Not quite on the inspection sticker for the 1 ton pickup. Yes for the chock blocks but no for the other stuff you mentioned. Also it's still $29 for the sticker but the rest of it is shop fee which can vary. It can be 129. I just recently paid that for a tractor but went to a shop that does up to 26000 and paid 59 for my 350.. Also too they had asked for just 2 chock blocks only. The tractor needed the items you mentioned but not the first aid kit. I've never been asked for a med kit although it's not a bad idea.
http://www.mass.gov/rmv/inspect/commercial_regs.pdf

The original poster has a real valid point aside from all this other stuff

 

Not quite on the inspection sticker for the 1 ton pickup. Yes for the chock blocks but no for the other stuff you mentioned. Also it's still $29 for the sticker but the rest of it is shop fee which can vary. It can be 129. I just recently paid that for a tractor but went to a shop that does up to 26000 and paid 59 for my 350.. Also too they had asked for just 2 chock blocks only. The tractor needed the items you mentioned but not the first aid kit. I've never been asked for a med kit although it's not a bad idea.Countless stops at a DOT checks, never was asked for a med kit.
All that aside, I think the OP has a real valid point which should be pursued by DRW owners
http://www.mass.gov/rmv/inspect/commercial_regs.pdf

 

All the stuff mentioned was what I had to have to make the grade where I go for inspection stickers.
F350 sticker was $129.00
44,000 lb motor coach, prevost bus conversion, "www.marathoncoach.com" was also $129.00
Both had to have all the stuff I said.
Both had to go to the commercial inspection stations for diesel vehicles over 10,000 lbs.

 

Just goes to show how this state runs with certain things. Instead of setting a standard for inspections for the shops to follow, it's do and charge what you want. To go from 29 to 129 for a pickup is a joke. Then there is the excise tax, a whole other can of worms.

 

This is why I went from a 350 to 250. I just inspected my truck and the GVWR was 9,000lbs. I have a class 1 and drive for a living. MA DOT for the past few months have been going after commercial and non commercial picks pulling trailers with bob cats, mini's etc, also DRW dumps. I know of someone who got stopped with passenger tags pulling a trailer with a mini on it and got ticketed and towed for #1 non commercial #2 being over $10,000 #3 not dot med card. They also go over the trailer and cargo security. Most people don’t realize the laws for towing and securing equipment with weight rating on chains, straps, trailer weight etc. a lot of guys get popped for securing equipment because max chain/strap ratings are only good if strapping but state guidelines. Certain ways you can tie down will hold the machine but the state says that way can only hold half the standard rating. Trust me this is an issue because I haul heavy equipment and I am always being told different stories from MA DOT. There are so much more then just higher inspections and registrations. My friend got fined for a commercial truck which is his personal truck for no lettering. Regardless if you think your legit MA DOT will still find something to fine you with if you’re stopped. They know most people won’t fight tickets so they give them in most cases when the owner is in the right.

 

OMG I forgot about the excise tax!!! Let me guess, it's a different rate for commercial plates. Look, all I wanted to do was pull my camper to some nice vacation spots and racetracks and I figured I could not go wrong with the truck I picked. I'm tired of having a weak truck and towing like I'm about to die on the highway. Now I'm sick to my stomach and seriously thinking about selling it before I go to jail or debtor's prison. This is insane.

I don't drive for a living. I respect and appreciate the burdens of those of you who do. I have a lot of experience driving trucks and campers over the years and know the difference between something fully equipped and a toy. I drive the speed limit, I check all my equipment before I tow, and I actually fix things on my trailer like wheel bearings, springs and brakes before I load the beer.

Anyway, I don't think the DOT inspection rules will change. I paid $104 for mine and it was pretty thorough. I guess I can get past that. What we need to fight is the commercial designation if we honestly have personal use only. I sent a letter to the MA Registrar yesterday and because it is the holidays I doubt i will hear back for a couple of weeks. If we have enough of us to give them comments maybe we can get a hearing and acocmplish a little bit of give back, especially based on the way the rules are already written. It's not insane to think there is already some sympathy in the rules making or as an early poster from NY said, they would just make us register all pickups as commercial. I think the distinction between a 4 wheel and 6 wheel pickup is pretty slim from a legal point of view. The difference in weight rating is less than 1200 pounds and the basic intent is the same.

Thanks everyone for participating in this discussion. Keep your comments coming...

Steve

 

Unfortunately you would have to start a petition to take the RMV to the Supreme Court for a class action suit to change the law. It would take time and money for action. Also would need a good lawyer to file suit and represent petitioners. The RMV are crooks and the Massachusetts motor vehicle laws are a joke seeing there all backwards. I am having issues with the RMV now with adding a CDL endorsement to my license with my hazmat. Since my other endorsements will expire in a few months to add one I will have to retake all my current endorsements which is fine but I need them now for my job. Hazmat you must have a background check done which takes a month and if you add something to you license without adding all current they will take all others off your license because they all must expire together. It’s a joke they can’t make life easy for the hard working man who in my case depends on my license & endorsements to make a living. With as much sense a person can make the RMV comes up with an excuse to justify it. The fine line between 3/4 ton and 1ton is $$$$MONEY and the state will do everything to keep making it off of you!

