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RE: Should we buy a Ford 5th Wheel Hitch?
Hello,
We have an F250 on order and are thinking about a 5th wheel. It should be about 15.5K loaded (16.8K max gross weight). The Ford F250 has the eight foot box and the 5th wheel prep.
Would you buy the Ford hitch (18K rating) or another 5th wheel hitch?
Thanks,
Crespro
Crespro,
Are you aware of the drivers license requirement for 5th Wheels over 15k GVWR in California? Just asking as most aren't aware, and most dealers don't or won't tell you.
Rich
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Rich1961
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05/31/20 09:47am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Shore power plug conversion?
This is a good read comparing the twist lock to the Smart Plug.
https://marinehowto.com/shore-power-cords-smartplug-vs-1938/
I was on our previous communities harbor committee for 11 or 12 years, and when Smart Plug was first coming to the market they did a presentation for the marina and our committee. It is a great product. During that period we had three or four fires, with one being a major fire. I headed up booming the scene as soon fire was out, which keep the Coast Guard from nationalizing the cleanup, saving the marina and boat owns from really large bills. I got our harbor master to wake the docks with a infrared heat gun looking for over heated shore power connections. I also get him a current clamp meter. If you clamp around the whole marine cable and get a amp reading, then current is returning via the water and not the neutral in the cable, equals hot harbor. Which is not good.
Funny you mention the Marina fires. On the website I provided the link to he talks about the fires he's seen. Also goes into detail about the many issues he's found with the shore plugs and the "hot" harbors.
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Rich1961
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05/26/20 06:35pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Shore power plug conversion?
This is a good read comparing the twist lock to the Smart Plug.
https://marinehowto.com/shore-power-cords-smartplug-vs-1938/
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Rich1961
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05/25/20 06:43pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: California Non-commercial class A license ***New question***
Very interesting read everyone. I am going to call AAA tomorrow morning and ascertain if they know of a driving school that's willing to get one a "non-commercial Class-A" license class. I would LOVE to have that license FIRST and before I make the purchase of my new heavy fiver.
The one I want is almost $8,000 less in another state, than here in crappy california. Only thing is, I would need to drive across the country to get it and I need my non-com class A!! My catch-22 is that I can't get my non-com CDL unless I show up with the heavy fiver and my truck!!! Many I HATE California!
Ahhhh, cali is sooooooo jacked up!
You don't have to take the test with a 5th Wheel over 15k GVWR. A Travel Trailer over 10k GVWR qualifies for the Non Commercial A test also. If you know someone who has a Travel Trailer over 10k GVWR, ask if you can use their trailer for the test.
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Rich1961
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12/17/19 10:35pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: California Non-commercial class A license ***New question***
Thanks!
Clarification.
Not commercial or LOOKING commercial. Anyone been ticketed for hauling a heavy 5er in CA with a standard SRW/DRW pickup for not having proper endorsement.
A friend was riding with someone pulling a large 5ver several years ago coming back from a NASCAR race. They were pulled over for speeding and the CHP Officer found out that the driver had a Class B license which does not cover a 5ver over 15k GVWR. The officer told him he would have to get someone with the proper license, or drop the trailer and it would be towed by a Tow Truck. My friend had a Class A Commercial License so they were allowed to proceed. No ticket for out of Class for the original driver, but not allowed to proceed unless a driver with the proper license was behind the wheel.
A lot of regular CHP Officers are not aware of the license requirements for towing the heavier 5th Wheels, but that appears to be changing. I've talked with several before I got my Non Commercial Class A 5 years ago, who told me to ask the Commercial Officers as they weren't sure on how to answer my questions. The Commercial Officers knew and had the answers. Recently while driving my Company Truck, a SRW F350 with Utility Bed, I was directed to pull into a random roadside truck inspection in the Rocklin area. The Inspector asked for Drivers License, Registration, and Insurance which I provided. He came back in about 5 minutes, and returned all my documentation and said I was the first Non Commercial A License he's seen doing any of this type of work. Not many have the License, and there are many who don't know about it or choose to ignore it.
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Rich1961
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12/15/19 03:30pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: California Non-commercial class A license ***New question***
I've taken and hold the Ca Non Commercial A written test and driving test. I've also ridden with 3 friends so that they could take their driving test at the West Sacramento Commercial DMV. A friend of mine with a Commercial A license rode with me when I went for my driving test. All you need is a current license holder of a Commercial A or a Non Commercial A license to ride with you while you drive your rig to the test station. They will check your Licensed Co-Driver's license when you check in to do your test. The temporary license you receive after taking the written tests is basically a permit to operate your rig as long as you have a properly licensed driver with you until you get the permanent license, just like when you started driving at 15 1/2 years old with a driving permit.
You must take a Travel Trailer over 10,000lbs GVWR or a 5th Wheel over 15,000lbs GVWR to the test facility or they will not allow you to take the driving test. Also make sure you have the current registration for both truck and trailer, and proof of insurance. They will ask for it.
There is a safety check of your rig before any other tests are started. If you have one thing wrong (light bulb out, cracked windshield, missing lug nut etc), the exam is stopped right there and you'll need to reschedule the test. The hardest part of the test is the pre-trip inspection, and there's very little leeway for error on that part of the test. They want to make sure you know what you're looking for, and explain to the examiner what you're looking for. There's some good YouTube videos you can watch to give you an idea of what to do, even though they are being done on Class 8 trucks. I thought the skills portion of the test in the DMV Truck Testing Yard was a piece of cake, along with the driving test out on the road.
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Rich1961
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12/07/19 01:44pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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