Really big TVs

[jfaberna]

While camping at River Plantations in Sevierville, TN I noticed that RV-Dreams.com was having a rally including a bunch on new 2015 Huge SOB expensive rigs. A number of the participants were pulling their 20,0000lb 3 axle 5th wheels with big tractors like the 18 wheelers use. I talked to one of the guys and he's doing it for cost, but loves the extra power. He only paid $38K for a 450hp 12,000 ft-lb torque cab with all the modern conveniences like a sleeper and fridge. For $65k, he could have a Dually that could maybe pull his rig.

interesting idea, but not for me.

[DQDick]

Over on the Good Sam forum there's a separate group called "Heavy Haulers" just for those folks and there's a lot more than you think. They used to have a Rally at the Kansas State Fairgrounds every summer. They are fairly cheap to buy, but if you follow their threads, the extreme repair bills we think we get are chump change to what they pay.

[Bigboomer]

Jim,

I know what the PU truck manufacturers say that you could pull the big 5ers but using a 1 ton duelly to pull those rigs is not the problem. Stopping is another story. some of those SOB 5ers are well above 20,000 lbs and the pin weights alone are near 4,000 lbs.
Even our Montys have high 3,000 lbs pin weights which push the limits of the 1 ton.

And as Dick said when you are dealing with a class 8 tractor that has 500,000 miles on it the bills add Up.

Even our newer MDT class 6 is not cheap on things like oil changes, tires, Etc.

[WeBeFulltime]

I spent the last 20 years of my working life in one of those big rigs(actually several different ones)...........I don't want to spend my retirement in one of them. If my F350 won't pull/stop it, we don't need it!

[Captain Joe]

I am in a safe, quiet, comfortable ride that is within all legal limits and if my maintenance costs are a little more, it is worth it for the reasons already stated. Carrying 300 gallons allows us to travel at our pace and not dependent on filling up all the time, where, and at what prices. I traded my 2004 Dodge 1-ton dually for my Volvo. Here is a link where the Heavy Duty Truck owners hang out to get the other side of the story. http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showforum=32

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by jfaberna

... 450hp 12,000 ft-lb torque cab...

I think you'll find there is one too many zeros on the stated torque.

[Artemus Gordon]

Toyota pulled Space Shuttle! Lol

[jfaberna]

quote:Originally posted by TLightning

I think you'll find there is one too many zeros on the stated torque.

could be off a few, I don't know, but one things for sure, it's a damn big TV. When the guy said he pulled with a Volvo, I was thinking the old V6 station wagon, my buddy had in the '80s. I didn't know they made cabs like that.

[jfaberna]

I think before I'd move to a big cab tractor, I'd look at the big 1 ton PUs. Mine is listed as 18,900 with a pin of 4000lb above the bed and hitch. So if I had the big engine and transmission option that comes with the 30,000 option, I'd be okay. But the good news is I have a 16,000lb Monty so I just need to not look around at options. :-)

[Captain Joe]

Mine has 500 hp and 1,650 ft-lb of torque.

[Devildog]

I wanted to convert a class 8 tractor for towing before i bought my current new tow vehicle. I believe it to be a winning combo especially if you add an APU.

[davidaf]

I always wanted a big class 6+ mainly for the comfort while towing plus I think they are super cool but they wont work for my RV lifestyle. I wanted the ability to haul a truck camper when I wasn't pulling the 5er. I'm sure I could make it work but a standard truck does the job w/o any mods.

[DonandBonnie]

I've seen photos of a full size semi tractor hauling a 5th wheel. There was enough room behind the cab and ahead of the 5th wheel to add a ramp crosswise to hall a small toad vehicle. It all sounds like a novel idea, but I would think it would be difficult to find a campground with enough maneuvering room for such a long outfit.

[Bigboomer]

Don,

Using a class 6 or class 8 tractor does present some issues of length, but with proper planning most issues are over come. We are 65 feet total hooked up and have used both pull thrus and back ins wit little issue. One key is taking your time, paying attention to surroundings and never using anyone but your spouse to guide you in....

It is not for everyone but it suits us well.

[sambam]

That last part, the part about "paying attention to your spouse" (paraphrasing here), is the key to all things.

[tomNtrisha]

Just got new 2014 ram 3500 alnis 6 speed auto tran dulley 385 hp 850 ft lb torque 410 gears with all the bells whistle that you need I can use this with peace of mind. Wouldn't trade it for a1/2 dozen well used road tractors and worry what type of goofball abused it for 5 or 6 hundred thousand miles. I drove one for over 30 years and saw how they get abused. Tom PS Happy Trails#128539;

[jfaberna]

quote:Originally posted by tomNtrisha

Just got new 2014 ram 3500 alnis 6 speed auto tran dulley 385 hp 850 ft lb torque 410 gears with all the bells whistle that you need I can use this with peace of mind. Wouldn't trade it for a1/2 dozen well used road tractors and worry what type of goofball abused it for 5 or 6 hundred thousand miles. I drove one for over 30 years and saw how they get abused. Tom PS Happy Trails#128539;

10-4 on the big Ram 3500.

[commish]

We like our mid-sized rig just fine.