what costs are involved in using class-8 for recreational use ONLY

Hey guys, I'm looking at getting a 2005'ish Kenworth or other Class-8 in order to tow a recreational vehicle. Absolutely ZERO NADA commercial use for the truck.
What would I be looking at for tag registration / road tax etc ?
It'll be based in Georgia.

I'm trying to balance up all the options of getting a CDL for the LBS vs mid size truck (wouldn't have as much longevity on the engine)

Thanks for any input.

 

Yep, I agree Hardlyevr. Any one driving something nearly as big as a tractor trailer should be required to get a CDL. The driving characteristics are totally different than a station wagon, specially if you are driving a vehicle with a pivot point. The biggest thing I've driven (other than a 73 Cadi) is a 18,000lb International box truck. Braking is very different and even maybe only 26 feet, you need to be very aware of the back end when turning. I grew up in the UK, the regular driving test is significantly more difficult than the US. We have to reverse around bends in the road keeping no more than 18 inches from the curb, hill starts (without rolling) on a 20-30% grade. This will a stick, not auto. Anyways, going off topic some, main point is most non-professional drivers should need the extra training, maybe 10-15% of non-pro drivers have enough driving skills to do a good job of driving something that big.

 

Thanks for the info Emulsified.
I took a look about a year ago and it seemed like some states like Georgia allowed RV's to be driven without a CDL, but obvously when you wonder out of Georgia into a CDL requiring state, you end up being upto your neck in DOT-COPS.

I want to end up with a class-8 one way or the other for towing a camper, this assuming I'm not having to pay massive amounts of cash for tax / registration etc for a commercial truck when it's not going to be used commercially. I guess hard to prove with DOT unless I figure out how to get that get-out-of-jail-free card and register it as an RV hauler, like you mentioned. A visit to my local DMV may be needed and talk with someone with a brain.

The other option I have toyed with is a class-6 which is non-CDL, but finding a crew cab Kenworth T300 for eg is hard (class-6 i'd want a crew cab), so maybe would get an International or Chevy Kodiak. But my main requirement for a class-8 is the fact I can buy now while I have the money and keep the truck for 20-30 years of light highway driving as we all know, class-8's can do the miles.

 

So, if I went out right now and bought a Kenworth T600 for lets say $30,000. I'm assuming fair to decent condition with 150,000-250,000 miles. what sticker shock will I have when I visit the DMV to pay the registration and yearly road tax etc ?

 

Thanks for the info, hopefully Georgia will be a cheap
Actually I was surprised by how cheap the T600's were when I looked, $35,000 will get you a pretty clean truck, exterior A+, interior B+.
How did you like the Volvo ? I hear they drive extremely well and are the trucks all the pro's like to get.