Randyretired

When I was looking at charge controllers, Victron had features that others didn't but I am also a plug it in and forget it guy. I wouldn't use a lot of those features and a more basic controller fits my needs for less $$$.

Towing boats behind 5ers is popular, where allowed around lakes. We used to do it. We towed our boat mostly in Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska and our home state of Colorado. One time at Lake Mohave a group of people followed us to our campsite. When we struck up a conversation I asked why they were all standing around. Turns out they wanted to see how we backed the boat behind the 5er. They were disappointed when we disconnected the boat and backed the 5er. Then connected the boat to the truck.

I have found the people at the weigh stations to generally know the current regulations for each state. In fact I have received false advise from the DMV and non DOT officers. The people that control commercial transportation and enforcement have to be up to date on regulations. Since you believe the commercial designation on your truck makes a difference, I would call them. The catch is each state may have different laws for roads within that state. There is an agreement that allows drivers appropriately licensed in their home state to operate in other states but within the distant states laws. In Colorado for instance RV's don't require special licenses or endorsements. This applies to all RV's even large MH's and 5ers. So we can operate vehicles in all states that allow these RV's but our home state road laws end at the border.

We have 140 acres of mountain land consisting of 4 thirty five acre lots. Only the one that we are improving has an address assigned, but the entire parcel is identified by that address for simplicity. Another thing about addresses is how they change as development continues. To try to keep some continuity our county trys to keep addresses as originally assigned as much as possible. This leads to some confusing numbers. Our home was the first one in this local area and at the time our access was off one road through an easement. Today there are new paved roads to our property lines but our address is still designated off the original road. In any case in our county and I believe the entire state an address is required anytime there are improvements. Any land parcel owner can request an address from the county for that parcel so obtaining an address is a simple administrative function.

You have a CDL and a commercial truck and you have come to a RV forum to argue about what is legal or how to be legal? Most of us know recreational laws. A few might have commercial licenses from other endeavors. When I needed requirements for driving I called the weigh and check stations. They are usually up on current requirements, especially for commercial transport.

That is the way we do it with our HDT. I checked with the Colorado and Utah weigh stations and they said we didn't need to stop and please don't.

When we had a PO Box we also had a physical address. It was needed before USPS would rent us a box. At our mountain property before we could get a well permit, septic permit, or even satelite internet we had to have an address. Applying for an address was simple and without cost. It did take a couple of weeks longer than they said but we have an address. Also when we had a PO Box we had to give the DMV our mailing address and a physical address.

When we first applied for our address USPS didn't show it as a valid address and didn't for about 3 years. We received our mail here but often times we were questioned when ordering things. We would just confirm the address was correct and things were shipped. When I spoke to the people at the post office about it they told me it takes time for USPS to update their info but our mail will be delivered in the mean time.

Having enough truck makes a big difference and certainly it is safer. Business class freightliner are good trucks but are expensive when equipped with the bigger engines. HDT's are generally available with larger engines and an automatic transmission if desired. HDT's are also quieter and ride better than the older business class freightliners and are only a little bigger. The climb to get in a HDT is a little taller and finding one setup for RVing is a little more difficult. I recommend you test drive some to see what fits best for you.

If you are confident in this try taking it to the courts. In the mean time can we honor the request of the OP to not argue the 2nd amendment here.

I was able to add CCW in Utah and AZ without being residents of those states.

We still plan to go to our mountain property for a couple of months but other than that we pretty much stay at home. Online ordering for supplies needed. The powers to be here ask that we not travel far to avoid contacting or spreading the virus. I don't believe things are going to be completely safe for a long time. An article I read detailed how effective vaccines in general are and the likelyhood that the first vaccines will only provide limited immunity. There appears to be a strong belief that the first vaccines will fall far short of providing herd immunity. Even the best vaccines do not provide complete immunity and the response of seniors and others with compromised health is always questionable. There are also a number of people who will not or can not get any vaccine. For these reasons it seems as if each of us will need to evaluate our situation and our risk tolerance for the foreseeable future and make any travel plans with that in mind. I am sure many of us will feel certain things are worth the risk to us and others and some are not.

