First day visiting! Any thoughts appreciated as I contemplate hauling rv's.

[Olepops]

Hi all, this is my first day on your forum. Just found it this morning and I am presently overwhelmed with information. It takes a while I suppose to figure out where the humor is and where the real nuggets of help are. I would like some feedback on what anyone thinks of my thought process. I know that I am far from making a decision and even further from making an informed one! I have been living on fumes for a few years now. It has been a great period of getting some aspects of life back in order. I have learned that I love driving, love pulling trailers, love camping in my truck even more and have lowered my personal overhead down to the minimum. Well, a minimum that includes some health care insurance, three meals a day and a cell phone. I read as many postings that anyone can read in a day and still cannot realistically size up this industry. Well here goes, If I decide that I want to haul rv's across North America for a living it would be smart to do it, enjoy it and make some income after all expenses. I ain't looking for a king size income but something that says that I did more than wear out a truck and pay fines for sleeping in my pick up. But I realize that is largely up to me to make happen. What I would like to hear about is your opinions on where my preliminary plan falls short. Since I like pick up cab camping ( i am short ) :) I hope to do it as carefully and discretely as possible. Both my "home" locations are islands. They are great spots but definitely not a place for a truck much larger than a pick up. This is just the way it is where I live or visit. I understand that a 3500 cab chassis is more durable and capable than a 3500 pick up. Therefore I a thinking about a crew cab with a flat bed. The pick up legal sleeper cabs are just to big and conspicuous for either of my "home" destinations. I also need the sleeping area to be at or near cab floor height when I have my friend and her wheelchair with me. A windowsill height bed will not work. Yes, the wheelchair goes outside on the bed. I have built and driven a few one ton and smaller trucks for a local driving route but never for an over the road situation. Will this type of set up be a feasible set up? I am not a diesel mechanic and don't pretend to know too much. But I have managed to keep my 7.3 Ford and 04 Duramax running well. I dislike buying new and getting hit with the depreciation but I also know that there were so many headaches with post 7.3 Fords and the Duramax engines suck down too much fuel after the LB7 motor. It seems like the past year or two have seen some improvements in the newer trucks. If I finance a new 3500 crew cab chassis 4x4 it will be some big monthly payments. But it should also be reliable and stable on the road with most loads. At least I hope! I have no plans of expanding and getting bigger and better trucks as I see it now. It just does not fit with my other parameters in life. Just enough to be reasonably safe, eventually profitable and still have a life beyond the road between jobs once in a while. I know that I have not predicted how many miles I will drive or how many dot setups I will squeak through because I have no idea. Any thoughts?

[haulin rv]

Two things. Anything other than an LB7 Duramax would be a good choice since LB7's eat injectors. The 7.3 Powerstroke is the ONLY powerstroke that is worth running.

Now on to your main question, I hauled rv's for about 6 years. I wore out several trucks, made a living, and enjoyed it. It is a HARD way to make a living. I quit when the industry collapsed a bit over 2 years ago. Now it has rebounded a bit, but still very slow compared to how it once was.

[Olepops]

Thanks Haulin Rv

I agree about that 7.3. Oh how I wish that could be coupled up to my Allison and under the Chevy. Well nuff dreaming. The lly engine sure is not as thrifty as the lb7. The grass is always greener.

Am I silly to be thinking that I should use a 3500 cab chassis instead of a pick up? It seems like they are just beefier with bigger brakes and suspension. The chassis is also better suited for fuel tanks hung between the rails. And under the bed Although with a 9+ foot bed ( min bed size for 2011 models ) there should be room for a tank up top if necessary. Of course buying new is fun and nice but the payments will be haunting. Did you use any new trucks?
The mega cab has a less than 8 foot bed. How is it getting towing jobs with that bed? The two or three transport companies I spoke with all demand full size beds. I think they are tired of newbies like me jackknifing their trailers.

I have never been bothered while sleeping in my cab by dot. But there are some reasons. What are some of the best ways of not ruffling feathers about this subject? I get more rest in my pick up sleeping than anywhere else. So safety is not an issue. Slept in 6 degree blizzards and blowing sand at the ocean. Both are fine. I'd prefer the blizzard though. It is easy to keep warm. Keeping cool is another issue.

