B&P
Calgary, Alberta CANADA
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PrivatePilot,
I haven't had time to pursue the school for the endorsement before we p/u the MH but will definitely check out other avenues than the one that gave us the wrong info.
Unlike some Provinces Alberta does not require a special license for MH's regardless of weight. DH had a Class 2, but let it go as he no longer needed since he is retired, and it required a medical every 2nd year at his expense. He has a Class 3 now which more than qualifies him. He also retains his air brake endorsement.
This is how Alberta's classifications are broken down:
Class 1 (Professional - Any vehicle)
Class 2 (Professional - Bus)
Class 3 (3-axle plus)
Class 4 (Professional - Taxi, Ambulance)
Class 5 (2-axle - Cars, Light Trucks, Motorhomes or Mopeds)
Class 6 (Motorcycle & Moped)
Class 7 (Learners - 2-axel & Motorcycle & Moped)
I have asked our insurance co to confirm if I can drive without the endorsement but am still awaiting their answer. I think I know the answer  but if they say it is okay I will ask for it in writing.
They are making me nervous as I have been waiting for a week for them to confirm that they are insuring the MH. We are running out of time. I don't know what their problem is since we have been with them for over 30 yrs and have a clean record. They said the issue is because it is being imported and it is 'high value'. I hope they soon get their act together real soon.
Bill/Pat
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D & M
Laurel, MD
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Greentow wrote:Only 2 states currently require anything more that a standard D/L (sorry 3). NY, CA, and FLA. And nothing to do with air brakes. YOU ARE NOT driving a commercial vehicle, nothing in the CDL handbook is applicable as far as endorsements, etc. You are driving a PRIVATE VEHICLE. CDL DOES NOT APPLY.
The caps are for emphasis, not yelling.
Lee
Make that 4. Add Maryland to your list. Maryland MVA requires that operators of any vehicle over 26,000 pounds obtain a non commercial Class A or Class B licence and if it is equipped with air brakes, get that added to the licence too.
Click here for the info
I believe PA also and several other states require some form of upgraded licence to operate vehicles oer 26,000 pounds.
Dave
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Kajtek1
CA
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kjames90755 wrote:
Air-brakes work similarly to regular power- or power-assisted brakes on automobiles, in reverse-however. Power brakes on a car rely on vacuum to assist the brake pedal in applying the brakes (when you apply the brakes, you're breaking the vacuum), air-brakes don't rely on vacuum so much as lack of air-pressure. Air pressure holds the brakes open, which is why an air leak can cause your brakes to lock up (a dangerous situation). Admittedly, the technology is old nowadays, and should be waivered for certain vehicle situations (it's been proven reliable for decades), but the wheels of bureaucracy move slower than molasses during a blizzard...
Ignore all the laws in other states and worry about your local law requirements only.
The above shows how litle knowledge is out there and how many myths about technical items in our rigs. When in standard car vacuum is only boosting the braking power, in air brakes air pressure IS the power.
The emergency brakes, what is separate system from air brakes use powerful spring for braking, but the spring is not powerful to lock the wheels. Actually in most coaches you can drive several hundreds feet with emergency brakes on.
Than there are DD3 systems that have no springs and rely on air pressure for all braking. But that turns into highly technical discussion that is not likely needed.
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kjames90755
Signal Hill, CA
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Kajtek1 wrote:kjames90755 wrote:
Air-brakes work similarly to regular power- or power-assisted brakes on automobiles, in reverse-however. Power brakes on a car rely on vacuum to assist the brake pedal in applying the brakes (when you apply the brakes, you're breaking the vacuum), air-brakes don't rely on vacuum so much as lack of air-pressure. Air pressure holds the brakes open, which is why an air leak can cause your brakes to lock up (a dangerous situation). Admittedly, the technology is old nowadays, and should be waivered for certain vehicle situations (it's been proven reliable for decades), but the wheels of bureaucracy move slower than molasses during a blizzard...
Ignore all the laws in other states and worry about your local law requirements only.
The above shows how litle knowledge is out there and how many myths about technical items in our rigs. When in standard car vacuum is only boosting the braking power, in air brakes air pressure IS the power.
The emergency brakes, what is separate system from air brakes use powerful spring for braking, but the spring is not powerful to lock the wheels. Actually in most coaches you can drive several hundreds feet with emergency brakes on.
Than there are DD3 systems that have no springs and rely on air pressure for all braking. But that turns into highly technical discussion that is not likely needed.
