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Old 08-04-2016, 01:19 PM   #21
boat391
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I so wish I wasn't working when you need to take your test. I would be happy to do this for you free of charge. But right now I am swamped at work but I'll see how things go here and let you know. I wish I could go with you and see all the BS they are doing. I believe the testing is a necessary thing don't get me wrong but the DMV is involved and that's not a good thing.
 
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Old 08-06-2016, 01:54 PM   #22
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I agree. I wish people could just go to a private school of their choice, or have the instructors come to your home, and once you pass, you are good to go. Of course that puts the CYA on the schools rather than the DMV?
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Old 08-12-2016, 01:13 PM   #23
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I'm going to start another topic about insurance, and what happens if you don't have a Non-Commercial Class "A" license. I failed the skills test, and my Class "A" CHP escort that took me there, failed on two attempts to do the Alley docking maneuver they required me to do, and was trying a 3rd time, when they came running and screaming out of the building saying we could not practice, even though I had already failed. He just said let me try it, I know they will get mad, but let me see if I can do it? The alley dock was two yellow lines 12 feet apart and 38 feet deep, and you were supposed to have the rear of your 5th wheel end up in the end zone which was only two feet wide. The problem was there was a perpendicular blue line you could not cross over that was 90 feet from the entrance of the alley dock, and a red parallel line on the right side you could not cross over that was only 10 feet from the alley dock. So essentially you had to start perpendicular to the alley dock, and bck up and approach from your left side. But the hitch was no part of your trailer's rear end or wheels could break the imaginary barrier of the yellow width of the alley dock. So the back end of my 5th wheel sticks out some 13' 6" from the CL of the rear wheels. There were no cones to visually see, except at the end of the alley dock. So you were supposed to be able to curve into this spot, and not break that imaginary barrier. I told the guy I'm not a beer delivery truck? Anyway, I could not do it, and failed. My Class "A" CHP failed on 2 attempts? So good OL' Kalifornia. I only live one mile from Nevada. Maybe I should move there? NV, Oregon, WA, and Idaho where we will be traveling next have none of these silly requirements.
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Old 08-12-2016, 01:41 PM   #24
Artemus Gordon
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Never heard of Alley Dock! Is that new?
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Old 08-12-2016, 03:38 PM   #25
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I guess we all have to start delivering beer in our retirement years?
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Old 08-13-2016, 11:07 AM   #26
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I am trying to understand the dock layout. Is this a close approximation of what you had to park in?

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Old 08-13-2016, 11:34 AM   #27
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Spoke with California DMV yesterday, they told me that if your pulling a unit between 10,000 and 15,000 you need nothing but a reg. driver's license. NO restrictions. If you check the DMV's Commercial handbook, it's states the same thing.
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Old 08-13-2016, 11:39 AM   #28
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Clearly the conversation has moved to those towing 15,001 and over. I suspect more Montanas when loaded exceed 15,000 lbs.
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Old 08-13-2016, 05:13 PM   #29
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It has nothing to do with the weight you might be at. It is all about the posted GVWR on the side of your 5th wheel, that says something like 16,810 pounds like ours does, that makes us have to get this stupid license. First of all, after failing my Alleeeee Doccccck test , all I can say, is that if I ever showed up to an RV park, that told me I had to back up into a 12 foot wide by 38 foot deep pocket, with walls on three sides, I would refuse, since when my slides are out, I am 14 feet wide. So to be failed by an instructor in Kalifornia for not being able to place my rig in a 12 x 38 foot cubicle in two tries, I say they are not obviously caring about RV safety, but hindering us baby boomers from celebrating life.
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Old 08-13-2016, 05:23 PM   #30
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Carl and Susan, if I could figure out how to post pics here, I could show you how tight this test actually was. Your diagram is right, but about 180 degrees off. Plus, I'm not sure the 90 feet is included in the 38 feet? First of all, if ever an RV park wanted me to park in a space 12 x 38, I would refuse, c=since with our slides out, we are 14 feet wide. Plus, if my wife and i had to do a maneuver like this, if it took us 31 tries, then so be it. But the Kalifornia DMV says after 2 tries, you start to get dinged, and then fail the test.
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Old 08-13-2016, 05:37 PM   #31
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by offroad71

Spoke with California DMV yesterday, they told me that if your pulling a unit between 10,000 and 15,000 you need nothing but a reg. driver's license. NO restrictions. If you check the DMV's Commercial handbook, it's states the same thing.
Do you happen to have a reference for this "DMV's Commercial handbook"??

Many of us have been through the CA license drill many times. If
"your (sic) pulling a unit between 10,000 and 15,000 you need nothing but a reg. driver's license. NO restrictions."
then why does the DMV even have a Recreational Trailer Endorsement (Restriction: 41) application, exam, and fee (depending on license type and expiration date) ???

Here are the references DMV cites and which we have followed.

