Do I need authority for personal big truck pulling camper

I'm not going to read through this again.

So Joseph, let me ask you something.

Are you going to use the thing for any commercial work ever?

 

OK the reason I asked is if you want to use this as a rec vehicle (pull a RV), it has to be titled as such, otherwise it is a commercial vehicle so it is either one or the other.

 

I have spoken with my states DOT guys and they told me that so much of how they determine if you need a CDL or a DOT number revolves around how you answer the questions they ask.I can take a pickup with a flatbed trailer hauling a tractor to my place but if I take it to a friends house to do work then I fall under DOT regs.The term RV covers a lot but if your over 26,000 pounds GVWR here you need a CDL.

 

i am pretty sure the o/p already has a cdl i don't think that is the issue he is concerned about he wants to know if he would fall under fmcsa and need operating authority, the answer would be no, you would have to make sure that your vehicle is licenced properly as a rv not as a semi tractor. like if i were to haul my rv with my truck i would still be a commercial vehicle because that is what i am licenced and insured as. same as he can't take his "rv" and move a tractor for his neighbor. i would be very careful about using a rv licence truck for moving anything other than a camper as most every cop is going to think you are trying to skirt the law, tickets are written at the officers descresion. so it would be up to each individual officer to determine if they feel that you are engaged in commerce or not.

like say you are hauling a tractor for example you better have proof that you own said tractor or have a rental agreement in your personal name with you in the truck. and hope that the cop believes you that you are renting the tractor to fix your driveway at your house so you don't get stuck in the mud again and not going somewhere else to do a for hire landscaping job. because if you were moving said tractor to do a for hire job you would fall under fmcsa.

there have been a number of people that have gotten in trouble using there rv licence trucks hauling race cars or show horses ect because if you win the event there is a prize payout witch then makes you for hire. so the potential to receive compensation can classify you as commercial. tons of people get away with it every day but the courts have determined you are for hire if there is a potential prize money payout. and you need a usdot# you however do not need a mc# because you are only hauling your own property.

 

I heard about the race car guys being told if you win prize money then it's a commercial vehicle.The other problem you encounter if pulling a camper or boat with your commercial vehicle is if you decide to pack some alcoholic beverages along on your trip.

 

Not exactly I had a air brake equipped U haul box truck rented a couple of years ago. I rejected the vehicle when it failed to reach 60 PSI on it's pretrip. The agent had a fit. I had a Grandfathered CDL then no problems.

 

IF you use it commercial.. Then pay the pipers.

Until then license class properly plus airbrakes and combination for your tractor trailer and be happy.

Oh I forgot. 5 magic words. "Private Coach, NOT for Hire."

 

i would be real nervous about hauling a dozer for personal use without operating authority a dozer is not typically something that is used for personal not for hire use. it would surly attract bad attention. mabye if you could get a farm tag would be better for something like that. the next issue is a lowboy is not a cheap trailer even old beat-up needing a ton of work to pass a dot. i would like to have one myself i have operating authority so that part is not a issue for me but i just cant justify the cost of a trailer like that to maybe use once or twice a year. if i was going to pull a low boy for hire it would be a different story but then i would want a nicer trailer.

i have thought i would like to have a bigger camper one day, i have a 1 ton pickup 06 f-350 6.0L good truck i don't mind hauling something heavy around with it short distances but i don't really like to haul heavy with it long distances because the 6.0 is kinda a glass engine they work good the trucks are cheap as hell for what your getting but they don't like to be run hard every day. so if i get a bigger camper ill probably just pull it with my semi i don't think fuel cost would be much different as the load would be so light for my big truck id probably get near bobtail mpg.