Ducks in a Row

[fuzzytoaster]

If kc5mzd gives thumbs up on this perspective deuce I want to make sure I have everything in order to jump on it. As ive read over the forum I'll need to get a Transit Permit to drive it home, insurance in order, and the title/bill of sale so I can register it in my county. Is this correct?

My questions are this:
- In Texas, the online DMV site says "Only issued for cars and light trucks (1 ton or less )". So would I have to go in and ask or is there another Transit form for larger vehicles?

-Regarding the insurance, do I need to have just my regular insurance in order to drive it back or do I need to get it covered on its own plan before I bring it home. I'd hate to have to get an insurance plan then something go wrong and have to get a return the truck and be stuck with additional payments. Is there any way to get a temporary insurance for transit purposes?

-MV Plates/Number, the original numbering on the front bumper was blacked out, is there anyway to recover those numbers? I know they can be registered in place of mounting a license plate and am aiming to do that. But wouldnt I need those numbers to get a Transit Permit since there is no license plate?

-What would be good to bring with me in case of any issues with the deuce. I've already got road flares, etc, etc..but mechanically speaking.


Any tips, hints, or "God-Speed"'s would be great! I cant wait to get it!

 

[nofearnohope]

Go to the VIN posting for CARNAC to get the correct bumper numbers for your truck. Check with the current owner on any known issues the truck may have and try and prepare early for that. I drove my truck home with my regular insurance, that doesn't mean this is the best thing to do. Check with your insurance company and see what they recommend.

And of course, good luck with your retrieval.

 

[stumps]

Your regular insurance will most likely not be adequate. If you have a truck policy that is of the same weight class, maybe. I called my Allstate agent, and he said no way. My policy's 60 day grace period only applies to cars and light trucks (PU trucks).

I went to Gulfway. $141/year for a historic policy written by a commercial underwriter (Travelers) (No garage requirement, no maximum distance limit). I had to mail my application to them overnight, and if it weren't for a computer failure at Travelers, they would have had my proof of insurance letter emailed the same day.

Driving my deuce 1100+ miles home was the most fun I have had in years. I did as much driving between dusk and dawn as possible, and slept in the back of the truck. Major highways the whole way. Truck stops are your friend!

Bring a flashlight, as you won't be able to read your gauges at night. Also, bring some spare bulbs for the turn signals, and tail lights. Nothing sets a cop off faster than missing lights on big trucks.

I wore an M65 camo jacket and hat. I figured that it made the truck and driver look correct. Purely a fashion thing My hope was to blend into the background... just the thing camo is designed for.

Get a list of contacts of other MV'rs along your route. It feels good knowing that there is someone nearby that understands what you are going through, and is willing to help if need be.

Good luck, and have fun on your trip!

-Chuck

 

[NDT]

You will need a one trip permit to drive your unregistered truck legally. Go to the TXDOT website, go to "Business with TXDOT", then "Motor Carriers", then "Oversize Overwidth Permits", then "Single Trip Permit". You can do this over the phone believe it or not.

Bring a form VTR 130 and have the seller sign it when you pick up the truck.

Insurance can be J.C. Taylor or Gulfway or others.

The numbers on the bumpers are the unit ID's and those are not the numbers you would use for the "stencil number" as TXDOT calls the Former Military Registration. You want the USA number, which CARNAC can help you with if it is not stenciled on the truck somewhere like the dash. It will be something like NG1234.

Do some thread searching for "deuce recovery items". There is a wealth of info here already.

 

[fuzzytoaster]

Hmm... ill have to talk it over with USAA. I hope they'll be lenient with my endorsements. But $60 bucks for a one way permit? Ouch..

 

[NDT]

$60 bucks for a one way permit? Ouch..

No, you misread, that is a overweight permit, the single trip permit is $5.00

 

[fuzzytoaster]

Ah, well assume the worst and hope for the best. Phew.

 

[runk]

30 day permit

Or you can go into your friendly local county tax office and get a 30 day temporary tag. They will want to see a proof of insurance card with the truck's info. You are not allowed to haul anything in the truck, but it makes you legal when you go to get the safety / VIN inspection, which you need if it doesn't already have a Texas title. If you're registering it HMV, you can get a local police, etc. to fill out the VIN verification form. If you register it as a big pickup, you need the safety inspection as well. (Which means you'll need to add a bunch of clearance lights besides getting everything working.)

 

[Oasis-3]

I think the one trip permits are for big trucks / class 8 type. That is what I own and you have to register for each state you drive in, as I have PA-MD-DEL-NJ-NY on my tags.
In 2007 I had to go to Tennesse to pick up my new trailer and I had to get one day trip permits for Virginia and Tennessee in order to be good with the law
If you don't have any tags I don't think the one day permit will do you any good.
I hope I am wrong but I don't think so.
Good Luck

 

[fuzzytoaster]

Its got a Texas title at least. Its not registered if that matters. But I plan on going the HMV route too. I'll have to look into that 30 day tag too. It would save me the trouble of buying two tags if I cant get to the DMV in the same week.

 

[runk]

helpful old threads

some helpful old threads-

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/conversations/9593-texas-former-military-vehicle-registration.html

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/41963-need-help-registration-texas.html