Length limit issue

Hello all. I am new here, and am looking into starting my own hauling company, but I see one big issue with my goals below. My top goal is for a Ram 4500 with a hauler type bed, a heavy duty 5th wheel air ride hitch, and a step deck or drop deck(depending on heighth requirements to make it work), but my first preference is a step deck to keep a lower center of gravity. I already know that it's better to get a single axle medium duty truck, but that's not allowed in my subdivision, and I need a truck flatbed at least from time to time, and this truck will also be somewhat of a family vehicle, as I'll pull while on vacation, especially when visiting relatives.LOL So....

My goal is to not be over the road any more than 6-8 days/nights/month, so I'd like to be able to haul 4 small/medium cars at a time or any combination of vehicles to weigh no more than 20k, but that would be an extremely well paying load, as I'd like to stay under 16-18k, which would total the trailer to no more than 26k, as this just gets too heavy without having a medium duty truck. I have some opportunities to haul hay and other cargo as well, but I'll only take that with decent pay and to continue to network, so vehicles will be my main thing.
I'm thinking at least a 48ft total maybe with flip outs, or just go ahead and make it bigger, but no more than 53ft.

The problem? I live NW of Ft Worth a bit, and the length limit is 65ft, and with this kind of setup, I'll be what 70-72ft.? I don't see any over the limit length permits in TX, like I've found in Florida. Yes, I've found that I can take off the hauler bed, and just do the CC with fenders, but I said I need a truck flatbed at least from time to time, and the subdivision would frown on the butt ugliness of that CC truck, and they might call it a Semi tractor also like DOT does, which is ridiculous, since you can't carry much cargo in a bed with a trailer hitched there.

Any way around this, or am I stuck with a 42ft drop/step deck. I'm simply trying to maximize the opportunity for revenue. Any other advice based on this would be very helpful. Thank you very much! Chris

 

Thanks to the both of you, but I'm not mixing needs and wants at all. I clearly stated what the possibilities are here where I live. There is no HOA, and I'll never live in a place with an HOA, after my experiences with that in the housing industry, but that's another subject. I live in a mobile home village, but in city limits. There is little enforcement here, and there are 4 other auto/cargo transporters here, and no rental area close by. I wouldn't consider a rental area until I'm making at least 70k/year for a few years, with our financial situation, when debt comes first, unless it's $50/month as you stated, but my neighbor that now hauls cars, was in trucking, and he's already guided me to some parking spots, and they were all at least $150/month.

Brian, I thank you very much for the IRS example. Makes perfect sense, and I love preventing problems. Also, with hauling things, I don't every want to be an OTR driver more than 6-8 days/nights away from home/month. It's just not me. There should be enough for 80% of my work within 200 miles, but as you stated TX is horrible for autos. The good thing is that my wife is the main bread winner and will be by far. I'm re-entering the workforce after 13 years of being a stay at home dad and running our own investments, along with being a professional musician. Yes I've had a wide diversity experienced life. I grew up on a farm hauling all kinds of stuff and driving our semi, and driving other commercial sized stuff while being a band director. I'm extremely frugal, doing my own mechanic work. This is why I'm also not paying a whole lot more for this 4500 than what it's sold for at the auto auction, and I'm scouring those auctions as well, with a car salesman friend helping me. I used to sell cars as well, and know how much autos are marked up. It's just a matter of finding someone that will sell me the truck, or find it at the auction.

So there is some more information into my needs. I would only go with a medium duty truck if I could park it here, or somewhere secure and no more than $150/month(there was a lot of trucks at those lots, maybe I should go into that business?). I also don't want to haul anymore than the 4 either, unless I have a car hauler only then maybe 6. Lastly the Ram's and other brands especially since 2013 are much more beefier, but mainly in the 4500's and up. The engine brake almost negates all the need for brakes, and other suspension and driveline necessities, are plenty beefy to hold up for at least 150k. By the way, I use Amsoil for all fluids, and I have a tendency to make vehicles last for 400k, which is my max so far, but that's not a HD OTR truck with a Cummins. I plan on making it to 1mill K. I only listen to those that I've talked with that have made it to the 1mill K. They take care of their vehicles and so will I. Oh and this truck won't be used to get the groceries any time soon. They'll simply ride along sometimes.

So thanks for the info, and there is a little more about me and my capabilities. You guys are very right about the economy. I actually thought we would've had the total collapse going into the Biblical Tribulation by now and on our last American President, but our world has never been in this place before with All things coming together at the same time, so the powers that be simply don't completely know how to get to that point yet, and even evil gets scared of itself as well, so the strings haven't been pulled yet. We've got at least a little more time. Thanks, Chris

 

What about the length limits? Anyone know for sure? Chris

 

I simply meant it negated the need for heavy(all) braking. Go to a hobby forum, hmmm. I simply have the need to have some extra money right now, in other words, I can live on $30k/year, especially when I take all my earnings and pay off debt. Our debt is from the mistake of going to college for something not realistic, thanks to the advice of people, and parents, instead of the advice of wisdom, reality and truth. Of course my goal is to make probably up to $100k, or more. My neighbor does $70k with a 2 car, but he has clients, and takes almost nothing off of the boards, however he is OTR, and gone for a week or so at a time. He's almost 75, and ready to send some work elsewhere, but like I said, I'm not going OTR that much. I'm not stuck on the dually, but I don't have a choice right now, and I can buy a dually for $15k or less with less no more than 100k miles on it, or around that. I've already passed on 2 at auctions. Too much other work had to be done. I'm simply looking to see if TX has a length limit permit available. I haven't found it yet if it's available. Chris

 

I have experience in the trucking business, with my uncle, and my cousin, but that was a while back, and isn't relative to what I'm doing, because they are/were terrible business people. I've also done plenty of reading with varying opinions, from the frugal and excellent business practices, to the sloppy, from the dually won't work(which I agree with in certain and many situations), to the nobody can make any money, which means no one can live on $30k, with no debt, including the house, so no one can make any money to some who say they've never made less than $75k and only are away from home no more than 7 days/month. It's my job to do what the Bible says, "Challenge everything, put it to a test and find out what is True." I'll find out the easy way or the hard way. Hopefully I've become good enough to find out the easier way. How do you "love it" when this becomes so volatile over a simple question, and wanting neutral advice. It should be obvious from my writing that I've done extensive research and am well versed on all the opinions out there. Sorry this conversation didn't turn out so well, or go anywhere, since I'm not just falling in line. I guess there is no over the length limit permit in TX, just as I found.