18 Wheelers for Tow Vehicles

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

I don't know if this has been asked, but while doing some late night Craiglist shopping I came across crazy low priced Peterbuilts and Kenworths with Cummins and sleepers. I remember they had some changes to the ability to use these vehicles due to emissions, but other than needing a CDL what are the downsides of these rigs? Are you able to use them in California now? If not, any work arounds?

I've seen a ton of decent trucks for $15,000 and for many that is dirt cheap to get our toys to the playground. I'm not looking to buy one now as I just bought a dually (what my friends refer to a TOW TRUCK). I just think it would be kinda cool to use one to tow the monstrosity to the Glamis and be a bit more comfortable.

 

[RiverDave]

I’m not even sure you need a CDL if it isn’t being used for hire..


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[rivrrts429]

Only way you’ll be able to run them in CA is if you find a work around for the CARB emissions, which isn’t likely.

It would be a huge undertaking that I don’t think is possible even if titled as an RV.

 

[TX Foilhead]

You would need CDL for just about anything you hook to one of those. In Tx (probably most other states as well) you need a CDL if your rig can potentially be over 26000lbs. There is a liscense for RV’s that would fit in the CDL category, it looks like the only difference from the CDL test is they don’t require all the pre trip inspection before the driving begins.

 

[4Waters]

You will need a CDL, as far as I know you can use it as long as it's for personal use only, you cannot use it for commercial purposes. People that use there older diesels p/u's for commercial use (Contractors, transport.....) will not be able to use them as company trucks in I think 2021 (don't quote me on the year).

 

[Tank]

Yea, you'll need a special class for weight, length, airbrakes etc. And you lose the option of traffic school if you get a ticket, even in a regular car, which is super lame.

 

[DRYHEAT]

I’m thinking the trucks you see for $15,000 are going to cost you $20,000 to get smog compliant for California, and then you got normal maintenance and God only knows what registration will cost you. Also keep in mind you really need specialized hitching equipment because typically even with air ride those tractors will beat the shit out of anything you tow.

 

[Tank]

I’m thinking the trucks you see for $15,000 are going to cost you $20,000 to get smog compliant for California, and then you got normal maintenance and God only knows what registration will cost you. Also keep in mind you really need specialized hitching equipment because typically even with air ride those tractors will beat the shit out of anything you tow.

Sounds like owning one of those would be AWESOME...If you register it in Arizona and avoid all the Cali bullshit.


With that said, if I had an open check book I'd sooooooooo have a chopped and dropped Pete to tow my giant boat around. lol

 

[DRYHEAT]

Sounds like owning one of those would be AWESOME...If you register it in Arizona and avoid all the Cali bullshit.

Arizona you’ll pay the weight tax I’m not sure what registration would be but it might be cheaper. I keep my old Dooly registered at 8600 GVW because it’s a few bucks cheaper and I’m a cheapskate.

 

[Tank]

Arizona you’ll pay the weight tax I’m not sure what registration would be but it might be cheaper. I keep my old Dooly registered at 8600 GVW because it’s a few bucks cheaper and I’m a cheapskate.

I think paying the weight tax is fair (actually the best way to tax vehs) and I suppose you don't have to worry about all the diesel fuel regulations Ca is doing?

 

[milkmoney]

View attachment 612999 View attachment 613002

Sounds like owning one of those would be AWESOME...If you register it in Arizona and avoid all the Cali bullshit.


With that said, if I had an open check book I'd sooooooooo have a chopped and dropped Pete to tow my giant boat around. lol

For years I have contemplating, building a slammed show truck, jus for fun , maybe not world champion but jus tricked out enough to turn heads , but I don't have anything to tow that can go down the road that would look good behind it.

Maybe a slammed stretched mini Pete for my schiada [emoji106] [emoji4] [emoji202]

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[DRYHEAT]

For years I have contemplating, building a slammed show truck, jus for fun , maybe not world champion but jus tricked out enough to turn heads , but I don't have anything to tow that can go down the road that would look good behind it.

Maybe a slammed stretched mini Pete for my schiada [emoji106] [emoji4] [emoji202]

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I’ve seen a couple of those at truck shows over the years, both were old 359 Peterbilt with modified hoods, well everything was heavily modified on Dodge pick up chassis with Cummins diesel‘s, both were pretty slick set ups.

 

[Tank]

For years I have contemplating, building a slammed show truck, jus for fun , maybe not world champion but jus tricked out enough to turn heads , but I don't have anything to tow that can go down the road that would look good behind it.

Maybe a slammed stretched mini Pete for my schiada [emoji106] [emoji4] [emoji202]

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Those guys from chrome shop Mafia actually build some sick shit. The show was Kindve silly but they have some talent. I’d love to let them go crazy


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[thmterry]

If you take your semi to a builder and get it registered as a motorhome then all the smog stuff goes away and registration is cheap.

 

[thmterry]

[GALLERY=]

[/GALLERY] I will sell this whole set up for $55k truck and trailer

 

[DEEZNUTS]

Nothing to add other than a needle nose Pete as as tow rig would be tits...

