Community Forums

HM59 · 05-04-2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack1234

I understand your question & your rationale ....however I just don't think a MH makes a very good or efficient tractor. If I was going to do something like this, I would find a place I enjoyed...would park the MH....invest in a good used tractor....haul freight for a couple of months...park the tractor......travel for a couple months....return & haul freight...park the tractor ....and travel and so on & so on....

Thanks for your response! Can you give me a reason why you don't feel that a MH would be a good tractor?

Davdeb1 · 05-04-2012, 09:08 PM

The horsepower to weight ratio is not like a tractor.

HM59 · 05-04-2012, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davdeb1

The horsepower to weight ratio is not like a tractor.

Bottom line: a MH will get better fuel mileage hauling a 8k pound trailer than a semi hauling 40k pounds. Not to mention, the living space. No?

Jack1234 · 05-04-2012, 09:33 PM

Before this gets tooooo complicated.....if I wanted to haul an 8K trailer for income and still enjoy the RV lifestyle, I'd get a cummins equipped Dodge pickup (equip it with a tow bar as my toad when I wasn't using it for work). I'd haul the freight for income with the pick-up toad and the wife could follow in the MH.

If I wanted to haul 40K....well my MH couldn't do it so forget that plan!

Davdeb1 · 05-04-2012, 09:38 PM

So what is the point? A diesel pickup will haul the same weight and get twice the mileage. I thought this site was for people asking about advice in buying, maintaining and traveling in an RV. This sounds like you are looking for a job? I don't think many on here care about that.

HM59 · 05-04-2012, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack1234

Before this gets tooooo complicated.....if I wanted to haul an 8K trailer for income and still enjoy the RV lifestyle, I'd get a cummins equipped Dodge pickup (equip it with a tow bar as my toad when I wasn't using it for work). I'd haul the freight for income with the pick-up toad and the wife could follow in the MH.

If I wanted to haul 40K....well my MH couldn't do it so forget that plan!

Call me crazy... I just don't understand why one wouldn't use their RV to pull the 20 ft trailer and make $$, yet they would pull a boat and/or a trailer, with their car inside.

Jack1234 · 05-04-2012, 09:51 PM

Because the 20' trailer is the only way they can take their toys & their "day-to-day" vehicle with them. If you are going to enjoy living and traveling in your RV you are going to need a day-to-day vehicle.

Hooligan · 05-04-2012, 10:40 PM

HM59:
1. There are a lot of motorhomes that do not have a towing capacity of 8000 lbs.
2.As you can see, retired usually means retired.

However if you could hire a fleet of retirees with motorhomes to tow your 18-20 foot trailers with 8000 pounds of cargo you could probably make some $$$. That IF is the hard part......

larrypoole · 05-05-2012, 05:44 AM

In MD one must have a Class B, non-commercial w/ air brake endorsement (if applicable) for MH. With this you can tow up to a 10,000# trailer. I got a Class B CDL, only difference between the CDL and non-commercial is a physical. Do not need to know placarding unless you get a Hazmat endorsement.

johnsonjm209 · 05-05-2012, 06:35 AM

I terminated my Class A CDL 3 years ago at age 70. Didn't want to drive for a living while I was retired. In Ct. there is no need for me to have one to operate my RV.
If I understand that you are thinking of towing a trailer to foster a business. I it sounds like you will have a business. If you have a business then a CDL might be a good idea (when you have to stop for the scales as a Commercial vehicle, and fulfill any other requirements as a Comm'l vehicle).
I think you have to be one or the other.
Just my humble opinion