[short stack]

you can do it if your frugal. try to get a good truck from the get go. takes to much to switch in mid stream. i used a pick up for a couple of years, but i didn't like sleeping in it. went with a fl and it was really nice and alot easier to stay out for longer periods. the bigger truck was way more stable than a pick up.
good luck, mark

[cosgo]

Couple of notes... a 3500 cab and chassis is going to be the same as a 3500 with a pick up bed on it... They'll be the same truck sans bed. you dont get beefier brakes or suspension with a cab and chassis of the same class. You keep eluding to what seems to be "illegally sleeping in your pickup". If im reading this right (and i think i am) why?? who left you with the impression that you need to do something under the radar?? Wouldnt you rather be comfortable and legal? Just my thoughts... good luck

[Brisco]

Wow Pops............

You sure said a lot in your first post. So much that I've had to read it a couple of times over the weekend just to figure what to say in return. (HaHa - joshin' with ya!!)

First I gotta ask.......are you now, or have you pulled RV's in the past?? Wondering this because of what you said here:


.....have learned that I love driving, love pulling trailers, love camping in my truck even more...

If you have pulled RV's in the past, then you somewhat already know the deal. If you haven't, then your "love for pulling trailers" may change dramatically & quickly within your 2nd-3rd-4th delivery.

I know there's not a lot of information here when it pertains to hauling RV's. Most of the info here is geared towards hauling autos. We've had a few boards in the past that were geared towards the RV Transporting Industry, but none have survived. Hopefully this little Forum we're allowed here will stand the test of time and perservere for future RV Transporters to learn from.

With that said, there's not much many of us here can really say about your "thoughts". I for one just can't get a true feeling on what exactly it is you are trying to find info on.

But, here are my thoughts and questions.

Do you have a truck now? You talk about working on your own 7.3's and D-Maxes, but what are you actually driving today that will get you contracted to hauling RV's with? OR, when you speak of purchasing another truck, are you looking to buy a truck to get into the RV Hauling industry?

Also, if you do own a truck right now, I take it you're living in your truck already as we speak? I'm kind of guessing these "islands" you speak of above are friends or family members driveways, right?

Like mentioned above, there is NO difference in chassis, brakes, engines, anything at all, when it comes to 3500 "Pick Up" trucks with beds and 3500 "C&C". They are the exact same trucks, just one has a bed, one doesn't. Dodge is the only Manufacturer that has a slight difference in their P/U's and C&C. A Dodge 3500 Dually PU comes with the 68RE automatic tranny while the Dodge 3500 C&C comes with the Aisin automatic tranny. Other than that, all Ford-Chevy-Dodge 3500 PU's and C&C are the exact same truck.

I don't understand your thinking of setting up your truck for your wheelchaired friend. Is she going to be traveling with you full time while you're on the road? If not, find other means to transport her around while you are at home. If she is, there's no way 2 people can live in a 3500 PU truck full time while on the road and be comfortable. My opinion......

Last, we don't really don't promote or speak of "squeaking" around DOT rules and regulations here. It is illegal to sleep in a truck that does not have a DOT CERTIFIED sleeper installed while running under a DOT Authority "For Hire" across the country. These are "Professional" drivers hanging out around here and our board will not give out advice on how to skirt around Rules and Regs. You may have already seen the difference between this board and all the "diesel truck" discussion boards out there. We're not a bunch of yahoos that have a Cummins, a DMax, or a Powerjoke as toys. We use our trucks for our businesses and abide by all rules and regs that are placed upon us.

None of us here have ever factored in "illegally sleeping in truck fines" in our CPM spreadsheet. (HaHa) Just to let you know, I've heard these fines can be $1000-$1500 easily.

So, keep asking questions, OK. There's 4-5 of us here that are very experienced in hauling RVs across the country and we'll help you out as much as we can with our past experiences. Some of our advice may come to you in PM's. (wink - wink)

Brisco

[ccoop769]

I feel I should post on the pickup vs chassis cab.

There is more differences then to what was posted in previous replys.

The frame is completly differerent, narrower, more heavy duty. A couple of engine mods differ too, like egr and stuff. Although theyre are difference, nothing major.

You get your axle, suspension, brakes upgrades from jumping up to to 4500/5500.