 

[Tank]

[GALLERY=] View attachment 613025 [/GALLERY] I will sell this whole set up for $55k truck and trailer

Are you serious? That seems way too cheap. Of course I know nothing of prices for either.


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[82daytona]

[GALLERY=] View attachment 613025 [/GALLERY] I will sell this whole set up for $55k truck and trailer

What engine and trans?


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[McRib]

A commercial licence is needed for any vehicle over 26001 lbs GVWR. A road tractor by itself weighs anywhere from 16 to 20k by itself. The instant you hook something to it you will be out of class on your license.

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[thmterry]

What engine and trans?


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N14 Cummins with a 10speed Eaton Auto shift

 

[McRib]

Year of truck in Cali makes all the difference too.

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[82daytona]

A commercial licence is needed for any vehicle over 26001 lbs GVWR. A road tractor by itself weighs anywhere from 16 to 20k by itself. The instant you hook something to it you will be out of class on your license.

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There’s some exceptions for agriculture. I think we’re allowed to for 150 air miles from home with no CDL at 80k


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[milkmoney]

What engine and trans?


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Looks heavy to haul hay. If ur going to spend that much. U know what u should buy [emoji202]

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[MSum661]

When I recently checked it out for private use I was told no CDL required if you go with a single rear axle 26,000 GVW truck with air over hydraulic brakes.

 

[82daytona]

Looks heavy to haul hay. If ur going to spend that much. U know what u should buy [emoji202]

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[emoji418]️ [emoji418]️[emoji418]️


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[milkmoney]

[emoji418]️ [emoji418]️[emoji418]️


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Ok what's that????

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[McRib]

Yea, you'll need a special class for weight, length, airbrakes etc. And you lose the option of traffic school if you get a ticket, even in a regular car, which is super lame.

Not anymore. If you get a ticket in a car with a class A you can go to school. Get a ticket in a class A vehicle and your screwed. The law changed in 2016

 

[McRib]

When I recently checked it out for private use I was told no CDL required if you go with a single rear axle 26,000 GVW truck with air over hydraulic brakes.


View attachment 613027

You can run with regular air brakes with a class c. Just need air brake endorsment.

 

[Ol Man]

When I recently checked it out for private use I was told no CDL required if you go with a single rear axle 26,000 GVW truck with air over hydraulic brakes.


View attachment 613027

Had an acquaintance do this some years ago. I think doing this allowed it to be registered as just a truck. He converted the back to be able to put his Jeep on and had a bumper pull trailer. It had a full sleeper and he made storage boxes similar to the ones here. I know the truck had 100s of thousands of miles on it and he got it cheap. Helped that he was a heavy equipment mechanic.

 

[NeverSatisfied]

Yea, you'll need a special class for weight, length, airbrakes etc. And you lose the option of traffic school if you get a ticket, even in a regular car, which is super lame.

Not anymore. Took it last year. Unless changed back again!


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[4Waters]

26001 you need a CDL

 

[milkmoney]

Here is a secret. Jus get a CDL with all endorsements and u have nothing to worry about, if you can't, then for a small fee u can hire me [emoji202] [emoji482] [emoji106] [emoji4]

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[rivrrts429]

You can run with regular air brakes with a class c. Just need air brake endorsment.

There is no air brake endorsement anymore. It’s all part of the overall test but is no longer an endorsement. It’s pass or fail on the written and COLA.

The air endorsement was removed from my license so only Tank and doubles/triples is on there now.

Not sure how it works on the non-commercial class A though.

 

[Mcob25rg]

How hard is it to get / pass the CDL??? I've thought about it in the past

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

With California going south on registration, I'm hearing my affulent friends with lots of toys saying they are getting a mailbox in North Dakota and registering their toys there. I haven't looked into it, but it sure sounds like a good idea


I'm not worried about getting a CDL nor should anyone else. Half my friends have them and never use them. Good backup to have in case the economy goes south anyways. If I had it all to do over avian, I would have been a crane operator.

 

[ToMorrow44]

In CA, all those diesel trucks are going to require new engines of model year 2010 or newer (by 2021) which may be why you see them for sale so cheap. Leave it to CA to make people change the MOTOR in their truck to make it compliant.

Any truck with a GVWR 26k and under can be driven without a CDL (like my F650). If you’re towing a trailer with a GVWR of 10k and under, then no CDL required (for tow vehicles of 26k or less). Any trailer over 10k GVWR you’re gonna need a CDL. Doesn’t matter the actual weight of the rig, only the rating. Does not matter if it’s being used for commercial purposes or private.

Motorhomes and 5th wheels are exempt from all the CDL requirements and CARB requirements. The RV lobbyist in Washington must be strong...

 

[TCHB]

When I recently checked it out for private use I was told no CDL required if you go with a single rear axle 26,000 GVW truck with air over hydraulic brakes.


View attachment 613027

This is what I was told. I have been looking at these trucks.

 

[fmo24]

i think it is non-commercial B for vehicles over 40 ft and 26000 lbs. nobody at DMV seem to know the rules either. Always heated discussions in RV forums.

