Posted 2006-07-28 3:14 PM (#45599) Subject: Anyone pull trailers with a semi tractor?
Member
Posts: 6
Ok, so we are kinda looking into purchasing a Freightliner FL70 or FL80, or a larger truck, like a FL120, or a 379 Pete. Anyway, how the heck to you register these things? We live in Iowa, and have seen lots of big rigs that say "Not for Hire" on the side or "RV use only". When I call our DOT office, they can't give me a decent answer. When I tell them we're pulling a horse trailer w/living quarters with it, they don't think of it (the trailer) as an RV. Can anyone help?? They tell us we have to license it as a Commercial vehicle for in state, and base it on weight of the truck and trailer together, which probably equals at least 15 T, meaning the license will cost about $500 every year. There's got to be something different people do, and since we're not using this as a commercial truck, why do we have to pay so much??
Posted 2006-07-28 6:37 PM (#45610 - in reply to #45599) Subject: RE: Anyone pull trailers with a semi tractor?
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by twinsos on 2006-07-28 3:14 PM
Ok, so we are kinda looking into purchasing a Freightliner FL70 or FL80, or a larger truck, like a FL120, or a 379 Pete. Anyway, how the heck to you register these things? We live in Iowa, and have seen lots of big rigs that say "Not for Hire" on the side or "RV use only". When I call our DOT office, they can't give me a decent answer. When I tell them we're pulling a horse trailer w/living quarters with it, they don't think of it (the trailer) as an RV. Can anyone help?? They tell us we have to license it as a Commercial vehicle for in state, and base it on weight of the truck and trailer together, which probably equals at least 15 T, meaning the license will cost about $500 every year. There's got to be something different people do, and since we're not using this as a commercial truck, why do we have to pay so much??
Thanks!
It varies by State, some have various forms of "Camper", "RV", "Combination" registrations for recreational use. One of the BIG problems of registering it as an "in state" vehicle might be your status if ever you cross state lines with it. e.g. you COULD be found to be unregistered, unlicensed, uninsured, etc.
re: Why you have to pay so much ?
Dunno, I didn't write those laws.
At a guess the arguement goes that commercial vehicles are used in commerce, so the state government (ALL levels of government) feels entitled to a slice of the pie. Never mind that you're not using it for "commercial" puposes, they would probably argue that it is a very heavy vehicle that is wearing out the public roads that they have to maintain, etc.
Like, we all NEED that size truck ?
I can get by with a 1 ton and will probably continue to when I go to the 6 horse trailer. OTOH, I don't haul half a house around as well as 5 horses.
Anyone pull trailers with a semi tractor?
