The Ontario Recreation Vehicles Dealers Association has finally been successful in having new legislation enacted in Ontario that effective July 1st will allow RVers with full Class G licenses (not G1 or G2) to tow large fifth wheel trailers without having to secure an "A Restricted" license.

Scope had only been able to locate one reader who went to the trouble of securing an A Restricted licence so he could legally tow his fifth wheel but many others lived in fear that should they have an accident, their insurance company would use the weight regulation as a way to "opt out" of paying a claim for an accident. We have covered this story many times before but had been waiting for the official announcement that it had been passed by the Ontario government.

In order to secure the A Restricted licence the driver had to have a yearly medical exam, take an A licensed driver with them to their driving test, plus pay for the medical, testing and licensing.

While some industry officials felt this would effect only 3% to 5% of RVers, nevertheless it was a major source of worry for many knowing that they probably were close to reaching the previous weight limit of 4,600 kg for the trailer once they added provisions and water to their RV.

Under the new legislation both the truck and the trailer will be considered one unit that may have a maximum weight of 11,000 kg (approximately 24,000 lbs).

In addition it is required that the trailer be attached to the towing vehicle with a fifth wheel hitch and only one vehicle can be towed. This applies to personal use only - not business use.

RV dealers who sell new fifth wheel units that fall into this category will offer an on-site test to make sure the driver can handle the rig. It is believed that RVers who already own and use rigs that fall into the category are grandfathered in respect to the test.

The ORVDA is to be congratulated for their nearly five years of work in bringing this legislation to life. Credit also goes to Ontario's Minister of Transportation, Kathleen Wynne who worked on it's behalf.

This is a great day for many Ontario RVers who may now drive with a bit more peace of mind knowing they are fully legal and their insurance company wont be able to "shaft" them under the weight limit excuse should they have a claim and it will open more marketing opportunities for Ontario's RV dealers who may have lost deals on big fifth wheels because new buyers were afraid of the legislation.

The change puts Ontario on par with 41 U.S. states and 6 other Canadian provinces and territories that use the same weight calculation.