Driving – Campanda News

Driving A Class A Motorhome For The First Time

Tom Sperner — Wed, 02 May 2018 19:45:12 +0000

Driving a large motorhome for the first time can seem challenging — or even stressful. But there are a few things you can do to make your first RV driving experience a positive one as you head off on your well-earned vacation.

The First Drive

When my wife Camille and I started test driving Class A motorhomes, I had barely been in an RV, let alone driven one! We test drove several motorhomes over two months before buying our RV — a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 32SA gas-powered motorcoach. (Read this article to find out how to choose the right RV for you.)

Our RV: A 2016 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 32SA gas-powered motorcoach.

Less than a month before hitting the road to travel full time, we took a 250-mile weekend test trip from our home in Orange County, California to an RV resort on the Colorado River near Parker, Arizona. We had a lot thrown at us on our first drive and were fortunate to learn many valuable lessons that have served us well ever since.

Freeway Driving In An RV

As we set off on that first drive, I felt the absence of my safety net — our RV salesperson calmly guiding and reassuring me during our test drives. We were on our own now! The first miles passed easily along wide, suburban boulevards with courteous drivers and a nearly deserted toll road. And then we merged onto one of Southern California’s notorious freeways.

The most difficult kind of traffic for an RV driver — especially a new one — is what I call fast-and-busy traffic. We were immediately dropped into it. Nearly everyone was driving at least 70 miles per hour, making sharp lane changes and following too closely. I was used to this kind of driving in my car, but not comfortable yet in a 34-foot RV.

I took a couple of deep breaths and tried to settle in. After thirty minutes of white-knuckle driving, I actually got more comfortable. I had already learned some valuable lessons:

Lesson 1: Stay Calm And Drive On

At first, I had felt like nobody saw me. Drivers cut me off or wouldn’t allow me to change lanes. I wanted to yell out, “Don’t you see me? I’m bigger than you!” Then it dawned on me: they did see me, perhaps even feared me and were moving quickly to get out of my way. I learned to accept that traffic would “buzz” all around me but wasn’t interested in bumping into me.

Driving a large RV through heavy traffic was scary at first, but I soon got the hang of it.

I also discovered that motorhomes require more reaction time and stopping distance than a normal passenger vehicle. I quickly learned to give myself at least twice as much following distance as I did in my car. I drove at a steady and predictable speed when possible. And I focused most of my attention on the road ahead scanning for traffic patterns, merging vehicles and brake lights instead of fiddling with the radio.

I had to unlearn some habits from years of driving a car. Learning to rely on my side mirrors and rear camera was a big adjustment. I caught myself looking over my shoulder to check my blindspot as I do in my car when making lane changes. Well, that doesn’t work in a Class A motorhome. The side mirrors and the rear and side view cameras were put there for a reason — and I was going to have to use them!

After a few lane changes, I learned to trust that I could actually see everything. The mirrors and cameras quickly became my friends.

After about an hour and a half on the road, traffic began to thin out as we left the Southern California metropolitan area and got out into the desert. While I welcomed the change, I was already feeling more comfortable in fast, heavy traffic. And on the drive back at the end of the weekend, I was not nearly as stressed.

Lesson 2: RV Miles Are Different Than Car Miles

Driving an RV requires a lot more energy and focus than driving a car. Plan for frequent stops to make your trip enjoyable.

We passed the Palm Springs area and after over 100 miles of driving, I began to feel fatigued. My arms and shoulders were starting to ache from the road vibrations and my tight, two-handed grip on the steering wheel. I also needed a mental break from the hours of intense focus.

Camille found a truck stop for us to take a lunch break. During our hour-long rest, we took stock of our trip: We were three and a half hours in and had traveled almost 150 miles. When I had mapped the trip before on my phone app, it calculated the trip would take just over four hours. The math wasn’t adding up.

I discovered that most map apps estimate trip durations for car travel — not RV travel. Car drivers tend to drive faster than RV drivers and take fewer and shorter breaks. My estimated driving time did not include any breaks.

