Any Fire Truck Owners in Ohio, I need your help!!!

[yfdgricker]

If you own a fire truck in Ohio, I need to talk to you. I just bought my first truck! I just purchased a 1981 Mack MC Pumper ex Engine 6 for the City of Youngstown. I have a few questions...

1) In Ohio, do you need a CDL to drive the truck? Normally the answer is yes but looking at Exception #7 on the Ohio BMV's page (http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/driver_license/cdl.htm), it says that...

A commercial motor vehicle that is operated for nonbusiness purposes. "Operated for nonbusiness purposes" means that the commercial motor vehicle is not used in commerce as "commerce" is defined in 48 C.F.R. 383.5 as amended, and is not regulated by the public utilities commission pursuant to Chapter 4919., 4821., or 4923.,of the Revised Code.

Is it safe to assume that in that case, I do not need a CDL for the truck since it is a collectors vehicle and not being used in any way for commercial purposes?

2) Who do I get insurance from to cover the rig? I plan on getting historical plates (25+ years old) and I have checked out J C Taylor already. It will be a parade/muster/historical piece. Are there any other specialty vehicle insurance places (Where is that darn lizard when you need him)?  If anyone has J C Taylor, what do you use as the value of the truck? Can you insure a truck for the amt paid or do you have to get it appraised and use that value or do you get the Kelly Blue Book value or NADA value of the truck and insure it for that much? With J C Taylor, its about $168/year for a $10,000 value up to $800/year for a $99,000 value.

Please, anyone who can help, I would really appreciate it as this is all new to me.

[1949ALF]

Hi Greg,

Congrats on your new purchase.

Since I'm neighboring you in Indiana, I can't answer your Ohio-specific question.  Based on prior experiences in Indiana and California, I'm going to venture a guess that a CDL would not be required.  I'm sure someone from your area will be able to confirm that for you.

As far as insurance goes, I've always used Hagerty.  Their website address is http://www.hagerty.com.  I've never had an appraisal done for the value I insure the trucks for.  With two trucks on the policy, I believe I'm paying $110.00 per year.  (I was just looking at the statement last night but can't recall the exact amount.)

Good luck!

Trina

[Fire Medic 102]

WOO HOO Greg!

As for the CDL, I have never held one. But, I am in the planning stage of getting my class B. I figure it this way, and attorney will skin you in a court of law if you don't have one, and something happens, EVEN if it is not required. So I will get one anyway, just to be on the safe side.

As for insurance, get a Hemmings Motor News, and check it out. You will find pages of ads. I never had an appraised value, but an "agreed" value. My 1924 ALF is "agreed" replacement of $35,000. So if the unthinkable happens, that is what we (me & the insurance guru), agreed the value to be...but Good Lord willing, and the creek don't rise!

Get some pictures posted, will ya? If you don't, I will drive over to see it myself, remember, I live in Trumbull County!

Someone once tld me that fire trucks are like martini's. One is too many, two is just right, and three isn't enough.

Congrats Again.

Roger
NE Ohio

[yfdgricker]

I checked Hagerty for insurance, they will only insure the truck if it is 30 years or over, my truck is only 26

I'm planning on calling the Ohio State Patrol post here in Mahoning Co to find out for sure what I need license wise. Since the truck DOES have air brakes, I still may need a CDL to legally drive it in Ohio.

More photos of the truck at http://www.youngstownfire2.com

[ScottR]

Greg,
Congrats, I have always like that cab style on a pumper chassis.
Since I too live in Indiana I can't answer your CDL question for Ohio, but in Indiana with an antique plate you do not need a CDL (private use of course). But, Roger does have a good point about about getting a CDL to CYA.

I have JC Taylor and my Maxim insurance was $56 this year. I believe JC Taylor accepts your value up to $20,000 above that they want an appraisal to back it up.  I have always used $5000 as a value and they have never questioned it...

Are you going to jackson?

Scott

[1949ALF]

Hi Greg,

As far as the air brakes go (and again, this is an Indiana-based hunch), I don't believe that will require you to obtain a CDL.  As Scott pointed out, the vehicle will be used for historical and not commercial purposes.  Now, I've had a CDL since I was 18-years-old, but regardless, I've never been asked to show proof of having one when registering my trucks over the years, most of which have been equipped with air brakes.

