Researching vehicle laws

I have tried sifting through the vehicle code in a couple states with limited success. Not to mention, my interpretation of the laws is far from lawyer-like.

I'm in the process of collecting information on my new project; a tractor-trailer turned into an RV. I know that many non-commercial drivers have purchased Freightliners and F850s to tow their larger-than-god 5ers, and I think I have found ways of getting the trailer registered as an RV in Maine. Its not that I mind getting a class A (already have a class B commercial) license, but having a commercial vehicle/license often has its stipulations despite the fact that you aren't operating it commercially. There is a large difference in perception between a fancy RV that looks like an RV and a tractor trailer with windows in the back.

In the past, I had a guy at AAA who would research this stuff for me, but it turns out that is not really a AAA service, he just liked doing it. That was also in CA and I'm in PA now.

Any resources you can think of? I tried the trucker forums, but I might as well have said "I'm gay and like flowers." The forums are about as friendly as a CB conversation.

This isn't exactly what you are looking for, but may be a starting point:

texas registration, but class 8 conversion

AFAIK, Generally speaking, if its for recreational purposes (I.E. NOT FOR HIRE plastered all over it), the rules don't apply to you.

jstand wrote: This isn't exactly what you are looking for, but may be a starting point: texas registration, but class 8 conversion

That's a great resource. Thanks

Kenny_McCormic wrote: AFAIK, Generally speaking, if its for recreational purposes (I.E. NOT FOR HIRE plastered all over it), the rules don't apply to you.

Agreed, but that varies so much. I remember in CA I bought a Windstar cargo van. I had to title it and insure it as a commercial vehicle because it had no rear windows or seats. But, I was able to insure a 26' box truck with air brakes as a regular passenger truck in TX because I wasn't using it commercially.

A little research found this form MV-2 but it seems to indicate you will need this one MV-426B for what you want to do.

If you were in SD it would be easy:

https://www.state.sd.us/eforms/secure/eforms/E1827V3-AffidavitForTruckTractorConvertedToAMotorhome.pdf

A quick search didn't turn up the similar form online for PA but there probably is one.

I am going to find myself in similar waters in a year or two. My next boat will be a "maxi trailerable" meaning as heavy and wide as can be legally towed. I am thinking of buying an Isuzu or Mitsu box truck and taking the box off to bolt in a permanent cradle

Public library. They'll have the vehicle code there for you to read.

Being PA, I'm not sure there really is a simple single clear answer.

I say that because I absolutely cannot ride my out of state snowmobile in PA, according to the officials in Harrisburg. It's a title complication, and I'm SOL. Same thing when attempting it through the semi-local PA snowmobile shop that handles these things, it just can't be done. However, go to yet another delegated tag and title facility (who was quietly mentioned to me by the snowmobile shop as I left), and after a few hours of them wrangling with Harrisburg, a quick trip to the parking lot to gather a few signatures, a bit more money than I technically should have to spend, and I suddenly can indeed ride my now dual titled and stickered snowmobile in PA. The Harrisburg officials were most unhappy, I could hear them over the phone.

PA is clear as mud when it comes to legality, creativity and motor vehicles. There really may not be an answer to your question.

As for reading the PA law code, you have got this one, right? http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/067/067toc.html

http://www.jackdanmayer.com/ <-- good resource

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: http://www.jackdanmayer.com/ <-- good resource

Good one indeed.

foxtrapper wrote: Being PA, I'm not sure there really is a simple single clear answer. PA is clear as mud when it comes to legality, creativity and motor vehicles. There really may not be an answer to your question.

Agreed. PA is not the easiest. I don't mind using another state. I've been researching this with Maine. They do proxy commercial stuff, maybe I can get it done there.

Well, if there's one HUGE reason registering it as an RV vs. a truck, it'll be the registration costs. The annual fee for a commercial heavy-weight truck in PA is nothing to sneeze at. Hell, the $154/yr I was paying for my 8800lb GVWR Dodge Cummins I rarely drove was one of the reasons I sold it.

Looks like I'll have to go elsewhere to register it as something else. PA doesn't allow motorhome-ing a heavy truck. Maine looks promising though

http://hhrvresource.com/node/45

In researching RVing a few months back, Texas came up as being particularly good for registering your vehicle. It has been a while, but if you're curious, I can check out the book again. I think you can easily register a certain type of commercial entity, and then register the RV to the business. Colorado came up as well. Let me know if they'll help, and I'll swing by the library.

Let me exhaust Maine first... they can do almost everything by mail and its permanent. If not, I'll hit you up. Thanks Mike.