It is very important for all RV trailer owners in BC to realize that if you are involved in a crash while towing an RV trailer with an actual on-road weight that exceeds 4600 kilograms (10,141 lbs), and you do not have the proper driver's licence (e.g. a Code 51 Endorsement for a Class 5 Driver's Licence) - you may be in breach of your insurance policy.
Here is a key excerpt from ICBC's booklet titled: "Towing a Recreational Trailer - What Every Driver Towing a Recreational Trailer Should Know":
Warning: "It is your responsibility to ensure you have the appropriate driver's licence and driving skills for the trailer you are towing. Without the proper licence, you may be in breach of your insurance policy in the event of a crash. Your insurance claim may be denied including claims for your own injuries, or damage that you might cause to your vehicle or to other people or property. You may then be responsible for paying these costs".
Such a scenario could spell financial disaster for most people. Based of my experience, it would appear that very few people in both the RV Industry and the RV User Community are aware of this Driver Licensing requirement - which I understand has been in effect since 2003. Note that if your RV trailer's GVWR exceeds 4600 kg (10,141 lbs) - you have the potential of loading your trailer to its full Cargo Carrying Capacity and therefore it's actual on-road weight could exceed 4600 kg.
Refer to ICBC's web site for definitions on the classes of driver's licences and full details on driver licensing requirements associated with towing an RV trailer exceeding 4600 kg. Also, don't confuse the Code 51 (house trailer) endorsement with the Code 20 (heavy trailer) endorsement - which applies to (heavy) horse trailers, mobile homes, boat trailers, or utility trailers that exceed 4600 kg.
Obtaining Your Trailer's Actual On-Road Weight:
ICBC's upgraded licensing requirements only apply if the RV trailer's actual on-road weight exceeds 4600 kg. When I questioned ICBC on how they would determine the RV trailer's actual on-road weight in the event of a crash - they advised me that "the individual towing the trailer is responsible for complying with driver licensing requirements". I'll let you draw your own conclusions here!
If you don't know what your RV trailer's actual on-road weight is when 'typically' loaded with equipment, supplies, tools, clothes, food, and water in the various holding tanks, but feel it could be close to or exceed 4600 kg, you should take your loaded trailer to a BC Government Highway Scale. ICBC's web site provides the locations of the various Highway Scales in the Province. There is no charge to obtain the applicable weights, and a print-out of your weights can be obtained from the Scale operator (I would suggest that you see the operator to request that print-out before putting your rig on the Scale).
Here is the method I used to obtain the loaded on-road weight of my new 33' 5th wheel at the Haig Highway Scale near Hope:
1) when hitched up, weigh the (loaded) front tow vehicle axle, then the (loaded) rear tow vehicle axle, and finally the trailer axle(s).
2) find an open space on the Scale's parking area where you won't block commercial truck traffic, and unhitch your trailer.
3) once unhitched, take your tow vehicle back onto the Scale and obtain it's unloaded front and rear axle weights with the same load of people, etc. as you had for step 1.
4) subtract the tow vehicle's axle weights between the loaded and unloaded values, and add that combined value to the trailer axle weight obtained in step 1. This will be the actual on-road weight of your trailer in kilograms. The pin (or tongue) weight of your trailer would be the difference between the tow vehicle's loaded and unloaded axle weights.
In my case, my trailer's on-road weight was 4590 kg that day - just 10 kg (22 lbs) under the 4600 kg limit. This was way too close to the 4600 kg value for comfort. As the load on my trailer can vary from trip to trip, I felt that I could easily exceed the 4600 kg limit. Therefore, I decided right then and there, that I had to get my Code 51 Endorsement - ASAP.
Obtaining Your Code 51 Endorsement:
There are two parts to obtaining your Code 51 Endorsement: a written exam, followed by a road test with your tow vehicle and trailer attached. See the ICBC web site for the location of the Driver Licensing Centre nearest you.
The very first thing you should do is drop into your nearest ICBC Driver Licensing Centre and obtain a free booklet titled: "Towing a Recreational Trailer - What Every Driver Towing a Recreational Trailer Should Know". ICBC also has this booklet on their web site in PDF format, but if you want to save your computer printer's ink cartridges, get the booklet directly from ICBC.
Read this booklet from cover to cover - and then again - and maybe even a 3rd time!. Make sure you have also read all the tips, definitions, and fast facts boxes. This booklet has everything you will need to know to pass your written exam and road test. Page 4 of this booklet describes how to apply for a Code 51 (House Trailer) Endorsement, in detail. When you are ready to take the written exam, and road test, make sure you bring a second piece of eligible Identification as described on page 5 of the booklet.
Once you pass the written test, you will receive a Learner's Licence that is valid for one year, within which time you will need to take your Road Test. If you refer to point 4 on page 4 of the booklet, it states: "Practise with an appropriately licensed driver and/or attend a driver training school".
Like a Class 5 Learner's Licence, technically, you need somebody properly licensed to be in the tow vehicle with you, when you're 'practising' with your trailer connected. This took me by surprise and had me quite concerned as I did not know anybody locally who had a Code 51 endorsement or an appropriate class of licence. As I've been towing for some time now, I did not want to pay for attending a driver training school. My 'rationale' to get around this, was to de-load my trailer, to ensure I was well under 4600 kg. I don't know if this was exactly 'legal' - but luckily for me, I did not have to find out!