Truck RV,,,,,,Ace?

[Scott & Heather]

Heather and I are laying the groundwork for our own truck conversion at some point. $1900 radiator on our bus has something to do with it, not to mention no one wants to wrench on this thing. Freightliner Columbia based conversion would be worked on at any and every truck stop. Hood opens, easy to access stuff. We've fulltimed for almost 4 years now and I'm convinced a truck conversion (class 8 rv) is perfect for us. Here's what i envision:







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[Ace]

That's what I'm talking about! Easy, functional, and more serviceable not to mention very sharp looking!
These are becoming more and more popular because of all the above!


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[Oonrahnjay]

That's what I'm talking about! Easy, functional, and more serviceable not to mention very sharp looking!
These are becoming more and more popular because of all the above!

      And if you design and build your own box, you get to set your own dimensions.   For me, that would be a great plus. 

[lostagain]

My only experience in trucking is driving a fuel delivery truck decades ago, and now gravel dump trucks for a friend (Western Star with Cat 3408/18 speed Road Ranger), and mine (Pete379 with Cat 3406B/13 speed Road Ranger). Fun to drive as long as it is part time. But noisy and ride like a wheel barrow. How much quieter and smooth riding is a nice highway tractor? It would have to be reasonably comfortable to make travelling long distance tolerable for the wife.  As much as I love my bus, I could enjoy a truck too. The ability to tow a big trailer is very appealing.

JC


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[eagle19952]

Frame stretching, factory or one off's at a time, those concern me. And yes I have worked in a welding shop that did them.
The difference being it was in construction,primarily off road, but still they saw highway use.
I maintained numerous fleets, The nicest suspension setups where actually in cab overs,not conventionals, but the air ride seats got a work out. We had to put them on the passenger side...they weren't sold that way from the factory then.

I like the sound of a diesel, about 40 feet away is nicer all day long..

[luvrbus]

My neighbor who is a small trucker just bought a new T800 KW you can't get any quieter than that truck

[wg4t50]

I like the sound of a diesel, about 40 feet away is nicer all day long..

Eagle, you sure named it, having driven both COE & conventional 18 wheel rigs, I do not need the noise of a front engine RV.  Also enjoyed the MC7 many yrs, now tbe Foretravel with rear engibe, only hear it when stick head out the window, otherwise very easy to talk, listen to radio etc. 
Some can call me a wannabee, fine with me, my banker respects me with no family ties.
Do not worry about the others who are searching for sonething.
Dave M

[TomC]

Granted my cabover is a bit noisy-but I'm going to add lead sheets to quiet it. New trucks are so quiet that you need to watch the tachometer to shift-course with an automatic that doesn't matter. Trucks are crude vehicles-the underneath build has not changed in many years. I bought a '93 Freightliner and the current Freightliners use the same rear air suspension. While you can get air bag suspension on the front, it is still a beam axle. Buses with independent front air ride, and the rear air bags out at the perimeter is the ultimate in both handling and ride.

When I was driving my cabover, 95% of the time I had my air ride seat all deflated so I rode low. The other 5% was when the roads were bad and had to put air in the seat. Now with my wheelbase increased from 235" to 283" and that it is one vehicle, it rides rather nicely. Bounces almost exactly like my bus. Noise wise, I always like the sound of a well running Diesel. With a front engine, you'll hear what's going on long time before hearing it on a rear engine. If you're using an older vehicle, like my '85 Kenworth, you're relying on warning lights only to stop-no auto shut downs. But then there are no electronics to go bad either. Good Luck, TomC

[eagle19952]

Her5e's the deal, your new  T800 with Quiet Cab package registered only 74 decibels. at about a grand for the upgrade, granted you can put a resonator off the turbo to the mufflers etec etc etc...but you won't get that out of a 10-15 year  older conventional or a cab over.

Hell if I had a bag full of money I'd have two of each..

One thing I did not like working on cab overs was when the quart thermos jugs would come flying out of the sleeper....like I was supposed to know you had your whole kitchen in there.
Sold a few windshields....

[Ace]

Getting close with every passing day! Can't wait!



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[lostagain]

You're going to have to drive it all over to show it off and convert all us busnuts. I hope to meet you sometime so I can see it.

The RV dealer here in High River, AB has a few truck campers on Freightliners. They look really plain and boring to me. Freightliner might be a good truck, but the looks don't do anything for me like a Pete or KW.

I guess that makes me a truck wannabe, ha ha!

JC


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[TomC]

One of the advantages to using a cabover is that with the flat front, you don't loose that 5ft to the hood. My cab is 90" (a normal conventional is around 120") and taking the 32" that was the sleeper that is an office now off, that means the driver's area is 58". Hence with a 40ft over all, I have a 32ft box with interior length of 31.5ft plus the 32" of the office gives me 34ft 2in of floor space. The only other 40ft bus that I know of that has more then that was the Neoplan Spaceliner that Sean and Louise has that has the driver's area below the floor giving nearly 40ft of floor space on a 40ft bus.

Both my wife and I are anxiously waiting for me to get the truck done-which I anticipate by next summer. Good Luck, TomC

[Ace]

Tom this truck is 45' overall with a similar garage as yours under the BR! The garage is only 9' deep but full width. Big enough for my needs. The sleeper area in this truck has been gutted and finished off with solid oak cabinetry and couches that fold out for beds along with the original sleeper bed that folds up out of the way. See if I can find a pic.


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[Ace]

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[Ace]

Original sleeper




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