Commercial Vehicle Restrictions in Parks - RV-Dreams Community Forum

TonyM · RV-Dreams Community Member

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions in Parks

Barb and Frank · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are full time and use our dually as our primary means of transportation. We have not had any problems in terms of accessing parking while sightseeing or shopping. In fact, we were recently in Charleston, SC where the roads in the historic district are pretty tight. The Visitor’s Center parking lot in the middle of town had RV parking spaces which we were able to use. We have occasionally used parking garages in places like New Orleans, but we are careful about searching out the height restrictions before we enter. There have been times when we were too tall for a city garage.

We were also in the Smoky Mountains this year and, while the main roads were fine for us, there was a narrow side road that led to a hiking trail that we chose not to use. The road was steep and narrow and one lane with cars coming from both directions. We had to park off the main road and hike up the hill, adding about a half mile to our hike.

We are mindful of where we should or should not park. If a sign prohibits truck parking, we will find another spot. We have learned to be careful and not get ourselves into a sticky situation.

Good luck.

Barb

-- Edited by Barb and Frank on Monday 19th of November 2018 09:26:20 AM

arcaguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Generally commercial vehicles pertains vehicles used in commerce, specifically semis and other delivery trucks. You were probably close to the Blue Ridge Parkway which does not allow commercial vehicles but RVs are OK last I knew. There is also the "Tail of the Dragon" (US 129) which I believe has also banned commercial vehicles. This was due to semis being unable to negotiate turns without blocking the entire road. There were several fatalities due to this. I believe that the Cherohala Skyway may be the same along with a couple of others. I'm thinking that duallys shouldn't be much of an issue especially if you aren't pulling your trailer. If you really want to be sure I'd call the highway patrol in that area. Just my two cents.

TonyM · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks for the clarification about commercial vehicles being those used for a commercial purpose rather than the type of vehicle. I was concerned because when I purchased the truck, it was sold as a commercial vehicle. It is also good to hear that going into larger cities can be done with some planning.

Our voyage trip with the truck was moving our daughter to downtown Dallas earlier this year. We pulled a cargo trailer through some streets with three lanes of traffic where they were so narrow the truck was wider than the lane. Thankfully, the other drivers were all very courteous. The trip went well, but did get us thinking about situations where we may need to be more informed.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Tony,

It is probably a non-issue for you. The closest that I've come to such a thing was when we went to insure our fifth wheel, Ford Expedition, and Ford F450. The insurance company asked for pictures of the inside and outside of the F450 so that they could determine if there was ANY evidence of it being used as a commercial vehicle. Nothing even remotely appeared to be anything other than recreational use, so there has never been any other questions about it.

Terry

Cookie Dough · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just my experience from when we lived in NY. At one time all trucks, including small pick ups were issued "commercial" plates and were not allowed on parkways. However, a Suburban and other SUVs being passenger vehicles could get regular plates. The DMV finally changed the rules, a pick-up less than a certain weight could get regular plates, and drive on the parkway. But not if it was being used for commercial purposes. That is, Joe could drive his F-150 on the parkway, but Joes' Landscaping ( sign on truck ) mower in the bed of a F 150 not allowed.

With all that, one would probably not want to drive a dually on a NY parkway as they are older, narrower and occassionally curvy and originally designed for Sunday drives to the park.

I realize I'm on a bit of a tangent here, just couldn't resist as I lived in NY my whole life till we left in our RV.

arcaguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Heck, last time I was in NY on the parkway I didn't want to drive anything on them. Crazy traffic, narrow lanes and curbs on the right side of the road. It looked like a disaster waiting to happen to me. But then again I'm used to midwest roads where the shoulders are wide, the lanes are wide and the drivers are still crazy.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

CookieDough is correct many states consider pickups as commercial eventhough most light trucks are used for non-commercial activities like towing recreational trailers.

I've had various dually pickups since 1989 and have driven them into areas and on roads where there were signs indicating "No Commercial Vehicles" without any problem.

Danny and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dual wheel pickups aren't Commercial Vehicles unless you reregister it as such. the dual wheels has nothing to do with it.

My RAM 3500 DRW has a $23 tag on it and I can go anywhere in the US or Canada with it Lots of folks use Class 8 trucks as a TV like a Kenworth or Peterbilt

a

-- Edited by Danny and Cheryl on Saturday 24th of November 2018 07:54:22 AM

-- Edited by Danny and Cheryl on Saturday 24th of November 2018 07:59:27 AM

LarryW21 · RV-Dreams Family Member

“Dual wheel pickups aren't Commercial Vehicles unless you reregister it as such.”

Depends on the state, district, territory etc.

Danny and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

In Arkansas If you don't put a DOT# on the vehicle it isn't a Commercial Vehicle and requires only basic Tags and Basic DL no matter how large just saying

Howard · Host

This is correct. It depends. Some states automatically register pick-ups as commercial vehicles based on GVWR or other "size" factors. And many insurance companies consider anything over 1 ton as a commercial vehicle.

However there are differences in the various laws between these implied assumptions and actually using the vehicles commercially. Regarding the original post, the signs noted are intended to apply to larger vehicles used for commercial purposes, and not to large vehicles used for private purposes (as long as they are not otherwise specifically restricted based on weight, size, or length).

LarryW21 wrote:
“Dual wheel pickups aren't Commercial Vehicles unless you reregister it as such.”

Depends on the state, district, territory etc.