Specifics of truck modification

[Steve Connally]

virginia says I'll have to retitle this unit because the addition of the crane part is different from the intention of the manufacturer. I'll also get a new vin number. This complicates things since I have to do it in Maryland where it's physically located and I can't do it until the build is complete because it has to be inspected. Lots and lots of documentation as well. I am lost here. Does anybody have any experience with this? I don't know how I'm gonna do it. I have to get insurance to secure the loan. I can't get insurance without an accurate vin number. So I can't own it. And can I do this if I don't own it? Then there's the whole lienholder thing. Didn't see this coming. Major wrench in the gears.

 

[96coal449]

Take a breath. All will sort itself out. It's ''yours'' and the bank's. Here in NY, the vin isn.t the issue. It's the trucks weight that matters. I know VA has a vehicle tax as opposed to a NY registration. Probably the same thing. Just a little tape for you to sort thru. It'll work itself out. We here on the buzz are all routing for ya.

 

[96coal449]

I bought a cab and chassis .... like you did. I put a 14' flatbed dump on it. Since the truck was originally an oil truck from CT, I had to get a weight certificate from a certified scale, because I altered the truck.

 

[zcperry15]

It's all about the money. An incomplete vehicle is what most trucks are made from. The VIN doesn't change from the original manufacturer. They really just want to make sure they're getting paid on the cost of the crane being mounted. Federal law states how VIN numbers are made. I have found that most local tax agents don't have a clue about this kind of stuff. Call State office and get the facts for your self.

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[NE Tree]

It's all about the money. An incomplete vehicle is what most trucks are made from. The VIN doesn't change from the original manufacturer. They really just want to make sure they're getting paid on the cost of the crane being mounted. Federal law states how VIN numbers are made. I have found that most local tax agents don't have a clue about this kind of stuff. Call State office and get the facts for your self.

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I think that's a good idea. I've personally never heard of a VIN being changed at all (not legally anyway). Is this not something that westminster or any of their previous clients have had to deal with?

 

[evo]

Don't say too much. Omit the crane part from the department of licensing. Simple, crane is not on the truck (yet).. get your insurance all squared with inland marine to cover the crane (as if it is separate (which it is at the moment)). Once it's all together and in your hands is the time to dot the i's and cross the t's

 

[craneguy1]

Wm should have a lot of knowledge on this matter; i would think.

 

[Steve Connally]

After researching State Code, I don't think what the woman told me was correct. Basically she was explaining a "rebranding" process. The work being done doesn't fall anywhere in how the state defines a rebranded vehicle. I think it was the typical state DMV worker who only talks and doesn't listen. I'll call them again tomorrow and see if I get a different answer from a different person. It doesn't make any sense. Trucks are changed and modified multiple times over their lifespan.

 

[NE Tree]

I remember you saying that you could register it as a mobile crane and avoid all of the DOT crap making it much less of a p.i.t.a. to get from jobsite to jobsite. I'm wondering if the new VIN and whatnot is due to how you want to register the vehicle. Maybe less of a headache to just register it as a semi..... Maybe not in the long run though

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

WH should have knowledge on how to get everything squared away. They, as the upfitter, are required to put a sticker (essentially a door sticker on a new truck) that has unladen weight tire info and other pertinent information about the newly constructed unit (with crane). As for registration, again, WH should be able to assist you in getting a temp tag that allows you to get it home to your local DMV so it can be registered. Here in PA the tag company (private) must see that sticker before they process the paperwork to the state. I can't remember what they called this sticker (but it has a name) and I had a hell of a time with my chip truck cause we couldn't find the sticker (finally found it behind the seat).

 

[tc262]

After researching State Code, I don't think what the woman told me was correct. Basically she was explaining a "rebranding" process. The work being done doesn't fall anywhere in how the state defines a rebranded vehicle. I think it was the typical state DMV worker who only talks and doesn't listen. I'll call them again tomorrow and see if I get a different answer from a different person. It doesn't make any sense. Trucks are changed and modified multiple times over their lifespan.

I've found this to be true about my local DMV and even my local state troopers as well, either not knowing or not understanding the law. The Vin should never change.

 

[tc262]

I remember you saying that you could register it as a mobile crane and avoid all of the DOT crap making it much less of a p.i.t.a. to get from jobsite to jobsite. I'm wondering if the new VIN and whatnot is due to how you want to register the vehicle. Maybe less of a headache to just register it as a semi..... Maybe not in the long run though

Here in WI special mobile use plates, which mobile cranes and even my chip trucks qualify for is just a license plate. Nothing else really changes. Hopefully its similar in VA. Best part of it all is the plates are only 10% of the price of the standard fee schedule!

 

[Steve Connally]

So let me ask this for you all who have a truck mounted crane. What does the vehicle description say on the title? Crane? Just the cab and Chassis? Also did you get specialized equipment tags and did you have to prove it was in fact a crane? If so how?

 

[deevo]

So let me ask this for you all who have a truck mounted crane. What does the vehicle description say on the title? Crane? Just the cab and Chassis? Also did you get specialized equipment tags and did you have to prove it was in fact a crane? If so how?

Mines just registered as a truck, only people I had to say it was a crane to was my insurance co. Even the PA ownership just said sterling on it no mention of crane anywhere on the ownership or when I brought it across the border, they didn't even come out and look anyhow.

 

[Steve Connally]

Yeah I've talked to a bunch of people and everyone says the same thing. I called dmv again and they said if I weld a lid on a dump truck and call it a moving van, It has to be retitled. Ridiculous. Probably not gonna go through the hassle