What I Learned About Drive Day

Since that initial lunch break discovery, I’ve learned quite a bit about the “drive day” experience:

Your RV journey will take longer than you expect. We’ve learned to slow down and enjoy the drive.
RV travel is more demanding, so you’ll want to take more breaks. I try to take a break every 75 to 100 miles to get out for some fresh air and to stretch my legs.
Our preferred travel distance is around 250 miles — and never more than 300 miles.

Lesson 3: Get Centered

Like everything else about RV driving, narrow roads took some getting used to — but turned out fine in the end.

Feeling rested from our break, we headed back down the federal interstate freeway before turning onto a two-lane state highway across the desert. The pavement turned rough, the lanes looked narrow and there wasn’t much of a road shoulder. I had to adjust again to different driving conditions.

After a few miles, I learned that a narrow or non-existent shoulder can make your lane feel more narrow than it really is. And even though the lane was wide enough for our vehicle, I had less margin for error.

Thankfully, traffic was very light and I got a better feel for where I was within my lane. On our test drives, the salespeople said it would feel like you’re closer to the center line than you are. I looked in my side mirrors and realized I could get over further and be better centered in my lane.

You feel very wide in a motorhome, but you’re probably not more than one to two feet wider than you would be in a car. I like to drive about a foot off the center line and then yield a little more space to oncoming traffic, if needed (especially for big rigs).

Lesson 4: Don’t Fight The Steering Wheel

Just as I was getting two-lane highway driving down, I noticed the weather worsening. What started out as a sunny, summer day turned dark and threatening. August and September is monsoon season in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts and a thunderstorm was bearing down on us. What luck!

First, the winds picked up and started blowing our twelve-foot-high motorhome around. They were not only strong 40 mile per hour winds, but also unpredictably gusty. Once again, the drive had my full attention. My wife and I discussed pulling over and waiting out the storm. I got very close to doing that a couple of times, but I felt in control and we pressed on.

I quickly learned that it is important not to overreact when driving in heavy wind and rain.

As we were being pushed around, I learned not to fight the steering wheel. When the wind pushed me, I let it. I then made small steering corrections to get us back on course.

Making corrections for wind is similar to the steering adjustments needed when being passed by a big rig, or driving on ice or rough pavement. Don’t overreact. Instead, let the coach go where it wants to go, and then make the steering corrections.

A downpour of rain came after the winds. We got to “test out” our windshield wipers, which thankfully worked great and were able to push large volumes of water off our windshield — at no time was our visibility compromised despite the heavy rains. Our coach also felt solid on the wet roads and we had no trouble with our tire traction. After about 30 minutes, the storm passed and it was a calmer last hour to our destination.

Lesson 5: Watch Out For Donkeys

Coming across this family of burros on the roadside felt like an appropriate end to an eventful day.

We were just a few miles to our destination when one last test was thrown our way. On a curvy, two-lane stretch, we came around a corner and were “greeted” by a pack of wild burros along the roadside. At first I was startled, but after easily avoiding them, I broke out in laughter. We had seen it all on our first drive.

We pulled into our resort destination along the banks of the Colorado River. It was about six in the evening and we had been on the road for close to seven hours. Our eventful drive was filled with many lessons learned, and I felt much more confident and prepared for all the driving to come. And I even had fun!

Feeling accomplished and satisfied, it was time for a well-earned beer at the resort’s pool bar. Cheers to your own first drive!

Rent an RV on Campanda for your next trip. Whether you’re looking for a Class A or a smaller motorhome (which are easier to drive!), you’re sure to find the perfect RV for your vacation.

Click Here To Rent An RV

If you already own an RV but aren’t using it right now, consider renting it out on Campanda. You can name your price, pick your dates and even choose your renters.

Click Here To List Your RV

The post Driving A Class A Motorhome For The First Time appeared first on Campanda News.

