"Class 8" trucks as private tow vehicles

[noteven]

The current plan is to use our 1 ton (gently) to haul the rv's for the moment.

A plan is hatching for the future to maybe buy a class 8 truck.

I would appreciate some input from those of you who run a HD class 8 road truck now for RV use or similar light trailer towing, or have done so in the past: What are the pro's and con's of using a class 8 tractor for a private RV hauler?

Thanks

[Dennis_M_M]

Definitely spend some time reading in the HDT forum you do not need to be a member to participate.

We have had our Volvo since 2004. Had 600k when we bought it and now over 700k. No major repair issues, a few repairs here and there.

Better milage than our Ram 1500 360 gas with a small fiver. Volvo gets around 9 MPG towing a 20k fiver. I've seen 10 MPG with a tailwind 🙂

Quieter, more comfortable and far safer than towing with anything else. My wife loves the space and comfort (as well as her air seat with the BackCycler option!) With 300 gallons of fuel I can pick my fuel stops based on price.

We used it for our only vehicle for vacation travel for two years before we bought the smart in 2006. No real issues using it that way at all.

We are registered in IL as a motor home and I have a class A non-CDL operators license, required due to the weight.

I will never tow with anything else and I expect this truck to outlive me.

[hone_eagle]

What gemstone said ,I would add not a good daily driver for a guy still working ,retirees its a no brainer.



Alberta supply

This guy in Alberta did mine and a leading light over on the escapee's ,no complaints.
In your province you can reg as a private truck although motorhome may be cheaper to insure and plate.
Call Gregg at RV haulers he can advise you best.

[Engineer9860]

License, and insurance...... Check your state to be sure.

My state allows you to register a class 8 as an RV, so license is no more than a motorhome.

Some states require you to have a class A driver's license (non-CDL) if you intend to pull a trailer with it.

[Gemstone]

Do yourself a favor and go to the HDT thread on the escapees website...lots of info and a couple of Canadian drivers there. My 700K miles HDT cost less to buy than my 3500 Dodge, and in 6 years, cost less to maintain than the 200K mile Dodge (which has been very inexpensive), can achieve about the same mpg towing as the Dodge, can carry way more fuel, waaaaay more weight, so I can off load weight from the RV, has way bigger brakes, has a 3 stage Jake....and singled is not much longer than the Dodge.
Downsides for me....none so far.

Regards
Gemstone