About 12 years ago, when I had my flatbed, I was stopped by a California Highway Patrol Officer. My registration on my truck said pickup. He gave me a ticket. I had to have my truck weighed, change the registration to Flat Bed. The license fees went from about $60 to $260.
Wayne
and i thought washington was a pain. not even close i guess.
I intend to build an 8.5' flat bed for my SRW F350, with 36" storage boxes under each side of the bed behind the cab. Flat beds are so efficient. I don't know why they even make pickup beds on 1-ton trucks. Flat beds just make so much more sense. It's a shame the State won't see any flat bed truck as a personal use vehicle.
2BLAZERS wrote: So if you have a truck camper on a flat bed do you need to stop in CA at the weigh stations?
Seem most states ''RV's'' are excempt from this....
I would imagine when you have the camper on, you don't need to stop (they're not likely to chase down a truck camper).
However, when the camper is not on, then you'd be required to stop at the weigh stations. Silly, but that's my understanding from reading the law over the years.
The purpose built flatbed TC from Northstar named American Hero seems to work well with the higher profile Ford cabs. I'm not sure how it would work with GM or Dodge. They build it with a smaller dimension from bed to overhang to compensate for the eight or so inch higher bed.
If I didn't already have a short bed crew cab, I'd be looking for a long bed SRW 3500. As has been said, it has lots of the Class 'C' features like outside storage but does have the downside of taller steps and no direct path from coach to driver's seat.
Best,
Bill
* This post was
edited 12/14/11 12:02pm by Eugarps *
Current Truck - 2007.5 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Crew Cab D/A
1978 27' Southwind MH - Gone
1982 19' Terry Taurus TT - Gone
1990 24' Prowler TT - Gone
TC - Still in the Hunt
2BLAZERS wrote: So if you have a truck camper on a flat bed do you need to stop in CA at the weigh stations?
Seem most states ''RV's'' are excempt from this....
I would imagine when you have the camper on, you don't need to stop (they're not likely to chase down a truck camper).
However, when the camper is not on, then you'd be required to stop at the weigh stations. Silly, but that's my understanding from reading the law over the years.
I guess it is like not stopping at a stop sign, or running a red light, not a problem if no one notices and not likely to be chased down.
To my knowledge, it is not the load (TC) that is the issue, but the fact the truck is a flatbed. If you are aware of the law exempting a flatbed due to it hauling a TC, please post the law.
I gave my truck with the flatbed and the TC to my daughter. She had the registration changed to a motor home. She no longer had to stop at the scales, and it greatly reduced the fees. The down side was, she could not use the truck without the TC.
Keep in mind, each state has it's own laws on this subject, and I am only posting my experience in California. Also be aware that the laws may have changed. My point is, if you are interested in going to a flatbed truck, it might be wise to investigate the laws in your state.
Wayne
* This post was
edited 12/12/11 09:22pm by Reddog1 *
2BLAZERS wrote: So if you have a truck camper on a flat bed do you need to stop in CA at the weigh stations?
Seem most states ''RV's'' are excempt from this....
I would imagine when you have the camper on, you don't need to stop (they're not likely to chase down a truck camper).
However, when the camper is not on, then you'd be required to stop at the weigh stations. Silly, but that's my understanding from reading the law over the years.
If you have CVRA numbers on the side of the truck, you have to stop at the scale, regardless of what your load is. Hauling a truck camper or hauling a load of bricks, doesn't matter, it's all the same. Even if you're visibly empty you must still stop at the scales.
Now if you want to permanently mount the camper to the bed or chassis and register it as an RV, then that is a different matter and the camper must remain mounted on the truck permanently. At that point, the truck is no longer registered as a commercial truck, or as a pickup either. It is now registered as a motorhome.
* This post was
edited 12/12/11 10:21pm by SoCalDesertRider *
dadwolf2 wrote: Flatbeds just seem to make a lot of sense to me. Are there any downsides to going the flatbed route?
Flat beds are flat out more useful all around.
If you get side saddle tool boxes for it don't forget to close the doors and drive off. I had to replace 3 mailboxes last weekend for this little mistake.
2BLAZERS wrote: So if you have a truck camper on a flat bed do you need to stop in CA at the weigh stations?
Seem most states ''RV's'' are excempt from this....
I would imagine when you have the camper on, you don't need to stop (they're not likely to chase down a truck camper).
However, when the camper is not on, then you'd be required to stop at the weigh stations. Silly, but that's my understanding from reading the law over the years.
If you have CVRA numbers on the side of the truck, you have to stop at the scale, regardless of what your load is. Hauling a truck camper or hauling a load of bricks, doesn't matter, it's all the same. Even if you're visibly empty you must still stop at the scales.
Now if you want to permanently mount the camper to the bed or chassis and register it as an RV, then that is a different matter and the camper must remain mounted on the truck permanently. At that point, the truck is no longer registered as a commercial truck, or as a pickup either. It is now registered as a motorhome.
Well the bottom line is when I get a 4500/5500 flatbed I'll need to research each state I will travel in. And this could be differnt if I'm hauling my truck camper, just hauling a couple of quads, or hauling the truck camper PLUS a 10K rated enclosed trailer with quads or maybe even hauling a 14K rated trailer with Jeep...I'll stop pluging up this thread and start another when I get more serious about going flatbed....let the research continue!
Well the bottom line is when I get a 4500/5500 flatbed I'll need to research each state I will travel in. And this could be differnt if I'm hauling my truck camper, just hauling a couple of quads, or hauling the truck camper PLUS a 10K rated enclosed trailer with quads or maybe even hauling a 14K rated trailer with Jeep...I'll stop pluging up this thread and start another when I get more serious about going flatbed....let the research continue!
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