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Old 04-14-2019, 07:48 PM   #1
Oldharley
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Weight police

So I weighed my monty that I pull with my GMC 2500 diesel. Rear axle weight was 7100 pounds. Oh no that's a little heavy for my posted weight. So I started down the slippery slope of a new vehicle. Looked at the Ford 350 but the turning radius is crap. Let's look at the f450, good turning radius check, adaptive cruise control check, weight capacity to haul my Monty check, $90,000 ....ummm not seeing that. So i started looking at semi trucks. Since i own a trucking company why not. I found a sweet 2015 freightliner, 10 speed auto, adaptive cruise, adaptive braking, abs, disc brakes on all tires. 190 gallons of fuel, yep no stinking 35 gallon fuel tank here. 300 hours later, after removing an axle, customizing the interior to my liking I have this. The truck was 55k and I put 10k into it. 300k miles 2015 cascadia.
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Old 04-14-2019, 07:56 PM   #2
PNW Fireguy
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You have done what a growing segment of the heavy 5er population are doing. Congratulations on taking advantage of a great situation that facilitates an attractive procurement process.

Do you have a VNL 780 Ishift with a D13 and low miles that you want to sell?
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Old 04-14-2019, 08:17 PM   #3
Oldharley
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We picked up some 2016 volvos but they are 48 inch sleepers, which basically is seats and a bed but they had apu's that were virtually unused. We picked them up at richie brothers auction. We bought 6 of then ranged from 100k to 200k miles. Paid about 60k each for them. If you have resources it's a great place to pick up used trucks. Just realize the trucks may have sat for many months. So sensors need replacing, batteries, etc.
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Old 04-14-2019, 08:18 PM   #4
Oldharley
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The truck turns on a dime. The wheel base is 176" the same as an f450 yet it turns far sharper than the Ford
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Old 04-14-2019, 08:36 PM   #5
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Removed an axle? Better hit the Cat scales and check it!
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Old 04-14-2019, 08:56 PM   #6
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This would almost be funny IF it wasn't a serious subject!
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Old 04-15-2019, 04:23 AM   #7
Oldharley
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In all seriousness. It wasn't until I actually weighed my rig with my 2500 that I realized how over weight I was on the rear axle. The truck was designed to haul 34000lbs on the tandems. By removing one axle I'm now down to 17000 lbs. Truck was 5000 on rear tandems before removing one axle. That axle has to weigh a good 1700 lbs. Or more. Even then I still have 12000 lbs of pin weight available. I am looking at adding some more weight in the form of a massive bumper and flat bed. Just to add some stability to the truck
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Old 04-15-2019, 09:04 AM   #8
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Wow, we just got back from a 10 day trip and my 24 gallon tank was quite the limiting factor while driving through Nevada. Stopping 4-5 times per day for fuel is a serious time waster.
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Old 04-15-2019, 09:13 AM   #9
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Nice setup, but before you get everyone too excited, point out again that you own a trucking company. When the rest of us would get a repair bill or even an oil change bill on that beast from a regular repair facility we'd need a home equity loan.
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Old 04-15-2019, 04:23 PM   #10
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This would have been an overwhelming project if I hadn't had $60,000 worth of nuts, bolts, brass, truck parts etc in stock. Then having 6 full time diesel mechanics to help me when I got in over my head was amazing. I did all the work because I enjoy seeing how things work and then I have some idea of all the crazy things I did to the truck so if something stops working I have an idea if I caused it. I should also get a bachelor's degree from YouTube university. I dived into stuff my mechanics just never had a need to know. Such as how do I used the heated chair circuit in the fuse box when this truck didn't have heated seats. I had to track down a circuit diagram then had to get the correct electrical pin from Freightliner so I could insert it into the plug, add the fuse and add the relay. At least my parts guy could order me what I needed. Parts people don't know what to send you when you say that thing a ma jig that goes into the plug thingy. LOL.

On my current 2500 I found a 35 gallon tank off of a Sterling laying around the yard one day. It was the perfect size to put in the back of the 2500. Plumbed it into the fill neck, added a switch and a solenoid so that the fuel wouldn't siphon out and over fill the main tank. This gives me about 65 gallons which is heaven if you put on your trucker hat and just want to drive without stopping.
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Old 04-15-2019, 04:31 PM   #11
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Speaking of youtube - here is an interesting guy from Canada that also converts tractors to single axle RV haulers.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwe...niISzi1xrCchnA


Folks interested in this type of tow vehicle may find this interesting.
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Old 04-17-2019, 07:31 PM   #12
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When I bought the truck the adaptive cruise had an error. Replacing the radar was $2300 ! Good thing the seller agreed to pay for it. But adaptive cruise is fantastic in this truck. There are 3 setting for the engine brake. First setting is about what dodge had on the Cummins diesel. 2nd setting is double that. The third setting you better have your seatbelts on. So when you use the adaptive cruise it will select a engine brake setting to keep the following distance. If it is closing quickly on the car in front if you it will select setting 3 and brake at the same time. This is so much smoother than I could ever brake in this thing. So really I just focus on steering. So easy to drive. Love it.
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Old 04-18-2019, 08:25 AM   #13
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I'll take it for a test drive - see you in several years ... kidding - Nice setup
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Old 04-18-2019, 09:10 AM   #14
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How would this fit in your average RV (KOA) park......need two sites?
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Old 04-18-2019, 12:01 PM   #15
Oldharley
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Truck is 2ft longer than an F450. But I can dump the air out of the suspension and fifth wheel hitch to drop the truck by 6 inches. Im hoping I can back under the rv when necessary
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Old 04-18-2019, 04:41 PM   #16
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Nice rig...what engine does it have in it?
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Old 04-18-2019, 05:22 PM   #17
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Engine is the Detroit dd13. 450 hp and 1650 ft lbs of torque. Trans is the Eaton ultra shift plus. I prefer the Detroit transmission over the Eaton. But hey sometimes you buy what you can find. Right now the truck market is super hot. All manufactures are sold out for 2019. Used market is high. Amazing what difference a year makes. Last year we could order a truck and build time was 40 days. Now you are lucky to get a build slot and if you can its going to be Nov.
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Old 04-18-2019, 06:54 PM   #18
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That's a nice looking setup what hitch are you using. I have an air ride hitch on my 2011 Volvo 780 that gives the fifth wheel a very good ride. I left mine tandem for now but love how it tows. Check out RVH lifestyles they sell new or used Volvos with hauler beds or whatever you want.
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Old 04-18-2019, 06:56 PM   #19
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We live close 25 miles, from the Volvo Truck assembly plant. Their sales is up 60% from last year.
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Old 04-18-2019, 07:31 PM   #20
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Nice rig. BUT, it’s still not a dually. Lol. Looks like you have the super singles. I like to kid with the dually owners, especially Ram owners. I thought I could swap to the super singles on our road tractor that pulls our horse trailers, but it wasn’t that simple. It’s interesting your length is that close to the 450. Nice job, and safe travels.
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