Big5er

Yes, I am using a Jackalopee and its reverse circuit. All.of the bed wiring is run from the Jackalopee. Removing the scare light bulbs was my first thought too. But I didnt bring my ladder this trip and doing it from the roof didnt sound fun. As I mentioned, those are incandescent and i didnt "think" that would be a problem but who knows. And they come on with the rest of the backup lights. No added switch.

Ok, first a disclaimer. I have been busy (ie lazy, plus it is 101 degrees and too busy playing in the lake with the nieces and nephews) so no, I do not have the codes it threw so this is basically a post looking for similar issues. The back-up lights on the Volvo are LED and I also have an LED strip (36" long "Blade" light strip mounted on the new generator box. The trailer (2018 DRV) has two scare lights that should also light up when the trailer is plugged in. They are incandescent bulbs. The lights on the truck alone function properly. The scare lights all function as scare lights (ie, using the on/off switch) BUT when I plug the trailer into the truck and the back-up lights come on, they all (truck and trailer) flash one time and go off. The electric ECU throws up the error "check lighting ecu at next stop". The next time they "should" come on it does the exact same thing, they all flash and it throws the error. Unplug the trailer and all is well with the backup lights on the truck. I have heard of the ECU not liking LEDs and needing to be re-programmed but I have never heard of the opposite. Any thoughts?

I woulda chocked every wheel on the LGT and yanked my trailer out from under that fire, if at all possible. You gotta hate electric trailer brakes. Is it the angle of the photo or is that a 3 axle travel trailer??

You think like me I've still got my air tools in the tool box in the HDT. I suppose the difference is whether you are simply fixing drawers and light sockets or working on slide mechanisms and hydraulic levelers. I suppose for BARE minimum you could get away with a set like this: $49 at Home Depot.com I'd throw in a mid size crescent wrench and a good SET of screwdrivers too.

My problem with the Chandler box, like shown in the picture, is they hinge at the bottom. That means anything heavy in the box has to be lifted over the door to put it in the box. I prefer side hinged boxes.

It's amazing how frequently stuff like this happens. It's amazing what an HDT tire can do. Video here

Sent you a PM

That is a professional limo and passenger bus system. Not very feasible for RV'ers. Of coourse if you can afford the 2 million dollar RV's in your other thread, then maybe you can afford this.

Get with Exile and get the names of the people in Austin. Waco answers to them.

This sucks. That is two that I know of that are having to argue to get registered as a MH. Texas seems to be leaning away from the "easy" place to register. Keep us informed. Touch base with Exile for the contact info in Austin.

I wasn't questioning being charged for damages, I'm just trying to grasp driving your RV on a road where your 35,000lb truck/trailer could CAUSE damage. I've been on some dinky little roads before, but nothing that bad. Obviously I don't travel the back roads like some people do.

Damage?? They rated that bridge at whatever weight for a reason. Unfortunately the signs don't say "Weight Limit only applies to Commercial Vehicles". I know we had a pair of bridges here that the county re-rated after the State told them to lower the allowed weight, rebuild the bridge or close it. If they were empty a 5 axle tractor and trailer could legally make it, loaded there was no way. The same for 3 axle dump trucks. The county posted signs with bright orange flags way before the bridge and also at the last place to turn before the bridge. After 2 weeks they called my partner and I. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. Trucks don't much use those bridges no more. They decided that the other road was better.

I'll get you to look at mine at the rally???????

It's only happened to me once, Glenn. For some reason the reader missed the the trucks EZtag, so they took a picture of the trailers license plate and sent me the nasty-gram. I wasn't gonna go through the hassle again so I got the trailer added onto the account...with its' own tag.

I'm loving retirement Nigel. I'm calmer, more active, less irritable...eh forget that. I can't lie to my friends. Dave, when we get to the rally, we'll toss back a beverage or two. I may have to forget the diet and mix up a Crown and DP Will ya join me? And I can fondly recall Dr. Pepper too, Rick Like the memory of an old girlfriend that you were forced to dump. She was really fun and you loved her dearly, but ultimately she was bad for you in the long run. You know, that one that just pops into your head every once in a while....❤️ and then reality sets in again Not really a disagreement. It's all there in writing, I didn't make it up...or consult a clerk for the information, for that matter. You know what they say: You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him thi...uh.. drink.

No, but the doctor threatened to send me there if I didn't lower the blood sugar Dr. Pepper and Blue Bell had to go. I'm jonesing for chocolate right now too.