But although previously said, jumping into a fl or comparable would be a safer bet for safety/comfort.

Welcome to the forum, alot of good info and good people here.

[Olepops]

Thanks guys for all the replies. I am grateful for the time each of you took to reply. I knew this forum had to exist somewhere! It just took me a while to look and find it. I too hope that it works out for this community here in your new forum. I guess that there is quite bit of work in maintaining and moderating. Legal and comfortable! Yes! That sounds great. I would much prefer that. But if I believe everything I read on the Internet ( and I do ) it looks like the only way to legally sleep in a pickup is to add a huge sleeper box behind the cab. Ouch! Because my places of rest are with friends and family and not on my own land I must keep this rig as normal looking as possible. A FL or even a pick up with one of those big sleeper boxes just will kill the entire plan. So, that is why I am limiting myself to a 3500 pick up or cab chassis. The towing that I have done has all been non commercial. Well, I towed here on Long Island for decades while running a business but that was always smaller trailers and rarely on the interstate. The few cross country tows that I did were also my own business and not commercial. So, no Brisco I never did this work before. But have an inkling of the lifestyle and a smudge of experience with trailers following me. Since the few guys that I did speak with on the road doing this were all driving 3500's I figured that is adequate. A cab chassis 3500 has much bigger brakes and a stiffer narrower frame as ccoop said. At least the 2001 Ford cc 3500 cc I looked at did. I don't know about the others. But do I really want to buy a brand new Ford made diesel? The little bit I have read so far about them is very very promising in fuel consumption. That is good since a couple of recent Ford's I know get single digits for seemingly no reason. Engine brakes are also available! I love the Allison in my chevy 2500 but to have an engine brake too would be just great. This silverado I have now is a 2500 with a short box. It seems like it is inadequate for pulling a fifth wheel because of the bed size and srw. Otherwise I would try to use it if I found a company that paid $1.50 pm and gave me only 20 foot tagalongs at most. Do you think I can find that kind of work? :) Brisco, I know it is strange looking to accommodate a "wheelie" person too. Thanks for pointing out the issues there. No, I don't even think it possible for two in a pick up. I may be silly! But not nuts! :). The reason I am even mentioning it is that I will not be keeping a second vehicle for when "home". I will just make do with the one ton to go to the beach or store and tend to other work opportunities. I would like to have the possibility to take her on some trips and need to use the truck cab for some personal functions. Restrooms, public or private will not doo. Pardon the pun. A sleeper cab with the bed at windowsill level will not work. I simply cannot lift her up from the seat to the bunk. Right now I have a "bed" in the back of my 2500 at floor level and I can manage to get her into that bed without banging her head too many times. She is a great sport! I never saw a freightliner. I am assuming that the cab doors are higher than a one ton. That may eliminate either the girl friend or the truck. I like the girl. Those "islands" I mentioned are actual islands. I live here on Long Island in New York or on Orcas Island in Puget Sound Washington. And yes, I do spend many nights in the truck. Waking up to the ocean waves with not another person in sight for a mile either way down the beach is not a bad way to live. But most places are not so romantic. Mostly the sounds are of trucks on the road and not ocean waves. My daughter who lives in Portland Maine thinks it pretty cool that I can live so simply and frugally. As long as she is ok with it I too am ok with being a gypsy. A Freightliner on the beach might be a problem with park police! As you suggested Brisco about my asking about squeaking around regulations....... I have been reformed and will no longer consider that worth asking or talking about. Thanks for not blasting me. Your professionalism is noble. Would me riding shotgun for a run or two with an experienced mature driver be of any value to the driver? I spoze most guys are doing this at least in part because they like working alone. Is there a thread appropriate for proposing this?

[haulin rv]

Not to be picky but those long posts are a real challenge to read. Break them up into a couple paragraphs please.

Ok now that I said that, I in a way envy the lifestyle that you have chosen. Heck I said it many times in another 8 or so years when my kids head off to college or out on there own, I too hope to simplify things. Just not maybe that far, I am thinking a 5th wheel parked in the south in the winter and maybe back north for the summer.

