I have been looking for something << BIGGER >> to haul and be self contained in travels. I am looking at something like this:

It is currently registered in its state as an RV.

How does one keep it registered as an RV - I am in a different state - also, :

Would I have to stop at scales?
What kind of tags would I have to have?
Fuel taxes??
Can I run in the lower 48, no worries?
Anything I am not considering?
Thanks for helping the Diesel NooB:cool:

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=62474&stc=1&d=1207187794
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=62475&stc=1&d=1207187797

OMG that thing is COOL!

Sorry, dont know about your reg issues.

i'm pretty sure you can register it as an RV. one of my crop insurance customers took a regular semi truck, stretched the frame and built his own camper for hauling snowmobiles and his jeep. he registers it as an rv and he's had no issues. no need for a cdl either.

if it has airbrakes i think you need to get an endorsment for that.? other wise it should just be an RV

i'm pretty sure you can register it as an RV. one of my crop insurance customers took a regular semi truck, stretched the frame and built his own camper for hauling snowmobiles and his jeep. he registers it as an rv and he's had no issues. no need for a cdl either.

Yes, that is exactly what this is - a stretched Semi tractor.

The one is a KW and the other is a Freightliner :cool:

if it has airbrakes i think you need to get an endorsment for that.? other wise it should just be an RV

Yes, air brakes.

As an RV, would it still need an endorsement??


As an aside, it would be registered in one state (as it is now as an RV) - would it have troubles then, state to state?

I read here, revenue collectors target overweight haulers. Sounded more like 1-tons, hauling fivers w/ a toy box.

This thing IS the TOY BOX :cool:

Thanks

FWIW, I had been looking at one car Hodges Enclosed Haulers and while they are cool, one car sometimes is not enough to carry - plus no living quarters :(

The haulers above, are live-in-able :cool:

I think you need to take these questions to your state's motor vehicles dept instead of asking here. It'll be a real bummer if you get an Out-Of-Service tag slapped on your rig for not having the proper papers, bypassing a weigh station and not having a CDL.

But to answer a few questions, fuel taxes, yep you'll pay, some truckers are exempt from pump taxes as they pay a rate per mile, which is sometimes cheaper. You'll be paying car diesel price if its an RV.

A RV won't need to go through a weigh station, but don't be surprised if you're pulled over for a truck inspection and/or "surprise" mobile scale just to check if you're not over loading an axle anyway.

As for the state to state thing, No, If it is registered as a RV in one state, other states DOT will honor it, however, YOUR state may crack down on you if they feel its being misused. Other states may still pull the rig off the road for safety inspections.

My guess on the CDL is yes. You're looking at a 46,000 GVWR on the axles alone, RV or not. AND air brakes.

Don't let it scare you off. A CDL is fairly easy to get if you don't need the tanker and haz mat ratings. Plus you already own a vehicle to take a CDL test drive in.

Good luck!

i think the CDL is a negative for any vehicle registered as a motorhome or RV. i wouldn't think this would be any different than a Prevost bus being used as a motorhome.

EDIT: your best bet would be to contact your DMV and ask them. they'd be able to tell you what the registration process/inspection/license requirements are for your particular situation.

Well, CDLs came about as a result of safety concerns, not size alone. The fact that the vehicle doesn't have a fixed payload is why I think some states may require a CDL. From the looks of it, 8 pallets would fit in the back of this "RV"! And 8 pallets of certain materials can easily overload the 34,000 lb rated rear axle, that is, if it is rated as high as that.

Perhaps a look at the VIN numbers will shed some light on the matter. Is it a commerical truck chassis or a lightweight RV chassis with KW components?

Calling the DMV is what I'd do.

I worked at a Freightliner Dealer, and we would get some very nice looking motor-homes come in there. I was at the boarder one time a few years back, when Vancouver had the Cart race, there was a group of Coronado motor-homes, they were on the large single tires, all around, they made quite a hold-up at the boarder with all the people looking them over. PLAY SAFE!

now thats the way to haul custom cars,and nobody knows whats there

As far as i know if it is registered as an RV, even with air brakes you will not need a CDL. Which is crazy to think off because if i haul too much with my duramax on a gooseneck trailer they could red flag me for not having a CDL. Good Luck with it, they look sharp/expensive.

