NHR...... Truck question.

[oscarvan]

I know, not Hatteras related, but I know there's quite a few people here that know trucks... What would this truck have been used for? It has the wet kit, but also has a ring hitch on the front bumper. 155000 original miles on a 2000. Dealer said it was a "gas hauler" but I suspect it may have been running in a yard/gas field? Thanks.

 

[dottieshusband]

It's a sleeper, looks like a T800. The wet kit is most commonly used with a dump trailer. Very, very low mileage for the year, but not a yard dog, they wouldn't generally be a long wheelbase sleeper. It's got the custom headache rack. Specialized rig, custom headache rack, tow ring on the front, wet kit, no fairing...could have been an ag unit or any number of applications. I don't know enough about oil field stuff to have an opinion about that use.

 

[oscarvan]

Thank you. It's a Pete, Just found an identical truck in MD, the original was in Iowa...... hmmmm.....

 

[hoop1013]

Much more relevant question would be, what do you want to use it for, and how much are they asking for it?

 

[oscarvan]

Mid 20's. Single the rear, shorten the tail, lose the wet kit, put a deck with storage boxes and an air ride RV fifth wheel on it, register it as an RV and pull my 19,000# fiver. I pull it with a one ton diesel dually now, and the ride is a little rough. I want an air ride cab and seats.

 

[hoop1013]

Without knowing a lot of details, ie.: engine, transmission, rears.. Mid 20s is reasonable. You should be able to sell off the rear axle for a thousand dollars to $1500, same for the wet kit. What you're planning to do is quite sensible, buying a vehicle set up to do that already will probably Cost more than 25,000. He prepared to do a lot of cleaning! Do a lot of homework in advance as far as the registration goes, often times with airbrakes it's still viewed as a CDL licensed vehicle. Good luck!

 

[dottieshusband]

With a 19,000# trailer, you'll definitely need a Class A CDL. The tractor alone is 15k. Many states are now requiring non-commercial combination vehicles to stop at th scales for inspection, and at 34k GCVW, you'll be required to stop at most scales. Not a big deal, but could be a PITA.

 

[krush]

If the registration says RV, you may get stopped, but you'll never be harassed.

 

[dottieshusband]

Throughout the western states, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington, etc.... ALL combination vehicles, RV or Commercial are REQUIRED to stop at the scales if they exceed a certain weight, it's not a request. The weight limits vary, but they start at 20k depending on the State. Most States on the Eastern side of the Country require only Commercial vehicles to stop. The CDL Class A requirement is a FEDERAL one for all combination vehicles whose total weight exceeds 26,001 lbs AND the trailer exceeds 10,000 lbs. However, most states exempt RV drivers from the Federal Requirement, Indiana, Wisconsin, Hawaii, and DC (of course) DO require RV drivers whose rigs exceed the weight threshold to have a Class A CDL, so keep on trucking and be a safe and compliant driver!

 

[Freeebird]

If he modifies it to the extent of removing one of the axles, it changes the whole ballgame. Even if he didn't, if it looks like a motorhome and is registered as a RV, it wouldn't matter. There are LOTS of tandem axle RV's built on a commercial chassis with air brakes that require no CDL, even if you are pulling a trailer. I've yet to see one of those go through any scales, and if it's not a commercial vehicle, the DOT is not going to waste their time inspecting it as such.

As for things varying from state to state, that's only going to affect you if you live in one of those states and register your vehicle there.

 

[oscarvan]

Just like there is HOF for Hatts, there are some really informative fora for HDT to RV conversions.

Requirements vary from state to state. Most states will let you register as an RV if it has a certain number (like 4 out of 7) from a list that reads: Potable water and sink, and/or, refrigeration, and/or a self contained toilet etc. etc. It would save on the fees. I could register it as a plain truck, at a reduced weight and save some money too.

Licensing also varies from state to state. In PA (my home state) even if it's an RV you are technically required to have at least a non commercial class A if the combination exceeds 26,001 # and the trailer exceeds 10,000 # I meet that requirement with my rig already, let alone with an HDT. There's a lot of people that don't know this, or willingly break the rules. The odds of getting caught are very slim, but the potential financial exposure if it all goes pear shaped is to be considered.

I order to not ever have to deal with the hassle I went out and got a CDL a few years back.

Most truck driving schools have "corporate programs". It's not the 6 week course for drivers, but geared towards those that need a CDL but are not OTR drivers.

I went in, an instructor took me for a short ride, and I was told I needed 20 hours which included the test. (Scheduled at my convenience) So I drove a twin screw tractor with a 48' trailer with some trash in it for weight around South Philly for 18 hours, and then two more while the (same) instructor who was also an on site examiner took notes. At the end I had passed the test. Bought him a few lunches along the way and generally had a ball. The whole bill was about $1600 Ya never know could come in handy some day.

 

[krush]

The CDL Class A requirement is a FEDERAL one for all combination vehicles whose total weight exceeds 26,001 lbs AND the trailer exceeds 10,000 lbs. However, most states exempt RV drivers from the Federal Requirement, Indiana, Wisconsin, Hawaii, and DC (of course) DO require RV drivers whose rigs exceed the weight threshold to have a Class A CDL, so keep on trucking and be a safe and compliant driver!

Teh fed requirement for a CDL is only if doing commercial driving. If you own it and driving it for personal, it doesn't matter how big it is to the feds. Just like boats (idiot owners with $$ can pilot a 150footer). And if I'm wrong, it's not enforced anyway.

This summarizes the state requirments. Some places require non-comerical "CDL" for towing over 26,001. http://changingears.com/rv-sec-state-rv-license.shtml

 

[oscarvan]

Some places require non-comerical "CDL" for towing over 26,001. http://changingears.com/rv-sec-state-rv-license.shtml

Almost, not a non commercial CDL, a non commercial class A for fiver, class B for a bus. And, as I said in my post, PA, my home state, is one of them.