Recreational Trailer Endorsement

A driver must have a fifth-wheel recreational trailer endorsement added to his/her Class C driver license to pull a fifth-wheel recreational trailer over 10,000 lbs., but not over 15,000 lbs. GVWR, which is not used for hire. This endorsement is not required if the driver has a commercial or noncommercial Class A driver license.
Reference clicky - CA DL648 - Refer to Page 12


With a Noncommercial Class A license You May Tow:

Travel trailers weighing over 10,000 lbs. GVWR, not used for hire.
5th-wheel travel trailers weighing over 15,000 lbs., not used for hire.
Reference clicky - CA DL648 - Refer to Page 2

Most DMV employees are unaware of the Recreation Vehicle License requirements. This has been demonstrated numerous times here and on RV.net when conscientious RVers attempt to comply and the counter person looks dumbstruck.

One last point. The code is specifically refers to GVWR. This is the weight that is on the sticker near the propane locker. No one cares that you are a weekender or you have lightly loaded the RV. Actual weight is not the criteria, GVWR is.
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Old 08-14-2016, 05:11 AM   #32
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Read pages 2-6 of the California DMV Recreational vehicles and trailers handbook.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/co...df?MOD=AJPERES


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Old 08-14-2016, 06:59 AM   #33
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Carl & Susan thanks I'll look in to it. Is amazing how one hand book state's one thing and another state's the opposite.
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Old 08-18-2016, 03:48 PM   #34
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To all, we just got our new 2017 3820FK, and will not be able to attend the Montana yearly event this year next month. I would love to see them set up the "Alley Dock" test I was required to do to get my license in California, and see how many people that are experienced RV'ers can do it in less then 3 tries? I would love to report the results back to the DMV. Keep in mind I have a 2017 long bed dually RAM 3500 and my 3820FK is 40'9" So if someone in a sliding short bed, and a shorter 5th wheel does it, then that is not comparing apples to apples. I also have approx. 13'6" of rear end on the Monty behind the CL of the rear trailer wheel to contend with. Thanks, Have fun at the yearly event.

Dennis & Tracy Kimball
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Old 02-14-2017, 07:26 PM   #35
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If you take your driving skills test at the facilities in west Sacramento get a morning appointment. They pass more people in the morning than they do in the afternoon. In the morning you can use the shadow from the rear of your trailer to help you stop in the correct spot or use your back up camera if you have one. Also inform the person giving you the test that you always look under the vehicle and trailer for any leaks as you walk up to it to do your prettily inspections and be very thorough when you do the inspection . They don't take points off for being very thorough. Last bit of help they like to ask how tall the bridge is that you are coming to during the drive test and how tall your trailer is. Good luck
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Old 02-14-2017, 07:29 PM   #36
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Pre trip inspection darn auto correct spelling
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Old 02-14-2017, 10:52 PM   #37
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This is for any California people out there. I bought my Monty 3820FK in Reno, Nevada, and they will not register it for me, since I live in Calif. So after I get the new 5th wheel trailer in about a week, do I just take all the paperwork from the RV dealer in NV to a Calif. DMV, and pay the 7k sales tax and registration fees, etc., or do they need to actually see the new trailer in person? The reason why I am asking, is the DMV in Truckee, CA, is tiny, and I scoped it out, and would not know where to park 60 feet of truck and trailer? Anybody know the ins and outs about this in California? Thanks
Out of state purchase in California, you will need the MSO from the dealer in Reno a ID verification, done at a DMV office or an independent verifier, your check book and that is it. It's the same as if you bought a used car from out of state, really not a big deal I have done it 3 times
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Old 02-15-2017, 11:47 AM   #38
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I only live one mile from Nevada. Maybe I should move there? NV, Oregon, WA, and Idaho where we will be traveling next have none of these silly requirements.
I'd be buying an address one mile east real quick!
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Old 02-15-2017, 06:55 PM   #39
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I will keep you all posted, since I can not cheat the system, because of may reasons, one of them being my son is a CHP officer, but here is what I know so far. I have to get a Non-Commercial Class "A" license. To do that I need to fill out form DL44 and the health form 546. No doctor needs to sign it, just fill it out. Then I am going in tomorrow to take the regular drivers license written test again, and then a Trailer/RV test. Then the vision test. Then when I pick up the Monty this Thursday, I plan on going to a parking lot a block away from the DMV and asking them to come do the vin check, and pay my registration fees and sales tax. They will do a simple vehicle safety check, and a pre-trip inspection test too. Then I have an appointment a couple of weeks from now at the Sacramento Commercial drivers test facility, and they will make me do a skills test and a driving test with the 5th wheel.
I'd move....

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Old 02-15-2017, 11:29 PM   #40
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Your Son can do the ID verification, any police offer can, just pick up the form if I recall it's a form 343, or print it off the DMV website
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