Registering a non commercial truck

I honestly don't think "not for hire" signage means a darned thing.
I haul "not for hire" because we only haul our own equipment. Does that mean I can put the signage on my door and blow past the scales, I think not.

In TN, you basically have 4 types of trucks that have a GVW over 9,000lb. Commercial, farm, RV, and apportioned. Farm is the least restrictive and you aren't required to show proof that you are actually engaged in agriculture but you better not get caught hauling something that isn't at least remotely agriculture. I'd say you could get by hauling other vehicles or construction equipment as they could be used on a farm. I don't think you could get by hauling coils of steel and other manufacturing goods.

 

Buy a camper trailer and get going...

 

I have a 1999 freight liner that is my new RV. It was converted to a flatbed after extending the frame and hauls my cars or my truck camper.

I did not put not for hire on it, I just got it plated as an RV after installing a toilet and a little portable sink in the sleeper to make it a legal RV.

I've been pulled over twice with it and both time I told the dot officer that he can write all the tickets he wants, it is an RV and the court will just toss them. The last time the cop said he would put me out of service and I said so I will just leave, it isn't a commercial vehicle under the law.

 

In Oregon you must have a permanently installed means to cook, sleep, and toilet to register as an RV. I have two "RV's" that were commercial trucks (not tractors), both 35k @ 40'.

This paperwork to change class gets sent off for approval to the head office. They give you plates, but don't approve it on the spot... which means in the case of a tractor, they might dispute it.

My tractor is registered as private since that was my intent until recently.
Huge difference in insurance and registration costs vs for-hire.

 

I am a member of the Escapees RV club, many members here pull their 5th wheel RV with a class 8 truck. Most do not have CDL's so to get the truck registered as an RV ranges from easy in some states to totally impossible in others. When registed as an RV, the best thing to do is ignore the scales. But since there are many scofflaws out there, using a vehicle registered as an RV but for commercial use (race teams, horse breeders) the cops may check you anyway.