Another noob asking questions, need plate info.

I know it must be getting old for the Experienced guys seeing all the new guys asking for advice but I am another new guy to Hot Shot. I have 20 years OTR and the last 17 of that I have owned my own truck. Sometimes more than one when I can afford it most of the time just the one I drive. It is a hard life but I love it. I have been "Retired" for the last 5 years and it is time to get back on the road before She kills me for being home and in the way. I have an 08 Dodge dually with 75K miles that I bought and paid off as my private truck. I am looking at a 2010 40ft gooseneck which I want for myself anyways. My point is that my equipment is not being bought solely for Hot Shot so if this fails I won't be in the bread line or at least not lose my truck as I have seen so many do.

I am looking at a local guy here in the Phx AZ area called Phx Motor Express. I can't seem to find any info on them so I guess no complaints are good. He is paying 75% with my own trail and he covers freight ins. The Company is small with about 15 trucks and he has Direct loads so they have been keeping busy. He has gone over what the other drivers have been making and it works for me.

Coming from the Class 8 world I have questions about my plates that I can't seem to find answers to.

Do I need an Apportioned plate or just an AZ Commercial plate and buy permits for the states I will drive into. The Company doesn't do IFTA. I do Not plan on putting a sleeper on my truck so where are you guys sleeping? I understand you can get tickets for sleeping in the Cab of a Commercial vehicle and if you are logged as in the sleeper or off duty they can give you a log book violation also? Is this correct? Motel 6 is cheaper than any ticket and comes with a shower so that is my plan but how hard do they enforce this law in-case I need a nap?

Anything I am missing that I should know?

I really appreciate any good info you can give me. I already know to stay away from UShip and Gary, which sucks because my in laws are in Phelan.

 

I have read a lot about the sleeper requirements, beings this is my personal pickup I am not interested in adding the sleeper. Seems most of the freight is in and out of one Pipe place and and AC place in TX so I figure a couple nights a week in a hotel won't break me. Plus free internet, shower and staying out of the truck stops has a certain value to me.

I will look into the For Hire plate. In AZ am pretty sure that is just a Commercial plate instead of a regular pickup plate. The owner at the company I am looking at says most of his guys just run the scales, I am Leary on this as I am too pretty to go to jail. But it looking around it does seem to be what all the "Pickups" do.

I have had my own authority in the past for a gravel truck and do not feel like getting back into that. I do not need a huge income and value my time off so letting someone else carry that burden is very appealing to me.

I still carry my class A and hope to never give it up. I did for a short time fpr medical reasons and it was a pita to get reinstated. I really only want to work a few days a week and be home often so this seems like something I could do without spending $70K on a used class 8.

Thanks for the advice and input.

 

So my plates showed up yesterday from AZ DMV. They registered my 3500 as a Commercial truck, Not Apportioned. Cost an extra "Comm Reg" fee of $4 and "Weight" fee of $7.50. The plate looks normal but has a different letter combo like you see on straight trucks and other large trucks like trash trucks and suck.
Still may look into a IRP plate to make life easier but at least I won't go to jail.

 

Yes I have a CJ- and have them registered to 26K. I know they are good because first trip out I got DOT inspections at NM and AZ scales on I-10 and passed. They really looked hard at the Registration, AZ even had me open my door so they could look at the Truck sticker.