In MI, if it's registered as an RV, there is no need for a CDL or air brake cert. I was looking into this when I was buying busses for school. Wanted to make sure I could turn my friends loose in it too. It was a full on International with a 32,000GVWR, air brakes, blah blah blah. Had it inspected, registered as an RV and we were good to go.

Teaching people to drive the damn thing proved to be interesting though. I always made sure I was sitting the first time they pushed that brake pedal!

Lots of guys seem to get away w/rv plates when they put "not for hire on the door

DAMN, that's what I forgot. I had to have that saying on both sides as well. Good call, thejdman04!

Sweet rides I"ll take three.......
1 Red
1 White
1 Blue

First: Check (as suggested) with your home state DMV. Florida's is on-line, as is their manual, which has a lot of details about types of vehicles, registrations and titles.

If your vehicle has a MCO or existing title that lists it as an motorhome, you can title as same. If it is titles as a "heavy truck" you may need to see if there is an option to change it. In Florida, you cannot change a "heavy truck" to a motor home, but you can change a "truck tractor" to a motorhome. These rigs pictured are certainly motorhomes, but converting a truck to one has to meet certain parameters.

In Florida, a motorhome obtains regular (non truck) plates, and does not have to stop at weigh stations or agricultural inspection stations, so long as not engaged in any form of the "furtherance of a business enterprise". Check state regulations as to what their definition of "commercial" is. In Florida it resides in the insurance, rules-of-road, and vehicle tagging/registration statutes.

In Florida, a motorhome does not require a commercial operators (CDL ) license.

I have a 1970 39' (tandem rear axle - air brakes) cab-over Peterbilt RV/garage that came out of Washington State titled as a "motorhome" - and I had no trouble titling it same in Florida.

I think you need to take these questions to your state's motor vehicles dept instead of asking here. It'll be a real bummer if you get an Out-Of-Service tag slapped on your rig for not having the proper papers, bypassing a weigh station and not having a CDL.

Yeah, I know, but I amhoping that folks here have some good experiences to share :cool:

i think the CDL is a negative for any vehicle registered as a motorhome or RV. i wouldn't think this would be any different than a Prevost bus being used as a motorhome.


A friend has a bus and he does not have a CDL for it. He pulls a 2-car stacker encl. behind it, but that is not the rig type I am looking at. :eek:

now thats the way to haul custom cars,and nobody knows whats there Yep, that's the idea :cool:

As far as i know if it is registered as an RV, even with air brakes you will not need a CDL.

Thanks.

In MI, if it's registered as an RV, there is no need for a CDL or air brake cert. I was looking into this when I was buying busses for school. Wanted to make sure I could turn my friends loose in it too. It was a full on International with a 32,000GVWR, air brakes, blah blah blah. Had it inspected, registered as an RV and we were good to go.


So if it is say, registetred in MI with RV plates, ALL states recognize that?

I would hate to be out in the other 47 States and have someone jerk me around :(




By the sounds of it:


RV Tags (It IS currently registered as an RV)
Not For Hire on each doorAnything else?? Thanks :cool:

As FilmAt11 said, "As for the state to state thing, No, If it is registered as a RV in one state, other states DOT will honor it, however, YOUR state may crack down on you if they feel its being misused. Other states may still pull the rig off the road for safety inspections." This still holds true. If the laws in MI are different than others, the laws from MI follow your rig and the plates.

Just to clarify the "not for hire" - one can STILL be COMMERCIAL and "not for hire" - that just means you haul your own product and don't hire out.

On my Freightliner single axles sleeper cab, I have the following:

Private
Not For Hire
Not Commercial
Pleasure-Recreational Use

I have crossed lots of state lines and scales and never had an issue. I've been asked to explain (I show them my registration - proper weights - my insurance - proper amount for weights but private use (non commercial) - and I even have proof of ownership of my truck and trailer (tagged privately to me) and my load).

