Tow Truck for towing

[dwoflv]

Just wondering if anyone here uses a tow truck as a tow vehicle. I can get a good deal on a used GMC 5500 tow truck with the duramax engine. I would take off all the towing stuff and put a fifth wheel hitch on it. The storage compartments would be nice to have. I know you can buy a Top Kick gmc but those are all crew cab setups which are over three feet longer than my 2013 GMC 3500 long bed that I have now.
The tow truck is a dually but the tires don't stick out past the sides like a pickup truck does.
Any pro or con thoughts out there?

[bsmith0404]

One of the members has a F450 or 550 (I forget which) as a TV. The biggest factor that plays in IMO is fuel mileage and inconvenience when not towing. We use our truck a lot for seeing the sights when we are out and about. That just doesn't seem real practical with a 5500 tow truck. If you tow a lot and don't go out and about much once you reach your destination, it could be practical.

[rnkburg]

If the deal is great then you probably can't go wrong. That should be enough to tow whatever you need to. As long as the engine and tranny check out good.


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[JRTJH]

I would get all the local requirements for operating that size vehicle in a "private RV" setting and check with your insurance company to see if you can insure it as a "private vehicle" or if you'll need to categorize it as a commercial vehicle and pay significantly higher insurance, registration and licensing rates. It may sound like a great deal, but if you can't get insurance, need a CDL, pay for higher commercial plates, etc, it may not be as good as it seems.

[rnkburg]

When you insure and license its just a 5500. Shouldn't be anything special to drive it. No different than a big class a motorhome


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[dwoflv]

All great info and some stuff I didn't think of I tow a 2015 fuzion 371 toy hauler and usually have my Harley in the back. That's what we use for getting around when we get to our destination. I'll have to make a few calls before I buy it


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[hankaye]

dwoflv, Howdy;

Are you asking about a 5500 Holmes tow truck, or a model 5500 GMC?
https://www.google.com/search?q=5500+Holmes+Tow+truck&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=3TWDVNKjOM2fyASxooDoBA&ved=0CD0QsAQ&biw=1280&bih=673


hankaye

[JRTJH]

Registration, licensing and insurance requirements vary significantly from state to state. From what I've found regarding Connecticut, any vehicle with a GVW over 8500 lbs requires commercial registration. There is a "combination registration" that applies to some (not all) vehicles over that GVW. The rate for private vehicles under 8500 lbs is $80 for 2 years, http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=802&q=244546 rates for vehicles over 8500 lbs can go as high as $379 per year (for a truck with a 26000 lb GVW). That does not include Title, Plate fee, Sales Tax, etc. http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=802&q=270596

There doesn't appear to be any way to declare a lighter GVW than the manufacturer's posted rating on the vehicle.

It would be in the OP's best interest to know what state fees and insurance rates he qualifies for before being surprised after purchasing a tow truck to "modify" as a RV tow vehicle.

[dwoflv]

Looking at a Holmes tow truck


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[Ken / Claudia]

That truck would have a GVWR around 18,000 lbs. In Oregon there are trucks that size pulling 5ers, seen weekly on the freeways. All the ones I have checked have insurance listed as a comm. vehicle even when only used as a personal vehicle RV puller. Here you need a "T" (Truck plate) and pay per your listing your weight not miles driven.To be fair that would be the truck loaded including pin weight. A f350 plate is 42 bucks per year. A 18,000 lb truck is about 200 per year for a plate, if driven or not. Me, if I was traveling most or full time and had a real big 5er, I would get a used truck that size.

[spicercars]

I live in MN and have a 05 international 4300 which is similar to what you are looking at. I can insure it as a private truck and do not need a cdl even though the gross weight is 33,000. I have it licensed for 21,000. The cost and fuel mileage are about the same as the one ton dodge I had. Once you tow with a big truck you will never go back in my opinion. Good luck in your decision.

[wahoonc]

Check the what rear end gear ratios are in it. We have a couple of tow trucks and they don't do highway speeds very well, they are geared for low end grunt power.

If you can make it work for your state you will definitely have a good tow vehicle.

Aaron:cool:

[SAABDOCTOR]

JUST CLEAR UP the ct laws. When registering that truck. there is s form to fill out that says you are not icc registered and are using the truck for personal use. it still has to be regiserd as commercial and you have to pay up every year instead of two. the cost will be a bit lower as it is personal use truck. good luck with it.:banghead:

[SAABDOCTOR]

IF YOU WENT on the ct dmv web site the info there is not up to date. That is a topic that is not allowed on this forum NO POLITICS!:D