 

[dottieshusband]

Well, I realize that the Bird is a semi-genius, and has verified most of the facts in the Encyclopedia Britanica, and if he says that things registered as RV's or had an axle removed don't have to stop, and he hasn't seen it, it must be so! Randy is right about 1 thing, if you comply with the State DOT regulations in the States you operate in, you'll have no problems!

I found this summary from the AAA website, and since its on the web, it must be 100% accurate. I had a feeling this might be the case based on the 40 years I've had dealing with FAR's, FMCSR's and State DOT's, but the Bird is the official verifier!, ps, I personally got a ticket in Oregon pulling a very private dually and a small float with 2 golf carts on it! Oregon uses a weigh in motion, photo enforcement system, so your education will show up in the mail!

In 22 continental states, personal vehicles must stop at weigh stations if they are over a given gross vehicle weight rating or gross combined weight rating. The GVWR is the total weight of the vehicle loaded to capacity. The GCWR is the total weight of the towing vehicle loaded to capacity plus the total weight of the trailer loaded to capacity. The GVWR of a vehicle is the same wether the vehicle is loadejd or empty - it is the manufacturers's rating and it is almost always listed on a plaque or sticker on the vehicle or trailer. So even if the vehicle is empty, these requirements apply.

The following list may not be perfect, but it was the best I could determine using the info on AAA.

As best I can determine, it is rare that personal pick-ups or RVs pulling trailers are prosecuted for failing to stop at weigh stations, but I am posting the legal requirements even though they are rarely enforced.

In Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin, all vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR over 10,000 lbs must stop at weigh stations.

In Michigan, all vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR of over 10,000 lbs with dual rear wheels must stop at weigh stations.

In Nebraska, all vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR over 10,000 lbs must stop at weigh stations except pick-ups pulling a camper trailer.

In North Dakota, all vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR over 10,000 lbs must stop at weigh stations, except RVs.

In Montana, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, all vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR of over 8,000 lbs must stop at weigh stations.

In Virginia, all vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR of over 7,500 lbs must stop at weigh stations.

In New Mexico, all vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR of over 26,000 lbs must stop at weigh stations.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

This whole thread begs one question:
If there are forums that specialize in just this type of thing, why ask about it here?

 

[Artzco]

I think these might answer many of the questions. I've been researching this subject in anticipation of getting an RV.


http://www.goodsamcamping.com/plan/sizelimits.aspx

http://towingworld.com/towinglaws.cfm

http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/weigh-stations/

 

[krush]

In Virginia, all vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR of over 7,500 lbs must stop at weigh stations.

As a life-long resident of VA, which is also one of the strictest states in enforcing traffic laws AND weight laws (weigh stations are almost always open), I can assure you this is not correct.

An RV is not a truck.

The term "truck" is almost always referring to a commercial vehicle.

 

[Boatsb]

This whole thread begs one question:
If there are forums that specialize in just this type of thing, why ask about it here?

Maybe because no one there wants to answer?

 

[oscarvan]

This whole thread begs one question:
If there are forums that specialize in just this type of thing, why ask about it here?

I asked the original question because I know there are knowledgeable people here. Never intended it to drift where it did.... but then again it always does.

Plus, it's winter in most of the country..... slow boating season. Have to combat cabin fever.....

 

[Freeebird]

Well, I realize that the Bird is a semi-genius, and has verified most of the facts in the Encyclopedia Britanica, and if he says that things registered as RV's or had an axle removed don't have to stop, and he hasn't seen it, it must be so! Randy is right about 1 thing, if you comply with the State DOT regulations in the States you operate in, you'll have no problems!

I found this summary from the AAA website, and since its on the web, it must be 100% accurate. I had a feeling this might be the case based on the 40 years I've had dealing with FAR's, FMCSR's and State DOT's, but the Bird is the official verifier!, ps, I personally got a ticket in Oregon pulling a very private dually and a small float with 2 golf carts on it! Oregon uses a weigh in motion, photo enforcement system, so your education will show up in the mail!

First, was that "semi-genius" a play on words? If so, good job! If not, it's still okay.

Wasn't trying to make this a pissing contest, but since you brought it up, did your 40 years experience deal with RV's? Granted, there is a lot of gray area when it comes to interpreting such laws, but the big thing is separating a commercial vehicle from a RV. The "one thing" you described me as having gotten right isn't really what I said. It has nothing to do with complying with state DOT regulations you operate in (keep in mind I'm talking non-commercial) and everything to do with the state the vehicle is registered in. Example, a tag is required on a boat trailer in Florida, but not in Tennessee. While I may even get stopped when I pull my boat in Florida, I'm exempt because that's not where my tow vehicle is registered, and I have a Tennessee driver's license.

As for your being ticketed while driving a dually while towing a trailer with two golf carts, last time I checked, a dually isn't a RV, and lots of duallies are used in commercial applications. Had you been towing a camper, I'm betting you wouldn't have been ticketed. Just out of curiosity, what were the circumstances of you pulling two golf carts? I used to pull an enclosed trailer behind my private dually, but I was required by law to go through weigh stations because I was hauling safes that I sold through my business. If I were pulling a fifth wheel camper that weighed even more, I wouldn't have to stop... unless my dually had signs on the door that said "Bubba's Camper Delivering Service".

My statement that I've never seen anybody take an RV through a weigh station is based on my having driven both tractor-trailer trucks and straight trucks which require CDL's along with having driven well over a million miles and just paying attention. My guess is you would probably get a good cussing if you did drive an RV into a weigh station. Can you imagine how backed up they would be if every dual wheel motorhome pulled in?