No Respect...m

[Dollytrolley]

So I admit that the Dollytrolley is definitely not a show rig and might be borderline Rat-Rig however it is fairly LARGE when we are toting our 20 ft Cargo box with all of the Dolly-the-paint-horse stuff and the Samuria and two tons of hay and 330 gal water and Honda Quad and, and ,and...

 

So...we had planed to remodel the Dollytrolley last year however full time care of memory loss mom kinked the plan.

 

We did get a quick "utility grade paint" touch up mostly to get rid of the Ryder Yeller cargo box on a Black Shaker was somewhat below Rat-Rig standards...

 

Since we have had so little time to spare we never got around to replacing the side signage of....PVT RV...NOT 4 HIRE.... like it had when we bought the truck.

 

Here is the funny part, NO ONE SEEMS TO NOTICE... we have had cops park so close that I almost step on the hood of the patrol car, we have stopped at closed scales in Oregon to weigh our rig and have had the Weighmaster drive up and ask how long before he can open up for business....shucks we get NO respect...

 

So maybe big5er has a point that the RV signage is not needed....or....maybe cops just feel sorry for us...

 

Just to test the theory we have passed through Kaliforinia and have not been jailed... maybe we might try Canada...

 

How many folks run without RV signage??

 

Drive on...(might b in jail by the time ya read this post)

[I'mdonewiththis forum]

I don't have my HDT yet, but I have been told that putting "Not For Hire" on really doesn't do much far as LEOs are concerned and may even 'assist' in the decision of certain LEOs to check things out. Setting one up with an RV type hitch and towing an RV may make them decide you aren't worth a second look.

[SIBERNUT]

I agree, but bobtail past a scale and getting chased doesn't get it for me.

[rdickinson]

To ICBC's knowledge, I'm the only one around here and the only one they've seen, so mine is in a minority. Having said that, I've been by most of the scales in mid to lower BC and not had problems or anyone chase me down.

Maybe carrying a Smart plus a 30' buzzard on the side of the 5'er helps.

[CrazyCooter]

Been thinking of peeling ours off since I think it looks tacky.

 

I don't have signs that say "Handgun on board, Have CCW" or " Valid driver's license and insurance in possession". Why bother with the "Private RV not for hire"?

[Nolan]

Didn't have signage when we first got the truck. It was a long time ago, fall of 2004. Cruising down I-29 heading to a town to get our South Dakota driver's licenses, bobtailing and went past an open weigh station. Had the CB radio on and was told by the personal to turn around and get weighed. I was stupid and got on the radio said it was a non-commercial truck, but was still told to turn around come back and weigh. Was going to ignore it, continue on but the wife fussed about it and we went back. They looked us over was told to park out back and bring in our papers. Like I said the truck is registered as non-commercial and the two guy argued about it. One was "Kenworth doesn't make motorhomes they make trucks, there fore we had to stop and had to fill out a fuel book." Was allowed to move on. No fines.

 

Had the signage put on and passed by all weigh stations. Didn't do the fuel book either. Did stop at a weigh station in South Dakota at a different location the fall of 2005. Was looked at and told to pass. Of course had the trailer on by then, I haven't stopped at any since.

[Dollytrolley]

Last week we were running low on snake bite cure and Gerritall so....re trekked into Pahrump from Dolly-the-paint-horse camp at Last Chance Peak and while the Dollyomma was in the store I greezered over to the Nuget Casino and tried to run our very nice 87 Samuria through the teck inspection line of the Pahrump Off-road 250 race... they grinned and flashed me out of the teck line and explained that not many folks would want to go up against my power to weight class of 63hp @ 2,020 Pounds......what a bunch of pansies

...

 

Anyhow at least HALF of the Pro-Race teams had HDT rigs plastered with big time team logos AND PVT RV signage

.....just like Big5er rails about....

 

Toyota, Ford, Goodyear and a few more had DOT signage.....

 

No wonder some Real RVs get hassled

...Some comp horse rigs are big time outlaws also....

 

Drive on....(who's ....DOT?)

[Larry&Donna-AK]

Bought our Volvo May this year, considered signage but haven't bothered and haven't been bothered without. We botailed from Idaho to Texas to have the Smart Bed built and traveled another 10K miles with no problems. I've considered "Recreational Use Only" for signage for our trip across Canada but haven't convinced myself anything is needed.

