farmer52

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.

I use Stanadyne Performance Formula.

That is what really bites. Grandpa and grandma (no offense anyone) can drive their motorhome and not worry about CDL, drug tests, HOS, and DOT. It does not make sense but then again we are dealing with the government. I only have one truck (the MH) but drive my personal vehicle over 30K miles per year. I am employed in a business that is not directly related to the trucking industry but DOT counts my time "in the office" as "on-duty not driving". I was told driving my personal vehicle does not count for HOS. I asked the DOT official if I could drive 12 hours in my personal vehicle and then get in a truck and drive legally? He said "yes".

I have farm plates on the truck and the fee is based on the empty weight (12,970#). The plates (~$220/yr) and insurance are very resonable. Farm plates are limited to 150 mile radius of home but that will get me out of the state. The plate looks like a normal vehicle. To be licensed in OH as a Historical vehicle it must be 25 years old (only 8 more years to go!). Of course I could run "bare" and hopefully the DOT would not notice. I decided today to put it up for sale. (Check the For Sale forum)

Previous employers - even though none of them are trucking related? Again, a bunch of BS. Sounds like BIG BLUE may have a FOR SALE sign in the window soon. Otherwise I will have to stay inside the Ohio border. At least I hope I can drive within the state without doing all this BS. So much for tractor shows (my tractors are in PA), Watts show, Lititz show, etc.

I am about ready to sell my truck. I received a letter earlier in September from the DOT asking me to schedule my initial DOT audit. I called the number several times and was finally able to talk to a person. I explained my operation (if you want to call it that) and that I am not for hire nor do I plan to be. I explained this is a hobby and I am planning to take my truck to shows and also plan to purchase a trailer to haul my tractors to shows. The DOT person agreed I was "not a motor carrier" but I still need to have all the "items" in order. The DOT person said I needed this if I ever get stopped for a road side inspection. I suggested "maybe you could issue a letter" explaining that I am exempt. The DOT person agreed with me but I could "feel" the "it will be a cold day in Hxxx" over the phone. The DOT person said they would "run it up the flag pole" and get back to me. That was over a week ago. This DOT stuff is a bunch of crap. I am required to have an employment application, a random drug test program, and my name plastered on the side of the truck. I understand the importance of operating and maintianing the truck for safe operation but is all this other stuff necessary for a private individual? It appears the DOT does not understand there are persons that do this for a hobby. Sorry for the rant.

You do not need SCR until January 1, 2010. Any engine built before that date only needs a DPF. The truck manufacturers are offering both before 2010 but you must pay the ~$8K premium (varies by company) for an SCR engine.

My suggestion is to call your Mack dealer or contact the Mack Museum. Good luck!

Greg - sorry to hear about your misfortune. I hope things work out for the best. Let me know if I can be of help. I too am short of free time. Brewster is not too far from me but in the other direction.

Are you talking about the Centri-Max filter? Did you change the Centri-Max filter and gasket? The Centri-Max filter is used to remove soot from the oil. Can you post a picture?

I heard a story when I worked at Mack that UPS did not want the bulldog on the hood. Mack said it was a handle so UPS decided to keep it (safety item). If you notice, UPS Mack trucks to not have the letters M-A-C-K on the grille.

Thanks Barry for the article and images. Somehow the Bulldog looks out of place!

I personally know Dave (the Mack SCR guy) and he IS DIE HARD MACK!!! Matter of fact I know several guys from Mack and they do not like having Volvo as their "leader".

Hey Rob, nice drill. You can come and practice on my frame anytime. I will even grill possum.

A fleet I know has been trying to order five (5) single axle Volvo tractors with sleeper. No can do says Volvo. He will probably go to Fruitliner (his other brand of truck). I suggested he look at a new Mack.

M as in MH?