Rather than blindly buy another bigger truck, a week ago I called Progressive to find out how much MORE it would cost if I got a heavier truck. Right now I have a Freightliner with a 26K GVW and it costs around $720 every six months. Increasing my weight limit to 50K only raises the insurances to around $800. Just in case I decide to go full Class 8 with a tractor and trailer, Progressive quoted around $1100.00 every six months. By the way, my liability policy is for a million. I think I've got something in my policy that allows me to drive my truck futher than 350 to 500 mile radius. My first trip was 5000 miles and the second was 6000 miles!
WHO insures a CLASS 8 truck for $114.00 a year???
I can't imagine any insurance company taking on the risk for that little money. I see some of the rates some guys say they are paying and they're shockingly cheap!! I pay more for that for any one of my cars. I've never heard of ANY insurance for ten dollars a month.
As a recomendation from one tool junkie to another, don't bother getting a non-CDL vehicle. Step up to the plate, get at least your class B license, and get either the 32K truck, or get tandem axles, and you can really haul some LEGAL weight. I'm currently thinking of getting a twin axle truck, preferably with a sleeper. Two years of screwing around, and getting harassed with my 26,000 pound Freightliner, not being able to haul nearly enough weight, I'm done with it. I may get a real Class 8 tractor and convert it to a flatbed. It seems absurd to drive any distance, and only legally be able to haul an 11,000 pound payload. I've bought seven machines recently, that I am waiting to get a bigger truck so I can haul them myself. None of them are light enough to haul in my Freightliner. The one thing I haven't checked into yet is the licensing and fuel tax. I'm pretty sure once you get over 26,000 pounds, it's the license, and IFTA certificate, that's gonna eat you up. I'll be finding out soon enough.