I agree, though, that if you have the time and desire, upgrading your license to at least a Class "B" CDL with an Air Brake Endorsement may be worth it for you in the long run.

Trina

[yfdgricker]

Great news!!!

I just got off the phone with Charleen at the Commercial Vehicle Department of the Ohio State Patrol  and she verified that if you have a fire truck AND you are using it for personal use for parades and musters, you DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT, need a CDL to drive it on the road. Even though it has air brakes and even though it is over 26,001 pounds. It is legally drivable with a standard license.

Party on!
Greg

[GFD940]

Hey Greg,

Check with Young & Merrill Insurance in Salem (330)337-9933.  That is who I go through and they are very reasonable.

[Fire Medic 102]

Greg
So happy you got your truck, I have been scouring the photos you posted all morning. From one truck owner to another I wanted to give you a heads up. Be prepared to receive opinions on how you should rebuild/refurbish your truck. Everyone will tell you that you shouldn't do this, or you should do that...
Let me give an example- My 1937 American Lafrance currently has a Mack gas engine in it that is trash. Everyone is telling me to put an original V12 in it, but no one is offering to gve me the $4,000-$6,000 to purchase & rebuild an original V12. So in otherwords, if you decide to go original, or if you decide to go with "what should have been original" or if you decide to go with a Greg Special. It's your truck, make yourself, and your spouse happy with what you go with. I will try to get an original V12 to someday get it correct, but at the same time, I want to enjoy the truck now too.

Enjoy your truck.
Roger
NE Ohio

[yfdgricker]

Hey Greg,

Check with Young & Merrill Insurance in Salem (330)337-9933.  That is who I go through and they are very reasonable.

Thanks! I talked to them and they said they actually go through Condon & Skelly for their specialized vehicle coverage. I'm checking prices with them now. Their site in case your looking for it is http://www.condonskelly.com/

[yfdgricker]

Rogerpete sent me a great link to wizonnew.com  http://www.wizonnew.com/catalog/category.php?cat=26

That site was great! There were several lights on their page that I remember the truck having (but never knew what they were called!)

They are as follows...

Turn Signal Assembly (#U.TSA) x2


Tomar Strobe (#U.TS) x2


The truck may have been delivered with the Mars 888 and 2 Mars Rotator Lights (#U.MRL)


Hose Bed Light (#U.HBL) x2


Cab Spot Light (#U.CSPOT) x2

[yfdgricker]

Just an update on the rig. She is still parked at the truck shop. I'm waiting for some insurance to be able to legally drive it to it's temporary home in Northern Trumbull County. I had hoped to have her moved by the end of this week but unless one of the insurance companies I've called gets back to me tomorrow, I don't think that is going to happen. If I have to send an application to a specialized insurance company, it might take as much as 10-14 days to get insurance issued. Sigh. I'm antsy about keeping it at the shop much longer. I'll feel more comfortable if I could just get it over to Fire Medic 102's place.

[yfdgricker]

all right, Insurance on the truck will go into effect tonight at midnight. I went through American Collectors Insurance Inc in Cherry Hill, NJ. For future reference, you need to go to their site (http://www.americancollectors.com) and fill out an online quote. Then once submitted, they will give you a phone number to call. They ask more questions and once that part is over, you pay and get immediate coverage. Took about 30 minutes on the phone and was $58.00/year with a $3000 requested value.

[yfdgricker]

The truck has been moved. Friday afternoon around 4ish we got the truck roadworthy and headed off up Belmont Ave to Northern Trumbull County. The truck drove beautifully. Roger said he believes it has a V6 or V8 with a turbocharger. We had it doing 55 on the main road with no problems. Turning is another matter I just gotta remember to slow down and crank the wheel. It will take some getting use to but I guess I'll just have to keep driving till I get use to it hahaha.

Question for all you fire collectors and apparatus guys, check out the second photo below. What do I need to purchase to replace the lights that were here? Are they standard headlights with a red cover to hold it in place? Or are there read headlights that sit in the openings? Bill, WEFR15, your dept still has a Mack MC in service is there someone you can call that can tell me what I need and where to order them from? I would love to get those sealed back up and operational.

Thanks!

[yfdgricker]

I found my back round replacement tail lights

http://www.lowcosttrailersupplies.com/trailer-parts-lights-electrical-2.html