30 Must-Have Apps For RVers

Tom Sperner — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 20:49:49 +0000

The Best (Mostly Free) RV Apps To Download Now

Whether you own an RV or are planning to rent one on Campanda, download these 30 (mostly free) apps to make your next RV trip even better! Keep reading or click the links below to discover the best apps for:

Planning An RV Trip
Navigating
Using On The Road
Finding RV Campgrounds & Parking
Finding Good Grub
Outdoor Adventurers
Nature Lovers
Stargazing
Predicting The Weather
Staying Safe

Best Apps For Planning An RV Trip

The Roadtrippers app will help you plan the perfect road trip.

1. Roadtrippers This highly rated app will help you discover new destinations and organize your road trip itineraries. A must-have for RVers. iOS | Android 2. Roadside America Discover all the weird and wonderful things that the United States has to offer with this fun app that helps you find oddball attractions across the country. iOS | (Not yet available for Android) 3. Google Trips Not just for RVers, Google Trips is an all-around great trip planning app that keeps all your plans in one place. Good for planning day trips and exploring new cities along your route. iOS | Android

Best Navigation Apps For RVers

CoPilot is a GPS app that will help you navigate with confidence.

4. CoPilot GPS Millions of RVers and truckers swear by CoPilot, which offers offline maps (essential in areas of spotty network coverage), clear directions and trip planning features. iOS | Android 5. Google Maps A must-have real-time navigation app. Many people don’t realize that you can download maps to use offline (no cell signal required!). One of our favorite things about Google Maps is the way it complements Google Trips by seamlessly mapping out the attractions and reservations that you’ve save in the trip planning app. iOS | Android 6. Waze Waze informs you about traffic, construction, crashes, police and other road blocks in real time — making it popular with Uber drivers and city commuters trying to cut down on travel time. iOS | Android

Best Apps To Use On The Road

GasBuddy could save you hundreds on RV fuel costs.

7. GasBuddy Don’t overpay at the pump! The GasBuddy app lets you search for the cheapest gas prices in your area so you can find the most affordable pit stops. iOS | Android 8. History Here This fun app provides an interactive, location-based guide to historic locations around the country. Use it to explore new places and discover hidden history along your route. iOS | Android 9. Spotify No road trip is complete without some good tunes! Get access to millions of songs with Spotify, a must-have for music lovers and RVers alike. We recommend purchasing a premium subscription so you can listen to music offline (and without the ads). iOS | Android

Best Apps For Finding RV Campgrounds & Parking

RV Parks & Campgrounds will help you find the perfect RV campsite.

10. RV Parks & Campgrounds  Find the perfect RV park. Search over 40,000 commercial RV parks across North America, sorted by rating and user reviews from other campers. iOS | Android 11. RV Parky Built by a full-timer RVer, this must-have app offers a guide to RV parks, campgrounds, rest stops, gas stations and stores, as well as low clearance warnings and a trip planner. iOS | Android 12. Camp & RV By Allstays ($) This app isn’t free, but there’s a reason thousands of RVers swear by it: With information on all kinds of RV campgrounds, parking lots (including Walmart), rest stops, etc., it may end up being the best $9.99 you ever spent. iOS | (Not yet available for Android)

Best Apps For Finding Good Grub

Foursquare uses your location to help you find the best restaurants, cafes and bars near you.

13. Yelp This trusted app puts millions of customer reviews at your fingertips to help you discover the best restaurants and businesses near you. iOS | Android 14. Foursquare Kind of like Yelp’s trendy younger cousin, Foursquare is another community review app that will help you find all the best local hangouts, hot spots and need-to-try restaurants. iOS | Android 15. Krazy Coupon Lady This popular coupon app will help you find the best deals on groceries (and pretty much anything else you might need), making dining in your RV even more affordable. Time to stock up s’mores ingredients! iOS | Android

Best Apps For Outdoor Adventurers

AllTrails is a must-have for outdoor adventurers.

16. Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder Find nearby national parks, state parks or national forests with this handy app that lets you search by location and activity (like bird watching or fishing). iOS | Android 17. AllTrails A must-have for hikers, bikers, runners and nature walkers. This app will be your guide to more than 50,000 trails, with maps, trail reviews and photos from its community of users. iOS | Android 18. REI Co-op National Parks Guide This app is your comprehensive guide to hiking and sightseeing in our National Parks — including bucket-list destinations like Acadia, Zion, Grand Canyon, Mount Rainier and more! iOS | Android

Best Apps For Nature Lovers

The Merlin Bird ID app can identify birds from five simple questions — or even a photo!

19. iNaturalist This nature app will help you identify the plants and animals that you encounter on your next camping trip. Record and share your observations with a community of 400,000 scientists and naturalists. iOS | Android 20. Nature Passport Designed to help parents and teachers get kids interested and engaged with nature, this app will encourage your kids to explore their natural surroundings. iOS | Android 21. Merlin Bird ID With just five simple questions (or a photo of the bird in question), this handy app will help you identify the birds you see and hear in the wild. The simple interface makes it great for novice bird watchers. iOS | Android

Best Apps For Stargazing

Star Chart will help you see the night sky like never before.

22. Star Chart This free app uses your phone’s camera to identify stars, constellations, planets and other celestial objects in the night sky. You can even shift the view 10,000 years forward or backward in time! iOS | Android 23. Star Walk 2 ($) Star Walk 2 uses your phone’s gyroscope and location tracking to present an augmented reality view of the sky above you. You can tap on a star to see a 3D model and read more about it. It’s well worth the one-time $2.99 purchase. iOS | Android 24. Sky Safari 5 ($) This powerful astronomy app (which also comes in Plus and Pro versions) will help you explore the universe through beautiful animations, photographs, descriptions and NASA spacecraft images — no internet connection required! Another $2.99 well spent. iOS | Android

Best Weather Apps For RVers

Accuweather is a highly accurate, all-purpose weather app.

25. AccuWeather Did you know that the accuracy of weather apps varies depending on where you are? This tool will help you determine which weather forecast is most reliable for your area. Most of the time, AccuWeather is the clear frontrunner, which is why it’s our favorite all-purpose weather app. iOS | Android 26. MyRadar Quickly see what weather is headed your way with this no-frills app that displays animated weather radar for your current location. iOS | Android 27. Dark Sky ($) Dark Sky gives you hyperlocal, down-to-the-minute weather forecasts in a format that’s both attractive and easy to understand. Free for Android (with in-app purchases), or a $3.99 one-time purchase for Apple. iOS | Android

Best Apps For Staying Safe Outdoors

Designed to work without internet, the Offline Survival Manual will teach you how to survive in the wilderness.

28. Offline Survival Manual This highly rated app is puts essential survival information at your fingertips. Fully functional offline, it contains information on how to find food, build a shelter, make a fire and more. (Not yet available for iOS) | Android 29. First Aid By American Red Cross This app could save a life during an emergency situation. Developed by the American Red Cross, First Aid will teach you essential first aid skills. iOS | Android 30. Anti Mosquito Unless you’re RVing in a malaria or Zika zone, this sonic repeller app probably won’t save your life. But it will help you avoid getting nasty mosquito bites that could put a real damper on your trip! iOS | (Not yet available for Android)

Put these apps to the test on your next RV trip! Don’t have an RV or camper of your own? Rent one on Campanda!:

Click Here To Rent An RV

Already have an RV? Don’t let it sit idle. List it on Campanda to earn money when it’s not in use:

Click Here To Rent Your RV

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Top 10 Rookie RV Mistakes — And How To Avoid Them

Tom Sperner — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 15:01:08 +0000

By Liz Wilcox Sure, everyone makes mistakes. But no one wants to look like a rookie on the road. Feeling like you don’t have a clue is stressful and embarrassing. And when it comes to RVing, being clueless can also be dangerous and costly. Luckily, the worst mistakes can be avoided by doing a bit of homework and planning ahead. Here are some of the most common RV rookie mistakes — and how you can avoid them.

