PanteraPilot

Larry and others…. I love how this is going. I have a question thats bothered me for a while and seeing the efforts here reminds me of it. I look at the frame rails and see that there used to be a hitch welded to the rails at one time. I was under the impression that frame rails were made of spring steel and therefore should not have any welds or bolt holes made in them. Clearly many people weld to a frame. What am I missing? Perhaps I'm just mis-informed. I have no doubt that the frame lengthening is a good solid job, I'm just confused.

I must of emailed on this truck 5 different times while it was on craigslist. I never got a response so I moved on to a different truck.

Well, let me clarify a few things on this. I don't care what state you are in. One does NOT need a CDL to drive any truck with or without air brakes as long as it is NOT for commercial use. Even if your state says something different, this matter is governed by the United States Department of Transportation. It is federal law not state law and federal law takes precedence over state law. If you get a ticket - fight it. You will win. Refer to Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 383.3 and 383.5 which specifically explain that a CDL is for "commerce" Commerce is then defined as "commercial" - for hire use. So, I have now gotten more answers from Virginia on registration. Yes, I can register it with standard truck tags and pay the annual fee for whatever GVW I want to register it at. Obviously, I can also register it as an antique. With this in mind, I go back to my preference of not doing antique tags. I can live with the truck registration fees. What I have not been able to solve in the insurance. I have called all the companies suggested (not for antique, but for standard insurance). Every one of them states that they will either not insure a truck with that high a GVW as a personal use vehicle, or they simply require a CDL. So if anybody has a regular (automotive style) insurance that includes personal use and they don't have a CDL, please let me know. I can also add that not all states are treated the same in this issue. Apparently Virginia is more difficult to get through the insurance hurdle. Lastly, I didn't come home with my new old Mack B today, but I did close the deal. The seller is going to take care of a few items on the truck. I also got an old van trailer (stainless) as well.

Fred, Yes. It is a road tractor. ( I expect to pick it up tomorrow) I guess where I'm loosing it is how to plate it. If I don't go antique and I don't go apportioned, what's left other than a pickup style plate? …….and Larry, its my last choice to go antique plates, but I'm glad to see it working for you. I might feel better about it if thats what I end up with.

Fred, I went to VA DMV web site to look at their registration choices. This is what they have listed: Vehicle Registration Passenger - 4,000 lbs or less $40.75 Passenger - 4,001 lbs or more $45.75 Pickup Truck - 4,000 lbs or less gross weight $40.75 Pickup Truck - 4,001 lbs or more gross weigh $45.75 Pickup Truck - 6,501-7,500 lbs gross weight $51.75 They don't seem to give any other choices… which doesn't make sense.

Well the antique insurance and antique plates seem to be kinda tied together, but I'm more concerned about the plates. Yes, I intend to drive move than 2500 miles a year. ………….. Why not drive a Mack B to the office every day???

Going antique is not my preference. I also prefer to drive it more regularly than the antique regulations would allow me. Is anybody doing this with standard tags?

Thanks for the update guys----- although I would like to hear from others too. I talked to VA DMV today. They advised me that the only plate the truck would be eligible for is an apportioned plate, and all the head aches that come with that. I suggested the antique plate and they said no large trucks were eligible for that (I disagree). Also, the if you want the black plates on an antique car, you have to provide the plate to DMV. They won't make them anymore. Again, I don't think I'm hearing the right info from the DMV. As for the insurance, what I'm hearing is the following: Geico------only if you have a CDL Progressive----- No if you live in Virginia Hagerty historic insurance --- only if you have antique plate and keep it in a garage Other commercial truck insurance companies---- No if its for personal use As far as getting a plate and registering it for 25,900 lbs…. is it a standard truck tag (like a pick up) but with a more expensive registration fee? You did this without a CDL? I can't figure out what to say to the DMV people, they just say … huh…you want to do what? I'm in Northern VA - Fairfax.

Ok…here's the story…. I feel like I'm the only person that has ever bought (I'm about to buy) a classic truck without a CDL. I like old trucks and why not buy one. I DO NOT plan to use this commercially. I will not be charging to haul loads. Now, I have verified from the folks at the Federal Motor Carrier Administration that I do not need a CDL (as long as it is not being used commercially). This is based on 383.3 and 383.5 of the codes. However, insuring the truck seems to be problematic. If anybody knows how to do this, I would appreciate some assistance. I live in VA and will travel do other states just for fun. This being the case do I have to deal with the following: US DOT inspection? Apportion plates and fees? Fuel surcharges? The laws are very confusing to me as they all appear to be for commercial vehicles. The state of VA is not being very helpful as they act like nobody has ever tagged a truck for personal use (non-commercial). The truck is a Mack B ….and yes I understand the value of a CDL, I just don't have it at this time.

Date: ASAP Truck runs and drives I will have a hight available shortly Please send a PM or respond to post. Thanks

You would have me if it was a diesel.

Perhaps, but the guy on Craigslist replied to my questions on the truck …. and in great detail.

And there is something suspicious about this listing (to me). The ebay auction for this truck ended in mid September for a sell price of $16,900. It was for sale in Massachusetts by a guy name Ron. Two weeks later I saw the same truck on Craigslist in Harrisburg PA for sale by a guy named Scott (it now has 3,000 more miles on it). I'm not saying there is something wrong here, but it made me think twice about the situation. Now its back on ebay in Massachusetts with Ron selling it again.

Well thanks folks. I think you confirmed what I believed. I want to find a nice B with a Diesel and fifth wheel. I think I want to find and old van to tow around too. Really, its going to be a toy hauler. Its a big step for me to move up into big trucks, but I think I'm ready for it.

So help me out. I'm new to this as I moving up from collecting cars. I was looking at this truck online. I'm concerned about the gas engine having too little power/torque. I've read the specs. How bad is it compared to having the thermodyne?