Am I correct to assume that the "class" (ie A or C) designates just the type and doesn't automatically imply the license required?
IOW I still need to check the GVW to determine if I can drive it on a class C license, correct?
Yeah, the wife and I are thinking of getting a cheapish boat^WRV. No, we're not necessarily that smart 
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Yes you are correct. RV class just designates type and not license. GVW determines license. Class A full RV body and class C has van/truck cab.
You are correct. Most states don't require a CDL or any endorsement for motorhomes. Class A are the big bus-types. You shouldn't need a CDL unless the GVWR is over 26,000 lbs, which is rare... unless you buy one of those converted motorcoaches with air brakes. Most Class A's are rated at 15,000 or less.
Class B are the ones that are bloated conversion vans. Most of them are 9600 GVWR.
Class C are the boxes on a van nose. They are typically 10,000-ish GVWR.
The class of the motorhome only applies to the type, not the license required. IIRC, Nevada is basically the same as most other states concerning licensing; Class C license covers single vehicle under 26k GVWR. Class B covers single vehicle over 26k with a trailer of no more than 10k. Class A covers single over 26k AND trailer more than 10k. I think every state requires an endorsement for air brake
VA doesn't require an endoresement for air brake, if the vehicle is over 26K. Not all states require a Class A license if the vehicle is for private use.
NV does - they have a special non-commercial class A type license for people who want to drive RVs over 26k and/or want to tow trailers with a GVW of more than 10k lbs. IIRC they also have an additional test or endorsement for air brakes.
As my wife pointed out last night, if we happened to get an RV with that sort of GVW then neither my mother, my aunt (both are staunch RVers) nor anybody else in either her family or my family could borrow the RV at all. I'm still trying to figure out if that is a good or bad thing 
. Actually the bigger issue is that my wife has no interest in getting the class A license, which would leave me as the only possible driver and I don't particularly like that idea as that means we'd potentially be stranded somewhere if I yet again lose an argument with a table leg or somesuch (don't ask).
Okay, you told me to now ask, but I have to. Was the table leg attached to a table, and was the table in it's natural positioning, or did someone go all "pro-wrestling" on you?
Pretty easy to stay within those limits, unless you spend the cost of a house on an RV. They really aren't that difficult to drive, I helped my dad drive a 25 foot RV cross country at 16.
The table jumped out behind a bed without any help . And no, there wasn't any alcohol involved, just an unfamiliar small hotel room.
The table jumped out behind a bed without any help . And no, there wasn't any alcohol involved, just an unfamiliar small hotel room.
BoxheadTim wrote: Actually the bigger issue is that my wife has no interest in getting the class A license, which would leave me as the only possible driver and I don't particularly like that idea
There is a solution to this. If you join the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) they maintain a list of people willing to volunteer (for expenses, I'm guessing) to move rigs in emergencies.
The chances of becoming immobilized somewhere is small enough that I didn't worry about it when I had my 40 ft pusher.
There are two reasons that I worry about getting stuck somewhere like this (well, a little):
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mistanfo wrote: VA doesn't require an endoresement for air brake, if the vehicle is over 26K. Not all states require a Class A license if the vehicle is for private use.
Something to keep in mind the next time you are passed by a 45ft coach pulling an f 250 pulling a pontoon boat
as somebody who drove commercial for years... just remember one thing.. these things do not handle, go, or stop like anything else you have ever driven. I have never been behind the wheel of an RV.. but I imagine they are even worse than most trucks due to their more lightweight construction.
Imagine yourself driving a top heavy bowl of jello..
mad_machine wrote: as somebody who drove commercial for years... just remember one thing.. these things do not handle, go, or stop like anything else you have ever driven. I have never been behind the wheel of an RV.. but I imagine they are even worse than most trucks due to their more lightweight construction. Imagine yourself driving a top heavy bowl of jello..
