Semi registered as RV?

[Iraqvet05]

Only once in my 10 or so years of trailer camping have I seen a semi pulling an RV trailer. We were in South Fork, CO a few years ago and a guy had a sleeper cab Peterbuilt pulling a large 5er.

On a Facebook thread the other day, I saw a post that stated a semi truck can be registered as an RV in some (all??) states where the operator is exempt from obtaining a CDL. If you operate a bob tailed semi or pull anything, doesn't the presence of air brakes on the semi necessitate some type of license endorsement beyond a class C?

[Midnightmoon]

I have come across the same thing. In fact, there was one at the Jacksonville North KOA last summer when we were there.

I'm sure that this will vary greatly from state to state. But here in PA for example, since that thing will have a GVWR of over that magic 26,000# mark, the driver would need to have a minimum of non-commercial class A license to operate it, even if it is operated as an RV.

[Jagiven]

Seen a bunch of them. I think a lot depends on the state. Here in Minnesota what I was told, if it has a gvw under 26K it can be registered as class D with air brake endorsement. I was also told to get it under 26K gvw it has to have a single rear axle. Take all this with a grain of salt, as I have not verified.

[barryg]

Two years ago we were in Ouray. A guy there had a full size tractor with sleeper, behind the sleeper he had a smart car sitting sideways, not sure how they got it sideways but nonetheless it was there and the day before they were driving it(the smart car), then behind that he had a fifth wheel hitch (farther back than the original would have been) that was pulling a big ol toy hauler with a 4 seater commander in it. It looked like a pretty sweet setup. No idea on how it was plated though

[EA37TS]

You will generally see a “Not For Hire” sign on the sides indicating it is private and not commercial. License requirements are controlled by the individual states.

[poohbear]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

I have come across the same thing. In fact, there was one at the Jacksonville North KOA last summer when we were there.

I'm sure that this will vary greatly from state to state. But here in PA for example, since that thing will have a GVWR of over that magic 26,000# mark, the driver would need to have a minimum of non-commercial class A license to operate it, even if it is operated as an RV.

if your Tx resident if combined gvwr goes over 26K you need the non-commercial A dl and if you add a stove and a few mre items the semi can be a rv but it doesnt have to be registered thar way , can just be a private vehicle

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by barryg

Two years ago we were in Ouray. A guy there had a full size tractor with sleeper, behind the sleeper he had a smart car sitting sideways, not sure how they got it sideways but nonetheless it was there and the day before they were driving it(the smart car), then behind that he had a fifth wheel hitch (farther back than the original would have been) that was pulling a big ol toy hauler with a 4 seater commander in it. It looked like a pretty sweet setup. No idea on how it was plated though

They just drive them up and down on ramps. Not too long ago I saw a guy pulling is fifth wheel with a brand new Volvo tractor. Beautiful, but his TV must have cost 4 times as much as his 5er

[Jagiven]

Here is one I saw a few years back. The guy converted the 5ver to tandem duallies, with electric over air brakes. Has a smart car on the back of the semi, and a big bike on back. If I recall the lift mechanism was fully hydraulic.