Before Your RV Trip

1. Not packing enough food (or packing too much!)

You can really work up an appetite setting up a campsite. There’s nothing worse than putting in time and hard work only to realize that you only brought enough graham crackers and chocolate for 2 nights of s’mores on your 4-night stay (so tragic!). Conversely, it’s important not to overpack. Unless you’re headed to the middle of nowhere, you probably don’t need a three months’ supply of canned goods. (See this article on 5 Things To Leave At Home On Your Next RV Trip for more things you probably don’t need to haul around.) Avoid both mistakes by meal planning beforehand. Don’t underestimate the power of pen and paper. Write down all the meals you need for your trip — think simple, one-pot recipes — and make a grocery list. Take your list to the store and ensure you’ve marked every thing off the list before checkout.

2. Not making reservations

While a pro may know the ins and outs of every campground within a 500-mile radius, the novice RVer probably does not. After a long day of driving, you don’t want to pull up to the RV park of your dreams only to find out they don’t have a spot for you. There are several reasons a park may not be able to accommodate you:

Some campgrounds only allow motorhomes and trailers less than 10 years of age
A campground may not have campsites long enough for your generously sized Class A vehicle.
If RVing with kids, RV parks may charge a child tax that you aren’t willing to pay.
Some RV parks are only for seniors
And of course, an RV park may simply be full by the time you get there.

It is best to do your research, call prospective campgrounds and make reservations before you head out on your adventure.

3. Not planning your route

Maybe you love the feeling of driving in a car, unconcerned with routes or plans. But the fact is, getting lost in an RV is not like getting lost in a car. It’s really stressful!. Where can I turn around safely? Are they any low bridges I need to worry about if I continue down this road? Am I legally allowed to make this turn? Can I cross this intersection without causing a traffic jam? Planning your route in advance can help you avoid any blunders. The Rand McNally Atlas and Trucker’s Atlas list low-clearance roads, truck stops, and more. Online tools like the Good Sam Club trip planner or Roadtrippers.com are also great for planning the perfect RV road trip route.

At the RV Park Or Campground

4. Not following camp etiquette

No matter how much you feel at home there, a campground is not your backyard. There are certain rules that should be followed to ensure every RVer has a good time.

Read and follow the camp or RV park rules.
Don’t play your music too loudly or for too long.
Avoid walking through other RVers’ campsites. Going around to the bathhouse isn’t going to hurt you.
Let the kids have fun, but make sure they are aware of others around them and of the campground rules.
Drive slowly. If you feel like you may be going too fast, you are.
Don’t engine for more than a few minutes — it can be disturbing to your neighbors.
Pick up after your pets and keep them on a leash at all times.

5. Leaving your curtains up at night

While this mistake won’t cost you anything, it can lead to some awkward experiences. Campsites at RV parks and campgrounds are usually pretty lose together. Leaving your curtains or blinds up allows everyone to see right into your rig. Give yourself some privacy and save others from the temptation to snoop by pulling down the shades once the sun sets.

Packing Up Your RV

6. Being underprepared at the dump station

Being unprepared at the dump station with a line of people ready to hit the road behind you is a fast way to become the least popular person at camp. Research how to dump your tanks well before you drive up to the station. You can do this by reading your RV manual, watching YouTube videos or even asking people around the park. If you’re renting an RV on Campanda, be sure to ask the owner about your tanks when you pick up the vehicle. It’s important to put everything you need for this special RV experience together in one convenient place. This allows for easy access when you pull up to the dump station and easy clean up when you leave.

