QuestionI'm thinking of purchasing a fifth wheel trailer 11,000 dry weight, pulling it with a ford F350. But need to pull an additional trailer to haul a polaris ranger. Would a CDL be needed?
AnswerDennis, in my opinion, yes.
You would need a Class A CDL with a Doubles endorsement.
And there may be states or highways that restrict this combination so you will also need to research the routes and states where you plan to tow double trailers.
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/cdl/cdl.htm
Classes of License:
The Federal standard requires States to issue a CDL to drivers according to the following license classifications:
Class A -- Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Class B -- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.
Class C -- Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials.
Endorsements and Restrictions:
Drivers who operate special types of CMVs also need to pass additional tests to obtain any of the following endorsements on their CDL:
* T - Double/Triple Trailers (Knowledge test only)
* P - Passenger (Knowledge and Skills Tests)
* N - Tank Vehicle (Knowledge Test only)
* H - Hazardous Materials (Knowledge Test only)
* X - Combination of Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials
If a driver either fails the air brake component of the general knowledge test or performs the skills test in a vehicle not equipped with air brakes, the driver is issued an air brake restriction, restricting the driver from operating a CMV equipped with air brakes.
