[Eric]

what do they say? Guns, God & gas? And obviously RV driver licences. :))

[Dick]

Well said Dick.

Here are my driver’s license requirements as a resident of
South Carolina.

A class E driver
license allows you to operate a non-commercial truck or motor home with a gross
vehicle weight (GVW) more than 26,000 lbs. A class F driver license allows you
to operate a non-commercial truck or motor home with a towed unit with a combined
gross vehicle weight (GVW) more than 26,000 lbs.

To obtain a Class E
or F driver license, you must pass a knowledge test, an off-road maneuvers
(basic skills) test, and an on-road test.

If you are applying
for a Class F driver license, you must also bring the unit you plan to tow
behind the truck or motor home.

If the weight of the
vehicle(s) is more than 26,000 lbs. you must have a commercial driver license
to operate a motor home used in commerce.

A DOT medical card is
not required to obtain a Class E or F driver’s license.

I have a learner’s permit (received after completing the
written test) – good for 1 year. I have
1 year to become proficient on the road, and then will need to take the two
part driving test.

Why am I going through this process, unlike any of my SC RV
friends? Well, it’s the law is a good
start. It also has given me some basic
skills to protect my family other others.
Also, if I were to have an accident, who doesn’t think the insurance
company will try and deny my claim if they can. No class E and F, no coverage
for my bus.

If you want to play the game, need to follow the rules.

Eric

[Corey]

I don’t know if it applies to my current insurance policy, but I know for sure that for many of my previous policies that I had a 5% discount because I possessed a valid Class A license with medical.

For those opposed to any government interference I cannot see a downside to one of the national RV organizations offering a certificate recognized by insurance companies for voluntary attendance at a school (such as a weekend course or maybe at a rallly) designed to test knowledge and driving skills. The course could be identical to what any state DMV would require.

I get it that RV dealers are not going to embrace any requirements for special licensing for people that buy a new RV or fifth wheel. I have a friend who bought his first RV which was relatively small. On his first trip he stopped to spend the night at a truck stop, and he could not back into the space. His wife went around knocking on truck doors until she found a driver that would back the RV into the space for him. At night. Now try to convince me he would not have benefitted from some training. We also made his wife aware of what the term “lot lizard” meant.

[Joe]

Jon, you are right on as far as driver’s training goes. I owned a 154 site RV Park and it was amazing how many people (especially 5th wheel) bought their rig, had it hooked up at the dealer and drove to Florida and not only did not know how to back up, but several did not even know how to unhook. One in particular stopped by Home Depot and bought about 20 2X8 pieces of lumber and piled it up under the stiff legs because he did not know to pull the pins and let the legs extend. He stacked the lumber almost to his stiff legs, then lowered them then tried to drive off. The 5th wheel fell off the blocks and crushed the bed of his brand new pickup. Several broke out their rear windows on their pickups when they cut too far. Quite an experience. I cannot count how many people I had to back into their spots. Most were pull throughs, but the outer parimiter were all back ins. Loved the Canadians, as they all knew how to back up since almost all parks in Canada are (were at the time) back ins. I also learned very quickly that when the wife got out with a walkie-talkie, you got out of plate throwing range very quickly because the air was going to turn blue and the plates would start flying.

[Archived]

I like the SC rules. That makes sense to me.

The fact that someone cannot back up their RV (trailer/fifth wheel I presume) is ludicrous. What is worse is the dealer who allowed the guy to leave the lot without some basic training and practice. Same goes for the dealer who didn’t instruct the owner on how to “unhook” from the pickup. Stake those dealers to a fire ant hill.

I haven’t seen the walkie-talkie deal on blacktop or concrete yet. A friend has a 65′ houseboat on the Mississippi and they use walkie talkies for undocking and docking and I thought that was a little over the top, but things can happen quickly on the water with current and wind. If you’re trying to get into a really tight place, good communications with your spotter is helpful.

[jack]

RV dealers care about one thing and that is the money the cusromer gives them. you can see this when you buy a new RV and nothing works on your first outing. basic stuff like electrical outlets not working. it would take a dealer an hour to do a quick check for just the basic things, uet would rather let the new owner find these issues and bring the RV back to have the dealer fix them.

if the cant do a basic check for things like all the compnents working, why would they want to make sure that new owner knows how to do something as basic as hook/un-hook, or actually pilot their new setup? dont even get me started on what they actually will look past in terms of acceptable tow vehicles for what they are selling. sure that F150 can get that 10,000 lb trailer moving, but it wont stop it, and yet they will let that customer drive away without a clue.

[Bernie]

Amen !

[Archived]

Interesting, as I went though a commercial vehicle stop out in West Texas Outside Midland just a couple months ago and they motioned me to pull in with trucks. As soon as the DPS seen me in line came over and says Private Coach as it’s right beside door on plaque. Checked my license and insurance and told me to move. Have class c with motor cycle endorsment. Asked him about over 26,000 lbs non commercial for bus and he said it’s for farmers/ranchers that drive there big trucks. Go figure. Next one will give me a ticket. Here in Texas it’s who stopped you.

Drove my bosses Prevost To trap shoots back in the 70’s for him as a punk kid and never had a problem but did get a couple speeding tickets in it when the Limit was 55. Talk about cool, I was about 20 and everybody thought I was a rockstar.

[Dick]

Go figure, that is cool glen good times all a round