Using a truck for personal reasons

Any time you're free of being laden, you can legally use the vehicle for personal conveyance for enroute food, lodging, etc. You can either be bobtail or have an empty trailer following you around.

If you have a load on your trailer, you can't, it must be logged driving.


Simple.

Where it gets complicated is people confusing company policy with FMCSA policy. Just because the FMCSA says you can use a truck for personal use, doesn't mean the owner of that truck, or the company whose authority you run under, will let you have it for personal use. Also, many companies will forbid you from disconnecting from a loaded trailer unless it's a requirement of a shop or some such for repairs. It's a much better theft deterrent to have an 18,000 pound truck attacked to a trailer than a kingpin or gladhand lock.

 

I suppose it's up to the company. If I drop my unloaded empty trailer at a secured yard and throw the kingpin lock on it, I'm allowed to take a line 5 drive IF its approved by the company and i boot for the fuel. My dad lives 10 miles up a country road so this is the only way I get to visit him at home.

 

In the short time I was there, I never knew anyone to ''drive off duty'' other than the o/ops who have a line 5 for it. Now Central is under Swift control, I doubt they will allow it.

 

Even with a kingpin lock, a wrecker can hook to a truck and tow it, so even that doesn't work.

 

HEY!!! Waffle House is awesome! Best food ever!!

 

Pecan waffle, extra-crispy, two eggs over-easy, bacon, lots of coffee. I butter up the waffle, soak it in syrup, then slide the eggs atop the waffle and cut 'em up, with salt and pepper. AWESOMENESS!!

 

So what does your company allow you to do??

 

A welded locking box, made of 1/2" steel, welded to the frame rails. Go ahead, try to get in that without a torch.

 

My question has always been," is pulling an empty trailer 'laden' or not? Technically, a tractor IS laden when pulling a trailer I think. How about this little off-topic subject though...If you have a scooter on the deck of your semi-tractor...Californication will consider it now, a 'motor-truck'. I delivered pre-fab gas station canopies with a cab-over F/Liner & flatbed..but they kept hassling me for having the wrong plates when I had a forklift on the deck. Made a difference at the time on front axle weight too. I could be a motor-truck, semi-tractor or straight truck depending on what I had on the deck, & was/not pulling. Whew..tired.

I have no problem cruising to facilities within 'reasonable" distance. Subjective I know. Prolly depends on the officer, & circumstance. Don't give 'em a reason I say.

 

"motor-truck"???

I think the thread has evolved to whether or not the employer will allow it as well.

Speaking of: how'd that scooter work out for you?