Re: Anyone haul with a Semi?

Posted by Scott on November 12, 2001 at 12:10:29 from (12.13.226.14):

In Reply to: Anyone haul with a Semi? posted by Massey444LP on November 10, 2001 at 16:00:30:

I use a Kenworth W900 exclusively for hauling my own tractors. I did not try to cut any corners. I got my CDL for the purpose of hauling my tractors with the semi truck. I believe to licenses the truck as an RV you must put a sleeper box on it with kitchen and toilet. I know a conventional truck with just a sleeper box can not be licensed as an RV. I licensed the truck the same as any other semi truck. You also have to pay tonnage. I did find a scaled down version of commercial insurance. You really have to shop around for commercial insurance. Few carriers recognize and make allowances for guy that does not make a living with the truck. The insurance is about $700 for six months. I get the DOT physical every two years. I have the truck DOT inspected yearly. I go through the weigh stations but don't weigh enough with three tractors to even get a second glance. I have yet to be called in and show any of my paper work. I have done so voluntarily to make sure I am doing it right. The laws seem to be open to interpretation. I have been told by experienced commercial vehicles enforcement officers that I do not have to conform to the same laws that commercial vehicles do since I am do not hauling for money. However, less experienced officers have said "I think you do". It would appear that if they think you do, you do. They can write you and let you go to court to find out what is correct. It is not that hard or expensive to do it right. But I do know guys that have done it for years with out CDLs. They pass right by the weigh stations with stopping. Use farm insurance. Stuff like that.
I figure it cost just under $200 a month to operate the truck. It's not cheap but I did the math compared to doing the same job with a pickup truck. Considering the price and devaluation of a pickup truck it is much cheaper to operate the Kenworth in the long run than a Dodge Cummins or a Ford Powerstroke. You can argue all day long about witch is better but compared to a semi truck they are both a joke when it comes to hauling any kind of weight. The ride is better on the semi truck. The visibility and brakes are much better. Now I can haul three 10,000 pound tractors with ease. I worked the pickup pretty hard hauling one tractor. The mileage on the semi truck is about 9 MPG with three tractors. The pickup and trailer weighed 24,000 with just one of my tractors. Even if your mileage is better than 9 MPG pulling 24,000 it's not if you have make two trips. The Kenworth is way more fun to drive.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Re: Anyone haul with a Semi? Massey444lp 15:20:59 11/12/01 (2)
  • Re: Re: Re: Anyone haul with a Semi? Raye 16:12:04 11/12/01 (1)
    • Re: Re: Re: Re: Anyone haul with a Semi? Massey444Lp 10:41:07 11/13/01 (0)

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