HDT RVing

[BIGNASTY]

We are still procrastinating the purchase of a New RV. I have been looking at the HDT side of RV's rather than a bus type. I have a question that many have not thought about, I don't see myself as being some kind of visionary or something but when I asked other HDT RV'ers about what they are going to do, when and if they are made to retrofit or buy a new Class 8 power unit to pull their very large 5th wheel trailers. http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showforum=32

Most were painfully unaware of the fact that they might indeed have to put the new exhaust systems on their power units!! kind of a deer in the headlight look

The only thing that most have to say is that, we are not a commercial vehicle so we don't have to worry about them in our case!! I ask if they are just hoping out-loud or is it something that you have seen in writing some place? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH is the usual answer

Ive gone as far as to contact our DMV to no avail. I have contacted the DOT they said that they don't make the laws we just enforce them, when asked well then who would be able to tell me? I get the same typical Government Bone Head Statement AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I don't know

Anyone have an idea as to where I can find the answer to the question?

If I have a Class 8 truck and use it as a power unit for a Non Commercial use, such as pulling a 5th wheel trailer for OUR OWN use, would it be the same as having my 04 Dodge and be exempt from the law requiring it to be retrofitted with the DPF unit. I can see the Commercial boys having to upgrade or buy new its part of doing business, but with a private vehicle would it be the same, as long as it was bought BEFORE any such law went into effect!!


BIG

 

[RVTRKN]

Big, your HDT should be exempt, but I would seek an attorney familiar with your States DMV laws. In California, they tried to get me to convert my 04.5 2500 CTD to a DPF system, claiming I qualified as a fleet, with the 3500 C&C added to my POV's. I was supposed to submit in writing my plan to convert the 04.5 by 2013. I ended up selling it to my brother in 2010 so I never heard from the Gestapo again. Good luck!

 

[jhenderson]

I may be wrong but I don't think retrofits are going to be nationwide. When you see how many glider kits are sold every year, all because you can remain under the regulations of that model year,you can see it would be unmanageable. We all know Ca is in a world of their own, but I'm interested in how it turns out. The cost of retrofit is so much a lot of independents are pulling out of the Ca market all together. I bet Mike Wlson has some insight.

 

[RVTRKN]

Commercial trucks registered in Ca are required to retrofit, there goes the competition, there goes the prices. But POV's don't as of yet, if not a fleet. Rumors have it, Ca is building an inspection station capable checking smog without pulling to the inspection station on the south bound I 15 just after State Line before Baker grade.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Take a look at this website: http://hhrvresource.com/

Bill

 

[BIGNASTY]

Thanks for the info, Bill I will have to look at ALL that info, seems like the best source I have came across so far.

Things like this posted on this site is why im still not sure that I want something new, *Worried I May Have Bought a $55,000 Problem*

I have looked at the Ram offerings AND the Ford but one thing they all have in common is the exhaust system. We really like the Ram 5500 4 door with the long wheel base to put a sleeper on and a tow body, but read the 4th Gen forum and seems as if they are more in the shop than on the road.

I would ask a question and TRY to get an honest answer but that seems kind of hard to do. Nobody want's to admit that their driving may be the problem with them. My FIL has an 2010? C&C Dodge and its ok but is now starting to have issues all due to the exhaust system, I know he doesn't drive it as a daily driver. I honestly believe that the day of this kind of truck being drove like the family wagon in gone. They need to get out and run to stay away from at least SOME of the problems.

We were looking at a bus type motor home, we flew down to FL and took a look with a friend of mine that knows what is what on the motors, they are not what the pictures look like, some must have been idled for an eternity, I think that R&R-ing a bus motor would be a Monumental undertaking. This is why we have come to the HDT RV types. Lots of clean older Pete's that can be cut down to a two axle tractor with a sleeper. Could even install an Automatic if need be, I kind of like the one in the International (which is a pretty small cab is the reason I just dont use it) And if they are not all cluttered up with the Computer Crap, I know a guy that can work on them, he looks back at me in the mirror everyday. Being that the weight that they are built to pull, im sure if the truth be told (again I cant believe the MPG's that some say they get with the Dodge) that the HDT are getting the same OR better mileage with far more fuel cap. Im sure that a Dodge pulling the same weight would have one hell of a time staying up with a HDT pulling a grade.

Don't have to tell any of you what the high end 5th wheels are about, im sure we all have taken a look at those, just like the bus motor homes without the steering wheel and motor. Could maybe also pull the stock trailer, and the flatbed FOR MY OWN USE!!

Thanks again for the info

BIG

 

[SnoKing]

The ones I see in Arizona are licensed as motorhomes. Sink, bed, microwave and porta potty qualify it as a motorhome in many states. What you tow with your motorhome is up to you.

SNOKING

 

[RVTRKN]

Don't remember the members name here, but his job is to travel the US and buy MDT's and the trailers that are for horse trailer hauling that have living quarters and are very heavy. I think Barry is his name, he should be a great source for information.

 

[Terry Jay]

Wayland Long has an outfit 2L Custom Trucks in Texas http://2lcustomtrucks.com/home.cfm

Give him a call. He seems to know what is what.

Many/Most HDT owners register as a Motorhome. Shorepower, micro, sink with water supply. sleeping, maybe a decorative portapotty. Motorhome gets around all sorts of issues.

