Theme 1 : DON'T ASSUME WHAT WORKS IN A DIFFERENT STATE APPLIES IN NC!
Theme 2 : It's all about the weight!
In NC you have to have a tag which covers the weight of the truck and and the weight of any cargo and/or trailer pulled. If you qualify for a farm tag (because you meet those definitions), you can use that. That is a commercial tag by definition. I use a farm tag, but I own a small farm and use the truck within the allowances for NC farm tags.
You will be getting a commercial weighed tag. Yes, I did say commercial. Any tag over 6K is considered commercial.
From the NC Title Manual:
Effective January 1, 2003 all vehicles with a declared weight of 7,000 to 26,000 will be issued a commercial plate
showing the word “Weighted.” Vehicles weighing 26,001 through 80,000 pounds will be issued a new permanent truck plate.
If you get an antique tag, you still have to pay for the weight on the tag. There is no exemptions in NC with antique tags like in other states. An antique tag will cost more in the end... You paying extra for the "antique" type tag.
You also have to get a Fuel decal because it's a 3 axle truck. You can get a ticket for not displaying it. Some NC'er on this forum have!
I seem to know too much about NC titling/DMV regulations...
And...
Those that say "the lady said this tag is fine" are in loads of trouble if they get caught. What the contractor who sells a tag says doesn't mean anything. They very well may know very little about the regulations. Despite it being their job!