Is Owning an HDT a PITA?

[L&JSteinmetz]

Hello,

BLUF: Has owning an HDT gotten any easier than it was 5/10 years ago as far as registering, insurance, etc.?

I have been away from the forum for some time due to health (no major issues) and for professional reasons. (BTW...at some point during my absence they must have reset the post count because I was in the mid-to-high hundreds...sad to not be able to find some of my old posts). My wife and I had originally intended to retire early in 2016 and buy an HDT and a fifth wheel. This slipped to 2019 and now looks like it will be January 2023 (which will no longer be considered an early retirement ).

We started researching our full timing plans back in 2004 and, for most of the time, have thought the HDT/Fiver was the way to go. I would research it to death and then get a little discouraged when I read about the problems with registration and, probably more concerning to me, finding/keeping insurance on the HDT. This would typically cause me to start researching Class As as a more conventional, easier process to navigate but I would still have the nagging desire to own an HDT (plus, my wife likes fifth wheels better than MHs).

Sooo, is the process still difficult? Is pretty much no longer an issue? Has gotten better but still a bit of a PITA?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciate. Thanks.

[Darryl&Rita]

Where are you thinking of registering it? Degree of difficulty is variable, depending on jurisdiction. 

[NDBirdman]

I think it's dependent on the state you use as your domicile, or licensed in.  My home state does not have Non-Professional CDLs, meaning no motor home license (like Texas for an example).  If you have an HDT, not a farmer driving from field to elevator, you better have a full CDL.  And with this goes registration/insurance.  Unless you are planning on buying an oversized/very heavy 5th wheel, stick with a won-ton dual rear wheel truck.  Not all of those are equal, figure out what brand you like then start looking at max weights and where your desired RV falls.  Try to stay at/less then 80% of the truck you purchase on weight, you'll be happier in the end.  IMHO  Or try to talk your better half into a motor-home and tow a vehicle behind you.  IMHO

[SuiteSuccess]

Gosh hate to agree with Phil, but Daryl is right, lol.  Depends on location.  I’m in Tennessee and fairly easy to register as MH.  Insurance is another issue. Still available but may get harder over time.  Birdman makes a good point.  If you never see yourself pulling a large heavy trailer, then a Superduty should fill the bill and also give you a daily driver.  If you even contemplate that you will be going longer, heavier in future then class 7 or 8 is a better choice IMHO.

[rickeieio]

Looking at your profile, I see you're in the Houston, TX area.  Exile just got his HDT registered there, and Big 5er knows a bit about this as well. 

This was discussed at length just a couple weeks ago. A quick search might yeild some answers.

[Imurphy907]

It has been a very easy process for me. Registration was a cake walk. I did have to hold my insurance agents hand a little for them to get the correct policy's but even that was easy.

[L&JSteinmetz]

1 hour ago, Darryl&Rita said:

Where are you thinking of registering it? Degree of difficulty is variable, depending on jurisdiction. 

Sorry...should have mentioned that...I live and will register the rig in Texas.

[L&JSteinmetz]

20 minutes ago, rickeieio said:

Looking at your profile, I see you're in the Houston, TX area.  Exile just got his HDT registered there, and Big 5er knows a bit about this as well. 

This was discussed at length just a couple weeks ago. A quick search might yeild some answers.

I am normally pretty good at searching forums but sometimes I just don't hit the right keywords...thanks for pointing out...I'll try another search.

[L&JSteinmetz]

1 hour ago, NDBirdman said:

I think it's dependent on the state you use as your domicile, or licensed in.  My home state does not have Non-Professional CDLs, meaning no motor home license (like Texas for an example).  If you have an HDT, not a farmer driving from field to elevator, you better have a full CDL.  And with this goes registration/insurance.  Unless you are planning on buying an oversized/very heavy 5th wheel, stick with a won-ton dual rear wheel truck.  Not all of those are equal, figure out what brand you like then start looking at max weights and where your desired RV falls.  Try to stay at/less then 80% of the truck you purchase on weight, you'll be happier in the end.  IMHO  Or try to talk your better half into a motor-home and tow a vehicle behind you.  IMHO

If we go the fifth wheel route, it will most likely be a 36'-40' New Horizon or similar so am really only interested in towing with an HDT. If problematic, our fall back position is a Class A although I really like the looks of the Renegade Super Cs with Volvo drivetrains.

