Monday, December 21, 2015

More Info on RV

My last blog posting was about the decision to sell my motorhome.  There is a little more information about it that I believe would be important to anyone thinking of purchasing a unit like mine.  There are two very important things.  The first is, since its GVW is 26,600 pounds, you need a class-B or a commercial license to drive it.  I didn't know this and drove it a couple of years with out the proper license and if I had a wreck, even if it was not my fault, it would be considered my fault since I was driving it illegally.  Here in Texas, driving anything over 26,000 pounds (or 30,000 pounds combined vehicle weights) requires the higher license.

I was on a trip and sitting outside the RV talking to fellow RVer.  The fellow asked if I had any trouble getting a license to drive it.  I said I didn't have any special license and was not told when I bought it that I needed one.  Ignorance is no excuse for breaking a law.  Let me tell you, the rest of that trip from then on was not very pleasant, knowing I was breaking laws.  I quickly corrected that problem and now have the correct license.

My RV also has air brakes.  Since it has an air-ride suspension that takes compressed air to operate, it only makes sense to have air brakes and air horns (have both a regular horn and air horns).  Most people don't know how air brakes work.  For safety reasons, the brakes are spring loaded and always engaged.  Air has to be applied to released the brakes and if you loose air pressure, the brakes will come on.  Anyone I have talked to who never had air brakes thought the opposite was true, that you needed air to put the brakes on and they wondered what would happen if you lost air pressure.  Well, now you know.  Hope you all have a great day, you hear?

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9 comments:

  1. our awesome travelsDecember 21, 2015 at 2:20 PM

    That much I knew another reason we don't have a larger coach.

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  2. The Odd EssayDecember 21, 2015 at 4:32 PM

    You know, Dizzy, you're giving more information than most RV dealerships do (or maybe even know). Hope the lucky person finds you soon.

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    1. Dizzy-DickDecember 21, 2015 at 10:09 PM

      The dealerships should make sure you are legal when you drive the newly purchased RV off their lot. At least that makes common sense to me.

      Delete
  3. GypsyDecember 21, 2015 at 4:51 PM

    When I think of how I pulled my big 5th wheel for several years not knowing a lot of things about it, I consider myself lucky I didn't kill myself or someone else. At least I didn't need a special license though.

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    Replies
    1. Dizzy-DickDecember 21, 2015 at 10:12 PM

      Yes, in a lot of ways, that big 5th wheel takes more skill to handle, especially in a heavy cross wind.

      Delete
    2. GypsyDecember 22, 2015 at 12:06 AM

      I give credit to my F350, as I never had a trouble in high winds, or going up big mountains. That truck was a gem! It was matched perfectly to the 5th wheel also.

      Delete
  4. jimkabobDecember 21, 2015 at 6:47 PM

    Has it got a jake-brake?

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