Thought on M35A2 AM General "Deuce and a Half", 2 1/2 ton Cargo Truck

[Builder]

Those numbers certainly seem reasonable, particularly if you have comprehensive coverage. Michigan seems more expensive than much of the balance of the Midwest because of the "no fault" policy, so your insurer always has to pay for the damage to your vehicle even if someone runs a red light and Tbone's you. And we pay a % into an "uninsured driver" fund.

What are the vehicle registration fees for your dump truck ? Our current (passenger) vehicles run about $160/yr.

My 4800 is registered at 60,000 lbs to tow a backhoe, so the registration fee is pretty high at about $850.

It would be considerably lower (probably half that) if I only used it for hauling it at its' stated GVWR of 33,000 lbs

 

[LoneCowboy]

LoneCowboy, it seems that the different states word their CDL rules slightly differently. Colorado says:

• Recreational Vehicles. When used for recreational purposes a motor home which truck or motor home is used exclusively for pleasure, enjoyment, other recreational purposes, or family transportation of the owner, lessee, or occupant and is not used to transport cargo or passengers for profit, hire, or otherwise in any business or commercial enterprise.

So while worded differently to Michigan, they do use the word truck and the usage described would fit my situation.

So I have to ask why it is that you are required to have a CDL, DOT # and all the rest of the runaround if all you are doing is moving personal posessions not for commercial use ? Or are you moving your own stuff for commercial purposes ?

A building contractor may move construction equipment that he owns, but it is for commercial use (he charges for the use of it, or it is part of the service that his business provides for reward).

My understanding is that if there is no form of compensation involved, there is also no need for the CDL and the other related activities.

I called the local state troopers office, but the person who answered the phone wasn't knowledgeable and took my info and will get someone to call back on Monday.

I'm a private carrier. I carry my goods for my company's use. I'm commercial

If you want to use it personally, that's different than "private/not for hire". That's under the RV exception.

No, you don't need a CDL to drive an RV. (some of those monsters are on full class 8 frames and while they need a class A, no CDL. If you don't need a CDL don't get one. Expires every 4 years, you need a medical certificate at LEAST every 2 years. (no medical certificate, no valid license).

RV's are obvious RV's. A big truck like that or a dump is going to be hard pressed to prove not commercial. I'd go for the farm use (CDL not required for farmer's either). Esp if you are staying with 150 miles.

Every DOT cop will tell you something different. (it's rather frightening really).

MY CDL has the exact same driver's license number I"ve had for 20 years. How would the insurance company know? A driver's license is a STATE license, a CDL is a FEDERAL license, issued by a state.

 

[LoneCowboy]

My 4800 is registered at 60,000 lbs to tow a backhoe, so the registration fee is pretty high at about $850.

It would be considerably lower (probably half that) if I only used it for hauling it at its' stated GVWR of 33,000 lbs

OMG!!!!!!!!!

Colorado is bleeping outrageous.
My Mack is registered at 68,000 (54k plus a 14k trailer). $386 HVUT a year (heavy vehicle use tax, anything over 55k lbs, IRS form 2290) PLUS about $2200 a year GVW plates. It's a 1999,it's not brand new. For comparison, my pickup (06 Chevy 2500HD) is down to about $500/year registration. Brand new it was like $700. This is a total stripper pickup (even crank windows). Colorado has ridiculous car registration taxes.

It's by weight and value of the vehicle here in CO.

Big trucks are spendy to register. I believe that farm plates are cheaper. If you can run farm plates, it certainly goes a long way towards proving it's a farm vehicle.

Insurance, BTW is the same as the pickup (both commercial policies, 06 Chevy 2500HD), about $1500 a year full coverage each, $2500 deductable. I have a perfect driving record. Personal vehicle coverage is about half that. $700/$800 a year. Our insurance isn't much better than our registration. Heck bare minimum liability only personal use on a 1994 Toyota Pickup is about $500 a year. That's pretty typical around here.

 

[Builder]

OMG!!!!!!!!!

Colorado is bleeping outrageous.
My Mack is registered at 68,000 (54k plus a 14k trailer). $386 HVUT a year (heavy vehicle use tax, anything over 55k lbs, IRS form 2290) PLUS about $2200 a year GVW plates. It's a 1999,it's not brand new. For comparison, my pickup (06 Chevy 2500HD) is down to about $500/year registration. Brand new it was like $700. This is a total stripper pickup (even crank windows). Colorado has ridiculous car registration taxes.

