When I read the September/October issue of The RV Times, the letters concerning the GVWR on pickups caught my eye. I would like to add my two cents worth and explain what happened to me when I went to renew the license on my 5th wheel.

I have a 1995 Ford 250 4 x 4 pickup with five speed manual tranny, 460 motor, 4.1-1 rear axle, GVW 3992, and a 1990 Security Penthouse 33ft fifth wheel, GVW 4692 Kg.

The insurance broker said I would have to increase the GVWR of my pickup to legally tow this unit. She suggested I could do this without any modifications to the pickup, just pay a higher insurance premium!

My pickup license is good til January 4/99 so I’m not about to change. She said, “We can sell you an overweight permit for $20 to legally tow it to storage, 60 k.” I passed on this also since this had never come up in previous licensing.

I went to a second insurance broker who then phoned ICBC information. After some discussion, ICBC said I would be legal as long as the trailer had brakes. It is classified as a recreational vehicle since there is no cargo involved.

Had I said I was pulling a horse trailer, the answer is entirely different. I would now be classified commercial as there would be cargo involved. Since I wasn’t going to tow a horse trailer, I didn’t ask about what the requirements of the towing unit would be.

As suggested in your RV Times, the onus is on each of us to check with the dealers and insurance brokers to make sure we are properly covered. Also, get a second opinion when in doubt.

George Lindsay
Fort St. James BC