im thinking about buying the '58 tandem axle (5ton i think) truck as a hauler for my bronco, a salvage yard has it, and im wondering if i can drive this thing with 8 rear tires in california with a normal license.

the owner of the yard has a resto shop also and they might be able to fix the truck. if they re-build the air brakes and engine, how much should i expect to pay for the whole truck? i would like to rescue the rig.

if i cant do the above, im going to take all the body parts as they appear to be in nice shape.

 

Howdy,


probably not......

You can get the following info right from your wonderful DMV at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/sec1.htm#needcdl


Cheers,



Rick

 

ah well, then i'll settle for taking the body parts and saving them for a build later on.
Thanks for that.

 

if you notice in the info he posted it says you need a cdl if the vehicle is being used for compensation or exchange of property AND meets the following requirements. if you are just using the vehicle for your own personal use then you shouldnt need a cdl. the majority of people around here that drive trucks like that for their personal use just put "not for hire" on the side of the truck, but it's not a requirement.

 

But if you read it it says as long as the vehicle has GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more and tows a trailer with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more you need a cdl.
I could be wrong but I would think that means even for personal use.

 

To find out for sure, find a DMV representative that knows what they're talking about, and explain your wants, and go from there.

Reading the DMV statement above, it says compensation or property, AND the following. Take out the compensation or property, and it changes, I would think. But I would call to make sure.

 

That one word "and" makes all the difference. If it said for compensation "OR" over x amount of weight or tows a trailer of x amount of weight, then it would apply to personal use. You have to meet both requirements before you need the cdl and as long as you don't get paid for using the truck then you don't meet the first requirement.

 

the chassis is long gone, but i have what i wanted off of it. but thats good stuff to keep in mind when i mount it on a newer f650 single rear axle frame.

 

You might need a CDL with an air brake endorsement (or not having a air brake restriction, if that is how CA does it) because the truck has air brakes. Also might want to check with the DOT about the type of air brakes required, even on a non-commercial classic truck. Most of these older trucks had single air chamber non-safety brake systems. Newer requirements call for for double chamber ("dynamitor") type systems that will lock up the brakes in case of a catastrophic air loss. A classic used for non-commercial applications may be exempt. All in all, air brake components are much more universal and easier to work on than juice systems and when properly maintained and adjusted, work like a dream. Another possibility might be to remove one of the tandem axles and register the truck for less than 26,000 Gross Vehicle Weight. This is done fairly frequently within the industry, as older over the road type tractors with a little life left in them are converted into a nice single axle medium duty work trucks.