[Big5er]

Well, as DT pointed out in his first post, I have no signage. I never will. First I think it is ugly. Secondly. sort of like CRAZYCooter said, the smart doesn't have signage saying " Armed but off duty" on it. It isn't necessary, neither is any signage on the truck.

 

I once told a fellow HDT'er at a rally that he had so many signs (signs on the side, license plates on the front and rear) claiming that he wasn't commercial that if I was on duty I would stop him just to see who he was trying to convince or fool. I have also written plenty of tickets to racers, horsers, carnies, and others that have signs but if I think it is worth looking at, then signage be damned. It's amazing how many commercial rigs proclaim they are not.

 

"Private RV" means what? That you own it and that it isn't a public RV? That doesn't mean it isn't being used commercially.

"Not for Hire"? So what? Pepsi Cola IS a commercial carrier. With 9,950 tractors, 14,304 straight trucks and 16,102 trailers they are "Not for Hire". You can not hire a single one of them to haul anything. But they are still required to have a US DOT number and follow the Federal regulations.

 

I do not put "baby on board" signs in my windows...... Ok, never had a baby but you get the picture. Don't have signs that say "My dog is cuter than your dog" either. Better example??

 

In my opinion, if you are going to get stopped, you are going to get stopped. Signs proclaiming your innocence are silly and attract attention. If you don't have signs I am going to wonder why. If you have signs saying that you don't need to have signs, I am REALLY going to wonder.

[runaway parents]

Really? If this true the sign are coming off. What a waist of money those things where custom made. How can I confirm this?

[Pat & Pete]

Umm , ask any LEO ?

[rickeieio]

Umm , ask any LEO ?

 

We just did, and he gave a detailed answer in post #9.

 

[adept99]

Hey Phil;

 

Daisy's opinion of you as a "nice guy" just dropped a bunch with that "cuter than your dog" comment...I'd watch my hamstrings the next time you're around her...

 

Paul

[Hot Rod]

When I got my USDOT number (back when we did use out truck commercially), I learned from the "nice" folks there that "not for hire" means something very specific, it is not the generic statement of non-commercial you all seem to think it is. "not for hire" is something which is required to be posted on a truck which IS commercial, but only transports items owned by the individual or company that owns the truck. As in big5er's Pepsi example, or your local construction company that only hauls it's own equipment. By putting "not for hire" on your truck, you are actually stating that your ARE a commercial truck, but only transport your own goods, and are not paid by a third party to transport goods. You could harmlessly say "non-commercial" on the side of the truck, but "not for hire" states that you ARE commercial. Same with other silly statement like "registered RV". So what? An RV can certainly also be considered a commercial vehicle in the right circumstance.

 

There is NO requirement for signage of any sort on a non-commercial vehicle, so why do it? If you think a LEO that is thinking about pulling you over, sees your cute little "rv" sticker, is going to say "oh, never mind, it says rv on it", you are crazy. My opinion has always been the same a big5ver, that sort of stuff would more likely make me wonder why you are trying so hard. Conduct your self the same as you would as if you were driving any other pickup truck, and carry your binder with docs to back you up.

[CrazyCooter]

Yep, doubt they are reading my 2" tall letters from the scale house 1/4 mile away with binoculars as I'm driving by. If LEO is in front/behind me....first indication would be the passenger plates with the reg sticker on the back plate. By then it's probably already been run through the database and it will show motorhome on the info.

[Big5er]

Hey Phil;

 

Daisy's opinion of you as a "nice guy" just dropped a bunch with that "cuter than your dog" comment...I'd watch my hamstrings the next time you're around her...

 

Paul

Hey, Daisy is a sweet looking girl, Paul. Please tell her that I was only using that as an example. And would have been directing that statement only to non HDT furkids anyway

Hope y'all are well.

[Big5er]

Really? If this true the sign are coming off. What a waist of money those things where custom made. How can I confirm this?

Like Hot Rod said, there is no requirement to put anything on a non commercial vehicle. You didn't put signs of your 3/4 ton pickup, did ya? This isn't any different except that it is a bit bigger.

