I posted this in the general section, but didn't get any response. I thought I would try it here...

My dad just bought a used U-haul box truck it's a med duty 26' box truck that he plans on using to haul his all tools and equipement, up to the country and work on his land on the weekends. This truck is will be used only for personal use and not any commercial hauling... We are trying to figure out what is the best way to liscense the truck to keep insurance cost, and all other restrictions to a minimum...

Could he get away with liscensing it as an RV vehicle?? (what would be needed to pass as an RV). Should he try and liscense it as a farm vehicle?? Which one of these options allows alittle more lean way for weight and DOT issues??? He has a class A, but doesn't have a physical card, want to carry a log book, etc...

To throw in a little "kink" he is also considering using it to haul his buddies back hoe (on a triple axle trailer) up there occasionally...

This is in the state of MO..

Thanks in advance...

 

I would say farm. Deduct it.

 

I can't picture pulling a backhoe with an old U-Haul truck . They weren't spec'ed to pull that kind of load . People are lucky to make a HHG load without breaking down in a U-Haul .

 

If eligible I'd do farm, it sure doesn't qualify an rv.

 

Farm is subject to a mileage restriction. You can only operate the vehicle within that restriction. Find out what the GVWR for the truck is and stay below that. If he is going to pull a load, you need to factor the total weight of the unit as a whole and get a plate with the correct weight.

I believe MO is similar to KS in that they have several different weight classes available for a pickup. The U-haul is built on a 1 ton chassis (I would verify that fact if I were you, but I believe that's what they use) so just register it as such. In KS we have 8K, 12K, 16K and 20K (it may go higher, I've never checked) plates. There isn't much difference between the whole bunch.

 

If its a 26ft its going to be on a true med duty chassis, either ford or gm would be my guess. They are going to gvwr for under 26k since they are rentals. In IL the correct plate would run $561 and be an H plate (good to 26k).

 

Sorry, I guess I was thinking a smaller box. The 26 is the big one. I'd place a call to the license bureau and ask them what the options are. I know you don't have to license up to the max if you are not using it that way. Just don't get caught over your plate weight.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys, yes it is definately a med duty truck (ford), it has a semi-type rear end under it. The doors currently say 18,000, but I don't know if that is really the rating... I was just trying to save him some cost on insurance, and liscense since the truck will truely be a vehicle that will be used about 1 weekend a month (max) and only to go back and forth on about a 150 mile round trip. If it acutally pulled the back hoe, I would guess it would be about 2x a year.

I am glad I talked him into the bigger truck (he was looking at a 17 footer, basically a 1 ton chassis). I think that he will be able to put his tractor (ford) and brush hog in the back of this one so he won't have to pull a trailer up to the lake to cut grass...

I just didn't know what would be involved to classify this thing as an RV and get away with some of the weighted plating issues, and cut down on insurance.

 

I don't know how Missouri classifies a RV but here is one definition:

Recreational vehicle definitions -

Self-propelled vehicle or vehicle pushed, towed or carried by a self-propelled vehicle – designed as temporary living quarters when recreating or on vacation.

Vehicle contains at least four of the following, two of which must be A, B or C:
A) Liquid propane gas for cooking;
B) Potable water including sink and faucet;
C) Separate 110-125 volt electrical power;
D) Heating or air conditioning;
E) Electric or propane refrigerator; or
F) Toilet self-contained or connected to a plumbing system;

 

It says 18,000 ? How old is that truck ? Most states used 18,000 rather than 26,000 for the weight limit you'd need before requiring a Class B license before the CDL came along. I think it was in the early 70's states changed that requirement . I remember because I was working for a guy that had 2 International dump trucks . One was registered at 18,000 , the other at 26,000 . When the law changed I could drive them both . That's why N.Y. requires a HUT above 18,000 . So yes , the truck is capable of more than that but the VIN plate might only say 18,0000 . That might limit your load capacity .

 

Well I probably typed that wrong... There are "stickers" (decals) on the outside of the doors that say 18,000... I didn't have a chance to look at what the door tag says. The truck is a '97 model ford, with the fiberglass tilt hood, 19.5's, and all...

I am thinking that we could temp outfit it as an RV, get it liscensed and then pull out the stuff... I don't really know, what direction he is wanting to pursue just yet...

Thanks for all the responses...

 

I would abandon all thoughts of the RV registration- without major modifications it would never comply. If the truck is to be used as a farm truck, moving your own farm equipment to and from your own farm, register as a farm vehicle. More tax deductions, fewer hassles, more exemptions from DOT. In Ky, a dually truck with a farm plate and a 2 axle farm trailer can legally transport 32k pounds gross of livestock, farm equipment, grain, fertilizer, or any other farm commodity across any Ky scale with no hassles from the law. Most states cut farmers a little more slack. With only 2 axles, and 19.5 tires, you can legally license the truck up to 26k, and not need a CDL if licensed as a farm truck.

 

You might want to research your State statutes to determine their definition of "commercial". You would look in the motor vehicle section of the statutes, and sub-sections might include "license" (meaning registration), "insurance" and "rules of the road".

Florida has conflicting definitions and exempts. Sometimes "use" is considered, other times GVW or number-of-axles comes in to play. The term "in furtherence of a business enterprise" is sometimes applied as a test, and some states even consider hobby use a "business enterprise".

Some states also control any attempt at conversion from a truck to an RV. In Florida, you can convert a truck tractor to an RV, but you cannot convert a heavy truck to an RV - Florida defines a truck tractor as having a fifth wheel (they ignore gooseneck hitches altogether). Most conversions define an RV as having facility for cooking, sleeping, and sometime more. Most farm or ag tags have restrictions on distance and use.

I have private auto insurance on my FL70 single axle, which I have a tagged GVW of 43,999 on. I use it private (non-commercial), and I carry the required Florida 100K liability insurance, but it is NOT a commercial policy, and I have documentation from Florida DMV that if the vehicle is NOT commercial, it does not need commercial insurance. I carry all the documentation with me, in the event (as I sure appear commercial with a S/A sleeper hauling a 45' trailer), and as yet have had no problems w/any DOT. I can also prove my cargo is my own, and my use is personal/private. I have lettering on the side of the sleeper which states "personal/recreational use, not commercial, not for hire".
I have the correct CDL-A to operate the vehicles, and it is tagged as a "heavy truck" in Florida because it does not exclusively tow with a fifth wheel hitch, and it has a GVW greater than 8,000# (their definition threshold). My Dodge 3500 is also tagged as a heavy truck, as it has a GVW of 12,200#.

Conflicting State statutes, poor or incomplete definitions, vague interpretations of statutes by clerks all tends to create confusion, instead of clarity, on what should be a clearly defined procedure tied to USE. Most states exempt RV's of all types from tagging and driver license requirements, even though their curb and GVW weights can rival those of vehicles in commerce, as do their operating characteristics.

Finally, I have a 39' tri-axle Peterbilt cab-over with box unit, which has a forward RV section (with crawl-through to sleeper box), and a toy-hauler garage. It was titled as a motorhome in WA State, where I bought it, and thus is titled as one in Florida. Cummins, 13spd, 50K GVW - it is a big, heavy straight truck that rivals the biggest commercial straight truck w/tandem rear axle on the road. It drives the same, and weighs the same. But because it was converted to an RV (and has a bath, shower, stove, generator, sink, etc), anyone can drive it, no CDL required, and no stopping at scales, etc.