farmer52

Well everyone the bug has bit me sooner than I expected and am starting to look at trucks again. Mama isn't going to be happy! Anyway, I have my sights set on a CH612 with 10 spd OD and air ride rear but not sure if I should look for an early 90's model or a 2000-02 (pre-EGR) model. I know I should be looking for a truck older than 1985 so I can license it as a historical vehicle. But I have found some good prices on early 2000 CHs (Ryder trucks). The early ones have the "older" dash and gray interior with E7 inline pump. The later model has the "new" styled tan dash with E7 E-tech unit pumps. Also, I hear there was a camshaft issue in the late 1990s and early 2000 era E-techs occurring at 400K-500K. I would appreciate your thoughts on the good and bad of these trucks. The fleet where I bought my 1992 MH still has a few but not sure if I want another MH (parts availability sucks as does the spring rear suspension). Thanks for your input and go easy on me.

Great pictures! Thanks for posting!

Hi Greg! Thanks for the post and good to see you back on BMT. I hope you are doing well. Yes mixed emotions concerning the sale. I fought the battle with DOT and won (I think) but time is the main issue. I only drove it once this year (to get fuel). So rather than leave it sitting around, it is better to go to someone who will use the truck. I did not make any money on the deal (nor loose my shirt) but at least it is gone. When I buy another Mack, it will need to be at least 25 years old so I can license it as a "historical vehicle" and avoid some of the regulations crap. I like the CH612 and E7 engine but will need to wait a few years until they are 25 years old. In the meantime I am going to take some time and think about my next purchase. Maybe I should start buying CH parts in preparation...

Yes it was the family dog! I have bought and sold many items (including 2 previous MHs) in my time but my heart was a little heavy today when I saw it leave. I will have another Mack truck some day, just not sure what model and when.

As you may have read previously, I sold my MH612. Today the new owner came to get it. Here is a picture of it being taken away. Sure am going to miss it. At least it is going to a good home with other Macks.

Found Kamloops tonight.

I added some locations that I could find.

Rob, Post or email your itinerary and I will try to rearrange my schedule to meet someplace. I have not heard from Greg since he moved. I hope he is doing okay.

Rob, Where in Akron? Wave when you go thru Canton. However if it is during the day I will be in the office on the east side of Cleveland. Have a safe trip!

I wish all I needed for my MH was Magnum decals.

It has been two (2) weeks since Tracy said he would get back to me concerning parts availability. To his credit at least he did give me prices. As I said before business must be good! The search continues for not only parts but a dealer who wants my repeat business! I guess my MH is too new for anyone to care and too old for parts to be readily available.

Added a few!

Barry, Resent note tonight via Watts website contact form (titled - MH Parts).

I am getting old and more forgetful. I am busy during the day with my "day job" and don't remember until I get home after 6p. It is normally easier to send an email note and wait (hope) for a timely response. A local Mack dealer is on my "list" for not replying to direct email notes (sent to the parts manager). I guess business is good that they don't have time to respond. My question is "why have an email address or website if you don't plan to utilize it?". My management gets on my case if I do not reply to emails in a timely manner. I will try to remember to call Watts. P.S. Not trying to be a smart A$$.

Hi Barry, Is anybody home in the parts department? I sent a note on Sunday evening requesting availability of some parts. I have not received a reply. How long does it take to get a response? It was sent via the Watts website contact link. Thanks!

Hi Guys! Thanks for all the information. I currently have "PRIVATE VEHICLE - NOT FOR HIRE" decals on each side of the truck. I am thinking seriously of placing "EXEMPT" on the sides too and forget about the IFTA sticker. I can plead "ignorance" very easy! Years ago when I owned my 1962 H67 (plated as a historical vehicle) I got stopped at the PA turnpike entrance for not having a fuel sticker. The officer issued me a ticket. I contacted ATHS and eventually PA DOT and they gave me an exemption letter (historical vehicles do not need a fuel sticker). I showed up in court with the letter and the judge dismissed my case. However, it did cost me a day of vacation and gas for the trip. I am going to investigate RV plates. After all my truck does have a sleeper. Eventually when I get a drop deck van trailer (moving trailer) I may build a sleeping area in the front section. Then I could probably pass for an RV. Life could be so simple if they would just let us "play with our trucks"! P.S. I thought about putting a dually pickup bed on the back. But with a spring rear suspension on my MH the bed will fall apart. Now if it only had an air ride...

You can probably order from your dealer or keep checking eBay. Good luck!

Hi Larry! I can't go historical (1992 not 25 years old) and a pass is not that cheap. Depending where I go, I may hit some scales. May also go on turnpike and they are always looking. I have a friend who has an extra IFTA fuel sticker. If and when the time comes, what do you think of using his extra IFTA sticker? Will it create any problems for him? I was thinking today, should I put "EXEMPT" on each side of the cab? I already have "PRIVATE VEHICLE - NOT FOR HIRE" on each side.

Yes I still have it unless someone makes me an offer I can't refuse. P.S. And they better speak good English!

Hey Gambi, thanks for the note. Yea, I sometimes worry about grandma and grandpa (no offense anyone) tooling down the interstate with the cruise on and both in the back cooking breakfast. I understand and agree about safety but the government has overstepped their territory and fail to use common sense. I will stop before I get myself in a tizzy. I put a whopping 600 miles on my truck last year (300 miles driving it home from the dealer). BTW, I made copy of the exemption letter and it is tucked away in the storage bin.

Well I finally won a round with the DOT. I received my biennial update notice in the mail. I called the OH DOT and asked why I need to do this "crap" when I am a private person, driving a private vehicle, and not for hire. After a few rounds I was able to convince the person that I am really not in this for any money or a business write-off. I just want to be able to drive my truck to shows and for pleasure. I told him I wanted to cancel my DOT number and I would take the risk when I drive out of state. I faxed the form to him and he faxed back a confirmation letter (cancelled DOT number) with the exemption section attached. FYI, the section is 390.3 of the FMCSR. It states an exemption for use of a vehicle for "occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation". I was trying to get this since I first bought my truck about a year ago. I guess the government does move REAL SLOW. I am now waiting for another "shot" my direction. OH rules say I do not need to keep a log book or have a fuel sticker as long as I am in the state. Do I need to keep a log book when I drive my truck out-of-state? What about a fuel sticker? I do have my CDL and medical card up-to-date.

Welcome to the group. What part of PA? I am originally from the Blair County area (Roaring Spring).

Martin's Pastry in Chambersburg, PA was all Mack until Mack quit making the MH.

Also the fuel economy of a COE is not as good as a conventional (hood) truck.