increase the classb trailer gvw

[cat320]

every one should talk to some (state sentetor)? about trying to raise the trailer weight for the classB cdl.

It's really stupid to have it the way it is it should be up to at leat 20K gvw for any combo except a semi trailer unit. so at least gys with smaller machine could transport them with a class B . It just seams to jump from a little to alot with no imbetween.

just something that maybe if alot of people ascrooss the country start maybe it would work.

[thejdman04]

I drive around enough to know that we already have some really bad drivers out there in cars AND TRUCKS. MOre cars then trucks but trucks as well. Whats the big deal about getting a class A cdl?????????????? You want to drive a bigger truck on the license you currently have. Why not just take the truck you have it it constitues having a class a cdl and go get your class A cdl. If your looking at buying a truck but it would need a class a cdl and you currently dont have one then buy the truck and go get a class a. IF you cannot pass the test then you should not buy the truck or drive the truck. IF your qualified to drive the truck etc you should have no problem doing it one time w/a state examiner. We dont need unqualified nut jobs hopping in bigger trucks or class b drivers who are used to dump trucks drive semi size trucks UNLESS they are qualified. Its the same argument about drug testing. IF you have nothing to hhide whats the problem? So it takes a few hours out of your day big deal I have bigger things to worry about. If you drug tested 1 million drivers and it only got off the road for drugs I would say keep the program. If they jsut get one drug addict off the road away from my friends and family or yours good. We dont need people hopped up on god knows what driving around your friends and family 8 hours a day. We dont need unqualified drivers driving around either in cars or trucks. If you dont have the skill or knowledge to get the bigger license (which really isnt that hard) then you shouldnt be in the truck. If your qualified its not a big deal.

[cat320]

I think the point i'm trying to make and that the state /gov. should do is not let class b driver drive semi trucks i have no interest in that but wanting to drive a 16' tag trailer to carry a mini excavator or something that is gvw'ed at 14K lbs requires a class a. I would just like to see the trailer part match the thruck part that they uped to 26K on a class c .

Why should every one have to get a class a if they just want to tow a heavier utility trailer ?? People who rent those uhauls carry far more crap and don't have a clue but they do it leagal . becuase they upped it to 26K

[thejdman04]

I agree 99% of those people who rent uhaul trucks esp the 26ft box trucks should not be drving them. Driving a truck whose box is 26ft long because they are moving, used to driving a honda civic in which they hook up to the back is 100% wrong. Having worked in the rental business for a quite awhile before i changed careers, people are idiots, complete idiots never towing a trailer and hten renting a truck and trailer, using chain saws as a mini trencher (yes it has happend) people are idiots 99% incompetent. I just see raising the limit to say 20,000 trailer would open up alot of people such as beer delivery trucks, etc driving a semi on a b license. I think the first thing w/licenses that we need to urge our congressment to do is close the rv loop hole. We have a company nearby that rent rv's and so many of them first turn hit a stop light pole check the curb, etc. Alot of older people driving these rv's cant even see anymore cant hear anymore but are out driving a 40ft long vehicle that doeswnt bend to turn corners and there trying to drive through town to see this site or that use 10 parking spots to park them, they need to be squashed first

[cat320]

I agree on the rv 's you can get into those big truck and trailer combos on a regular license and pull those monster trailers that are just as heavy .That is why i say even if they upped the trailer portion it would only be restricted to a utility type trailer and not those semi truck trailer combo's .

I'm sure there is a way to do it so a contractor with a small machine can tow it that is inbetween thw 10K and 20K trailer gvw limit.

But they do need to keep a watch or do something about the weekend worria hopping in those big trucks and heading out and not have the prober training like we had to go thru to drive the same if not bigger truck.

[sbrem]

Whats the big deal about getting a class A cdl?????????????? You want to drive a bigger truck on the license you currently have. Why not just take the truck you have it it constitues having a class a cdl and go get your class A cdl.


This is exactrly what I was thinking. It's not hard at all to get your class A and it will open up more oportunities for you in the future.

[Orchard Ex]

I think the point is that someone with a class B CDL does have more training (and drug testing) than the average John/Jane Doe but cannot legally haul as much trailer as a non commercial driver. Nobody is saying that you should be able to drive a semi with a class B CDL, but you SHOULD be able to pull as much as a non-CDL class C (or non-CDL class B for that matter) driver legally can. With the CDL comes more regulation, medical testing and higher penalties for mistakes - it should also come with more driving privileges, not less.

[atgreene]

Would you rather a class C driver haul a 15000 lb trailer with a 1 ton or have a class B driver do it with a heavier safer truck? What it boils down to is which is safer?

It's obvious that the fed's have not kept pace with technology and equipment on this issue.

If they would not include the weight of the trailer in the 10000 lb limit it would make things much less complicated.

Lets face it, any idiot can take a Ford 750 with a 12000 lb trailer and get his class A, but is he really able to drive a true class A truck? There needs to be a wider weight class in the class B classification.

[sbrem]

Lets face it, any idiot can take a Ford 750 with a 12000 lb trailer and get his class A, but is he really able to drive a true class A truck?


At least in Vermont if you take your class A with a tag along trailer instead of a 5th wheel you get a "no 5th wheel" restriction on your license so you wouldn't be able to drive a "true" class A (tractor trailer) anyway.

I understand the points you guys are makeing and they do make sense, but like I said earlier, why not just get your class A and then there is no worry about trailer weight at all.

[Orchard Ex]

... you get a "no 5th wheel" restriction on your license so you wouldn't be able to drive a "true" class A (tractor trailer) anyway.
Yep, we get a "limited A" here too.

I understand the points you guys are makeing and they do make sense, but like I said earlier, why not just get your class A and then there is no worry about trailer weight at all.
I agree with getting the license that is required, I just disagree with the double standard of commercial vs. non-commercial towing limits. The physics are the same going down the road, the rules for license classes should be the same too.
Here, the biggest problem with getting the A is the scheduling. The driving part of the test is only given at certain locations, that means a whole day of travel to and from, plus getting someone who already holds an A license to take a day off from their job to ride there with you, and hope that you don't get bumped by the examiner that calls in sick.