[L&JSteinmetz]

55 minutes ago, rickeieio said:

Looking at your profile, I see you're in the Houston, TX area.  Exile just got his HDT registered there, and Big 5er knows a bit about this as well. 

This was discussed at length just a couple weeks ago. A quick search might yeild some answers.

Thanks...I remember having a few conversations with Big 5er 3-4 years ago when I was much more active on the forum.

[Randyretired]

Most states don't require a CDL.  Our home state doesn't have a noncommercial heavy vehicle drivers license and all that is required is a drivers license, not a CDL.  I carry the regulations stating that.  Insurance has not been a problem and is reasonable.  We have National General.  I think owning a HDT is a little more complicated than a MH.  We have owned one for about 14 years and we get along OK.

[L&JSteinmetz]

45 minutes ago, Randyretired said:

Most states don't require a CDL.  Our home state doesn't have a noncommercial heavy vehicle drivers license and all that is required is a drivers license, not a CDL.  I carry the regulations stating that.  Insurance has not been a problem and is reasonable.  We have National General.  I think owning a HDT is a little more complicated than a MH.  We have owned one for about 14 years and we get along OK.

Thanks for the info Randy! A "little" complication doesn't bother me to much as long as it doesn't escalate to being a constant, yearly insurance hassle.

[NDBirdman]

1 hour ago, Randyretired said:

Most states don't require a CDL.

This is true, IF you domicile in a state that will let you title an HDT as a motorhome.  My state won't (that I know of, my state like many like to have poop loads of confusing laws/regulations, etc).  I have no clue about where he is, TX(?).  Good luck to the OP, I hope you get it figured out and live your dream!

[L&JSteinmetz]

34 minutes ago, NDBirdman said:

This is true, IF you domicile in a state that will let you title an HDT as a motorhome.  My state won't (that I know of, my state like many like to have poop loads of confusing laws/regulations, etc).  I have no clue about where he is, TX(?).  Good luck to the OP, I hope you get it figured out and live your dream!

Thanks...fortunately we are living one of our dreams right now living out in the country on property...full timing though has been on our radar for a long time and may finally happen in the next couple of years.

[Exile]

3 hours ago, L&JSteinmetz said:

Thanks...fortunately we are living one of our dreams right now living out in the country on property...full timing though has been on our radar for a long time and may finally happen in the next couple of years.

I can make it super simple for you, zero hassle.

i can even convert it for you.  

All it takes is a little money.

hand me your keys a check, an i’ll get er done. 🙂

difficulty- 

insurance- not bad, was told no twice, local office set me up with liability policy

registration- moderate, but they know me and the regs now in Bellville.  And in Austin . . .

ownership- takes effort and time and money to take care of my 21 yr old beast.  And lots of gojo

license- dunno, i have cdl

bed- working on it

neighbors- not easy, i have to sneak it in and out to prevent any issues

[bigredhdt]

Ndbirdman must live in the Peoples Republic of California.  I am on Ohio, everything was easy.  Duallies  get abused by large trailers and will not have the longevity of a used HDT.  I towed my horsetrailer w/living quarters for 5 years with a dually before making the jump to HDT.  I would never go back.

[NDBirdman]

3 hours ago, bigredhdt said:

Ndbirdman must live in the Peoples Republic of California.

Funny, but never that bad!  I'm in the Great Frigid State of ND.  Saying that, one of the best places I have ever lived, EXCEPT during the winter months.  Then it's frozen hell on earth.  Cali... I have only been there once, never again.

[Jack Mayer]

Larry,

 

Nice to see you back.

