Problem getting plates for 1947 bus

[plyonsMC9]

Greetings fellow busnuts!

I'm posting this for a new member,  RLPUSH (Kathy) ,can someone offer a suggestion?

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At this time, we are attempting to get new license plates and have hit a snag.  This bus was manufactured in 1947.  The Messenger Service (here in our state of Pennsylvania) told us that in order to get plates, we NOW need the GVW of the Coach.  This was not needed some years ago, so this must be a fairly recent requirement.  Both the front and rear axles have the name "Timken" stamped on them.  We have been told that if we can find out the weight of the axles, there is a formula (that we do have) for determining the GVW.  
   
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Thanks folks!

Kind Regards, Phil

[Ace]

Phil why not just simply take it to a nearby scrap yard or truck stop and have it weighed? They can weigh the axles independently!

[RJ]

Phil / Kathy -

As is common today, gummints are scrambling to raise revenue to attempt to balance bloated budgets.  One must become creative in talking gummintese with these folk.  Therefore the following suggestions:

#1:  Go to a different office of the DMV.  Sometimes the actual gummint office is more helpful than a contracted service.  Other times the opposite is true.

#2:  Remind DMV technician that GVW was not required by law on vehicles prior to the FMVSS implementation in 1975.  This vehicle predates that requirement by 28 years, and no published data exists that indicates what the GVW was of the vehicle!  (GMC NEVER produced GVW info until 1975 on their buses, for example.)

#3:  Check into obtaining "historical vehicle" plates, may not need GVW for those. (Do your homework - most of this can be found online nowadays.)

#4:   If all else fails, use the federal Bridge weight limits: 12K on the front, 20K on the rear, 32K total.  BUT:  You'll pay more in fees!


Of course, you must ask yourself this question first:  Am I registering this as a commercial vehicle?  A private bus?  A historical non-commercial vehicle?  An RV?

IF you're attempting to register it as an RV, NEVER mention the word "Bus" to the DMV technician.  Tell them that it's a Class A diesel pusher motorhome built in 1947.  Show them photos of the interior to prove your claim.  This will not work, of course, if it's still a coach seated for revenue service.

Good luck, and keep us posted with your results!

FWIW & HTH. . .

[letz4wheel]

As long as they only want the GVW they need to take it to the truck stop and weigh it on the cat scales. Take that ticket to the dmv and all should be well.

[belfert]

The GVW cannot be determined from the weight of the vehicle.  THe GVW is the maximum weight that the manufacturer says the vehicle can weigh with passengers, fuel, and cargo.

That said, the best course of action is to just guess based on the actual weight.  How is the DMV ever going to know if the GVW is right or wrong?  Don't guess too high as some states use the GVW to base the registration fee on.

[robertglines1]

Indiana if it over 10 yrs old it's the same $50 tax plus plates 42.50 per yr..so my 98 prevost licensed as a rv is 92.50 per yr.no other tax expense.I'd look into the antique/historic plates. might even be a one time purchase.if this is a 29 passanger flexible about 32 ft might ck their wed site or just type in search box 1947 fLexible specifications..I did it but didn't list weight.they would probably know.My 1936 1 1/2 ton has a 7500 lb rear axle and a 5000lb front axle FYI.Bob

[kyle4501]

GVW = Gross Vehicle Weight.  Not empty weight.

For what it is worth, Dad's Airstream motorhome (diesel pusher built on a Freightliner chassis) had a GVW that was equal to the weight capacity of the tires.

I talked to an engineer that worked at Freightliner & was informed the same axle could have many different weight ratings - the longer the service life, the lower the rating.


The DMV around here has a hard time if the vin isn't in the current format. I've been told repeatedly that I didn't have the complete vin. . . . .

Have patience & keep a friendly & polite, but firm tone with the DMV & you will have more success.

Good luck.

[pabusnut]

I think the trouble he is having is PA split the Motorhome tags into three categories now--for what reason I don't know.  One is 8,000 GVW and under, the second is 8,001 to 11,000  and the third is  11,001 GVW and over.  The highest fee is $81/yr.  I am sure that a Silversides is over 11K, so he should not go to the bother to be scaled.  If pressed, I would give them the ratings of the tires for calculation of gvw.

I am in PA also, but don't have trouble as my 4905 has a tag(plasticey) on the "side dash".

Steve Toomey

[Dreamscape]

What brand of 1947 bus is it?

Maybe someone here has the same model that has had similar problems.

It's just another way to get revenue, good luck!