 

Posted these before:

 

 

I would have stopped this even without the racing team name on it. I mean, really? I love it when your facebook page talks about your racing team and your rankings. Gee, I love the internet. I wasn't really offended when he called me Robocop but I did point out that since he registered this as an RV he was limited to 65ft....shucks.

[OU812]

NO RV signage......I pull a 30 ft. cargo trailer. Half of the people on the road just know that I we have some kind of special vehicle in side. Race... restored....sports...one of a kind...car.. no! When I pull out ATV...road bikes...golf cart....4x4... s 10 van.... well most people just can't understand, why that ?? I don't like leaving home without my toys, so I load them up. Why 3 axel.... more then likely I will NEVER be over loaded, at 21,000 gross. Less tire problems, ect. NO signe Even after about 200,ooo miles, as a TC. I do carry federal and my state reregistered codas/laws making my vehicle, special use motor coach. NO Signs...no requirements. BUT...if you look like commercial vehicle, evenly bobtail and with a fifth wheel, out running around. Expect to be stopped and checked on. LEO are only doing here job. NO signe... OU812

[Dollytrolley]

In most of Oregon where we tend to Dolly-the-paint-horse camp is sparsely populated with no freeways and just a few scales but the state leaves the scale displays on 24 /7 so even with no Weighmaster present you can just pull on to the scales and weigh your rig any way you desire including each wheel position by pulling around and placing each wheel onto the scale...it is a bit of manoeuvring around to get a tandem or triple set one wheel at a time but what the heck I am retired and curious how much our junk weights.....

 

So...one trip we stop at a small scale at a one-horse place called Silver Lake (Lake dried up before dinosaurs died off) and I was wanting to confirm my latest weight &balance spreadsheet calculations so Dollyomma climbs out of the trolley and wonders over to the country store to get something to drink and I start my back and forth Trolley dance on the scales and writing down all the numbers.....I did not pay attention that a sheriff deputy was watching me from his pickup at the ODOT gravel yard next to the scales so...after I finally got each wheel of the truck and trailer spotted and scale and recorded the deputy got out of his truck and came over and said....I was amazed you was able to get each wheel spotted on the scale without wearing out your clutch and tires...I smiled and said oh ya us retired geezers have all the time in the world and I have some spare tires and a new clutch back at the shop....so then I showed him my spreadsheet printout and told him that I would compare my actual weights to the spreadsheet calculations and factor in my fuel burns and, and, so....the deputy smiled and said well sir you have a nice day and now that I have seen how much work retirement really is.... maybe I better get back to patrol....

 

Shucks he did not even want to see my fishing license .....I get no respect.

 

Even without a bunch of signs on the doors of our rigs it seems that the LEO's know the "dangers" of messing with "HDT-RV-Geezers..."

 

(Oh ya I was off by 150 pounds on my calculated weight & balance....I miscounted the bales of hay....just like a dumb computer....junk in....junk out)

 

Drive on ....(lettering on truck door should say .... stand well back truck drives all around scales)

[Dollytrolley]

Like Hot Rod said, there is no requirement to put anything on a non commercial vehicle. You didn't put signs of your 3/4 ton pickup, did ya? This isn't any different except that it is a bit bigger.

 

Posted these before:

 

 

I would have stopped this even without the racing team name on it. I mean, really? I love it when your facebook page talks about your racing team and your rankings. Gee, I love the internet. I wasn't really offended when he called me Robocop but I did point out that since he registered this as an RV he was limited to 65ft....shucks.

Phil, that is one BIG A$$ trailer....we once leased a BIG-momma TEN axle crane (550ton)that was 10 ft wide and 110 ft long road ready but it looks to me that the BIG-momma would likely fit inside that trailer....

 

So just for giggles.....how many pages long was the ticket you wrote up for the chap .....of course you gave him a discount for the robo-cop complement....

 

So is the rig still impounded and out of service?

 

This does make me wonder....after a rig is cited for not complying with commercial regulations do the folks at DMV revoke the RV registration?

 

Is this racer still sharing a jail cell with Charlie Manson...

 

Drive on....(RVing ain't easy sometimes)

[Jeff.Sloan]

wow I thought they were required by law. I am sooo tempted to remove mine now hahah

[runaway parents]

Stickers days are "numbered" first warm day they are history !

[Dollytrolley]

Stickers days are "numbered" first warm day they are history !

