1958 F.W.D.

I spy, with my eye...in the lineup of firetrucks.... -An anniversary-series Seagrave (very rare and very desireable among firetruck afficianados...) -A 700 Series ("Bathtub") American Lafrance -A C-Model Mack What an awesome museum. As for the military pics- has anyone here ever been to the United States Army Ordnance Museum at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland? It's currently in the process of being moved (where I cant remember for the life of me....) but both the indoor and outdoor collection are AWESOME. I was a firefighter at the post from 1997-2005 and one of these years I am going to scan the shitload of pictures I have of the museum and post them.

Some more info regarding Mass and antiques: http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/source/mass/cmr/cmrtext/540cmr2.pdf http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section1

Had this sent to me 5 minutes ago in response to a query on the SPAAMFAA's facebook page: Randy, go read this thread: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/5-ton-up/88358-ma-5-ton-cdl-ma-rmv.html. Apparently, "The web is a wonderful thing and in short order I was able to get a copy of CMR 540 Part 2.0, 2.05 spells out Registration requirements and 2.06 Operators Licensing requirements. At first read it looks like 5 Ton = CDL. However, under Special CDL Exemptions: “5. Recreational Vehicle Operators. Any vehicle operated solely as a personal or family conveyance for recreational purposes may be operated with a Class D License. To be exempt from CDL requirements, the vehicle must be used exclusively to transport family members or personal friends and/or their effects.” ". Later on, " Per Trooper Burdett at Commercial Vehicle Enforcement State Police this applies: 5. Recreational Vehicle Operators. Any vehicle operated solely as a personal or family conveyance for recreational purposes may be operated with a Class D License. To be exempt from CDL requirements, the vehicle must be used exclusively to transport family members or personal friends and/or their effects.

Unfortunately I dont think New York State can help Paul as he is in Massachusetts......Paul I am checking some sources for you, may take a few days- if you promise NOT to drive slow in the left-hand lane and to use your turn signals, unlike all the other drivers from Massachusetts around here.... LOL

Paul, my 1958 FWD Firetruck's GVWR is 28,000. She only weighs 18,500. Even if I put 500 gallons of water in the tank plus 1000lbs of hose and equipment I still have a few thousand until I hit 26,001. In Pennsylvania, it's not a problem as long as she is titled, registered, tagged and insured as a privately owned antique (that is not in commerce.) In some other states however, if the GVWR is over 26,001 you might have to have a CDL.

Again, in some states it does not matter what the physical weight is even after you remove the body......if the GVWR is registered as being over 26,001 lbs you may need to have a CDL.

Paul you need to check the specifics of the law- if the vehicle's GVWR is and/or it is registered for 26,001 lbs or more you might need to have the CDL, even if weighs less than 26,001.

When you say "I want to put miles on it" do you mean revenue-generating miles, as in you will haul freight for profit, or you will just be going to shows and parades for pleasure? Generally the laws in each state are similar, there are some varying nuances. If you wish to haul freight for profit, you are now within the legal definition of "commerce" and you must register it and insure it as a true "tractor." If all you wish to do is go to shows/parades for pleasure, then you can register it and insure it as an antique. Do not get caught by either Smokey the Bear or your insurance company hauling revenue freight with equipment tagged and insured as an antique. Also, some insurance companies have specific regulations, for example I am with JC Taylor (Upper Darby, Pa $125 per year for very good coverage) and I cannot exceed 2500 miles in one year, which is no problem because if I do 500 in a year it was a busy year. Check with insurance carriers for specifics. Here in Pennsylvania, one does not need a CDL to operate an antique commercial vehicle that is NOT operating within commerce, however they must have the appropriate-class non-CDL license. Again, there could be some nuances in Louisiana that differ from Pa- I suggest that you check with a DMV office in La or a state website.

and add a fat chick or two.....

This was precisely the reason the engineer that I spoke with at Waukesha said NOT to run any lead additive...... I do run Sta-Bil in my gas however......Usually Marine formula.

you havnt figured it out yet, you drew yourself leaning to the drivers side.....

"breaker breaker got a picture taker- ole' smokey's at fourty-three.... It's that Japanese toy the trucker's joy that everybody calls C-B.... Yeah, Citizens Band......"

wait, I thought Convoys were illegal?

No offense, but they should have thought about that before they committed to the purchase. Now not only are they going to endanger themselves but anyone else out on the road that they may come in contact with. It is clearly obvious that this guy (and I mean no offense to him whatsoever) has absolutely zero clue about what he is doing. Towing a B with a 1500? ARE YOU INSANE?????? I see it too often in this hobby, especially with antique firetrucks- people purchase trucks with their emotions, and not their common sense. Not having a clue in the world about how much money it can or will take to restore a rig, let alone make it safe and roadworthy- batteries, tires, brakes.....just to get it home or back and forth to truck shows. Or they purchase them without indoor storage.....and then they sit and get attacked by the elements, or worse- by the local Zoning man for being stored in a residential neighborhood that does not allow outside storage of large vehicles. DO IT RIGHT (which means doing it safely) OR DONT DO IT AT ALL. Hire someone or rent the proper equipment to get the B from point A to Point B so that you dont kill yourselves or anyone else. If you can't afford it, what makes you think you can afford the B?????

You might want to check on needing lead additive. When I bought my FWD pumper, I called Waukesha and spoke to an engineer there, they said that the stellite valve seats didnt need lead and to just "run the cheapest shit 87 octane I could find" (his exact words...lol)

I thought the stars and bars was truly the battle flag of the Army of Northern Virginia????

Thats news to me. Sad news.

Mack Trucks is sponsoring a new thing called "Trucktoberfest" to be held Fri Oct 26 and Sat Oct 27 at the Customer Support Center and Mack Trucks Museum facility (formerly corporate R & D) in Allentown Pa. You must be a member of ATCA, ATHS, or SPAAMFAA or a chapter of one of those organizations to enter a truck in the show. Anyone can come to look at trucks of course. The facility is located off Lehigh Street (Exit 57 of Interstate 78) back behind Queen City Airport.

I was reading about this a month or two ago. There was so much outrage over it, including from Ben Jones (had to look it up) the guy who played Cooter, now a Senator from Georgia.....Imagine that Cooter is a Senator......That the Toy Mfr who owns the licensing rights (Mattel maybe?) agreed to back down. I think.

This is bullshit. Google more news stories about it- Even the guy who played cooter (I forget his name, now a senator in Georgia) got involved and the toy Mfr backed down....I think.....IIRC.....but then again I cant remember what I had for lunch this afternoon.

Ahh very good, will see you there. You coming up friday & sat ??? If coming up Friday lemme know, we should hook up for dinner or something.

As cheap and as easy as it is to do an oil sample these days, you are insane if you dont do it. Giles and Ransome Caterpillar, Bensalem Pa. if I remember correctly, you call them with your credit card handy- $16.95 gets you the sample kit mailed to you (bottle, overpack bottle, long length of sample hose, paperwork and a PREPAID ups mailing envelope and the price INCLUDES the analysis) you get the sample- get it hot, then drop the tube down the dipstick hole, get down on the floor, pull a vacuum on the tube and gravity fill the bottle. Fill out the paperwork, send it all in and 4-6 days later you have the analysis in your hands. Carl, you coming up for the Mack show????

Wow 5 posts and Vinny hasn't chimed in, I hope he's ok!

Do yourself a favor- get some marine formula STA-BIL and treat the gas according to the directions.

Is the broad high maintenance or low maintenance?