[QUOTE=

The 4x4 will probly add $20,000 to the price.The 19.5 tires are generally highway tread, not the mud and snow tread you would need for boat ramps.

.[/QUOTE]

I have a 2008 kodiak c4500 that I pull my cigarette with. It is a landscaper package that has a locking rear diff (with upgraded Dana 130 rear), and it came with 19.5" mud/snow rears, michelins I think. Like others mentioned, I never intended to have a 2wd truck, but I have't had a problem.

For that type of motorhome, you need a class A license. It does not have to be a CDL (Commercial) but you have to take the written and road test for Class A in it at a CDL facility to be legal. The trooper may not have known that, but if you had hit someone, I can guarantee the investigators will.

Can you own a "personal" not for commercial use F650 to pull your own boat or RV?

This is courtesy of wikepedia. Like other rules, it can vary state to state, but this is the federal requirment. The important point is that a CDL is required to use the vehicle for hire. The way its written, you could theoretically own an 18-wheeler and drive it without a CDL for private use. I'm sure most states include some provisions for things like air brakes that would make that illegal.

Around where I live, everyone and their brother seems to have a medium-duty truck for pulling horse trailers that make my boat look like a toy.

Wikipedia:
"A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is a driver's license required in the United States to operate any type of vehicle which has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lb (11,793 kg) or more for commercial use, or transports quantities of hazardous materials that require warning placards under Department of Transportation regulations, or that is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver. This includes (but is not limited to) tow trucks, tractor trailers, and buses.[1]"

Dont need a CDL for airbrakes and weight IF (and ONLY IF) you register your 650 as a recreational vehicle, which it is. Unless its commercial, then yes youll need your CDL.. Ive discussed this topic with DOT in a number of states and they allllll tell me its about how you have it registered. Even had one guy ask if there was a toilet on the boat, said that was the only way he'd let the truck be registered as an RV..

Theres a lot of fuzzy lines in this area and everyone thinks they know the law better than the guy posting above him. But in reality, the key term here is "up to the officers interpretation".. Thats why my latest FMCSA has all the pages on "interpretation of laws"

Register it as a RV and weights, length, airbrakes will not matter in any state. EDIT: (should have said, will PROBABLY not matter, each state has its own laws but you should be able to research them in your own state and register, then allowing yourself to drive in other states) Thats why Pops can drive his 50' Class "A" motorhome with his 40' car hauler behind him with nothin but a class D and an aarp card in his wallet..

Im sure Ill catch flack for this post, but I deal with it on a daily basis. We have two sterlings, 2 freightliners, a 550 and a 450. And 2 drivers with CDL... Been through weigh stations, checkpoints, random searches, pulled over and never been ticketed. Regardless of width, flags, banners, etc. You just gotta know what to say. And what you say is that THIS IS AN RV.


EDIT: Ok, to avoid all the flaming, Im going to back these statements up with some actual proof..
Federal Motor Carriers Safety Act of 1986. Read through it, the Act describes four exceptions. (section 5.1) to requirements of CDL, and here they are as follows:
farm equipment, military equipment, ambulances and fire trucks, and
(last but not least), PERSONAL USE VEHICLES-(recreational vehicles)
"RV's used strictly for recreational and other non-commercial functions do not meet the FMCSA definition of a CMV"
"Vehicles designed for use of towing a travel trailer, also not designated as CMV"
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Now, with that said. Certain "STATES" have their own laws.. Like California, for example, has a license called "NON COMMERCIAL CLASS A" and its based on length. Anything over 40' long and you gotta have their A-NC endorsement. BUT it doesnt prevent you from driving from out of state into California under your own states licensing laws..

Yes. In, KS-Tx-Mo-AR-MS-GA they require you to have "not for hire" written somewhere on the truck in 3" tall letters. No definition for script, explaining that you are a personal use vehicle that is not for hire and not being paid for hauling.

Youll only need that wording on the side if you are "at that moment" over 26k#.
Daily drivers wont need it.

Not in *most* midwestern and southern states...

Do you guys understand how EASY it is to get your class A CDL??? There was nothing to it...
Why not just get your CDL if you want to drive a big truck rather than jjst trying to find loopholes as to why you may not need a CDL.....? Just a thought.

Air brakes are an endorsement on your DL here in FL. You can get air endorsement on less than class A....

The RV thing cracks me up....
Just picture yourself getting stopped by the DOT... and as the trooper walks up to your big truck just as you pop out the parking brake air valve......
Yeah, this is an RV....

I dont know how florida is on their CDL's, but in OK the rules for everything are ten times as strict for CDL carriers. Officers are almost NOT ALLOWED to give warnings to anyone carrying a CDL plus we have a absolute ridiculous dui law for CDL carriers. If you register ANYTHING whatsoever, license revoked. Judge isn't friendly about it either..

If you can keep from having to have a CDL, you are much much better off.. For example, DOT pulls you over because you are questionably wide, if he doesnt like you and you get a ticket its gonna be under $200 in OK for a Class D. BUT if you got that same ticket as a CDL, you are given an out-of-service mark on your license and that is around 3-4 points plus a major ($800+ fine)..