I have a 35 watt solar panel on our HDT and it keeps the batteries charged. However it depends on the sun available and the load. For just keeping batteries charged I would imagine a 50 watt solar panel and a cheap controller would work in most places. I currently have a 50 watt panel on a backhoe with a cheap Renology controller and after a year the batteries test as good as new even after sitting all winter. If you need to keep batteries that are supplying power such as lighting it is hard to determine solar requirements without determining load. Panels have come down in price so much that a bigger panel is not a lot more than smaller panels and in this case more doesn't hurt. As for keeping the batteries connected for charging both at the same time that is tricky. The resistance in the wires connecting the batteries can result in the distant batteries not fully charged. If there is not much distance and the wires are good size you might get away with it for just keeping them charged.

We have used both catalytic and brick heaters. Currently we have a brick heater but it tends to go out when we get above7,000 feet. I have decided to add some more solar and try a minisplit heat pump for both heat and AC. Some of these units are so efficient I believe we can run it enough for our needs and these are quiet.

I am sure there are a lot of people that can help with this but they will need a little more information. Will you be plugged in or boondocking? What is the battery setup you plan to replace and did it function for you or are you looking for more power? Battleborn are good batteries but expensive. Many feel these are worth it in the right setup but care must be taken to properly charge and care for these.

Either way you have a pass to go over. I70 is interstate with less switchbacks. Hwy 50 has switchbacks and slower road conditions with some steep hills. I70 is a little easier drive but both are good roads with mountain driving.

My son bought an inexpensive bike rack for their 5er. It lasted about 50 miles before people started to alert him. They saved the bikes and we rebuilt the rack.

HDT auto transmissions are just manual transmissions with computer controlled shifts. When decending hills a button push determines the gear and it will hold in that gear until you release it, if possible. Like all heavy trucks gear selection is life or disaster when decending in the mountains. Most HDT's also have a very capable engine brake to help. I prefer an auto as it is relaxing and it is easier to hold my drink without spilling but everyone has their preference.

I have bought some things on craigslist but it is a hassle trying to avoid the scams. Last year I was looking for a backhoe and noticed the same backhoe listed in several states. Eventually I kind of figured out that ads that were less likely to be scams. Finally found what I wanted but I still don't know what the scammers are up to. I have also bought somethings from Facebook marketplace.

Depending on the HDT you choose it may be more maneuverable than many pickups. Volvos and some others will turn sharper than a lot of pickups. In addition most mount the hitch behind the axle which helps tracking and is much more responsive when backing. If you don't put a bed on be sure to add fenders and good mud flaps. It was good to see you plan another hitch. The 5er will fit into the commercial hitch but most recommend an air hitch.

Years ago we were chased down for not paying. I had tried my cc a couple of times and it failed. The clerk in the small town noticed and just turned the pump on. This was before the pumps had much of a screen. We went back and paid. Another time I received a call from a LEO about pumping gas without paying. He called me at home and asked if I had a grey pickup. I answered yes. He said you failed to pay for gas about 30 minutes ago in a town 4 hours away. I said no I didn't and you called on my home phone. My pickup is also diesel. Sorry he said. There must be a mixup. Like others I have alerts set on our cards for every purchase to send an email. It happens almost immediately and I don't ask for or keep receipts. I caught some fraudulent use one time.

I can't help on what is required to own and drive a HDT in Canada but I have a HDT. One thing to keep in mind a used truck or 5er may need repairs. When I purchased our HDT we found some problems and spent $6,000 bringing things up to standards. Then we went about the mods to pull a 5er. When we bought our 5er it also needed some repairs. Tires for instance can require a significant investment. So I recommend you budget for this. Better to have the funds if needed than need it and not have the funds. Hopefully you have some experience driving big rigs or at least pickups and trailers. If not you may want to seek some training. Things like air brakes and other things require some special skills and procedures. We have had our HDT for about 14 years now and it has been great. Good luck and happy travels.

Our 5er also has more waste water storage than the 70 gallon fresh tank. It came with a 2- 45 gallon grey tanks and a 45 gallon black tank. I changed the black to 70 gallons. We now carry another 100 gallons of fresh water on the truck, for a total of 170 gallons.

Colorado is expensive. The fees are based on value as the state sees it. Our 99 Teton is over $300 a year. Colorado passed some laws restricting tax increases without voter approval. So they increase fees as they call them and vehicle registrations have skyrocketed.

Vehicle tax is usually left uncharged or forwarded to the state where the vehicle will be registered. We have purchased vehicles outside of our state and the dealers have either forwarded the tax to our state or didn't collect taxes. Unpaid taxes would then be collected when the vehicle is registered. We have run into salesmen that insisted on collecting local taxes but it has been waived upon further investigation. If not I wouldn't have purchased the vehicle. If the state where the vehicle is registered doesn't tax vehicles then no tax should be paid.