Insurance for de-rated class 8

[jimmy]

I talked with TX DPS truck inspector and he said that I can go 48K w/o CDL if Farm plated.
This means my next truck will be something more than a 350/450/550.
Anybody here using a class 5-8 to tow NON-commercial trailer (Camper)?
Who insures you and how pricey is the insurance? My driving record is very good.
Thanks.

[Ag__Teacher]

One thing to consider: I'm not sure about Texas, but lots of states limit the farm exemption to a radius of 150 miles of your home (Farm). I don't know where you camp, but if you travel more than a couple of hours to get there, the farm tag may not be the best option.

Here's what I found on the Texas DPS site:

Texas DPS


FARM TRUCK
The registration fee for a commercial motor vehicle as a farm vehicle is 50 percent of the applicable fee under Section 502.162.

[ QUOTE ]
The vehicle may be used for:

Transporting the person’s own poultry, dairy, livestock, livestock products, timber in its natural state, or farm products to market or another place for sale or processing.

Transporting laborers from their place of residence to the owner’s farm or ranch.

Transporting without charge, materials, tools, equipment, or supplies from the place of purchase or storage to the owner’s farm or ranch exclusively for the owner’s use or for use on the farm or ranch.

Transporting the owner’s family:
to attend church or school:
to visit a doctor for medical treatment or supplies: or
for other necessities of the home or family.

May not use a vehicle registered under this section in connection with gainful employment other than farming or ranching.

May not use a vehicle with a "FARM TRUCK" license plate to tow a trailer with a "TOKEN TRAILER" license plate.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess you could say pulling your trailer is a necessity for your family.

[Casey_1]

There are a lot of people doing this that hang out at www.escapees.com. They have a Heavy Duty truck forum. There is another group at www.truckconversion.net.

There was just a thread the other day that listed a few insurance places that knew all about these trucks and how to insure them as RVs. They didn't need farm plates or CDLs, either.

[hhills]

Now thats what I'm talking about. I will be buying one of those when I retire, can hardly wait. only 28 more years to go.

[jimmy]

Thanks a bunch!
I'm seeing more of these rigs and I have had conversations with a couple of guys at fuel stations who had endless praise for these rigs.
The towing fuel economy is touted as being par or even better than towing with Powerstroke/Cummins/Duramax when you are towing 7 or more ton trailers.
I am going to do lots more research before I make the jump but I have to start somewhere.