It's by weight and value of the vehicle here in CO.

Big trucks are spendy to register. I believe that farm plates are cheaper. If you can run farm plates, it certainly goes a long way towards proving it's a farm vehicle.

Insurance, BTW is the same as the pickup (both commercial policies, 06 Chevy 2500HD), about $1500 a year full coverage each, $2500 deductable. I have a perfect driving record. Personal vehicle coverage is about half that. $700/$800 a year. Our insurance isn't much better than our registration. Heck bare minimum liability only personal use on a 1994 Toyota Pickup is about $500 a year. That's pretty typical around here.

Man that sucks. My 1-ton pickup is $198/year to register and it's pretty loaded. I thought that was fairly high, but after reading your fees, I feel lucky.

We also have no emissions inspection in PA for diesel trucks.

I also have a perfect safety/driving record. I have never paid more than $1,000/yr for a vehicle for insurance. I use State Farm.

The only PITA thing we have in PA is semi-annual safety inspections for trucks over 17,000lbs.

So even a puny F-550 must get inspected 2X/yr in PA.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Man that sucks. My 1-ton pickup is $198/year to register and it's pretty loaded. I thought that was fairly high, but after reading your fees, I feel lucky.

We also have no emissions inspection in PA for diesel trucks.

Oh heck, I forgot about that. $60/test for little trucks (pickups), $140/test for big trucks (class 7 and 8). Must test annually, cannot register without passing it.

Yeah, another tax.

I also have a perfect safety/driving record. I have never paid more than $1,000/yr for a vehicle for insurance. I use State Farm.

I use SF for personal and have for years. I think the most i ever paid was like $1200/year for a BMW 545. (back when I had a real job and made money). But that makes sense, BMW parts are spendy. I think the least I've paid is that liability only currently on the beater runaround Toyota and it's still $500/year.

The only PITA thing we have in PA is semi-annual safety inspections for trucks over 17,000lbs.

So even a puny F-550 must get inspected 2X/yr in PA.

I wish they did that here, or inspected everything. Colorado has no inspection law. Biggest piece of junk you can imagine, as long as it passes emissions you can plate it. Every single day I see at least 3 cars with missing/broken/not working brake lights. (and worse). First snowstorm is always a disaster with all the bald tire people. I have to pay big money for my DOT inspection on everything in my fleet, it seems only fair that everyone should be just as safe. It's for the children after all.

 

[LoneCowboy]

another thought for Westcliffe01.

You're getting this truck in Colorado right? (westcliffe I'd assume)

Colorado also has what is called Rec Truck plates. (white on very light green, says Rec Truck at the top) Recreational Truck plates. You can never use the truck for business, but they are significantly cheaper than regular Truck plates. And no, DMV never tells you about them, and a lot more people should have them and don't.

What I don't know is how high of a GVW you can run and still get Rec Truck plates. I know at some point (15,000?) you stop getting "truck" plates and you start having to get GVW plates.

Worth investigating, would also help "prove" that it's an RV and not commercial.

 

[Builder]

I wish they did that here, or inspected everything. Colorado has no inspection law. Biggest piece of junk you can imagine, as long as it passes emissions you can plate it. Every single day I see at least 3 cars with missing/broken/not working brake lights. (and worse). First snowstorm is always a disaster with all the bald tire people. I have to pay big money for my DOT inspection on everything in my fleet, it seems only fair that everyone should be just as safe. It's for the children after all.

Now that's CRAZY. Leaving routine maintenance up to some of these clowns means no maintenance at all.

Sure, it saves money, but at what cost to safety?

 

[Builder]

Westcliffe,

I think I found your truck. It's for sale fairly close to you. Just under 26K, so no CDL required, but it does have air brakes. Diesel, 5 speed 4x4 and under 15K. Very nice condition. Sweet little truck very low miles. Has a nice flatbed and even has a bed mounted winch.

Want me to PM it to you?

 

[westcliffe01]

Go ahead, send me the info.
Thanks

Westcliffe,

I think I found your truck. It's for sale fairly close to you. Just under 26K, so no CDL required, but it does have air brakes. Diesel, 5 speed 4x4 and under 15K. Very nice condition. Sweet little truck very low miles. Has a nice flatbed and even has a bed mounted winch.

Want me to PM it to you?

 

[Builder]

PM sent. Hope it works for you. It's a really nice little 4x4.