Sportfish Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Hey everyone! I hope i am posting in the right area here. I am very new to this, but really want to get into this whole lifestyle. I'm looking at a volvo 780 and have a question about wisconsin drivers license regulations for my application and hoping someone might have the knowledge saving me trip to the wonderful dmv we have here. According to Wisconsin, "Wisconsin and Indiana require a CDL for motorhomes longer than 45". So right now i'm towing my boat and trailer, which is 40ft in length roughly, around with my crew cab dually, and this is my wanting to go to a HDT. Once i hook up my boat to a HDT, does this mean i need a cdl? Or is it just the length of the HDT itself. Obviously now, towing my boat with my truck, i'm darn near 60 some feet. So i can tow my boat with a pickup, but couldn't without a cdl in a hdt, which would be safer... I also have 30 ft bumper pull camper which i would be towing too. I appreciate any help everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Av8r3400 Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 I'm also in Wisconsin and own/drive an HDT towing a 40' 5th wheel toy hauler. My overall length is 63'. Wisconsin shares the 65' OAL length limitation for recreational vehicles. My interpretation is the 45' length goes to the "motorhome" itself. I've seen many, many "conventional" motorhomes with modest trailers which exceed 45 feet in length. I have never met an operator of this type of unit who has (or needed to get) a CDL. Also keep in mind you can not legally double-tow behind anything but a 5th wheel camper in Wisconsin. Goose-neck and bumper pull trailers can not be (legally) the middle of the combination. And, the total length must be 65' or less. Send me a PM with your phone number. I'd be happy to share what I have learned off line. Av8r3400 Thunderstruck - 2012 Volvo VNL 730 D13 iShift Slick - 2021 Grand Design Momentum 397TH I'd rather die trying to live - Than live trying not to die. -Leonard Perry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 A 780 will be nearly 30 feet front bumper to hitch, add a 30 foot TT and you are already at 60+feet. How long is the boat? I built a deck on the 780 I own and carry my Jeep on it, pull a 30 foot TT behind, overall length is about 63 feet. 2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS Jackalopee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sportfish Posted October 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 The boat is a 34 Baja, but with tongue and outboards hanging off the back, i was figuring close to 40. I am heading back down to florida next week to pick up the boat and taking it back over to Louisiana at my other place for the winter. I will have to measure the exact length of everything when i get down there. I was planning on possibly shortening the truck and removing the rear axle and only running one. I don't need a full length bed as i plan on just throwing the harley on the back deck for running around town and errands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertMiner Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Silly question......are you planning to launch the boat with the HDT? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sportfish Posted October 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Only in Venice LA in emergency situations. The launch there is perfect angle, and far from even getting my tires wet with my truck now, and the launch coming to the water is flat darn near. Otherwise i do have pickups available pretty much everywhere i would go. 99% of the time i'll just be running from milwaukee to south of new orleans with the camper as the boat stays there most of the time. The boat only comes back up here for 2 months during the summer when its actually nice here and then i have my truck at home for launching around here. I really want to do some traveling in the future across the states with the camper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 The HHRV Resource Guide is where this information was found by reading the State's License manual/s and the State Codes. For Wisconsin, an exempt-CDL is needed for large RVs. CDL is thrown around pretty loosely and there is a difference between an exempt-(non-)CDL and a CDL. Exempt-CDL licenses are defined by weight in Wisconsin. 45' is the length limit of a single vehicle in Wisconsin. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 Sportfish, You mention removing the rear axle and leaving the front driver..... Don't do it. Much has been written here discussing the proper way to single, and that ain't it. Take your time and find a truck that's already done, or buy one with a factory single. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance A Lott Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 I moved my rear axle forward to replace the front devider axle . its not that hard but will require a new drive shaft and if you dont wont the wheelbase that short you will have to drill new holes. I put both abs sencers in the one axle but i am still having trouble with the abs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sportfish Posted November 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 Maybe i didn't explain it right, but what Av8r3400's truck is, is what i plan on doing. 