Partially true. I've had all three. Van based class C is miserable, gas class A is definitely a bowl of jello that has no brakes, but once you get to the big boys - the diesel pushers that are built on Freightliner or similar chassis that are designed to move large weight, it's not bad. Air brakes, engine brake, air suspension and enough heft to withstand all but the worst winds actually make for a not so bad driving experience. Yeah, it's huge and you have to deal with that part, but it rode and handled much better than I thought it would.
I've driven some "proper" trucks in Europe (as opposed to pickup trucks) so I have some appreciation of the non-existing handling. I think we have to keep the RV comparatively small (it is only for 2-4 people max anyway) so I guess we'll have to see what shows up in our price range.
The idea of a diesel pusher appeals but for two problems - all the ones I've seen are outside out budget and won't fit the RV space at the new house either. Not to mention that they're too heavy to get into the space across the dirt in front of it...
glueguy wrote: once you get to the big boys - the diesel pushers that are built on Freightliner or similar chassis that are designed to move large weight, it's not bad. Air brakes, engine brake, air suspension and enough heft to withstand all but the worst winds actually make for a not so bad driving experience. Yeah, it's huge and you have to deal with that part, but it rode and handled much better than I thought it would.
I would rather take one of our MCIs on a road trip than my Cavalier. Once you get used to a bit of leaning and bobing they cruise along rather nicely
In Mi and GA at least, you don't need any sort of license for any sort of RV. My dad's diesel pusher has air brakes and he didn't have to get anything special for it. However, the insurance co. did offer a discount if he did.
Somewhat related question - how good/bad are Class Cs and Class As at pulling, say, a trailer with a motorcycle on it?
With a class C you won't notice it, but the frame might dissolve as you're going down the road.
With a class A, you won't notice it, even if you drag it through a concrete barrier sideways on fire.
I grew up with all forms of RV, and spent some time driving a 38' diesel pusher. IMHO if you want an RV go big or go tent, anything more than a large pickup shell or less than a diesel pusher is a terrifying death wish.
Personally, I never want to own an RV, and just purchased a roof top tent for the Trooper. Tents allow you to go places an RV (short of an earthroamer) never could, don't shock you, don't break down, don't delaminate, and rarely catch on fire. All of these things have happened in various GRM RVs. It's a wonder my parents are still alive.
FWIW, the company RV was sold a few years ago and nobody has missed it.
All that said, the diesel pusher cruised down the road like a magic carpet, it was great to drive. Parking it was a PITA, though.
Hmmm. This sounds like renting an RV might be smarter.
@Tom, Your stories sound like my in-laws boat and RV stories. IIRC the last RV they rented needed about 10 grand's worth of repairs when they were done with it and that was back when 10 grand were real money.
I've tried many different types of camping over my 18 years, and have concluded that this (or a vanagon):
(not my car/tent/picture)
is the answer. The best part of an RV (a real mattress up off the ground that is easy to deploy), all the best parts of camping (cooking outside, going new places, living in a minimalist way), and none of the storage or maintenance issues associated with RVs.
Plus, in a modern RV you're limited to fairly built-up campgrounds, which are usually just mobile home parks with slightly-more-mobile homes. Cheap RVs are a lot more like a smelly hotel room you have to assemble yourself than they are a fabulous wilderness escape. Expensive RVs are just like home and you'll rarely go outside, so why not just stay home.
IMHO, if you like camping for the nature and freedom and fires and smells and critters, then you'll like tents or a small camper like a vanagon. If you like it because it's different than home, stay at a nice resort and pocket the RV money.
I think an RV's true place isn't as a weekend getaway machine, but as a semi-permanent home to see the world in. My grandparents would spend 6 months every year traveling the country in their RV, and it was perfect for that.
If you couldn't tell by now, I'm not a huge fan of RVs. They require full-time maintenance, attention, love, and dollars in order to stay running. If you'd like to simulate this process at home, buy a cheap garden shed, overload it with cheap house fixtures/furniture/stuff, mount it on a Cavalier chassis, then autocross. It's bad for the shed and bad for the Cavalier.
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