7. Forgetting to do the walk-around

Before you hit the road, you must walk around your RV. Check to ensure everything is put away and in its proper place for highway driving. Now do it again. Two walk-arounds may seem excessive, but trust me, spending a few extra minutes checking your RV is better than driving off with your awning still out or your sewer hose dragging behind you. (Yes, that really does happen. We RVers call these “drive off disasters.”) Save yourself the headache of trying to remember everything when you break camp by using a checklist. Be sure to:

Do a walk-around and check your antenna, lights, tow vehicle connections, windows and vents
Make sure that your storage doors are closed and locked
Check that your cupboards and fridge doors are secure
Test your turn signals, brakes and headlights for safety

On The Road

8. Moving too quickly

RVs are great for many things. Moving quickly is not one of them. Driving under pressure may lead to some bad decisions. You may pack up too quickly and forget to secure items in and outside the rig. Or you could drive too fast and put yourself and your passengers at risk, not to mention the other vehicles on the road. An RV — whether it’s a motorhome or a towed vehicle — really shouldn’t be flying down the highway. And the fact is, trying to cover too much ground in too little time is incredibly stressful. Avoid cramming too much experience into your short window of vacation time. Slow down and really enjoy the RV experience by taking it one day at a time. When you plan a trip, use Google Maps to determine how much time it will take. Then add 15 to 25 minutes to every hour. That should give you a better idea of how long it will actually take to get to your destination.

9. Ignoring sounds and signs that something is wrong

RVs have a lot of moving parts. There’s nothing like driving down the highway in an RV, listening to something beep or rattle behind you as you try to merge lanes to help you realize you’ve got something terribly wrong. While on the road, be sure to listen to your rig and check your mirrors often to be certain you are secure and safe. If you see something flapping in your rearview mirror, stop immediately to secure it. Hear a weird scraping sound? You better pull over ASAP to find the problem. Remember, an RV is a large piece of equipment. That means large problems can arise. Always err on the side of caution. Pull over as quickly as possible to investigate any abnormal sounds or signs that your rig is not 100% safe.

The Biggest Mistake

The biggest mistake an RV newbie can make?

10. Giving up on your RV dreams because you think you’re not up to the task.

The fact is, RVing can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Don’t be afraid to admit your mistakes and ask for help from other RVers. Most slip ups are minor and can be chalked up to learning experience — and a good story to tell around your next campfire. Do your homework, pay attention and stay calm. (And seriously, do that second walk-around.)

Renting an RV is a fantastic way to get into the RV life. And with Campanda, you’re backed by a support system of some really excellent people — not to mention 24/7 roadside assistance (just in case).

Click the link below to check out the full selection of RVs, campervans and trailers.

Click Here To Rent An RV

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Do You Need A Special License To Drive An RV? A State-By-State Guide

Tom Sperner — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 21:54:50 +0000

Do you need a special license to drive an RV?

Unless you’re going BIG, probably not. Most states do not require a special license for RVs weighing under 26,000 pounds or towed vehicles under 10,000 pounds. Vehicles that can carry more than 16 passengers are often subject to special licensing (so you know, don’t go RVing in a literal school bus).

Most RVs weigh well under 26,000 pounds.

For reference, the average Class B RV weighs between 6,000 and 8,000 pounds, while a Class C vehicle typically weighs between 10,000 and 12,000 pounds. Class A vehicles can weigh anywhere from 13,000 to 30,000 pounds. In other words, for most kinds of RVs and campers, you do not need a special license. However, each state has it’s own rules, which can make things confusing for RV renters and new owners. To make it easy to find the information you need, we broke down the rules, state-by-state. Keep reading for Campanda‘s comprehensive guide to RV driver’s license requirements in every US state. Note: This article was updated in January 2018. We have done our best to ensure that the information is accurate, but state laws, rules and regulations are subject to change. We highly recommend that you check with your local DMV to confirm the details below before buying, renting or driving any RV.

What is a special license?

Broadly speaking, there are two types of special licenses: a commercial and non-commercial license. Some states require you to have a non-commercial special license in order to drive a recreational vehicle over a certain length or weight. Other states will require you to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) — the kind of license needed for large and heavy vehicles likes buses or tractor trailers.

