"How to get a HET in life..." - M1070 Acquisition thread

[drician]

View attachment 485016

Look what showed up today!!

Look at the shiny!

 

[WVMog]

This might be a dumb question but am I correct in assuming you need a CDL to drive a HET? Or can you slip through the cracks where it is registered as historic and don't hook up a load?

 

[goodguyzy]

Some ways to drive it with no CDL is to register it as a motor home. Then you need to modify it to fit the definition of a motor home. Or there is also a farm exception with specific rules. Its all described in your states CDL manual you will find at the dmv.

 

[Castle Bravo]

Accurate CDL information will always be specific to the state you live in.

 

[tims931a2]

no idea why but I NEED A HET!!

 

[Hawssie]

There is no way I no of operating one In CA without a CDL, that goes for the M939s as well. Just the air brakes alone does it in here. Add to that over 26.5 GVWR then add 3 axles on a vehicle over 6k. Any one of those means you need some sort of Class B at least. You even need a class A if you tow an equipment trailer with your pick up if the trailer has a GVWR of 10K or over. (You can get one without Air Brakes certification for that.) That doesn't mean people do it all the time, and only those CHP with the black and white trucks seem to know the laws either. You never want one of them behind you driving without.

 

[Hawssie]

I asked this question to GLS regarding purchasing a M1070 and the EUC, but never got a response so I thought I would ask here. GLS says it can take up to 60 days for the first time EUC. Now I know you don't apply for one until your deemed the high bidder, but does GLS require you to still pay in full for the thing while you wait or up to 60 days, or do you pay when the EUC comes back? I think I already know the answer knowing GLS but i'm not sure.

 

[IsaLandr]

There is no way I no of operating one In CA without a CDL, that goes for the M939s as well. Just the air brakes alone does it in here. Add to that over 26.5 GVWR then add 3 axles on a vehicle over 6k. Any one of those means you need some sort of Class B at least. You even need a class A if you tow an equipment trailer with your pick up if the trailer has a GVWR of 10K or over. (You can get one without Air Brakes certification for that.) That doesn't mean people do it all the time, and only those CHP with the black and white trucks seem to know the laws either. You never want one of them behind you driving without.

I think you mean Class A or Class B license, not CDL. Also, it's 26,001lbs, not 26.5k, sorry.

California has a farm exemption, just like most other states. I've had the farm exemption in CA for other trucks in the past and I have it in WA for my M923 right now. If you qualify for the farm exemption, it negates all operator requirements for licensing, as well as things like weight fees and commercial taxes. But it also carries restrictions that limit its usefulness.

Unfortunately, CA does not make exemptions for historic or classic registrations on vehicles that have air brakes or which exceed the 26k limit, or which have three or more axles. However, these trucks only require a Class B license unless towing a trailer, in which case it requires a Class A license. If you want to drive one of these in CA and you don't get the farm exemption, you're looking at a commercial registration, and that's going to run some serious money. The only other option is an RV registration, which has very specific requirements to meet the definition, which most people aren't going to want to do to their trucks on a permanent basis. I know I don't want to.

Please do not mistake CDL for Class. These trucks may require a Class A or B license, but they do not require a CDL unless being operated for commercial purposes. CDL is "Commercial Driver License", available in all classes of license except M, and is required for all forms of commercial traffic. You need a Class C CDL to transport hazardous materials in a small pickup, for example. Most states have provisions that allow a person to get a Class A or Class B license without having to go commercial. Some states don't distinguish between Class A/B and CDL (CA does not), but most do. Check with your own state of residence for clarification.

In some states, the mere presence of air brakes is not an automatic Class A or B restriction, but in every state, a GCWR or GVWR in excess of 26,001 ALWAYS is. As already mentioned, if you pull a trailer with a GVWR of 10,001lbs or more, OR the combination of tow vehicle and trailer exceeds 26,001lbs, it requires a Class A license unless it's an RV or farm exempt registration. In California, three axles or more on a vehicle with a GVWR in excess of something like 6,000lbs is an automatic Class B. The GVWR limit is set so low that in essence, if you've got more than two axles in California, you need a Class B license. Unless you get an RV or farm exemption.

Every state handles their registration, CDL, and License Class restrictions differently, so check with your local DOT/DMV before you operate one of these vehicles. Your best defense, and the best thing you can do for our hobby, is obey the laws as closely as you can and stay legal.

In California, those CHP officers in the black and white trucks are DOT officers, specially trained to deal with Class A and B vehicles. They're very good at it, well versed in the law and its application. And they get really shirty when non-DOT cops try to write tickets for Class A and B vehicles when they don't know the laws they're trying to write a citation for. If you ever get pulled over by a DOT officer in California, be polite, accept what they say, and do what they tell you as cheerfully as possible. They know the law perfectly and they know every possible trick to screw you for the rest of your life if they want to. You do not want one of these guys pissed at you when you're driving your MV. They're the kind of nightmare none of us wants to ever have.

 

[DIndFab]

Love these trucks! Is there a way to look up sold or ended prices on GL?

 

[gringeltaube]

Yes. This link: http://www.govliquidation.com/pastbidresults, then look for all events named "Demil Q, Industrial, Marine, Vehicular & ....", like #12346 for example.
Click on lots $10.000 and up...

Or, if you knew the event number, you can always Google it. Or simply this link Govliquidation M1070 truck...


G.

