Day Cabs

[rynosback]

Is anyone running with a day cab? By the qualifications posted up,

1. Cooking - A small microwave is generally acceptable.
2. Refrigeration or Ice Box - Either 110 Volt, 12 Volt or LP powered refrigerator is acceptable.
3. Self-contained Toilet - In most states a Porta Potty is acceptable.
4. Heating or Air Conditioning - Factory air/heat is acceptable w/separate sleeper berth control.
5. Potable Water Supply System including a Faucet and Sink.
6. Separate 110V Power Supply or LP Gas - A generator, inverter or shore power inlet is acceptable.

it would not qualify as a not for hired “motorhome”. I would only use the truck to tow the 5ver, so not sure that I would need a sleeper. As a day cab would be the shortest option and the shortest wheel base allowing for the best maneuvering. Are the day cabs ride equal to the spleepers? Both have air ride, air ride seat and I think some day cabs have cab air ride. 
I did a search under day cabs and nothing came up. 

Edited July 16, 2023 by rynosback

[rickeieio]

It depends.  You need to follow the rules in the state where the truck is licensed.  That may, or may not, be in the same state as your domicile.

For instance, we live in Indiana, but our rig is licensed at our farm, just 6 road miles away.  100% legally.  Both Indiana and Ohio have the same requirements for a n motorhome: permanent bed for sleeping, permanent table with seating for dining, fridge or ice box, and cook surface or oven.  No sink or toilet required.

Most modern day cabs have air ride cab, as well as chassis and seat(s).  Our Mack had air seat only on drivers side.  Day cabs ride rougher for the same reasons that they're more maneuverable.

Some states allow a day cab to be licensed as a simple non-com truck.  No bothering with m/h status.  Which circles back to.......what state will you license said truck?

Look up the requirements in the Heavy Haulers Resource Guide above.

[rynosback]

5 hours ago, rickeieio said:

It depends.  You need to follow the rules in the state where the truck is licensed.  That may, or may not, be in the same state as your domicile.

For instance, we live in Indiana, but our rig is licensed at our farm, just 6 road miles away.  100% legally.  Both Indiana and Ohio have the same requirements for a n motorhome: permanent bed for sleeping, permanent table with seating for dining, fridge or ice box, and cook surface or oven.  No sink or toilet required.

Most modern day cabs have air ride cab, as well as chassis and seat(s).  Our Mack had air seat only on drivers side.  Day cabs ride rougher for the same reasons that they're more maneuverable.

Some states allow a day cab to be licensed as a simple non-com truck.  No bothering with m/h status.  Which circles back to.......what state will you license said truck?

Look up the requirements in the Heavy Haulers Resource Guide above.

My Domicile is SD. Been full time for 8 years now.  

[ddm502001]

Be asking these questions of your DMV, here you will get opinions, where they will give a definitive answer.  My own truck COULD qualify had I removed the sleeper and added Living Quarters, IE turn into a Class A Motor Coach.  As is only a Tow Vehicle can be licensed only as a Tow Vehicle in MO, weight class, marking Not For Hire etc etc as to making it NON Commercial.

[rickeieio]

9 hours ago, rickeieio said:

Look up the requirements in the Heavy Haulers Resource Guide above.

3 hours ago, ddm502001 said:

Be asking these questions of your DMV, here you will get opinions, where they will give a definitive answer.

That's pretty much what I said, but beware, many (most?) county/state offices don't really know because this isn't something they do very often.  If the office doesn't agree with the Resource Guide, there's a pretty good chance said office doesn't really know.

So, yes, it's my opinion that you seek out the correct answer for the state in which you will license.

Edited July 16, 2023 by rickeieio

[Deezl Smoke]

 I think the majority of MDTs are "day cabs". ?

 My state, Oregon, has a website "askODOT.com" I have used it many times with absolutely awesome results. It's important to leave contact info, like your cell phone number if your state has such a site.

 Also, often a state requires a percentage of their criteria be met, not usually 100%.

 As rickeieio mentions, the resource guide has a lot of great info.

 

[rynosback]

37 minutes ago, Deezl Smoke said:

 I think the majority of MDTs are "day cabs". ?