It is basically the same as it has always been. It you domicile in TX then you need the Class A license (you would need a class B for most motorhomes). 

Insurance is not a problem to get, but it is limited in the places you can get it, and just like in the past, they will typically want both the truck and the trailer. There are exceptions, but that is the norm. 

Finding and converting the truck is far easier than it was in the mid 2000's. We do it, as well as a couple of other companies. And the types of trucks that are available are far, FAR better than what was available then. This is the biggest change IMO - the quality of the trucks for RV use.

[Moresmoke]

12 hours ago, NDBirdman said:

Funny, but never that bad!  I'm in the Great Frigid State of ND.  Saying that, one of the best places I have ever lived, EXCEPT during the winter months.  Then it's frozen hell on earth.  Cali... I have only been there once, never again.

NDBirdman, the following is from the ND CDL manual:

I take this to mean as long as the HDT is hooked to the RV trailer a class D is sufficient. Unhook, and well...

Registration: Bismarck said no way, no how would they register as RV. But mostly they just want your money. HDT and LGT are on the same fee chart, so you are just paying for 8000 lbs more.

Insurance - easy as can be here in ND. Talk to a FU agent. They did want HDT, Trailer, and another vehicle on the policy. Rates in line with other policies.

As far as the worth it question - totally!

If you travel long distances with your RV, it is so much better than a LGT. A large class A may be comparable, I have never driven one.  I have a TT that many would consider half ton capable. But, out here on the prairies, it is a handful in the wind. I despise pulling it with my F350. Also, I have yet to see a LGT with a massaging seat for the DW.

[NDBirdman]

6 hours ago, Moresmoke said:

I take this to mean as long as the HDT is hooked to the RV trailer a class D is sufficient. Unhook, and well...

Cool! Always nice to learn something in my old age.  Before I attempted this, I would chat with a Hi-way/DOT officer.

[Jack Mayer]

1 hour ago, NDBirdman said:

Cool! Always nice to learn something in my old age.  Before I attempted this, I would chat with a Hi-way/DOT officer.

I would not depend on that. I'd find the exact laws that are applicable and figure out what is valid myself. You cannot depend on a random law officer to give you appropriate information.

[beemergary]

I live in Michigan and have an older 359 Pete. Use an antique plate and have a declared value on truck.

[ARGO]

Beemergary- You say you have a "declared value". Having been in ins claims many years, be sure you have what you think. There is a difference in "declared" vs "stated" value, read section D of your policy.  One says "------------ value ***OR*** ACV (book) value, whichever is less" .  

[L&JSteinmetz]

On 6/27/2019 at 7:23 PM, Jack Mayer said:

Larry,

 

Nice to see you back.

It is basically the same as it has always been. It you domicile in TX then you need the Class A license (you would need a class B for most motorhomes). 

Insurance is not a problem to get, but it is limited in the places you can get it, and just like in the past, they will typically want both the truck and the trailer. There are exceptions, but that is the norm. 

Finding and converting the truck is far easier than it was in the mid 2000's. We do it, as well as a couple of other companies. And the types of trucks that are available are far, FAR better than what was available then. This is the biggest change IMO - the quality of the trucks for RV use.

Thanks for the welcome back, Jack! Being Texans already should make it much easier for us, even more so given that Escapees is only 100 miles north of us. That said, it doesn’t seem like those that become Texans have too much of an issue either.

Would love to keep USAA (have had it since 1991) but haven’t read of too many people (if any) being able to insure their HDT through them...will still ask when the time comes.

I would love to convert a new Volvo. I will certainly investigate this as we get closer but it all is dependent upon what our final budget ends up being. I will also be looking at “newish” truck conversions as well as fifth wheels.

[L&JSteinmetz]

On 6/27/2019 at 3:42 PM, Exile said:

And neighbors- not easy, i have to sneak it in and out to prevent any issues

Appreciated all of your reply but got kind of a chuckle out of this line!