2020 Ford F600
Ford is introducing a smaller Class 6 chassis cab truck next year called the F600. It will share many of the components of the larger F650 but be the same dimension as the F550. This 22K lb GVWR vehic...
Forum Discussion
wnjj wrote:SidecarFlip wrote:
Actually, under DOT rules, 20K is the break point but RV's are exempt.
20k? https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1627_8669_53324-213070--,00.html
Here in Oregon, you can run farm plates on up to class 8 trucks with no CDL required so long as it's for farming purposes and less than 150 miles from the farm. Looks like Michigan has the same: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1627_8669_53329-212756--,00.html
A CDL and logbooks for farm use is overkill unless you're long hauling.
If I was strictly farm, you bet I'd run farm plates (cheaper) but I'm not so I run weight based plates and because I just don't haul farm produce I run the DOT numbers as well. I put lots of different things on my gooseneck besides hay bales. Happen to own a machine shop so there could be a machine tool on there as well.
One nice thing about Michigan is, I can self certify so I don't get the added expense of a 2 year DOT physical. Having said that, I spent a bit of jack and some time to get all my endorsements on my Class A CDL and I don't want to lose them just because I'm not running a big truck anymore (retired). Only endorsements I don't have are Haz-Mat and Schoolbus because of the yearly recertification. I have doubles, triples, Long combination vehicle, straight truck, air brakes and tanker (non-hazardous).
If I ever decided to go back to work (and I get offers all the time) would be to take a DOT Physical and I can jump right back into a Class 8 like I never left. Just got an offer last week, guy stopped by the farm. Wanted me to run a Flowboy hauling asphalt. Here in Michigan that would be an 11 axle tractor trailer grossing 163,000 pounds with a moving floor. You load at the asphalt plant, go to the jobsite, back up to the spreader and hook on and the spreader pushes you along as the floor unloads the product. All night work though. I like sleeping at night, not trucking.
Did my time (35 years), made a good living with a good retirement and really don't want to truck unless it's for myself.
