Driving a privately owned Semi

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by CHHALL3, Dec 9, 2008.

  1. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

    12,812
    6,135
    Jul 22, 2008
    Owensboro , KY
    0
    NY requires an "R" endorsement for RV's over 26,000 lbs.
    http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/dmanual/chapter01-manual.htm#typ-lic
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

    12,812
    6,135
    Jul 22, 2008
    Owensboro , KY
    0
    That has been debated many times . One major example is that International CXT . Why do you think they rated the GVWR at 25,999 lbs ?
    http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/jay_leno_garage/1368287.html
    I wonder if they asked Leno for his CDL in the "truckers only " section of the restaurant ? I wonder if he smiled if he was called a good buddy . :biggrin_255:
     
  4. MGASSEL

    MGASSEL Road Train Member

    1,301
    211
    Mar 27, 2007
    Co
    0
    I would love to have a cxt.
     
  5. Bobg

    Bobg Bobtail Member

    18
    3
    Jan 6, 2009
    PNW
    0
    When I had my Class B CDL in MT, I was told by the licensing guy (drove commercial for 15 yrs) that as long as the truck was capable of hauling more than 26,001 pounds that you needed a CDL. But it could be different in every state.

    Bob
     
  6. StruckANerve

    StruckANerve Light Load Member

    89
    35
    Aug 6, 2008
    0
    I think the simplest answer is put a "Not For Hire" magnet on the door or whatever of the truck. Beyond that, act as if you are driving for hire. Log Books, Scales, state trip permits if you arent apportioned, proper weights, etc. I know I would find it funny with a full truck/trailer combo running down the road with no markings, no numbers, no plates, no nothing. Maybe even funnier if it said "Private Coach" or whatever. There isnt anything coach about your average road truck. These RV conversions, well there's no doubt they are RV conversions. Cross your I's, Dot your T's. I think stopping at a scale, or stopping to buy a trip permit and getting turned away is better then getting chased down and drug back in.
     
    1pissedoffdriver Thanks this.
  7. BLUERAIN

    BLUERAIN Bobtail Member

    1
    0
    Apr 2, 2009
    fombell, pa
    0
    I have a private owned non-commercial semi, single axle, international 8300. I used it to tow, my 45' horse trailer (gooseball), 5th wheel camper (30'), as well as bumper trailers. When I went to Penndot to register, I was told by one manager (a) that I needed a non-commercial class B license, but another manager (b) said no, not for a private owned. Well they argued for about 15 minutes, until the manager B said, if the person is required to have a non-commercial B license, then give him the book to study for the test. There is none. Manager B claims to have a 45' Holiday Rambler, Navigater (wow how much money is this guy getting paid), diesel pusher (500hp ?), air brakes and a regular license. At this point I just wanted to pay the $7.00 for the permit and get out. Well, long story short, no permit, no non-commercial class B, and it's registered as a class 6. He told me not to go over my weight..... Welcome to Pennsylvania.:biggrin_2558:
     
  8. Mighty Mouse

    Mighty Mouse Light Load Member

    138
    64
    Oct 29, 2008
    Raider Nation, NorCal
    0

    LOL There's this guy back home who drives a truck he has named in huge letters "TEXAS DOOLEY" on the back with a short flat bed where the fifth wheel used to be that I finally saw get pulled over for not having any information on the sides of his truck and for not entering the open scale plus I don't think he knew what the heck road taxes or permits were all about. He didn't realize his truck however modified is still considered a commercial vehicle. Yep, it was an older six wheel air braking bobtail slightly modified. Cool truck, but I wish he would have known about the responsibilities that came with it. I think though if the 6 wheel modified bobtail didn't have air-brakes it wouldn't require commercial status. I'm not sure about this 100% though so check into it, but at the same time I can't imagine trying to slow down or stop one with any other braking system.
     
  9. tmlonghorns

    tmlonghorns Light Load Member

    278
    43
    Mar 12, 2009
    Gregory, MI
    0
    Interesting topic.
    I have just bought a semi for my own personal use. The semi is a 1989 International 9307....pic attached. I live in Michigan and understand that the rules may differe from state to state but when croos state lines you had better be prepared to meet all of the states requirments.
    I am looking to buy a 53' van drop deck to convert to a) partial living quarters and b) stalls to haul 5-10 of my own horses. The wife and I will be making a trip late August to Oregon in the semi, hauling the trailer, with horses.
    There has been alot of information here and some of it is correct and some of it is not correct. For example, an F endorsement will allow me to drive the semi and the trailer within the state of Michigan and within 150 air miles of my farm. To obtain the F endorsement all I had to take was a written air brakes exam. Only other restriction is that I haul only my stuff, and again this is for me and not the truck.
    Now for the truck.....we plated the truck as a farm truck which now means no commercial hauling for the truck - regardless of who is driving. The truck itself though can be driven anywhere and is not under the same 150 air mile restriction that I am.
    Now for my little trip out west.....because I am crossing state lines, I need a cdl to drive something this big, even if I am not for hire. In addition, USDOT requires that I have a USDOT # on the truck AND "Not for Hire" on the truck. I MUST roll through scales. I am not however under the same log book restrictions as you real drivers are. I must perform a pre trip inspection report and maintain copies in the truck though.
    My rule is that I don't want to draw any attention to me that is not required as it can only mean bad news. Why push the envelop and argue with folks like dieselbear over what you can and not do when you will lose the battle, even if you win the war.
    Now, there is one MAJOR loophole in all of this. If I were to plate that truck as a motorhome (I would have to have a #######, refrig, and a stove installed) then I would not need a CDL. But then again, I doubt in the field you will get dieselbear to agree with you.
    So, yes it is possible but it a grey area you are dealing with. Crossing state lines throws everything out the window.
     
  10. bfork1

    bfork1 Light Load Member

    72
    16
    Feb 23, 2009
    birmingham,al
    0
    There is no requirement to prepare a written pre trip inspection report. There is one for the end of the day though.
     
  11. tmlonghorns

    tmlonghorns Light Load Member

    278
    43
    Mar 12, 2009
    Gregory, MI
    0
    Sorry..In Michigan there IS a pretrip inspection report that must be completed. There is NOT in Michigan.
    Again. keep in mind what I am saying is for a cdl driver to be driving a non commercial plate vehilce weighing more than 25,000 LBS. So basically. an F endorsement.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.