 

[Hawssie]

Obviously I am confusing CDL with Class. I thought needing a Class A or Class B basically means you need to have a commercial drivers license as you have to take special tests written and driving and I think a Medical exam as well, with many/most applicants taking some sort of schooling to do so. But I do know you may need certain A or B versions for certain Motor homes or certain towing configurations with travel trailers, which aren't commercial. Also last night I was trying to remember if it was 26 or 26.5k, (I picked the wrong one!) My overall point was in California you cant legally drive a M1070 or a M939 with just a typical class C drivers license.(except for Farm exemption I see) And you really cant even pull a trailer with your pick up that is rated high enough to hold even a bobcat without risking going over 10k GVWR, which puts you into needing some version of a Class A license. BY the way I am a farmer, whats the way to go about registering these for Farm use? Thanks NIck

 

[Hawssie]

Also, since my other question was never answered by GLS and its kinda buried on here now, I again would like to ask those of you who have gone through the M1070 EUC process through GLS which in case of the first time they said can take up to 60 days, and in some cases I hear the sale may also get cancelled/disputed as well, does GLS still want everything paid for up front and then have to return it if the sale doesn't go through, or do they only ask for payment after the EUC has been processed. Thanks

 

[IsaLandr]

Obviously I am confusing CDL with Class. I thought needing a Class A or Class B basically means you need to have a commercial drivers license as you have to take special tests written and driving and I think a Medical exam as well, with many/most applicants taking some sort of schooling to do so. But I do know you may need certain A or B versions for certain Motor homes or certain towing configurations with travel trailers, which aren't commercial. Also last night I was trying to remember if it was 26 or 26.5k, (I picked the wrong one!) My overall point was in California you cant legally drive a M1070 or a M939 with just a typical class C drivers license.(except for Farm exemption I see) And you really cant even pull a trailer with your pick up that is rated high enough to hold even a bobcat without risking going over 10k GVWR, which puts you into needing some version of a Class A license. BY the way I am a farmer, whats the way to go about registering these for Farm use? Thanks NIck

I was trying to find the current CA farm exemption laws for you, but I'm having difficulty finding what I'm looking for. The new changes to the CA DMV websites have made finding things pretty ridiculous. You're going to have to go in to your local DMV and ask some questions, and hope that you get a clerk who understands what you're after. The DMV offices in Fresno and Clovis were most helpful when I lived in the Central Valley, but that's an agricultural community so it was pretty easy. And that was nearly fifteen years ago. I understand a lot has changed since then.

In California, the DMV and the DOT apparently DO issue a non-CDL Class B license now, and possibly a non-CDL Class A as well. When I was driving in the late '80s/early '90s, that wasn't the case. Not sure when it changed. It also used to be that in CA RVs were exempt. Apparently according to my research that may no longer be true. I would ask some very pointed questions next time you're in the DMV and find out for sure.

Also, I really think getting a Class A license is in your best interest anyway. It means you can drive anything, without restriction, and that's always a good idea. Plus it means you have all the requisite knowledge to operate these vehicles safely and effectively, which is also a very good idea.

 

[WVMog]

Thanks, I too was confusing CDL with class.

 

[Rawkey]

Opps! This is one bad truck. This was an operator issue.

 

[VPed]

Also, since my other question was never answered by GLS and its kinda buried on here now, I again would like to ask those of you who have gone through the M1070 EUC process through GLS which in case of the first time they said can take up to 60 days, and in some cases I hear the sale may also get cancelled/disputed as well, does GLS still want everything paid for up front and then have to return it if the sale doesn't go through, or do they only ask for payment after the EUC has been processed. Thanks

Yes, you are expected to pay up front regardless of how long the EUC process takes. On the bright side, I don't think they are taking 60 days. Probably more like 20 to 30 days. dispute is another matter altogether, time wise.

 

[wreckerman893]

Opps! This is one bad truck. This was an operator issue.

You can get anything stuck. The problem with getting a big truck stuck is that it usually requires a bigger truck (depending on how bad it's stuck) or a large piece of heavy equipment to get it unstuck.
Also most people tend to keep trying to get unstuck and dig themselves in deeper. When you realize you're stuck stop and analyze the situation and see what you can do to avoid getting down to the frame.
If are just spun out and can't get traction (especially if you have no weight to help get traction) then often a smaller vehicle can pull you out of the bad zone unless there is a grade involved.
The best pieces of equipment you have is between your ears, use it before you are stuck to the max.

 

[WVMog]

Agreed. And FWIW clearance and aggressive tires mean nothing when you have a very heavy vehicle and very soft mud!

 

[Artisan]

I think the best piece of info a guy can carry when off roading anything
is to NOT stop while going uphill. Always aim down then stop and if
she spins STOP immediately and air WAyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy down
and watch it crawl right on out of its hole.

That truck was not stuck. It was made to be stuck when she started
to spin and instead of a 8 wheel air down it is now an issue.

I carry deflating tools in my trucks, come to think of it I need
another set for my M916. A set or two of tire deflators and
a gladhand (or) air hose from your compressor and you will
self recover for free 90% of the time.

What does the TM say to deflate those tires down to in that truck in
unusual conditions?

 

[machinist75]

A buddy of mine has a het and modified the front end of his truck with a brush guard. Not sure what it came off of but it looks factory to me. The guard folds forward then the hood. The lights go to a wrecker I believe. He didn't post here very often and I hope he didn't mind me posting these pics.