Howdy All,
NEW member here, "tx2sturgis" got a hold of me and asked if I might offer an "OPINION" on this topic as I have been dragging my huge 45 foot long 22,000 pound toy hauler around the country for the last 4 years using a 2002 Freightliner Columbia tractor as a tow vehicle. SORRY for what will be long post but its hard to condense this much information in a two word sound bite.
Having read through this thread there is some good information and some that is questionable at least. First off there is a BIG difference between a Class 7-8 COMMERCIAL TRUCK and a class 7-8 commercial truck that has been LEGALLY converted to a RECREATIONAL VEHICLE.
In short it all depends on WHAT STATE YOU LIVE IN. The only State that I know of and I could be wrong that will NOT allow the conversion of a commercial truck to an RV of some sort is Arizona, in the interest of sharing CORRECT information please correct me if I am wrong on this. In all the other States there is a way of legally converting a large commercial truck to an RV, some States are EASY to do this in, others make it darned near impossible unless you are willing to jump through a lot of hoops.
As I am new member I can't post any links or I would post links that would give ALL the information you could possibly ask for concerning how to convert a commercial truck to a LEGAL RV. I have a photo web site that details much of the work I have done to my Freightliner which is now for sale as I am now in the process of building a Peterbilt 379 as my next RV Hauler which will be capable of carrying a Smart Car behind the sleeper as it tows my toy hauler full of motorcycles.
Let me give you an example, in my home State of Washington, it is EASY to make a class 7-8 commercial truck into a legal "Motor Home". Once this conversion has been made, YOU can drive this MOTOR HOME with a regular everyday normal drivers license. NO CDL, NO ROAD TAX, NO MEDICAL CARD. This is NOT true in every State but it IS true in many. For my example I will stick to what I know and have personal experience with having converted TWO commercial trucks into motor homes in Washington State. As with most things that are out of the norm, especially when dealing with a government bureaucrat when you inquire into doing this most will simply say "no you can't do that", this in most cases is not true but they don't have a clue of the forms needed or that it is even possible so rather then WORK they tell you it can't be done.
I know most of you who have read this far are darn near asleep by now so I'll cut this short and will do my best to answer any questions directed to me concerning this topic. I have to have 10 posts before I can post links each question I answer will get me closer to that goal. Here goes this is what it takes to convert a commercial truck in Washington to a RECREATIONAL VEHICLE.
Simply put the vehicle must be configured so that you can live in it. This comes down to a few very simple things, you must have permanent sleeping quarters, you must have permanent means of cooking food, you must have a way of going to the toilet, there are few other things that are optional but NOT required such as shore power and a means to heat the living quarters WITHOUT THE VEHICLE ENGINE RUNNING, a wash station etc.
OK for the State of Washington, here is what is needed to fulfill the three main requirements, ONE a truck that has a decent size sleeper so you can have a bunk in it, TWO enough room to bolt in a microwave oven and THREE have in place a Port-a-potty. That's it, anything else is OPTIONAL. When it comes to the port-a-potty must folks gross out, the LAW does not REQUIRE you to go to the bathroom in your truck, it requires that you CAN. I have a port-a-potty in my truck that has NEVER been used and NEVER will but it sits under the bunk and thus fulfills the State requirement.
Once you have "converted" your truck you supply the required documents downloadable from the State DMV, fill them out NO STATE INSPECTION REQUIRED, take the documents and your money to the local licensing place give them the documents and money take your plates and registration home install the plates on your MOTOR HOME and drive.
I get as good in most cases BETTER fuel mileage towing a trailer the size of my toy hauler with the HDT ( Heavy Duty Truck ) then I did with a pumped up Dodge one ton dually pickup truck that was working its arse off climbing the mountains and burning up the brakes going down the other side. The HDT "motor home" is MUCH more comfortable to drive in all day long then ANY pickup truck. You can buy or build a HDT "motor home" for less then half more like a third of the cost of a new pickup truck. The HDT "motor home will not only pull the trailer but it will STOP it in a panic situation SAFELY. I pay LESS to insure my HDT "motor home" then I did to insure the Dodge one ton. I could go on and on but by now you should be starting to get the picture.
In closing, THIS IS NOT A VIABLE OPTION FOR MANY PEOPLE, then again for many such as myself its the only practical, economical, SAFE way to enjoy what I live to do.
Dave
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