 My state, Oregon, has a website "askODOT.com" I have used it many times with absolutely awesome results. It's important to leave contact info, like your cell phone number if your state has such a site.

 Also, often a state requires a percentage of their criteria be met, not usually 100%.

 As rickeieio mentions, the resource guide has a lot of great info.

 

I’m looking at HDTs.  Most of them seem to be tandem sleeper rigs. 

Edited July 17, 2023 by rynosback

[GlennWest]

Be aware daycabs are short haul tractors. 500k miles is probably life of one

[Deezl Smoke]

1 hour ago, rynosback said:

I’m looking at HDTs.  Most of them seem to be tandem sleeper rigs. 

 Yep, I get it. My reference was that MDTs are over 10k gvwr and for change of class purposes, "can" depending on your state, be quite similar to an HDT.

[rynosback]

5 hours ago, GlennWest said:

Be aware daycabs are short haul tractors. 500k miles is probably life of one

I was thinking that also as they are used for stop and go and short hops. A lot harder miles than a long haul truck. 

[ddm502001]

The big cheap Magilla these days are the Unibody construct cab/sleepers, welded not riveted, larger roomy interiors to a point, flooded markets of used out there.  HOWEVER check with insurers as the Welded Unibody designs tend to be higher cost on insurance as more difficult to repair than a rivet or huck fastener style cab.

[rynosback]

6 hours ago, ddm502001 said:

The big cheap Magilla these days are the Unibody construct cab/sleepers, welded not riveted, larger roomy interiors to a point, flooded markets of used out there.  HOWEVER check with insurers as the Welded Unibody designs tend to be higher cost on insurance as more difficult to repair than a rivet or huck fastener style cab.

Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. 

[SuiteSuccess]

13 years ago I started the same search for the “perfect tow vehicle “.  Lots of advice and initially thought a Volvo 670 singled short was the answer.  As you can see, I ended up with a Volvo 780 with tandem axles and haven’t regretted that choice one bit.  It’s not a daily driver but have used it to go just about everywhere we needed in a pinch…groceries, restaurants, even medical clinic.  A very smart individual convinced me to stay tandem because I didn’t know the future of what my truck needs would be.  As many have said, choose what YOU feel will fit your needs now but be cognizant of future needs also.  It is likely as time goes on more and more HDTS are going to need to haul vehicles other than Smart cars.  You’re at risk of overloading axles if not carefully planned…consider that.  
I am registered in Tennessee as a MH…I think number 4 to do so.  My county had no clue how to do it and like most bureaucratic agencies said I couldn’t (cause they didn’t want to admit they didn’t know how).  After a lot of leg work, phone calls to Nashville, I walked in with a stack of papers and letters and asked to speak to my County Clerk personally not an underling.  She asked what I wanted, told her, offered the ream of documents.  She got that “deer in the headlights “ turned to one of the underlings without even looking at the papers and said “make this man happy.”  I am.  Finally when you register be sure it’s right the first time.  Number 3 before me got it wrong in Nashville and it was a mess to get re-registered as a Motorhome.  BTW, as I said, don’t count on DMV, County Vehicle Registration etc. to give a definitive answer.  My stack of papers had copies of federal and state statutes and memos to prove I could do what I wanted.

[nawaa]

We have our Freightliner M2-112 (a Class 7 HDT crew cab) registered in South Dakota. They call it a non-commercial truck and the registration fee is based on weight. On the SD title it says "Freightliner (RV)" under Make. Our truck does NOT have any of the "motorhome" items (except the back seat makes into a bed), I think they titled it that way because it was meant (by us) to pull an RV, not as a commercial vehicle. We have found the DMV folks extremely helpful and easy to deal with.

[rynosback]

3 hours ago, nawaa said:

We have our Freightliner M2-112 (a Class 7 HDT crew cab) registered in South Dakota. They call it a non-commercial truck and the registration fee is based on weight. On the SD title it says "Freightliner (RV)" under Make. Our truck does NOT have any of the "motorhome" items (except the back seat makes into a bed), I think they titled it that way because it was meant (by us) to pull an RV, not as a commercial vehicle. We have found the DMV folks extremely helpful and easy to deal with.

Thanks for the input.