California CVRA Stickers/Weight Fees and Declared Operating Weight Questions

[TheLexx]

Correct. But reading the California regs, you're allowed to tow up to 15k (with Restriction 41 permit). Above that you're into non-commercial class A. BUT what about if you're trailer is 14k and the GVWR of your truck is 14k? That would be 28k GCVWR. Folks have stated the feds say that any combination over 26k lbs puts you into commercial DL. Does that apply since this is for recreation and not for paid commercial use?

You don't need a Non-Commercial class a as long as you don't exceed the weights...

5vers is 15k travel trailers is 10k. Exceptions are made for farmers.

[JCR GD]

Correct. But reading the California regs, you're allowed to tow up to 15k (with Restriction 41 permit). Above that you're into non-commercial class A. BUT what about if you're trailer is 14k and the GVWR of your truck is 14k? That would be 28k GCVWR. Folks have stated the feds say that any combination over 26k lbs puts you into commercial DL. Does that apply since this is for recreation and not for paid commercial use?

No such rule. (I’m at actual 29,000+) (GCVWR of 34,000)

[TheLexx]

The reason I mentioned it is the 26k lbs GCVWR gets bandied about every time the subject of license classes gets brought up. And in California the regs show it's the weight of the tow vehicle up to 26k lbs for a 2 axle vehicle and the weight of the trailer (up to 15k lbs for a fifth wheel) that determines your DL class.

So in your case your fifth wheel has a GVWR of 20k and an actual weight of 15k lbs. Does that mean you have a class A non-commercial DL?

No such rule. (I’m at actual 29,000+) (GCVWR of 34,000)

[JCR GD]

The reason I mentioned it is the 26k lbs GCVWR gets bandied about every time the subject of license classes gets brought up. And in California the regs show it's the weight of the tow vehicle up to 26k lbs for a 2 axle vehicle and the weight of the trailer (up to 15k lbs for a fifth wheel) that determines your DL class.

So in your case your fifth wheel has a GVWR of 20k and an actual weight of 15k lbs. Does that mean you have a class A non-commercial DL?

The 26,000 means nothing in the realm of pickups and RV trailers. For some reason peeps get stuck on that 26,000 thing not sure why (probably cuz some of the wording in the CA lic info is about as clear as mud.) If the 5th wheel trailer GVWR is over 15,000 you have to have at least a Non-commercial class A License. (period) And yes. I have a Non-commercial class A

My Trailer GVWR is 20,000 and it weighs in right at 20,000 (with Fiat in the garage.)

[TheLexx]

That's right in line with what I've concluded. It's just I keep reading about the 26k limit. It's like the whole yellow payload sticker thing. From what I've read from folks who've been actually inspected, the inspector looks at the load ratings of the axles and tires, not the yellow payload sticker, which is an arbitrary rating put on by Ford to conform with tax and maybe license regulations.

The 26,000 means nothing in the realm of pickups and RV trailers. For some reason peeps get stuck on that 26,000 thing not sure why (probably cuz some of the wording in the CA lic info is about as clear as mud.) If the 5th wheel trailer GVWR is over 15,000 you have to have at least a Non-commercial class A License. (period) And yes. I have a Non-commercial class A

My Trailer GVWR is 20,000 and it weighs in right at 20,000 (with Fiat in the garage.)

[Redapple63]

That's right in line with what I've concluded. It's just I keep reading about the 26k limit. It's like the whole yellow payload sticker thing. From what I've read from folks who've been actually inspected, the inspector looks at the load ratings of the axles and tires, not the yellow payload sticker, which is an arbitrary rating put on by Ford to conform with tax and maybe license regulations.

In CA, the 26k limit is for a motorized home.

[Ra&Ta350]

I guess I’ll stop complaining about my $108 Texas registration cost for my truck.

[RSteele]

I have a class a commercial license with every endorsement you can get. A left over from a previous career but I have maintained it because it was a pita to get and expensive. I haven’t worried much about licensing and I don’t have to go through scales with the fifth wheel. My truck is a srw and is a 2017 $860 this year in California $1000 when it was new. This State gets you everywhere and don’t get me started on the 60 cents a gallon “gas” tax that voters allegedly voted for. The square weight sticker someone was writing about is what you would get when hauling for hire. The weight sticker has a number that corresponds with the maximum weight you are registered to carry. You will see the square sticker with an 80 on it a lot on semis and it means 80,000 lbs. “Pick ups” absolutely have to go through the scales if they are hauling for hire. There are a lot of hot shot and car haulers out there that use 1 ton pick ups as the tractor and they are subject to commercial vehicle inspections and scales just like semis.

[Rideblue51]

For years when I was towing my big toy hauler, somewhere I got the idea that the (CA.) non commercial class A was required even if the 5th wheel was RATED above 15,000lbs, not just weighing over 15,000.

[SolarPoweredRV]

That's right in line with what I've concluded. It's just I keep reading about the 26k limit. It's like the whole yellow payload sticker thing. From what I've read from folks who've been actually inspected, the inspector looks at the load ratings of the axles and tires, not the yellow payload sticker, which is an arbitrary rating put on by Ford to conform with tax and maybe license regulations.

From what I've read, the 26,000 lbs limit is in effect for Texas Residents, if the GCVWR of the Truck and Trailer exceed 26,000 lbs, you need a non-CDL Drivers License in Texas.