Some other issues have been brought up:
1) You need an overwidth permit to drive on public roads.
I have considered this. One friend who has many big toys, including an
overwide bridge truck, says that if you have a historic plate on the
vehicle they don't bother you. Keep in mind I am in Michigan. Thing may be
different elsewhere.
Whether what he says is accurate or not, I will be going interstate with
the vehicle so I want to be legal. I understand that if I remove the outer
wheels in back the vehicle is no longer overwide. This should probably not
diminish its capacity significantly.
2) You need a commercial drivers license to drive the truck.
In Michigam there is a clause that exempts personal vehicles used for
hauling personal property. I have a friend with a 5-ton tractor pulling a
military 5th wheel trailer, used to move his Stuart tank. All have historic
plates. He has no CDL. Again, this is in michigan and I would be a little
worried going interstate like this. The purpose of the CDL laws was to have
consistency from state to state, and other states may not have the
exclusion for personal use like we have. By the way, I have a CDL. I got it
so I could rent trucks to move my Saracen APC.
Thanks again for the advice.
Christ Gryparis
cgryparis@qualitech1.com