Because I'm tired, I'll ask the question--not argumentative, just curious....ever try to stop a car that is equipped with "Full-Power" Brakes when the engine has died and you've lost the "Power" and the vacuum has been lost?? (rhetorical question) You better weigh 350# and be able to stand on that pedal, even with 4-wheel disc brakes--you rely on that Vacuum Power. I've had power brakes that ranged from soft like stepping on a rotten plum with a soft stop (maybe 1 1/2"-2" of pedal movement), to firm like a carrot that would stop you on a grain of rice (with less than 1/2" of pedal movement--God, I loved that '69 Mercury Montego-4 Wheel Full Power Disc brakes--not only did it "stop on a grain of rice" it went back and got the bowl, too!)...
Okay...enough for automotive brakes...they fail, too...with disastrous results...
Air brakes v. Power Disc Brakes, given the general RVing public doesn't understand how either one works (not by choice, I'm very interested--I drive someone who is disabled, but didn't have the "luxury" of growing up needing to be a mechanic for my own 80 ton truck)--except that they both "Make it stop."--If a lack of air pressure in the brake air system can cause your brakes to activate (lock up), or the parking brake to fail to release until sufficient pressure is available, then how is braking accomplished when you step on the pedal?
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Dennis M M
Geneva, IL
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OK - as brief as possible. All automotive brakes use hydraulic pressure to apply the brakes. Power brake systems simply multiply the pressure applied by the foot pedal. If the power boost system fails it takes considerably more pressure on the pedal (compared to manual brakes) because you do not have the leverage advantage built into manual brake systems.
On vehicles with air brakes there are two SEPARATE brake systems.
The park brake is applied with a heavy spring in a canister at each axle end (usually rear axles only) and released by air pressure.
The service brake is applied by air pressure and released by springs. The air pressure is controlled by a valve at the brake pedal. Air is supplied from two or more air tanks with usually 90 to 120 PSI, maintained by an on-board compressor. More air pressure released into the system by the brake pedal valve equals more braking action.
A lot more to it, but that is the simple comparison.
Just FYI - there are two times you may hear a "whoosh" from a truck brake system. When you apply the park brake the canisters make an audible "whoosh" as air is expelled. On some truck you also get the "whoosh" when the pressure relief valve exhausts as the compressor cycles off.
* This post was
edited 04/14/08 05:08am by Dennis M M *
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PrivatePilot
Courtice, Ontario, Canada
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Dennis M M wrote: On some truck you also get the "whoosh" when the pressure relief valve exhausts as the compressor cycles off.
Sorry to nitpick, but the pop you hear when the compressor kicks off is actually the air dryer spit-valve dumping moisture. The compressor itself unloading doesn't usually make any noise.
Otherwise you did a great job explaining the air brake system. 
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Dennis M M
Geneva, IL
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Mark wrote:Sorry to nitpick, but the pop you hear when the compressor kicks off is actually the air dryer spit-valve dumping moisture
Yup, you are right - all I can plead is brain fade - it was early in the morning 
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PrivatePilot
Courtice, Ontario, Canada
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Dennis M M wrote:Yup, you are right - all I can plead is brain fade - it was early in the morning
Monday morning, at that. That's a universal excuse for anything!
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Kajtek1
CA
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My coach makes "whoosh" when I flip the switch for lift-able tag. No air dryer on the old beast
Back in Europe I drove several cars that have not been equipped with brake boosters. Not too comfortable, but doable.
Once few years ago I drove 7 tons motorhome home for almost 200 miles without the booster. The hydraulic pump shaft broke while leaving campground on Sunday afternoon. Driving mountain very windy road gave me wet back. Less because of braking, that I could control with transmission shifting, but the steering wheel gave me sore biceps for a week.
Traditionally topic goes well past the original question, but what can we do?
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Deen
Vancouver, WA
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Joined: 12/07/2000
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B&P wrote:Bukhrn,
That is interesting. We were under that understanding that an air brake endorsement was required everywhere.
Can anyone elaborate the requirements in your state? We are especially interested in Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Montana as these are the states we will be traveling through on our route home. It would be nice to be able to relieve DH on the long, long road to home. Not necessary here in WA as long as it's being driven by the owner and not being delivered by a commercial driver (CDL would be required them) WA specifically exempts RV drivers from needing anything but a standard drivers license with no add'l testing.
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