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As an interesting side note to this, I had to certify my WA state class "A" cdl as either inter- or intra- state. When I told the clerk that I didn't carry anything on my rig that was made outside of the state of Washington she countered that if I carried cable made outside of the state I required interstate certification. When I told her that driving a digger/auger truck I never carried cable she asked if I knew where the utility poles I placed came from because if anything I carried crossed a state line it was interstate commerce. Being me, I asked her that since I was probably wearing coveralls or jeans that were made offshore did I need to certify for international commerce.

After a rather "crappy" look, I got re-certified.......

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We had to start doing that here in IL last year. Basically if you wanted to cross a state line in a CDL vehicle they had to see a Current medical card in order to get it. Otherwise they would only let you get the in state license. They are linking our Medical cards to our cdls now so they can suspend our license the day after our medical card expires.

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Virginia, and I'm guessing most states, has gone to a tiered system for the issuance of a CDL - Excepted intra-state and interstate and NON-excepted intra-state and interstate. The non-excepted licenses are somewhat like the old CDL's and require a current Medical Certificate. The "excepted" CDL's require no medical certification, but there are only a few types of vehicles that meet the criteria of an "excepted" license. For our purposes, one of the vehicle's is listed thus -

"Drivers who occasionally transport personal property not for compensation, nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise, who engage in interstate commerce".

It would seem, at least on the surface, if you are transporting your own property (your race car), not for commercial purposes (it's your hobby), driving between states, you would qualify for this license.

Your experience may vary, of course, but that's what's listed in the FEDERAL Motor Vehicle CFR.

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A big problem keeping many of us from obtaining a non commercial class A CDL is the insistence of the State run testing agencies that require the test be taken in a conventional semi -trailer combination
Instead of allowing the test to be taken with a motorhome-trailer combination and adding a restriction for only that combination on your license , they help create the licensing problem, since most of us don't have access to a vehicle to test in that they they will accept.

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Earlier this week, while licensing a vehicle, the county clerk told me my trailer must have a plate (KY).

I contacted Frankfort, this is the reply:



KRS 186.675 (2) states that personal use trailers are not required to be registered within the state of Kentucky.

If a resident leaves the state with the trailer, the Cabinet highly advises that the trailer be plated due to other states laws regarding the plating of trailers.

A trailer must have a license plate within Kentucky if that trailer is used for personal/public business that creates any sort of a profit.

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South Carolina seems to get it. The DMV only cares about total weight and issues Non-commercial CDL for anything over 26,000lbs. I was able to take the test with my motorhome and a 6ft yard trailer since it's over 26k. It's wasn't too bad even though I had to take it twice for the dam yankee rule.

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Some of the interstate/intrastate comes from the last few years that most states allow trucks that are used 80% of so in interstate commerce not to pay sales taxes. What was happening was a couple of states allowed this, so all the major fleets titled in those states and those states got the registration, license income. The Interstate definition is pretty liberal, like the poles or cable on the truck, hence the issue.

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What is the "dam yankee rule"

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A "Yankee" is someone from the north that visits the south and returns home.
A "Damn Yankee " is some one from the north that goes south and stays.
I am an shining example of a "Damn Yankee"

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Anybody have an issues to report regarding Towing in INDY area

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They were out in Iowa last weekend. Got a friend of mine. $330.00 for 40' bus and a 28' stacker. Stopped me a few weeks ago but said he was just "surveying"....

It is going to kill the sport as the old guys, which make up the majority of racers, won't go back to pickups.

The track owners better get the ball rolling with State governments for an exemption unless they want the pits even more empty than they are now.

Jok

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That is a great idea Jok!

Get the track owners going. Of course, some of the track owners are more interested in collecting registration fees for scooters and golf carts!

Instead of fighting them, NHRA is copying them!

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Can / or will the track operators get involved, it seems, most, are barely getting by, if I am wrong let me know, I am 58 years old, my dream of only drag racing my stock eliminator Mustang, seems to be hit by lightning ,at every turn, where are going, and, how do we stop it. The RV/ Toterhome/Tractor-Trailer seems excessive, maybe, I am just stupid, but, from what I see, most people could sleep every night in a motel for a whole year,, for what some of these rigs cost in payments, looks like the monkey see-monkey do syndrome,..oh, I just think some need to have a better rig than everybody else, maybe just showing my age, NHRA national events used to be the BOMB...and now what?

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Spend a weekend at any points meet and get back to me about motorhomes being excessive. I can't wait until the day comes when I can buy one to bring to the track. From my perspective, it has NOTHING to do with keeping up with the Jones's.

It has everything to do with sitting in the heat, or the cold, or the wind, or the rain for 36 hours only to make 3 runs....maybe. Sitting in a motorhome with family and friends relaxing a bit (in the heat of the day, or worse), beats any truck/trailer rig by a longshot. And, unless racing is called for the day, there is no going back to the hotel to hang out and relax.

Then, there is the whole...waiting for the gates to open before you can get to your car routine...where you are ready to pull the steering wheel off of your truck over the anxiety you're a feeling about having to unload your car and get yourself together before the next round (at the same time, hearing cars off in the distance already being started in the pits). Meanwhile, all of those guys with the motorhomes are well rested, sitting comfortably next to their cars, dusting them off and enjoying their second cup of coffee (after having already finished a leisurely breakfast and having warmed up their drivetrain for the day's event). You, on the other hand, are running around like a maniac trying to get going, having waited in line for breakfast somewhere, waiting on the service at the restaurant, waiting on traffic (even at the gate), that is, of course, if you haven't gotten lost on your way back to the track from the hotel.

