I had a gander at Jayco's new 28' 5th wheeler today at the Leisurefest at Sandown. Great looking and well set up by both Jayco and IVECO with the dual cab tow vehicle. My concern is the driving licence requirement for this set up. I have heard that the A.C.T. insist on a Heavy Rigid Combination licence for 5th wheelers, and if this is the case, as I have to visit family there regularly, I might be best to stick with the motorhome. Check out the following link.
As it states in there rule book point 4, if your trailer is over 9 tonne I would think that you would be towing with a bigger vehicle?? that is over 4.5 tonne, so puts you up to the next licence class!! so what does a fifth wheeler weigh?? from the Jayco website for instance, have a model that measured 28ft 8in long by 7ft 7in wide, with a Tare weight of 3386kg. So you are well an truly under 9 tonne but the vehicle that towing it has to be suitable. I have seen these being towed by XF ford Falcons up to those big GMC/or Ford 350's and I am sure everyone else on this forum has also.
OH well make good for a WEIGHTY debate LOL
1. A motor vehicle (other than a motorbike) with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) not over 4.5 tonnes and that is constructed or equipped to seat not more than 12 adults (including the driver). 2. A tractor or implement. 3. A motor vehicle mentioned in item 1 or 2 that is towing a single trailer (other than a semitrailer) with a GVM not over 9 tonnes. 4. However, this class does not cover a motor vehicle that is towing: (a) 2 or more trailers; or (b) a single semitrailer; or (c) any other single trailer with a GVM over 9 tonnes.
We have exactly that set up. Ours jayco fifth wheeler is due to be finished next week. We also have the brand new iveco truck to pull it. If the truck is under 4500 kg then is on a car licence no matter what your rig is. The licence is the same no matter what state. I have a truck licence anyway ,but a licenc in one state is still the same in another state
I think we should have to have articulated ones for towing 25 ft vans too, but we dont have to.
The jayco fully loaded will come in just under 3900kg so well under the GCM. You also have to drive on a licence given to you in your home state. If it is a vic car licence, then that is what you use in the ACT. You cant get an ACT licence unless you live there and as a holiday traveller they cant book you if you have the correct home state licence. If that was the case we would allneed a separate one for each state. Rest easy and order your 5ver.