Traffic question, maybe CHP?

[H&K]

I've heard that a 5th wheel and tow rig is considered one vehicle. You can even pull a "trailer" behind the 5er. If this is the case, is a truck & 5th wheel exempt from the speed restrictions put on "trailers" or is it covered by the "trucks" part of the common speed restriction signs seen on the freeways in Ca.? Can we tow one faster than 55(legally that is)?

[E Pluribus Unum]

I've heard that a 5th wheel and tow rig is considered one vehicle. You can even pull a "trailer" behind the 5er. If this is the case, is a truck & 5th wheel exempt from the speed restrictions put on "trailers" or is it covered by the "trucks" part of the common speed restriction signs seen on the freeways in Ca.? Can we tow one faster than 55(legally that is)?

A vehicle with any trailer, 5th wheel or otherwise, is 55.

You may pull an additional trailer behind a 5th wheel if you have a class B or class A license, provided you do not go over the maximum length of 65 feet and the maximum weight, which would depend on vehicle GVWR and license.

[alex00]

The confusion probably comes from the allowance for passengers in a fifth-wheel trailer. The attachment of a fifth wheel to the tow vehicle is considered secure making it "one vehicle", thus eliminating the need for safety chains, and allowing passengers.

In order to pull a second trailer, or 'doubles', you will need a commercial or recreational class A with a 'doubles-triples' endorsement. No matter what type of trailer you end up pulling, you will be stuck at the 55 maximum speed. Even if the trailer was considered part of the tow vehicle, you would have at least three axles, which would also trigger the 55 MPH maximum. ETA: this only applies to commercial vehicles after re-reading the law

[SedaDog1]

The restriction isnt' on "trailers" per se. The restriction applies to any vehicle with 3 or more axles... And you can pull a trailer behind your 5th wheel, however I believe you need to have a commercial license to do so.

[xr650r]

Non-commercial class A is OK for pulling doubles (behind a 5th wheel and subject to weight/length restrictions, as previously stated).

What most people do not know is that a non-commercial class A license is required for pulling a trailer over 10k lbs or a 5th wheel over 15k lbs.

It's all right here:

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/lic_chart.htm

3 axle 5th wheels are generally over 15k (6k lbs per axle). Actual static weight do not matter, it's GVWR of the trailer.

($$$$)

[alex00]

The restriction is on trailers and/or vehicles with three axles. I should have been more clear, I wasn't implying that the trailer had to have three axles. Picture a big moving van with two axles in the back, and one in the front. They are restricted to 55MPH as well.

22406. No person may drive any of the following vehicles on a
highway at a speed in excess of 55 miles per hour:
(a) A motortruck or truck tractor having three or more axles or
any motortruck or truck tractor drawing any other vehicle.
(b) A passenger vehicle or bus drawing any other vehicle.
(c) A schoolbus transporting any school pupil.
(d) A farm labor vehicle when transporting passengers.
(e) A vehicle transporting explosives.
(f) A trailer bus, as defined in Section 636.

xr650r brought up a good point. Don't forget about the RV endorsement for Fifth wheel trailers above 10,001 and below 15,000 pounds. My fiver is 10,500, and I had to add the endorsement to my Class C when I gave up my Class A license.

[JETLAG]

55 MPH