| Author | Message | ||
| Sam Summers (Greyghost)
Registered Member Username: Greyghost Post Number: 145 Registered: 4-2011 Posted From: 166.182.3.243  Rating: N/A |
Okay scratching my head on this one: Looking at getting another Coach and turning the front half into a mobile cellphone store for the rural areas of Oregon which have to travel quite some distances to go to a cell store. Back half of coach would be bedroom, shower, toilet and kitchen, with a access wall separating the front of coach from rear. Now is it a commercial vehicle or Motorhome? Here's Oregon's definition:A vehicle that has been designed, reconstructed, or permanently altered to provide facilities for human habitation, i.e., permanent sleeping and cooking facilities. The way I'm setting it up would be for only 2 days a week and parked on a lot. Any comments? Sam | ||
| Sam Summers (Greyghost)
Registered Member Username: Greyghost Post Number: 146 Registered: 4-2011 Posted From: 166.182.3.245 Rating: N/A |
Forgot one thing, there would be signage on the outside: 'U.S. Cellular authorized agent' | ||
| Ed Hackenbruch (Ed_hackenbruch)
Registered Member Username: Ed_hackenbruch Post Number: 39 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 166.250.83.210 Rating: N/A |
Commercial | ||
| Brian Evans (Bevans6)
Registered Member Username: Bevans6 Post Number: 129 Registered: 5-2009 Posted From: 207.164.79.9 Rating: N/A |
It would be a full tilt commercial vehicle almost everywhere. Brian | ||
| Scott Crosby (Scott_crosby)
Registered Member Username: Scott_crosby Post Number: 104 Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 99.100.88.196  Rating: |
It's an In Home Business... I mean In Motor Home Business. Actually it sounds like a Mullet bus... Business up front and party in the back! | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1682 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 70.219.154.44  Rating: N/A |
Commercial for Insurance...(at least should be declared so)...they might not charge it as such, but make SURE it is on your record; and IMHO legally as well. Now...most probably could be registered as a MH or Rec Vehicle. We have a similar situation. but do not advertise on the coach, carry no merchandise on the coach but do have our equipment with us. (we are a Mobile Notary Signing Agent) The Insurance carrier knows all facts.  FWIW RCB (Message edited by chuckllb on February 13, 2012) | ||
| Cory hart (Chart1)
Registered Member Username: Chart1 Post Number: 91 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 98.253.82.2  Rating: N/A |
Don't drive with the signage on. Get a banner or a magnetic sign to put on it when you get parked on the lot. | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1886 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.195.175.142  Rating: N/A |
Sam - Scroll down the topics page a little, this has just been cussed and discussed somewhat in the "Commercial vs non-commercial" thread. You need to go to a local OHP office and talk to the "Motor Carrier" officer. Ask him/her to point out in the OVC the statutes that would pertain to the type of operation you're contemplating. Be polite, tell him/her you're researching this aspect of your business concept before launching, so that you comply when you open your doors. Suggest you use the term "Class A Diesel Pusher Motorhome" as the vehicle you want to set up this way. Don't use the words "bus" or "coach", because instantly Greyhound comes to mind, which really opens that BIG can of worms, and is NOT what you're doing. Point out that what you want to do is conceptually similar to the local blood bank's bloodmobile, or the county Library's bookmobile. Another thought: Since the market is so depressed nowadays, you might be able to pick up a stick n staple really cheap, so the remodel would be minimum. And so what if potential customers see the galley?? Just close the door to the head/bedroom and away you go! (But talk to Motor Carrier first!!!) Interesting idea! Good Luck! FWIW & HTH . . . | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1668 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 67.238.59.158  Rating: N/A |
DOT inspections are required for commercial vehicles and a CDL . The GOOD NEWS is you should be able to deduct all maint. , insurance ,and fuel on your taxes. Truckers sleep in their trucks and are not charged by the IRS. I would also have a "dirt home" address , so every day on the road could be charged as per diem,about $60 a day or more. No records for per diem is required (just log book), unless over the base amount is charged, as a business expense. Get a great tax guy (probably handled OTR truckers), before you get started. FF | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 2271 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 174.89.176.24  Rating: N/A |
And further to FF, the meal claims can be VERY different depending on form of business, and what your role in it is. Forms of incorporation, sole proprietorship, etc. ditto, seek tax advice before you start. Sounds like a viable plan! And, the whole thing will be commercial, note in the other thread that the entertainer coaches have been cracked down on for breaking the rules of DOT registration and insurance and log books and record keeping, and... I was pulled over on the way to Arcadia back in 2003/4/5 by a curious trooper who was on the hunt for commercial bandits. Very short, pleasant visit and an apology, once he stepped in the door. You don't think the bandits haven't tried screwing a couple of roof airs to the top in an effort to go unnoticed? Innocent busnuts have no idea what stunts are already on the enforcement radar. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Sam Summers (Greyghost)
Registered Member Username: Greyghost Post Number: 147 Registered: 4-2011 Posted From: 166.182.3.242 Rating: N/A |
Interesting info shared, this would be an extension of my store that I have already and RJ it would be somewhat like the Bookmobile but cell phones. I already have the CDL and have been reading up on Odot's website. There would be a wall separating the Galley back to the bedroom. I have been looking at partial conversion that have been started, basically what I am looking for if this goes thru is one that someone has already started gutting out and skinned over, maybe some plumbing, the rest I can do since I already have the floor plan designed in my head (the mind, such a terrible thing to waste). Should know in a couple of weeks from Cororate if they will let me continue on with it, trying to convince them on the idea is somewhat challenging. Sam | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1689 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 97.226.139.140 Rating: N/A |
Sam... I left a message on your phone. Get back with me if you can. Thanx. RCB | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1690 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 97.226.139.140 Rating: N/A |
Sam... I left a message on your phone. Get back with me if you can. Thanx. RCB | ||
| Sean Shanks (Outsider)
Registered Member Username: Outsider Post Number: 4 Registered: 5-2011 Posted From: 209.188.61.162  Rating: N/A |
I'm curious - 1. If your business (or you work for a business) is an LLC or incorporated and the bus is registered to yourself as a private owner, and you happen to use the vehicle occasionally for business purposes...is the bus considered commercial? (think postal carriers using their own vehicles or taking a business trip out of town in your personal vehicle to demo some equipment for your employer) 2. Or better yet - If I use my bus as personal transportation to the job site but am not "shipping" or "transporting" goods for commercial use ...is the bus still considered a commercial vehicle? Interesting how the laws change when your vehicle gains 12,000lbs. -Sean |