 

HAHA I like "Unfortunately you live in a socialist state" which is very much true. And "vote the law makers out of office" for some reason "law Makers" of this state who bring new taxes and increase Motor vehicle taxes keep getting re-elected. We only have our self’s to blame. We as a state are big for disapproving what law maker and state officials do but when election time comes they stay.

 

Funny how inspection shops are not informed. I get my 10,800lb commerical registered F350 inspected at the Ford Dealer where I purchased it from for $29. I also get my 11,000 DRW dump body F-350 inspected for $29. Last year I asked about all of this and they told me I was good.

Go Figure.

 

People are being told $129 from state, but some places are only charging $29. My friend also got his for $29 from someone he knew but was told they could have charged him $129. If the state set the fee at $129 then that means there losing revenue if inspection stations are charging less then $129. I wonder if the state is making a flat rate fee per inspection or percentage on what inspection station charges? Doesn’t make any sense.

 

Taken from the Mass.gov site regarding Com inspections "The inspection fee ($29 per vehicle) is the same, but a service charge may be added. That explains the extra tacked on besides the 29.

Maybe I'm not reading it right but the here they say:

(24) Commercial Motor Vehicle shall mean any motor vehicle which is not a private passenger motor vehicle, antique motor car, motorcycle, auto home, house trailer, taxicab, ambulance, hearse, livery vehicle, or school pupil transport vehicle. A commercial motor vehicle shall include the following vehicles:
(a)
The vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds; or (which is what I have).
But just below this they say

(e) Any vehicle which has a vehicle weight, or curb weight, of more than six thousand pounds, as per the manufacturer's description of said vehicle, unless such vehicle is a sport
utility vehicle or passenger van, or a pickup truck or cargo van meeting the definition of private passenger vehicle; (which what I have again)

I don't use my truck for work. I don't tow any machines only a camper or horse trailer. Neither has company lettering on them so it's they are not used for commerce. In fact I have the same one passenger plate that was on my expy for 10 years and then on my 88 250 for another 10. I still forgot the numbers sometimes! The truck was inspected last May when I bought it. They never questioned the plate just not having chock blocks...another joke. They offered to sell me a set for $35. I went out and bought purposely a cheap set for $6 and returned....got my sticker! I work in a heavy trucking area and I'm never even looked at by them. In my Freight shaker, different story. I like the truck. I got a great deal on it. $23k with 36k miles, off lease, loaded and mint shape. I love the V10 but if comes down to BS like lettering on it, getting pulled over more then my T/T, outlandish fees and taxes... it's gone.

As far as getting any laws changed here and it means them not collecting, that will happen when Satan is wearing a winter parker and snow shoes.

 

The problem with the vehicle laws in MA and most states is they are enacted by people who don't have a clue as to what the differences are..

I just got my truck inspected today.. Cost was $29.. If I had the DOT inspection it would have added $59..

I have an F350 and am over the 10K threashold, But I have passenger plates...

I do not use it as a business vehicle.. It is my daily driver and I do plow a few driveways.

If we could change the laws I would be all for it.. The only thing we can do is write our congressmen/ senators and hope they respond..

I think Satwood should run for office so we have a man in office that knows what we want..



On a side note Satwood and VTX1800rider, why not join the MA chapter??

You can join from the link in my signature..

VTX I am in the next town over from you..

 

I last year bought a new superduty gate with step from a man who is retired. He sold the gate cause he put a fifth wheel on his truck and wanted to travel and live throughout the country at his leisure with his wife. He sold his house, and bought a trailer to live in.

He rents something called a "traveling mailbox " from somewhere in north dakota and has the truck, registration , and his drivers license and insurance there. He pays a monthly fee, and gets his mail sent there. He calls them on the phone whenever he wants, tells them where temporarily he is, and they send whatever mail he has accumulated to him whereever he is temporarily at around the country. No costs of an empty house, no worries, whereever he is at, hes home.

I never heard of it before, but I believed him, especially with the nd plates I saw on the truck.

Any of you could circumvent this issue with that game plan.

 

If you want learn more start here...

RV.Net Open Roads Forum: best state to establish residency as a full-timer

Tons of reading, but keep in mind some folks do this to avoid taxes and don't intend to leave their state as full timers. These states are starting to aggressively go after folks and get $$$$$$$$$. Socialist states do not like when you leave and take their money, remember you do work for them....yea sure we do.

 

Just get a convoy of F350’s up to the state house and call Fox New across the street to do a live broad cast stating your case about being charged for leisure use! Maybe then this will get the attention and other will join the fight and maybe some lawyer will help for plebiscite.