Back to the truck the only real difference between a PU (3500) and a cab and chassis is in a Dodge (07 and Up). And that only really being slightly different frame and trans. Brakes, rear end, and everything else is the same. Since you are essentially full timing it, maybe another option to look at would be a small truck camper and only pull travel trailers?? That may not a viable option with limited freight being available at this time.

In my time hauling rv's I did the pu thing,but did venture into the world of having a sleeper for about 100k and let me say if I were going to be spending many nights on the road again I'd being going that route again.

Lastly would be a more "eye" friendly sleeper approach like a Roadmaster. Maybe do a standard cab to cut down on the length.
http://roadmastertruck.com/truck2.jpg

[pballer]

I take offense to the "powerjoke" comment......;)

[Brisco]

I take offense to the "powerjoke" comment......;)

Then you're probably one of the "few"..........Hahaha..............

[Olepops]

I did submit my reply and original message with more humane formatting. But somehow it just got all bunched up when posting.

I will experiment to see what happened. Sorry for the claustrophobic typing. :)

Well, that is a slicker sleeper than I've seen before.

If you guys all insult each others one ton trucks what will you do when someone joins the board driving a Freightliner/Mercedes van cab chassis? I would not want to be him! :)

[haulin rv]

Oh they would get laughed at for trying to do what we do with that!!

Here are a few that I hauled rv's with.

The 93 is what I started with, ran it about 40k, the 98 (red/white) ran it 130k, 99 (black) 150k, and the Dmax 285k. Had an 06 Dodge (mistake) 36k, Ford w/ sleeper 200k, and my current Mega 130k. Best truck was by far the 06 LBZ Dmax!! Most comfortable the Furd w/ sleeper, but it was a PIG on fuel!

[Brisco]

I just moved this thread down to our "RV Transport" area..............

..........OK.

[Microsoftsteve]

I haven't been on lately but welcome to the site. My parents retired on Guemes Island and I'm moving to it as well. Hope to see you out there sometime if we cross paths. Good luck and dive in with two feet.

[Kris Phillips]

you need a DOT sleeper? so you can't make your own? that sucks

[haulin rv]

You can make your own as long as it meets the DOT requirements.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=r49CFR393.76

[Olepops]

I haven't been on lately but welcome to the site. My parents retired on Guemes Island and I'm moving to it as well. Hope to see you out there sometime if we cross paths. Good luck and dive in with two feet.

The Great Pacific Northwest is the land of vw campers! We used to play a game of "hold your breath till you spy a vw bus" in the city of Seattle. Kinda like "punch buggy" but just with suicidal consequences instead of domestic violence.
I know only Orcas Island. If the others are similar you sure picked the spot for vw camper advocates.

It is a funny world there. Crunchy granola meets mountain man meets green city boy. One day last winter in the supermarket I spied Jerry Garcia, Old Man Winter, a few Christmas elves, Janice Joplin, Mother Earth and good old Saint Nick. I thought it too much to be true so they must be look a likes.

Good luck with the climate and your business. No salt on the roads!

[Olepops]

Haulin,

You are driving a mega cab. I understand that they come only with 6.5 foot beds. How does that work out with pulling fifth wheels? I was told repeatedly that I MUST have a 8 foot bed or forget it. I would love to use a smaller bed.
Do I just need to look around to find a company willing to hire me with a smaller bed?

[twoduners11]

Haulin,

You are driving a mega cab. I understand that they come only with 6.5 foot beds. How does that work out with pulling fifth wheels? I was told repeatedly that I MUST have a 8 foot bed or forget it. I would love to use a smaller bed.
Do I just need to look around to find a company willing to hire me with a smaller bed?

you could use a slider hitch

[haulin rv]

Nobody I know of will lease on a short bed anymore.

[Brisco]

you could use a slider hitch

Most of the big named companies will not lease on shortbeds even with a slider hitch. Too much of liability issue with their insurance companies.

[pballer]

I would lease one on....just not at this moment. :)

[bighornrmk]

Horizon has been taking on short beds for about 6 months.

[Brisco]

Horizon has been taking on short beds for about 6 months.

At the rates they're paying nowadays, and with the highest turnover of drivers in the industry cause son has head-up-ash syndrome when it comes to running a company, they're probably taking on shortbeds out of desperation to keep the company open.

My opinion.............:)..........but probably dead-on correct.