farm equipment and the likes. Thanks!