I own an electrical contracting business and I use my work trucks to pull my boat and my RV. They are professionally lettered with the company name, logo, phone number, etc. I've heard that there are rules against having commercial vehicles in national parks. Does this mean that I can't take my family and RV for a camping trip in a national park if I'm using my work truck as a tow vehicle?Can anyone point me to the regulations governing this? I've been wanting to take a trip out west in a couple years when the kids are older and visit the parks. I've been thinking that maybe I could have a big blank magnetic sheet of vinyl made up that would cover the lettering on the truck if that's the problem.I guess in hind sight I could have had the lettering done magnetically so I could remove it but I didn't think of that.Of course, hiding the lettering doesn't change the fact that it's registered to my business.I'm quite certain there are lots of people out there RVing with their business owned work trucks as tow vehicles. Has anyone else dealt with this before?

Found this:All operators of commercial vehicles must have a special use permit to drive on park roads. Commercial vehicles are defined in 36 C.F.R. 5.6 as vehicles "used in transporting movable property for a fee or profit, either as a direct charge to another person, or otherwise, or used as an incident to providing services to another person, or used in connection with any business."Source: NPS.GOV

I suspect you are okay. They are really trying to limit large trucks and buses. If you want details, look at 36 CFR 5.6. A quote that might help is “The term “Commercial vehicle” as used in this section shall include, but not be limited to trucks, station wagons, pickups, passenger cars or other vehicles when used in transporting movable property for a fee or profit, either as a direct charge to another person, or otherwise, or used as an incident to providing services to another person, or used in connection with any business.”I’d think the key is “when used”. You aren’t using it for commercial purposes in the park.

You would best call multiple parks and try to get consistent answers to your question, and hopefully definitive answers, rather than rely on interpretations and opinions here. If the parks can’t give you a credible answer, maybe they can refer you to someone who can.

I imagine that using your truck for personal use is fine, however, you may be stopped/questioned.The rules are to restrict commercial vehicle traffic, since many national parks are large and have public roads running across them.

I would expect that you'll not have a problem. You won't be the first person to have done that. Mark

Commercial vehicles in national parks | Good Sam Community

westernrvparkow
Explorer
May 05, 2019
They are looking to prevent two very different activities. One is using the park roads as tranportation corridors. They do not allow commercial vehicles to transit park roads so that the business can cut a few miles off their commute. That is why you aren't sharing Yellowstone with hundreds of semis.
The other prohibition is against any commercial business that may compete with the businesses that have paid fees to become licensed concessionaires. Those fees may range from a few hundred dollars for being a licensed private tour or fishing guide to hundreds of millions to be the lodging franchisee at a major park.
The park rangers are not idiots. They know the difference between a pickup towing a fifth wheel that happens to have "Bob's tire shop" logo on the door and that same truck with four new tires in the bed towing a trailer full of tire changing tools.
We see the recreational version of that truck visiting national parks every day and see the commercial version making U turns as well.
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
May 05, 2019
KD4UPL wrote:
Thanks to everyone who posted, It sounds like the general consensus is I would be okay but I was hoping to hear from someone who's actually done it.

DownTheAvenue wrote:
The best solution is to get blank magnetic signs (nothing on them) and just cover up most, if not all, of business associated markings on the truck.

While I was working one of my many jobs was to escort oversize loads thru Utah.The Vehicle I drove had the Company Logo of the aircraft company that I worked for. Many times we would get hung up in St George Utah for the weekend and could not travel thru AZ and Nevada.So we would go over to Zion and spend the day.

While there once they told me that I could not come in unless the logo was covered,this was not a problem,we carried blank magnetic covers for all logos and DOT #s,many times we had to do our job as a stealth movement,covering all identifying markings.

To avoid any possible problems I would get some just in case,who knows when you may encounter that one stickler :B
KD4UPL
Explorer
May 05, 2019
Thanks to everyone who posted, especially those that found the actual law for me. It sounds like the general consensus is I would be okay but I was hoping to hear from someone who's actually done it.
I guess I will call a few parks and ask before I start making any reservations. I'm afraid that each phone answerer and each ranger will have different opinions.
GTO66
Explorer II
May 04, 2019
I would think if ads on vehicles were a problem you wouldn't see rental rvs in the park as some have ads on them. However I would still do the leg work and call several parks.
drsteve
Explorer
May 04, 2019
As long as you are not doing commercial things, they won't care. Pulling your personal camper? No problem. Driving around with a bed full of firewood for sale? No go.
DownTheAvenue
Explorer
May 04, 2019
The best solution is to get blank magnetic signs (nothing on them) and just cover up most, if not all, of business associated markings on the truck. I do not practice in federal law, but from the wording cited, it could easily be construed that company names, logos, etc. on a vehicle, whether that vehicle is actively engaged in commerce, makes it a commercial vehicle.

Why risk crossing a grouchy law enforcement ranger? Just cover up the markings and have a good time!
dodge_guy
Explorer II
May 04, 2019
I don’t see an issue! But if I have an electrical problem expect a knock on your door!!! :B
wa8yxm
Explorer III
May 04, 2019
I will say only this.. WHEN I go to Quartsite (BLM Land) I have a baloon which is our group's site marker. Rather than scatter scraps of paper all over the place I fly a balloon. You can see it for miles.

Well the rangers are very..... "Oh that's a commercial business" and wanting me to get a permit. However it is NOT in any way commercial. The group does not even have membership fees beyond a dish to pass at the pot luck.
JimK-NY
Explorer II
May 04, 2019
Save us from the amateur lawyers. The OP is not going to be operating a business in the national parks. He is not transporting for fee or profit. He merely has signage from his home business.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 04, 2019
GordonThree wrote:
Found this:

All operators of commercial vehicles must have a special use permit to drive on park roads. Commercial vehicles are defined in 36 C.F.R. 5.6 as vehicles "used in transporting movable property for a fee or profit, either as a direct charge to another person, or otherwise, or used as an incident to providing services to another person,or used in connection with any business."

Source: NPS.GOV

Key wording is in bold highlight above......

Call the park(s) and inquire.