I love my truck and trailer. It's easy to tow, plenty of power and easy to maneuver. But, the advantages in no way offsets the benefits of a motorhome and trailer.

Just my two cents.....

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I have spent many weekends at the track, you bring up many valid points, however , my point is the amount of space these rigs take up, and the fact, we are looking for track owners to help make them able to travel down the roads , without being bothered by DOT, and State Troopers, I have been a commercial driver for 20+ years, if you are dragging around a rig that is the size of a tractor-trailer, you should follow the same rules, including ,the retired husband and wife team driving an RV the size of most peoples house's.which is pulling a boat, or another trailer.

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I see your point. And, would have to agree. I've often wondered about how some people manage with a 30' stacker with a 40' pusher in front of it. Hell, I have a hard enough time with a dually and 36' gooseneck.....

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Well said and great post!

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I agree, great post.
I drove commercial for some years also and if you think that a few pieces of paper (CDL, medical, log book) makes you a safe driver you aren't paying attention to what goes on around you. All politics and money. As in most everything else that governments decide to regulate. Not to mention the incentive to meet unreasonable time deadlines in order to make a living and or keep your job.
As far as money, I saved money by going the home on wheels route years ago.
- eating out
- motel 15 miles or more from the track
- rates raised or sometimes tripled if national event was in town
- paying for reservations for the next year to make sure you had a room locked in
- dealing with the non English speaking owners of most motels
- able to carry spares to continue racing instead of going home broken
To name just a few.
Did the p/u flat trailer for years and loved it. Barely could afford that. Raced at least 30 events plus and local stuff. Great experience. Would do it all over again without a large rig if I were 25 years younger. Have the greatest respect and admiration for anyone doing it now!
My stuff is registered as recreational. Not by my doing, by my state's doing. Even have had my rigs several times at the state Dot to make sure everything I was doing was correct. Been ticketed twice in other states for BS because they couldn't find anything wrong. Went to higher court and had both thrown out. Judge called BS. Lawyer called lawsuit. One demoted, one lost job with only 2 years to retire. Cost me money and some traveling time but learned how the scam works. Stop me, insult me, curse me, threaten me, impound me, ticket me, enter my vehicle/trailer without probable cause or warrant. I will be the most polite and compliant person that you ever dealt with. And it will all from start to finish be video/audio taped rest assured. And be assured you will have to testify against me in whatever court it takes. So you better learn the laws and obey them as you require me to do.
That is what racers are going to have to do. Sanctioning bodies don't apparently care, most track owners don't care until they post a "safety" check point a half mile from their track on weekends. The burdon, as usual, falls on the racer.

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What are the smallest but effective motor homes to buy or rent and safely tow a car?

What maintenance habits should be addressed to keep them safe?

Dan

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This is only my opinion and should be taken only as that "MY OPINION'.
I have owned a 23 ft and 33 ft gas motor home and a 40 ft diesel pusher over the years.
All were good units but all were lacking in braking ability with only the load on the motor home itself. Then when you added the trailer it made it worse. The heaviest trailer I ever pulled with any of the units was a 26 ft Pace. You just had to be careful and leave plenty of stopping distance and driving in traffic was always white knuckle driving. Mountain pass driving was a real challenge on the downhill portion even with the diesel pusher and a pack brake and a very light Gold Rush trailer.
Last year I bought a Volvo chassis Motor Coach which has a muffled jake brake which I now pull a stacker trailer with. There is no comparison between the pulling and stopping power of the Motor Coach. The diesel pusher was a 350 HP Cummins on a bus Spartan chassis but did not come close to the stopping power of the Volvo chassis Motor Coach. Daylight and Dark difference.
The ride and comfort of the diesel pusher was much better but I am much more comfortable with the stopping of the Motor Coach on a truck chassis.
Better braking is needed on all motor homes of any size and the Volvo I have now is just like driving a pickup as far as braking is concerned. It will stop and the mountain driving of it is just like a pickup downhill without ever using the brakes and just allow the jake to take you downhill. My eyes were opened to this after owning it for a year now. The jake with the muffler just makes the engine hum, no real noise at all. I should have made this move years ago.
As far as maintenance is concerned it is just like anything else. The list of maintenance items is not any longer than any other vehicle or home. The vehicle is just bigger and the home is smaller but contains the same things and both take maintenance.
Just My 2 Cents
Rick Cates

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Thanks for this information.
Just came back from vacation in Boone, NC.
Got to see Grandfather Mountain.
Wow did I get a dose of mountain switch backs and steep inclines and downhill.

Figured brakes and braking were the key issue.
However it appears like the Volvo also had a great suspension on twisty roads.
D

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Its all a matter of what you are used to. I towed my 40 ft gooseneck with a dually for many years. A couple of years ago I bought a toter. When I first got it I was a little apprehensive. Now I whip it around with out any problems. It actually drives easier than the dually. It's nice to have all the comforts of home when you are at the track. Almost all of our events are multiple days.

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Indy Dot meeting, Any insite on what was discuss at the Indy dot meeting.

Any issues traveling to Indy?