Is there a "defined" difference between what is classified as an RV and what is classified as an MH? I'm new to class C, years earlier hauled a TT but that was a long before EZ Pass. I live in NJ and travel on the GSP and TPK, and until the last trip I went through the CASH ONLY booths (no EZ Pass, yet, but I may have to cave and cough up the extra $$ to get one, but that story is for another time).
The other day I was getting on the GSP but the only "Cash" booth was closed, there was no human on duty, so I had to go through an exact change lane. The passenger car toll for this particular exchange is 25 cents, but I knew I would have to pay more. Posted above the "basket" was a list that included: "trailer - single axle", "trailer - dual axle", "rv 4-wheels", "rv 6-wheels", etc. As soon as I got to "rv 6-wheels" I stopped and gathered up 35 cents, dropped it in and started to pull through. Well, there in front of me, was the EZ Pass sign that lit up saying $2.00!
Of course, there's no backing up, so I just figured I'd deal with the consequences when the ticket/summons arrives in the mail. On to the next toll, and this one was manned (actually, womanned).
This toll is a double, heading north, so for cars the toll is 70 cents. I pull up to the booth and she tells me $1. I asked her why the entry toll was $2 and she said "well, this isn't an RV, it's a MotorHome." I drove away from that booth scratching my head.
I plan to fight the summons when it arrives because as far as I know, I've got a Chevy van chassis and what I drive is a recreational vehicle, hence, RV. I have to admit that I will have to go through that toll booth again and take a photo of that list, because I don't recall seeing a classification of "Motor Home", and if it IS there, I stopped as soon as I read "rv 6-wheels".
Bottom line: Is there a distinction between RV and MH, and if so, what is it?
IMO, a MH runs under its own power, but an RV (although MH's are included in this designation) can also be a towable. Now, personally I feel as though an RV should ONLY refer to a motorized unit, in that a trailer is actually no more of a "vehicle" than a U-haul trailer is, but that's just my opinion.
Here in Illinois, our toll system uses transponders and cash. The fee is double for cash so you out-of-towners get robbed. I signed up for an extra free transponder and keep it in the motor home.
Given we sometimes dingy tow, the fee varies. I drive through the main I-pass area at cruising speed with or without the dingy. I don't know what I'm charged, but if I'm not paying enough and get busted, they simply charge my account the correct amount without penalty.
Now.....Here is my "Soap Box" moment
I-90 west of Chicago is a tollway that was agreed with the public, the toll would last for 30 years, then free when it's mortgage was paid off. 30 years later and they raise the price instead.
The state of Illinois is so crooked, it should be changing the course of the Mississippi River.
Bought new in June 2007, Phoenix Cruiser-2350
Fits inside our garage.
Dingy towing a red Toyota MR2 Spyder
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Ron: Maybe they refinanced loan like quite a few other people. That way they did not yet pay off the loan. San Diego did pay off their loan for bridge to Coranado Island about 6 years ago so no more toll.
Mark
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
2003 Fleetwood Jamboree 29
It seems the terms have been muddied in common usage so you will need to get your state's version of the definition to clear this up. To me, RV (literally Recreational Vehicle) should legally apply only to any size MH since all others are not vehicles, they are trailers. Most toll booths we have gone through simply list the number of axles - makes it a lot simpler!!
Based on my past experience with the same situation with our class C and the GSP, I doubt that you will get a summons. I have used the cash only lane at an unmanned toll booth several times and just tossed in the right amount. The EZ-pass sign said $2 but I never got a summons for paying less than that. Normal toll for our class C is $.50 where cars pay $.35 and $1 where cars pay $.70.
"In North American English the term recreational vehicle, and its acronym RV, are generally used to refer to an enclosed piece of equipment dually used as both a vehicle and a temporary travel home. They are also called motor home and motor caravan (or motorhome and motorcaravan)."
"Motorhome A self-propelled, completely self-contained vehicle that contains all the conveniences of a home, including cooking, sleeping, and permanent sanitary facilities and in which the driver? area is accessible in a walking position from the living quarters."
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