Just got off the phone with insurance. I can't insure it as a normal auto policy due to size/weight. Got switched to progressive and they had no clue what I wanted to do. So I am back to looking for just normal E-350's.

 

I can ask a local guy (Duff Beer Civic) what he did for insurance. He used to tow with a short bus and then he upgraded to the mobile DUI station that the county was using (pull you over for a DUI stop and if you blow hot, they have a van with a magistrate ready to book you).

 

The PizzaHut Bandit? If it was an E-350 frame instead of the E-450 it would have been no problem to insure.

 

Nah, the school bus was a legit school bus.

The mobile drunk tank is like one of those huge body on frame commercial vans/trucks like the UPS or FedEx guys.

 

Could you register and insure it as an RV? Need to add a sink and water reservoir or something?

Or get better insurance company?

 

I have talked to multiple insurance companies now. More effort and work then I want to deal with. I will just keep searching.

 

Ah, so this is not a consensus.

Bad = not disconnecting the drive shaft would also imply it is bad to coast down a hill, etc. in neutral? The difference being duration.

 

<p>E450 will require commercial insurance.&nbsp; Our engineer Kevin used Poliseek, who sold him a policy through Progressive.&nbsp; His E450 Superduty is registered as a Cutaway RV.&nbsp; The policy from Poliseek is really, really cheap.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.miataturbo.net-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-150190d1442434383_what_do_you_use_tow_your_track_c ar_202525_330253043733207_1889235552_o_2420c7c81b8 700fbde54274e971a95ee51788459.jpg" title="" /><br /><br />&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

 

I knew that Kevin had one and he claimed he loved it. I actually talked to progressive as that is who USAA partners with for larger vehicles. They were sort of clueless. I will give Poliseek a call and see what they say.

 

<p>They will have a maximum passenger clause, and you'll need to remove seats to comply.&nbsp; You probaably were going to do that anyway.</p>

 

<p>DRAG BUS!!!!</p>

 

<p>Get another STOP sign for the other side + cut some huge Dumbo ears + a little bit or wiring&nbsp;= Speed Brakes!&nbsp; Chump Bus.</p>

 

This is mine. When I got it insured I just called my insurance broker and had them put it on a commercial policy. Now it is a f350 chassis and my dad already had a commercial policy for his dump truck (just added it to his policy) so that might be why it was so easy.

 

Killer deal came out of nowhere and now my dad and I are on the hunt for a bigger tow rig... anyone else here pulling a two car gooseneck?

42' Haulmark Edge.

This picture is of a trailer that is identical to the one we got but it was dark so couldn't snap photos.

 

Nice. I considered going that route, but with a living quarters trailer. Decided to go another route, though...

I don't know what your budget is, but a local dealer has this Dodge crew dually diesel:

Used 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 for Sale in Prescott AZ 86301 Courtesy Auto Sales - Prescott

Ad says short bed, but I'm pretty sure it's a long bed.... and it's a manual trans. Not too far a drive for you. I bought a similar truck from them in August, and they had this one on the lot then, so they'd probably deal on it.

 

Still need a trailer...

 

That would definitely be sweet, but nearly double the budget for buying a truck. First option right now would be a "Western Hauler" type F550, '99-'03 with 7.3l, 6 speed manual and 2WD.

Also before anyone says anything, yes I know about the commercial/personal insurance issues but it's not impossible to get them under a reasonable personal policy.

 

Wow, they're proud of that, aren't they?

That's double what I paid for my Chevy, when it was a similar age with similar milage. 3/4 ton vs 1 ton, and 2wd vs 4wd, but that's not $14K worth of difference. The Chevy even had a pop-up gooseneck hitch already installed in the bed because the original owner used it to pull a horse trailer. I've never used it, but...

--Ian

 

I guess you'd have to compare the book prices on both... two totally different trucks in different markets at different times. I will tell you you're not going to find a 4x4 cummins crew dually for $14k. Not with 100k miles. Not in AZ.

I'm not defending their price, just wanted to point it out 'cause manual trans tow rigs can be hard to find in nice shape with low miles. And it'll sell for less, 'cause they've had it a while.

 

Sure, 4x4 and 3500/dually definitely add to the value, although while the extra weight capacity is nice, IMHO 4x4 is actually undesirable in a dedicated tow vehicle that's never going off-road. (I'd also much rather have a truck with the Allison that's in my Chevy than a Dodge manual).

I'm not saying it should be $14K, just that $28K seems awfully high.

--Ian