States That Require A Commercial Driver’s License

Arkansas: CDL required for vehicle over 26,000 lb
Connecticut: CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb
Hawaii: CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb
Kansas: CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb
New Mexico: CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb
Washington, D.C.: CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb
Wisconsin: CDL required over 45 feet

States That Require A Non-Commercial Special Driver’s License

California: Class B license required over 26,000 lb or over 40 feet; Class A license required for towing over 10,000 lbs
Maryland: Class B license required over 26,000 lb
Michigan: Recreational Double “R” Endorsement required to tow a fifth wheel plus a trailer (it’s unlikely that you’ll ever need this)
North Carolina: Class B license required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; Class A license required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb
Nevada: Class B license required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; Class A license required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb; “J” Endorsement required to tow a vehicle over 10,000 lb (if the combined weight is less than 26,000 lb)
New York: Recreational Vehicle or “R” endorsement required for vehicles over 26,000 lb
Pennsylvania: Class B license required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; equired for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb
South Carolina: Class E license required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; Class F license required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb
Texas: Class B license required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; Class A license required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb
Wyoming: Class B license required for vehicle over 26,000 lb and towing under 10,000 lb; Class A license required for vehicle over 26,000 lb and towing over 10,000 lb

States That Do Not Require A Special Driver’s License

The following states do not require a special driver’s license to drive an RV. Where possible, we have provided links to the relevant state laws where the exemption for recreational vehicles can be found. Remember: When in doubt, contact your local DMV.

Alabama (Ala. Code § 32-6-49.7)	Montana (§ 61-1-101, MCA.)
Alaska (AS § 28.90.990)	Nebraska (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-465)
Arizona (Ark. Code § 28-3102)	New Hampshire (N.H. § Saf-C 1801.02)
Colorado (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-2-402)	New Jersey (N.J. Rev. Stat § 39:3-10.11)
Delaware (Del. Admin. Code tit. 2 § 2213)	North Dakota (N.D.C.C. § 39-06.2-06)
Florida (Fla. Stat. § 332.53)	Ohio (Ohio Rev. Code § 4506.3)
Georgia (OCGA § 40-5-142)	Oklahoma (47 O.S. § 1-107.4)
Idaho (I.C. § 49-302)	Oregon (Or. Rev. Stat § 801.208)
Illinois (625 ILCS § 5/6-500)	Rhode Island (31 R.I. Gen. Laws § 10.3-16)
Indiana (CDL Manual)	South Dakota (S.D. Codified Laws § 32-9-3)
Iowa (Iowa Code §321.176A)	Tennessee (T.C.A § 55-50-102)
Kentucky (KRS § 281A-050 and CDL Manual)	Utah (Utah Code § 53-3-102)
Louisiana ( LSA-RS § 32:408)	Vermont (23 V.S.A § 39-4103)
Maine (29A M.R.S § 1252 and CDL manual)	Virginia (Code § 46.2-341.4)
Massachusetts (DMV.org)	Washington (RCW 46 25-050)
Minnesota (Minn. Stat. § 169.011 or driver’s manual)	West Virginia (W. Va. Code § 17E-1)
Mississippi (Miss. Code § 63-1-203)
Missouri (MO Rev Stat § 302.775)

A Simple Solution

If you’re worried about needing a special license to drive an RV, the solution is usually pretty simple: go smaller. A Class C vehicle, campervan (Class B) or travel trailer is unlikely to exceed the weight restrictions for your normal driver’s license. Smaller vehicles are also better for RVing beginners who may not feel as confident handling a huge rig.

Check out Campanda’s selection of RV rentals to find the perfect vehicle for your next trip!

Click Here To Rent An RV

Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended solely to provide general guidance and should not be considered professional legal advice. While we have done our best to ensure that this article is accurate, Campanda is not responsible for any errors or omissions. The reader assumes full responsibility for the use of the information provided. The reader should always consult professional advice before making any decision or taking any action.

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