Are we considered "trucks" on the road?

I do believe the OP needed to know how the law looked at RV's and if truck speed limits applied when not towing. Doesn't matter if you are a bowling ball or ping pong ball you are a sphere. Seneca or Sentra even engineers and scientists will tell you that there is no substitute for mass in a collision. Small light and agile to avoid but I want to be in a cement mixer when I hit something.

G7ARYM wrote:
In short you are a car and not a truck.

I agree with that partially ... you may be a car with respect to the laws of the land, but you are not a car with respect to the laws of physics.

Even engineers and scientists will tell you that there is no substitute for prudence. :C

In most places, where it states "trucks" they are talking about commercial trucks.

I have a Jayco Seneca 34SS licensed in CA. At 36ft long and 22,000lbs I am a housecar and not a truck of any kind. When not towing the auto speed limits apply to me and when towing then the CA truck 55mph applies. In reality the interstate truck traffic in rural areas is around 62 or so. I watch the people who make their living on the road and match their velocity. I don’t pass them and they don’t pass me, very comfortable. In short you are a car and not a truck.

There are a lot of different reasons for special signage identifying trucks.

If it is a specific limit on weight, width, or height, be sure that you are a truck. The sign might not even say "truck" but often does because a "car" is by definition in most states, not over a certain size, much smaller than most RVs.

You will encounter in towns a "Truck Route." It is not a bad idea to follow the posted "Truck Route" through or around towns. In some towns, the "Truck Route" is to keep big vehicles out of some congested or quiet areas, in others "Truck Route" might be the way you physically can get through. Follow the car route, you might find the nine foot overpass with the last place to turn half a mile behind you.

As for truck speed limits, interpretation varies be state, and some are more specific than others on signs. In many states, even if it will apply to RVs, the weight that defines "truck" is often much higher than a Type C RV. It is often around seven tons, sometimes thirteen tons, and there are categories of private vehicles made to fit under these targets, Type C RVs in one case, A Gassers in another.

I look forward to finding lower speed limits for trucks, it helps me to rationalize slowing my C to the lower limit where I get much better MPG and it is more comfortable drive in adverse conditions like crosswinds and our rough Interstate highways.

In most states, weigh stations are for commercial vehicles only. Agricultural inspection stations, and fuel inspection stations, it varies. For weigh stations, I'll bypass them, let the inspectors chase me if they wanted me to stop.

Just go with the flow. In TN. everything is 70. (interstates)
Only when you hit some of the steeper hills do you find different speeds.

ron.dittmer wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:
There is a stretch in Illinois that the lower speed limit sign does say trucks and campers must abide by.

I agree you completely.

But for the sake of this discussion: "When specific signage is not given, what rules do motor homes follow?"

I believe the answer is "It varies by state".

rockhillmanor wrote:
There is a stretch in Illinois that the lower speed limit sign does say trucks and campers must abide by.

I agree you completely.

But for the sake of this discussion: "When specific signage is not given, what rules do motor homes follow?"

The easiest way to figure out a toss up situation: If the rules are more restrictive for cars, you're a car. If more restrictive for trucks, you're a truck. :)

Whether or not the truck law applies to RVs, I like to drive with the trucks on the open roads anyway. I usually find one that is either unloaded or carrying a light load and is making good time, then follow it at a safe distance, of course. When "drafting", if we get too close, we tend to be pitched side to side so I back off to the point where things settle down.
I usually get good mileage doing this as well!