Doubles Endorsement?

[JBird]

Does anyone know if a CDL B driver can add a doubles endorsement to their license or is it only for CDL A drivers? I've been talking with a guy I was going to start driving his P/U truck w/ dually hauling horse trailers and car haulers. He told me I could start as soon as I got my doubles endorsement. I went to go take my doubles test today, which I passed and then I go up to the lady and she informs me that I can't add it! She said CDL B holders couldn't have it ONLY CDL A holders could. I thought this endorsement was for if I'd be hauling at least 2 trailers. I wrote and told the guy what had happened and he said they were wrong that I do need them because I would be hauling two trailers at a time! I looked at the DOT's website and it doesn't say anything about a CDL B driver can't add this endorsement. Can anyone else please shed some light on this for me?
Thanks,
JBird

 

[merkurfan]

Your probably going to need a class A anyways. Remember, when pulling combinations it's the total GVW of all towed units and the power unit. Most class B license have a weight limit for the trailer towed. In Minnesota it is 10,000 pounds. Two horse or car trailers are going to be well over that. Look on your Class B or check with your state about the weight limitations of what you can tow. I would guess it is limited to the 10-15K range.

Gonna have ta bite the bullet and get a class A I believe.

 

[Crazynuff]

You're going to drive someone else's pickup hauling horse trailers ? What kind of pay were you promised ? Pay for horse trailers is very low . That's why they haul doubles . RV haulers refuse them for backhauls . What about deadhead ? I'd ask to see prinouts of revenue for the past couple of months before obligating myself further . All the dually drivers I know are owner operators and they aren't exactly getting rich .

 

[terryandrene]

JBird:

Your post piqued my interest, so I looked up the A/B CDL quals in the KY manual. The criteria , which should be the same for all states, is paraphrased as follows:

Class A CDL states, in part; vehicle(s) being towed in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Class B CDL states, in part; towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds.

The key words are towing more than one vehicle requires an A CDL, OR towing one heavy 10,000 trailer requires an A CDL.

It looks to me that the DMV person gave you the correct response. Crazynuff also had comments you might carefully consider. It seems to me this type of transportation work is best suited for second income or retired folks.

Terry

 

[JBird]

Thank you all! The pay was going to be .30 a mile, he didn't say loaded or empty, but most probably just loaded miles. I think I'm going to pass on this one anyway from reading what you guys wrote. Thank you so much guys!

JBird

 

[Crazynuff]

The interesting thing is people on vacation can hook up a travel trailer with a boat behind that and DOT won't bat an eye . Some larger 5th wheel campers weigh 14,000 or more . Then you have 102'' wide motorhomes over 40 ft. long . More and more of them all the time as anybody fueling at Flying J well knows .
Just a note off topic . DHL is advertising for drivers in Southern IN that must own or be willing to purchase a newer model cargo van . Pay is stated at $40,000 to $48,000 a year with benefits . You know that's gross pay before expenses . I saw a pickup with a cap on US 41 in KY with a DHL sticker the size of a bumper sticker on each side .

 

[JBird]

Thanks again!

 

[dukesadog]

Not exactly the doubles endorsement subject but I recently had a wood floor installed in my home and needed a special threshold that was coming DHL supposedly in 24 hours which turned into 9 business days from Indiana to Florida or should I say it was on the truck for 9 days.

I could have canoed the distance with one broken arm in that time.

Ha

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