 

[jeffymurray1957]

If you buy a class 8 tractor it has to be 2008 or newer to be registered in calif for emissions. If you want to own one of those 15,000 trucks chances are it is older and you will have to spend upwards of 20,000 just for an emissions filter, and you need the CDL. If you get caught with a tractor older than 2008 the first time is a 1000.00 fine, the second time is a 10,000.00 fine and the third time they take the truck. There are pretty cheap emission legal 2 axel tractors out there that are perfect to tow a boat or toy box. I would look at spending around 50,000 and you will get a pretty nice one

 

[Your ad here]

Operating cost is expensive. Figure $6000 for registration and insurance for the year. These are big trucks, good luck finding a fuel station that it will fit in with a trailer. Its already hard enough in a 1 ton. You will need a CDL. I believe one way around the Ca smog is if a rv trailer permanenty attached to the truck. If you get caught with the trailer unhooked you're in big trouble. That means you cant unhook at a campground to drive into town for dinner. Driving to dinner in a big rig, haha. Tires are expensive. A pickup will be more comfortable and faster. If it gets stuck in Glamis that will be a show and a big bill.

 

[rrrr]

Don't forget if you have a CDL and blow a .04 yer going to jail.

 

[Tank]

Looks heavy to haul hay. If ur going to spend that much. U know what u should buy [emoji202]

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HEY! I haul that

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[Tank]

Not anymore. Took it last year. Unless changed back again!


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Good that was stupid and that’s from someone that was giving the tickets at the time.


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[4Waters]

How hard is it to get / pass the CDL??? I've thought about it in the past

I got mine a couple of years ago and the new standards make it very difficult for the average person, I passed all my tests the first time bit watched many fail. I do believe the vast majority of the inmates here could pass it all the first time.

 

[H20 Toie]

Just go with a sportchassis, no special license required, with a big rig not only do you have to have a cdl, you have to run a log book, you have to stop at the scales, inspections, fuel taxes all sorts of crap in ca, i had a sweet 2008 Pete but the cost of everything just didn't make sense so ended up selling it out of state, the sport chassis worked out a lot better

 

[Tank]

Just go with a sportchassis, no special license required, with a big rig not only do you have to have a cdl, you have to run a log book, you have to stop at the scales, inspections, fuel taxes all sorts of crap in ca, i had a sweet 2008 Pete but the cost of everything just didn't make sense so ended up selling it out of state, the sport chassis worked out a lot better


View attachment 613073

Trust me....your WAY better now


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[thmterry]

Registration for my Kenworth motorhome is $150 a year in Califonia. No emission test.

 

[JDKRXW]

With California going south on registration, I'm hearing my affulent friends with lots of toys saying they are getting a mailbox in SOUTH Dakota and registering their toys there. I haven't looked into it, but it sure sounds like a good idea

Fixed

 

[Rvrluvr]

Registration will depend on the age. My 99 $2270 year
My 2016 3500 year
Ins will be high. Your a new driver. I have 5 units on one policy but 20 years in biz with good driving records on all drivers I still pay $500 month each truck.
$550 heavy road use tax
If you need CA # there is $200 year
Logs, BIT inspections, etc
Tires 3-400 chinesse
Oil change $350
Cross state line? .....pull in scale & buy a road & fuel permit. You will need a DOT # for that too. Those are $750 plus a shit ton of paper work
Parking? Where? Not in your back yard. Your neighbors will fix that for ya. Chances are every street around your house is posted no commercial vehicles. Truck yards are $150 month

Hows that cheap truck sound so far? Lol
Those are just some basic #’s to welcome you into the world of trucking

Now onto compliancy. Jesus fucking christ. I get so pissed talking about this...ugg:
In CA
If you own one truck it must have engine built in 2010 or newer no matter age of truck. Its the motor they care about. If it does not have DEF then 2024 it must be off the road

If you have multiple trucks & fazed yhem in:

Pre 1994 trux....NOPE
94-99 must have PDF ($12-20k) must be off the road by 1/1/2020
2000-2008 non factory PDF must have PDF installed and off the road by 1/1/2021
Any truck without DEf off the road by 2024
Trucks with engime model year 2010 or newer & DEF, keep forever.

Sure you can buy a cheap ass old truck but you will get nailed eventually and fined big time. Or put a 2010 motor in it & full emmision system to the tune of $30-50k

Reg in another state and run it it CA?....nope. They dont give a fuck what state you reg in, your inside the border, they will fine you!!!!

They are above the law it seems. There is not stopping the bullshit!

As said above. You can find a nice 2 axle for $40-50k with 150-200k miles. A big rig is built to run a million miles without even thinking about it

Im sure i spelled a ton of shit wrong. Sorry...get over it. I type with one thumb on my phone

 

[Racer56]

California has a non commercial class A license which allows you to drive over weight and length vehicles. I've had this license for 20 year's and is just as easy to get and maintain as a class C. When I was racing USAC full time, I had a Toterhome with a 48' trailer and was 74' overall. We had not for hire on the side of the cab and we never stopped at the scales or kept a log book. I drove all over California and the country racing for 7 year's with this rig and never had a problem.