The "Not For Hire" issue has been batted around this forum ad nauseum. It is all personal preference since it really means nothing. I personally think the signs look crappy, others think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Pepsi-Co is the largest private commercial motor carrier in the U.S. Last years stats show they have 11,000 tractors, 3500 trucks, 20,600 pickups and vans, along with 17,500 trailers and they are all "not for hire". They still need a USDOT number, and must follow all the other Fed Regs and their drivers need CDL's. So what does "Not For Hire" on the side of the truck mean? For them, not much. They could put "Not for Hire" on all their tractors. It simply means they are "not for hire", they haul only their own product and do not haul anyone else's property, but it doesn't mean they are not commercial. For you, nothing really. It indicates that you think it means you don't need markings and a dot number on your truck. But it won't necessarily keep you from getting stopped. I know of at least two people on here that haul their own RV and commercially also. Do you think they have DOT numbers or "not for hire" on the sides of their trucks? Just be prepared to explain what you are doing and why you are doing it the way you are. If you are doing it correctly, and confident in your answers, you'll be ok with or without the lettering. Like I said, it's whatever makes you feel good.

The toll roads in Harris County, Texas use a rear of vehicle shot only also. I went through towing the trailer once. They snapped a picture of the trailer and sent me a nasty-gram and a bill plus penalties. I called and said I have an EZtag. They said the trailer plate wasn't linked to the account, so I told them to add it. They can't add a vehicle that doesn't have an EZtag. I said that was dumb, since the tow vehicle has one, and they needed better equipment. In the end, they sent me an EZtag for the trailer. It's in a drawer somewhere so their reader will never see it. But if they miss the one on the truck, at least the trailer is listed on my account now. The fun was the toll road around Austin, they picked up the truck AND the smart, loaded on the bed, at the same time. They graciously refunded the $6 for 3 toll plazas after they looked at the pictures they snapped as I passed through.

You are thinking commercial registration and "Apportioned" registration. An HDT registered as a truck or a motorhome puts the license plate in the same place their respective state requires every other truck and motorhome to put it.

I gave up Dr. Pepper, Rick.....withdrawals

Ok, I'm gonna type this real slow so you can keep up. Section 522.003 defines a "Commercial Motor Vehicle as: "Commercial motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used to transport passengers or property that: (A) has a gross combination weight or a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, including a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight or a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds; (B) has a gross vehicle weight or a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds; (C) is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or (D) is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded under 49 C.F.R. Part 172, Subpart F. Do you see ANY mention of "used in a commercial manner" in that definition?? That definition is your HDT. Period. You only need a modicum of intelligence to comprehend that. And that is the LEGAL definition. Not what you think it should be or what you want it to be. Now we skip to Section 522.011 where it says: A person may not drive a commercial motor vehicle unless: (1) the person: (A) has in the person's immediate possession a commercial driver's license issued by the department appropriate for the class of vehicle being driven; and (B) is not disqualified or subject to an out-of-service order; That would be you, driving your HDT. Are ya with me so far?? Now we backtrack to Section 522.004 that says This chapter does not apply to: (1) (2) (3) (4) a recreational vehicle that is driven for personal use; That same section also says: In this section, "recreational vehicle" means a motor vehicle primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreational camping or travel use. The term includes a travel trailer, camping trailer, truck camper, and motor home. Now, why do you suppose they exempt a "recreational vehicle that is driven for personal use" from the requirements of CDL if it doesn't fit the definition of a "Commercial Motor Vehicle"? Kinda plain and simple, isn't it? Well, simple for most folks I suppose. They exempted recreational vehicles because some (our HDT's for example) DO FIT THE DEFINITION of commercial motor vehicle and without the exemption they would REQUIRE a CDL. Comprehend it now?? It doesn't really require a college degree does it? That is why my "Tangent" (there was no "tangent" until.....and now I refer you to my signature line) about the advantages of registering your HDT as a "motorhome" rather than a "truck". A "motorhome" is listed in the LAW as a recreational vehicle. Your "truck" is not. Now here is where it gets tricky, so pay attention. Once you unhitch your HDT from your travel trailer and drive it down the road, guess what? It is no longer a "recreational vehicle" because its primary design is not living quarters because you registered it as a TRUCK. Go back up to the definition of CMV and you will notice that your HDT alone still fits the definition of a Commercial Motor Vehicle. Since it is a "truck" it no longer gets the exemption that a recreational vehicle gets so guess what again? Now, copy this entire post and take that to the clerk you get legal advice from and show it to them. I hope I didn't type too fast for you. And now, to avoid having the moderators get mad at me, I will simply

All the more reason to register your HDT as a motorhome. 😁

Such as?? I'm not sure I follow. If a tractor and trailer can deliver products there then we can go there. I'm not sure I want to drive down a road where they can't go. There must be a reason. Cities rarely limit size and weight just for the hell of it. Just like people question whether we can fit into smallish gas stations. Somebody in a tractor/trailer delivered their fuel. I may choose not to get into the smaller stations but obviously it can be done.