The reason I lettered the truck as I did was to attempt to reduce confusion and to clarify my status - all DOT officers might not appreciate it, but most seem to. It is not required to so letter your private-use truck, but as I "appear" to be "commercial" it seemed a logical step.

I also carry copies of the Florida state statutes, DOT handbook and MV code which apply to my tagging, insurance, titling category and use, so that should I be in a different state, I can show my due diligence at compliance with my home state regulations.

I have been asked for my IFTA decal (don't need one) my USDOT #'s (don't need them), and once explained, no problem.

Just to clarify the "not for hire" - one can STILL be COMMERCIAL and "not for hire" - that just means you haul your own product and don't hire out.

On my Freightliner single axles sleeper cab, I have the following:

Private
Not For Hire
Not Commercial
Pleasure-Recreational Use

I have been asked for my IFTA decal (don't need one) my USDOT #'s (don't need them), and once explained, no problem.


Great tips!!!!

So what if I haul a car for a friend, or what if I register the hauler to my business (for tax reasons)

I believe I can still have it registered as a motorhome

...trying to stay within bounds here, but - :eek:

Register it where you will, doesn't matter as long as you get an RV tag.

Oh, don't register the expensive RV in Oregon to avoid Washington's taxes! ($54 in Oregon vs $5000+ per year in Washington.) They crack down hard on this. The Washington state patrol have undercover officers trailing Oregon plated RVs entering Washington to see if they go to a residence in Washington. I've seen TV news crews ride along with the troopers. :o

So if there is a similar situation with your neighboring states, you might want to be careful with your tax-saving decisions!

Register as an RV, no CDL needed. Air Brakes have nothing to do with requiring a CDL. (if your CDL-required vehicle has air brakes, then you would need the air brake endorsement) In this case, an RV does not require a CDL so the air brakes don't mean anything in that regard.

Definitely put "NOT FOR HIRE" on both sides of the vehicle, which will remind DOT officers that it is a private conveyance and is NOT subject to hours of service, or all the FMCSA regulations like a "FOR HIRE" truck would.

Happy RV'ing! :)

Why not just get your CDL? Good training whether you need it or not...

Why not just get your CDL? Good training whether you need it or not...


I would rather not.


I do not want the paperwork that comes with that, if not absolutely needed.

Register as an RV, no CDL needed. Air Brakes have nothing to do with requiring a CDL. (if your CDL-required vehicle has air brakes, then you would need the air brake endorsement) In this case, an RV does not require a CDL so the air brakes don't mean anything in that regard.

Definitely put "NOT FOR HIRE" on both sides of the vehicle, which will remind DOT officers that it is a private conveyance and is NOT subject to hours of service, or all the FMCSA regulations like a "FOR HIRE" truck would.

Happy RV'ing! :)


Yeah, this truck, clearly has air brakes.


Although, I have a truck at work w/ air brakes that is not a CDL truck in my state >26k lbs (I think it comes in at 25,900 lbs)

Why not just get your CDL? Good training whether you need it or not...
Agreed. It's not too hard, and the pre-trip training will help you spot potential problems. I drive MCI motorcoaches while I go through school, and my uncle owns the same thing in RV form, airbrakes and all. He needs no CDL or nothing. A basic license is all he needs to drive it. A CDL is a Commercial Drivers License, seems you won't be driving commercially, you don't need one. .

My pick of the two rigs pictured: the Kenworth. I really do not like cabovers, the ride sucks. And the Kenworth just looks pimpin:bling:

My 1954 (ex-Greyhound) bus has air brakes - but as it is an RV - no CDL required - weighs in around 30,000#.

My 1970 Peterbilt (39' long RV/Hauler) has tandem rear end, air brakes, 13spd - no CDL required as it is tagged and titled as an RV - weighs in around 32,000#.

Hook my 3500 Dodge (DRW 1 ton) to my 25' equipment trailer - ratings is 32,200# and trailer is rated @ 20,000# so CDL-A is required by Florida even though no air brakes, and is less unladen weight going down the road than either the bus or the Peterbilt.

No one ever said that "reason" was written in regulations.....