Run-a-Way.....I hate to tell you this...but.... according to the latest image of your rig you posted yesterday....it's likely that your signage may have frozen and just fell of your truck....

 

Ok children, listen up....maybe..just maybe... you might be ok following big5er as a HDT hero...maybe... However by NO strech of your imagination should you consider use me as any example unless you have plenty of bandages...and... a lot of Dr pepper so you can get out of jail...

 

Remember....I don't have signage because we ran out of time and I was lazy....big5er is the expert on the regs...I am not even a drip much less a x-pert...

 

Drive on....(what signage??)

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

The signage on our truck will have to stay until the future paint job takes place. It's great hand lettering, painted on. Been there since 2000 or so, guess it willstay awhile longer.

[Big5er]

DT, you sort of beat me to the punch on this one. While at work today I decided to come back here and add a disclaimer.

 

Disclaimer: Let me back up a bit.

I, that is me and my furkids, do not want lettering on the truck. Some people here swear that having them on their truck has brought peace and prosperity into their lives. I am so happy for them and encourage their happiness.

 

There is NO regulation requiring lettering of any sort on a non-commercial vehicle....BUT......you need to be prepared to explain what you are and why you do not have ID markings on your vehicle. And "I am an RV!" is not going to cut it, folks.

 

There is nothing that says "RV's" are exempt from the Federal Regulations. There is a section that says that RV's used strictly for personal usage are exempt. Signage or no signage, you may one day find yourself having to explain why you are exempt and simply being an RV, ain't it. I have said it before and I will say it again. How your vehicle is "registered" has nothing what-so-ever to do with whether you are a commercial vehicle. That is determined by your vehicle and if you are driving an HDT you ARE a commercial motor vehicle. The question at hand is whether you are using it in a commercial enterprise. That has very little to with profits and lots to do with usage. You can suck at business and still be a commercial entity...anyone not know of Enron? Studebaker?

 

The question is not what your truck is (that is the easy part), the question is what are you doing with it and no amount of signage can change that. Will signs keep you from getting stopped? Maybe, but not by me or anyone I know personally. If I think you might be commercial, I'm gonna stop you and check...signs or no signs.

 

Any vehicle, including an "RV" can be a commercial motor vehicle and be used commercially. The definition of a CMV is usually based on size (GVWR) but there are other things that can put a vehicle into the fed-regs. Let's say that DT owns the Dolleytrolley Horse Moving and Stable Demolition Company. One day his foreman, a guy named Cooter who everyone just calls "Crazy", phones the office and says "5er, we are 1 stick of dynamite short and I am too busy to come back to the office". I tell him to fear not, I will be enroute with his required material. I run out to my trusty Vespa, a thrilling little 150cc scooter, and dash away to save the day. I have Crazy's 1 stick of dynamite in the basket on the handlebars. My Vespa better have placards, be displaying the name "Dolleytrolley Demolitions" on the side along with a US DOT number. I need a hazmat endorsement on my motorcycle license, a copy of the shipping papers and we can go on and on about the many issues with my Vespa, the newly christened commercial motor vehicle.

We are ALL driving HDT's, vehicles that by definition ARE commercial motor vehicles. The only question is are we doing something with them that makes them exempt from the commercial regulations.

 

OU812 knows what I am talking about...and he is PREPARED to explain himself. He seems to know how he looks and seems to have the attitude to pull it off....... "I'm not and I'm willing to show you that I'm not". But like he said, he "expects" to be stopped. He doesn't seemed shocked or surprised but rather nonchalant about it. And he will win every time.

 

We ALL should be "prepared" to get stopped. In your mind, It shouldn't be a matter of "if" but "when". If it never happens to you, well congratulations. But when it happens it will be because he (or she) "thinks" you are. Yeah, yeah Innocent until proven guilty, right? Well "proven" doesn't happen roadside. It happens in front of the judge...days, weeks or even months later. It is so much easier to convince him that you are not, rather than waiting for your day in court so you can make them "prove it".

 

Ultimately, put signs on your truck if it makes you feel better. Or don't put them on at all or take them off if you want to go that route. Either way, be prepared like OU812. The odds are that it won't happen, but won't it suck to be "the guy" that it does happen to and not be ready?