Who can afford a new truck anymore?

[Gale Hawkins]

I don't know, that's why I'm askin'.

Our 1989 Ford F700 with 429 gas engine 16' flat dump rated at 23,000 pounds empty weights about 13,000. My brother managed to get 24,000 pounds of corn on it last fall. It was too much for the old truck but it pulled and stopped it OK but it was only like 11 miles to the elevator.

There are limits to farm truck usage but in a practical sense unless you are doing something really dangerous old farm trucks that do not look like it is for commercial use do not gather a lot of interest from the law typically. 30-40 years ago in perhaps TN some farmer got hit for hauling his "pulling tractor" that was clearly not for farming use so it can happen.

We have a farmer 4 miles up the road that will haul and tail out 17 tons of good gravel from his own pit for $80 which is just under $5 a ton. Even if I had a free pit to haul out of and just had to hire a trackhoe to loosen it up I can not do it cheaper using our backhoe and F700 truck plus the time factor. Others get $160 for the same load.

I like having the F700 dump more since it now has a steel bed. If it was not for a mini farm policy the ownership of the F700 would not make sense and still does not but it is cool to have when needed. I do have a dirt moving project planned one of these years for a place to build a pole barn shop near the house. The upkeep of an old truck that does not see much work can be discouraging for sure.

 

[Jstpssng]

Here is a summary of the laws in my state;


When can I use a Farm plate?

You may use a farm plate if the truck is used primarily in conjunction with the operation of a farm and the farmer's private transportation. A truck may not have a farm plate if the truck us used for retail delivery, timber harvesting, or for for-hire related work. There is no limit on how far a farm truck may travel based on the registration. However, see question number 8 for limits based on inspection.
plated trucks may operate in Maine in the same manner as Maine farm-plated trucks.
What are the restrictions on a Farm plate?

A farm-plated truck is limited to use related to farming and the farmer's personal and family transportation. A farm-plated truck may obtain either a full or partial inspection. If a full inspection is obtained, then the truck is not limited as to distance for registration and inspection purposes.

If a partial inspection is obtained, the truck is limited to a 20 mile radius of the farm, and the name of the town must be painted on the sides of the truck. The partial inspection includes running gear, steering mechanism, brakes, exhaust system, and lights, safety glass and tires.

 

[Jstpssng]

Here is a summary of the laws in my state;


When can I use a Farm plate?

You may use a farm plate if the truck is used primarily in conjunction with the operation of a farm and the farmer's private transportation. A truck may not have a farm plate if the truck us used for retail delivery, timber harvesting, or for for-hire related work. There is no limit on how far a farm truck may travel based on the registration. However, see question number 8 for limits based on inspection.
plated trucks may operate in Maine in the same manner as Maine farm-plated trucks.
What are the restrictions on a Farm plate?

A farm-plated truck is limited to use related to farming and the farmer's personal and family transportation. A farm-plated truck may obtain either a full or partial inspection. If a full inspection is obtained, then the truck is not limited as to distance for registration and inspection purposes.

If a partial inspection is obtained, the truck is limited to a 20 mile radius of the farm, and the name of the town must be painted on the sides of the truck. The partial inspection includes running gear, steering mechanism, brakes, exhaust system, and lights, safety glass and tires.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Thanks for the summary from Maine. The main restrictions in KY seems to be more geared to semi truck farm tags than single axle truck usage. We are too redneck in KY to have vehicle inspections. actually we did 50 years ago but there was so much graft and corruption in the program they just killed it. DOT and other LEO's can stop you for an inspection at will as far as I know and even red tag you.

I have farm tags and when I get asked to haul for hire I can just say I am not licensed or insured to do that. Actually I do the same if someone ask about back hoe or bush hogging. I do some from time to time but I do not charge for it. If they want to pay for my fuel my insurance agency said that was fine but not if I promoted the services for a fee.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have pulled 14K with my 07 2500.. Pulling the load wasn't the issue.. It was stopping it.. 4 wheel trailer brakes and truck brakes....

A little off topic...

Just came back from Europe where August is vacation month...

Europe if very strict when it comes to towing... at least Germany and Austria are.

I saw Diesel Porsches towing Horse Trailers... 3 series BMW and Honda CRV's towing campers.

Sometimes as far as you can see the right lane on the autobahn is full of small cars towing campers... true, most are small Diesels.

Also saw VW pickup trucks... the quad cab 4 door with a 6' pickup bed in back... these were good sized pickups.

Amarok für Profis < Modelle < Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge

Cars can be double what they cost here and even a good deal is 50% over the US prices... a loaded VW pickup is about 50k

Also saw a couple of the new jeeps towing horse trailers...

 

[murphy1244]

When are they going to fix these double post blues.