13 hours ago, rickeieio said: Sportfish, You mention removing the rear axle and leaving the front driver..... Don't do it. Much has been written here discussing the proper way to single, and that ain't it. Take your time and find a truck that's already done, or buy one with a factory single. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 That works. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 10 hours ago, Sportfish said: Maybe i didn't explain it right, but what Av8r3400's truck is, is what i plan on doing. Av8r dropped the front axle and moved the rear axle forward. That's how my truck is also. Jim's Adventures Old Spacecraft.... Who knows whats next Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Av8r3400 Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 I was hoping to post a couple photos of the singling process, but apparently this ridiculous website won't allow linking to outside image hosting (Imgur) and I can't attach a photo larger than 10Kb. No wonder people are going to FaceBook for information. Av8r3400 Thunderstruck - 2012 Volvo VNL 730 D13 iShift Slick - 2021 Grand Design Momentum 397TH I'd rather die trying to live - Than live trying not to die. -Leonard Perry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Heiser Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 13 minutes ago, Av8r3400 said: I was hoping to post a couple photos of the singling process, but apparently this ridiculous website won't allow linking to outside image hosting (Imgur) and I can't attach a photo larger than 10Kb. No wonder people are going to FaceBook for information. Just go here to get postable links for your photos that will make the photo show right up in the thread. It is super easy, but you have to do it for each individual phot you wish to post. 2009 Volvo 670 with dinette/workstation sleeper - Walter 2017 DRV Mobile Suite 40KSSB4 with factory mods, dealer mods and personal mods - now in the RV graveyard 2022 DRV Full House MX450 with customized floor plan 2018 Polaris RZR Turbo S (fits in the garage) 2016 Smart Car (fits in the garage or gets flat towed behind the DRV when the RZR is in the garage) My First Solar Install Thread My Second Solar Install Thread & Photos and Documents Related to the build My MX450's solar, battery and inverter system - my biggest system yet! chadheiser.com West Coast HDT Rally Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Av8r3400 Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 So why does that link, but I can't use the dedicated URL link tool at the bottom of the post to my actual Imgur account? Av8r3400 Thunderstruck - 2012 Volvo VNL 730 D13 iShift Slick - 2021 Grand Design Momentum 397TH I'd rather die trying to live - Than live trying not to die. -Leonard Perry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 2 hours ago, Alie&Jim's Carrilite said: Av8r dropped the front axle and moved the rear axle forward. That's how my truck is also. So, if you dropped the front axle, how do you steer that flamed out beast down the road? 😎 2023 Thor Magnitude XG32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance A Lott Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 10 hours ago, GeorgiaHybrid said: So, if you dropped the front axle, how do you steer that flamed out beast down the road? 😎 You have to have right and left brake controls so that it steers like a skid steer!😃 Av8r3400, and any one else, how did you handle the extra abs sensers and the brake lines. I caped the rear lines and put the sensers in the front drive axle but the abs light comes on after a couple of minutes on the road. The brakes work fine but I assume abs does not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 11 hours ago, GeorgiaHybrid said: So, if you dropped the front axle, how do you steer that flamed out beast down the road? 😎 The pin weight acts as a counterbalance.. Not having the extra tires on the ground gives me .00001 mpg increase..... Plus it makes for a good conversation starter in truck stops...... Jim's Adventures Old Spacecraft.... Who knows whats next Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Av8r3400 Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 7 hours ago, Lance A Lott said: Av8r3400, and any one else, how did you handle the extra abs sensers and the brake lines. I caped the rear lines and put the sensers in the front drive axle but the abs light comes on after a couple of minutes on the road. The brakes work fine but I assume abs does not. When you move the drive axle to the power divider position, you plug the axle sensors to the forward axle wires and secure the rear axle wires up and away. You will need to have the computers re-programmed to a 2-axle truck from a 3-axle format at the dealer. Av8r3400 Thunderstruck - 2012 Volvo VNL 730 D13 iShift Slick - 2021 Grand Design Momentum 397TH I'd rather die trying to live - Than live trying not to die. -Leonard Perry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaHunter Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 If only my garage was that big and well equipped, mine would be done already. Love that setup. Chris . Sandpiper 379 FLOK, Volvo 2012 730. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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