JRBOB
Sault Ste. Marie/Harlingen
New Member
Joined: 08/08/2006
View Profile
 Offline
|
On June 16,2008 the province of Ontario announced a new rule effecting RVer's. Any tractor-trailer [that includes a fifth wheel or travel trailer] or combination of motor vehicle and towed vehicles where the [Towed vehicles] exceeds a total gross weight of 4,600 kilograms or 10141 lbs., will require a Class A restricted licence.
The web site for info is http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/rv/index.shtml
A new guide is at
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/rv/rv-guide-en.pdf
The towing length or combinations remain the same at 23 meters or 75 feet 6 inches. Double towing still allowed but if police see too much sway in second trailer,you can be pulled over, which only makes good sense. Safe travelling. Bob
|
Glen41
North Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 01/25/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
Do they allow out-of-towners a break?
In the name of safety. I would not mind taking a real test including driving and backing, but if it is just a pat-on-the-back income generator then I'll spend my money elsewhere. An example would be written test only, with perhaps an inspection thrown in.
|
kaydeejay
SE Michigan, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 07/26/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Glen41 wrote:Do they allow out-of-towners a break?
Yes, from their document :-
"Ontario permits an out-of-province driver to drive a vehicle or combination of vehicles in Ontario if the driver is properly licensed to drive the vehicle or combination in their Province or State of residency and the licence is valid".
Keith J, Retired from GM Engineering
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE 2WD/CC/SB/DA.
1999 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver
Bilsteins, Line-X, Westin steps, Prodigy, Retrax, 16K Superglide, 5th-Airborne pin-box, Multi-vex mirrors.
|
Greentreena
British Columbia
Full Member
Joined: 01/23/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
British Columbia has had this license requirment for a while. It is a well kept secret as the RV dealerships don't mention it when you are buying your 12000lbs 5th. I took the test in June and it was a lot more driving in the city towing the 5th than I have ever done in my life. I told the tester that I would never cruise around town for an hour and a half towing a 31' 5th, I would go to a campground ot find a mall to park it. BC does not allow non comercial double towing: this year was the first time I saw truck towing a 5th towing a 20' boat.
|
JUrban
Delaware
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
A growing trend either in the US or Canada. I hope they keep the teeth in the tests and don't let them deteriorate into just revenue generators. There are a number of folks out there that have no business behind the wheel of a large heavy rig.
John
2008 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40' QSP
2006 Chevrolet Colorado Toad
BlueOx Aventa LX Tow Bar
SMI Air Force One toad brake
Copilot Live Laptop 10 GPS
|
|
|
duramaxracer
Ontario Canada
New Member
Joined: 06/23/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
The addition of the Class A "Restricted" in June is correct, just a little more info for the Ontario guys, that law has always been on the books requiring a class A when towing anything over 4500kgs. Not routinely enforced. They now have just made a distinction for those who take the practical test with a pickup (or any truck for that matter) and an RV or horse trailer etc. You get a restricted Class A which only restricts you from towing an Airbrake equipped trailer or doubles. It looks like they are trying to stop those taking the test with anything other than a Tractor Trailer combo from driving the later for hire.
If you show up for the practical now with anything Other than a Manual transmission, airbrake equipped "Tractor" and a min 45' air brake commercial trailer you will be issued an "A/R".
I did mine in July. Everything is exactly the same as a regular Class "A" test, written, medical, and practical driving with circle check and uncouple/couple. All the renewal req are the same as well. What a PIA.
There is talk of a change upcoming with a max combined wt of 26,000lbs and an exemption for trailer wt limit for RV's. This combined wt is already allowed but they still have the 10K trailer limit imposed, stupid! This is suppose to be on the "G" license. Will be great for those towing with pickups.
Won't help those of us using MDT's or HDT's. We will still need the A/R.
No effect on out of province or US drivers. They go by what their laws req. As others pointed out.
|
Gruffy
monominto mb ca
Senior Member
Joined: 10/02/2003
View Profile
|
Manitoba has it as well.
Ontario does not use the published gross weight but the actual weight on the trailer wheels. So... you can be a bit over considering about 1,000kg are on the truck.
Their argument is that manufacturer weights are meaningless after options and cargo is added.
|
DRSmart
Ontario, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 03/12/2004
View Profile
|
Alternate Ministry of Transportation Links
Driver Licences
trailer weight
means the weight transmitted to the road by the trailer's axle(s) and is determined with the trailer attached to the towing vehicle.
Determining Registered Gross Weights for Trucks Towing Recreational Trailers.
If the trailer weighs more than 2,800 kg (6,171 lb.);
Register the truck for at least the combined weight of the truck and trailer
RV Information For Drivers of Motor Homes, Truck Campers and House Trailers
* This post was
edited 08/24/08 09:05pm by DRSmart *
2004 Dodge 3500, Cummins HO QC SB
3.73 Dif, 48RE Auto
Line-X bed liner
Pullrite 16K Superglide, Prodigy
2004 Jayco Designer 29RLTS (33' Triple slide)
|
Hamops
Oshawa, ON, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 01/26/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
The best way to determine if your "G" class license is legal for towing your trailer, is to go to a CAT Scale and weigh your truck and trailer connected together. If your trailer axle weight is less than 4600Kg then a "G" licence will meet the standard. The MTO is only concerned about the weight that the trailer axles impress on the road surface. The tongue or kingpin weight is part of the trucks front and rear axle weights.
As a rough rule of thumb, if your 5vr has a GVWR of 12000#, then you're probably close to a the limit. You can guestimate your kingpin weight at 12000 X 20% = 2400#, therefore your trailer weight (axle weight) would be 12000 - 2400 = 9600#. This is why it's important to weigh your truck/trailer combination.
I had this issue resolved for me by the MTO after I had weighed my truck and trailer. The information was sent to the St Catherines office of the MTO and the officials there determined that my Class G license met the standard and class A was not necessary.
My concern about the licensing matter had to do with travelling out of province, especially the U.S. Reciprocity rules apply but If something were to happen, down there, then my license would automatically be called into question. I don't need to have that added to my problems.
I have the name of the MTO contact who worked with me about my issue and if you would like that contact's name, send me a PM and I'll send it to you.
* This post was
edited 08/25/08 03:17pm by Hamops *
Helen & George VE3INB and Max (Bichon Frise)
06 Silverado LT 2500HD D/A
2006 Crossroads Cruiser CF30SK
Prodigy Brake Controller
16K Reese Slider with a Bedsaver
|
Gruffy
monominto mb ca
Senior Member
Joined: 10/02/2003
View Profile
|
Actually MTO may not be your problem. My insurance came back with fine print....
"Does not cover trailers over 4500kg" or words to that effect.
You can bet the insurance company will use the sticker and NOT road weights if there is a claim.
|
|
|