Regards,
Tee Jay

 

[CBari]

Big I have several friends that we rodeo with that have went this route and to be quite honest I have looked at it and probably would have gone this way had somethings at the office not occurred to make me stay with the 3500. This is a place that several have bought trucks from or had them convert some for them. http://www.schwalbetrucks.com/

 

[BIGNASTY]

Thanks Bill


Talked to the local Sheriff he gave me some info and your link sent me to another boat load of info. There is an attorney in Kalispell that deals with type thing, seems that up until a few years ago our state was kind of a home away from home for RV'ers Just needed a PO Box and you could register your vehicles here. Take advantage of the low registration rates and lack of laws being enforced. The part about the GVW is not to be worried about the 26,001 weight has been discontinued.

He suggested that we talk to the people in Kalispell, but looking around I found a form they have a list of what is required. Now to what extent that they push the requirements is the question. He has ran checks on vehicles that were said to be a motor home and what they had as REQUIRED was nowhere near what he would considered a permanent installation. Looking in your link, at some of the tow rigs im sure that most of those don't have the required things installed.

For the part about using a commercial vehicles as privately owned non commercial transport, we already know about with our International registration as long as we don't use it to make money, but I have been forced to except some very nice gifts from people ,and there was that time when the Pastor and I were transporting pallets of can food for his Community food bank and the officer that pulled us over and called a tow truck, until his Sargent came to see what was going on and called it all A HUGE MISTAKE and asked for forgiveness from our Church Pastor.:-laf Got underway again and I told Bob our Pastor, where were you many years ago when I was trucking and needed a bit of help? :-laf

https://doj.mt.gov/wp-content/uploads/MV95.pdf

 

[BIGNASTY]

Big I have several friends that we rodeo with that have went this route and to be quite honest I have looked at it and probably would have gone this way had somethings at the office not occurred to make me stay with the 3500. This is a place that several have bought trucks from or had them convert some for them. http://www.schwalbetrucks.com/

Thanks CB

Looks like this place does some nice work, wonder why most are Freight-shaker or International??

We have looked at all the brands, Freight-shaker, Pete, KW, Intertrashional, the list goes on and on, all have some good things about them but they all lead back to the DPF systems that suck!!! The above trucks are all the Plastic, glue and snap together cabs, one is actually no better or worse than the other. looking at most of them from the drivers seat and Penny in the passenger side, its like driving in a fish bowl, with the front windows so large we would be lathered up with sunscreen just driving :-laf

 

[CBari]

I don't know why they don't have any pics of Pete's or KW's cause I know they do them as that is what a couple of my friends have. I have toyed with the idea a bunch my big hold up is with the horse trailer and going to Rodeos it is most definitely always considered commercial and not all of the drivers in the rig having CDL, I would hate to get asked to park it. While the 3500 carries the same CDL issue it just doesn't get looked at with the same scrutiny.

Now on the DPF issue my understanding is that the older trucks presently will not be required to retro fit with a DPF unless they are wanting to go to California. My understanding is that if the truck doesn't have California clean ideal sticker that they can't even go into California now.

I hate to sound like old Harvey but if we would just have the big earthquake and California fall off into the ocean and the epa beholding a convention out there when it happens we would be better off.

I'm all for the trees but we in the US could be putting out zero emissions and it wouldn't save the world cause of what the rest of the world is doing.

 

[JR]

Just check out Fukishima and the **** going on over there, it's enough to make you sick. And all the while the US gubment does squat to help because they're too busy worrying about big oil and no care. And then you have China, a world leader in manufacturing...and pollution. No wonder they can make it so cheap, when all the waste gets dumped in the East China Sea...

 

[BIGNASTY]

Just check out Fukishima and the **** going on over there, it's enough to make you sick. And all the while the US gubment does squat to help because they're too busy worrying about big oil and no care.

Dont want to get in a P-in match with ya, but I have been to a BUNCH of disaster aid programs all over the USA, and NOT ONE FRIGGING TIME DID I SEE ANY OTHER COUNTRY HELPING OUR *** OUT OF A JAM so why in the Hell are we helping other countries with their problems. Same goes with helping people all over the world because they are poor and have nothing, I can take you to some places right here again in the USA that folks are in need of help AND ARE PASSED BY, BY OUR VERY OWN PEOPLE!!


HELP STARTS AT HOME IN MY BOOK!!!

BTJMO

BIG

 

[JR]

BIG I agree completely...but the point is if we can stick our nose into matters that don't necessarily effect the well being of our own people, why aren't we getting involved in a matter that is going to effect us? The whole Fukishima plant is being swept under the rug. There are containment dikes leaking into the ocean continuously And the currents are bringing the radiation right to our doorstep in California. Not to mention all the fuel rods that have yet to be secured. They're one hiccup away from a meltdown and our leaders are too worried about making obamacare look good....pretty sickening.

Anyhow, I'll stop there because I have deviated from your thread in a major way....

Good luck in your search BIG

 

[RVTRKN]

Maybe we could retrofit the fuel rods into a DPF and never have another regen. :-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf

 

[Nigel]

Big
There is a rally for HDT rv'ers in Kansas in October. http://hdtrally.com/index.html click on the buttons on the top of the screen for more info. I think they had around 50 trucks last year. Anybody who is thinking of going this route is welcome to attend and check them out. Several people will even let you and the wife drive their units. A couple of the high end 5th wheel manufacturers will have units on display as well.

Nigel

 

[jgillott]

Hey Big, I came across this dirty old truck on our local Craigslist. I like the hauler style bed on it.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/rvs/4548092765.html

 

[BIGNASTY]

Got an answer back from our DOT and DMV about the need to update an older Class 8 truck to new specks (aka DPF) if its owned and NOT used as a source of income (aka you cant make money with it)

It would be exempt with a few minor additions that the DOT said they would not normally check to see if they are installed. They have NOTHING to do with the running gear of the truck. They are what makes it a Motor-home in the eyes of the law.