Hdt

[hammer]

Have any of you 5er guys looked at getting a HDT hauler. I am looking at a Volvo 610 and am looking for some input before i pull the trigger

[edatlanta]

I would check the Escapees Forum. There are a lot of HDT guys there.
I for one wouldn't want one. Imagine the camp sites you couldn't even get to, let alone backed into! Besides, I get 12.0-12.5 mpg towing my 5'er and I have read the HDT guys claim 7-8 mpg towing or not towing.

[hammer]

Ed Thanks for your input but the wheelbase is no different than my dually 182" and i have heard that the volvo 610 has a 8' shorter turning radius than a 1 ton dually. I think you are right about the fuel mileage I have heard anywere from 8-12 mpg. Towing or not

[Diesel Donnie]

From my experience and observations, a HDT works for those who carry a couple of Harleys behind the sleeper and tow a heavy 5er such as a Teton- We had a "neighbor" with such a setup up in South Dakota several years ago- Different strokes for different folks- Don

[rthibodaux]

People use lots of 2 and 3 letts to describe things, please tell me where I can find the defernition for all these letters.
thanks

[hammer]

HDT stands for heavy duty truck (class 8)

[jim44646]

Originally Posted by rthibodaux

People use lots of 2 and 3 letts to describe things, please tell me where I can find the defernition for all these letters.
thanks

Look in new member forum under "Site Questions, Problems and Suggestions" theres a sticky note titled "What Do Those Letters Stand For (Acronyms) " There is where you'll find all the abbreviations

[clutch]

I see quite a few of the heavy haulers here in Az. Some tow a small car behind the 5th wheel. There are two here in the park and they havn't been moved since they got here. A little big and cumbersome for a grocery getter and sight seer.

[ray_nomad]

You'd be suprised. We drive a Volvo 630 HDT.
I can put our trailer in tighter places than I couldn when we had the Ram short bed. Turning radius is MUCH smaller than the conventional pickup.
As far as grocery shopping, the 630 is our daily driver. No problems in the parking lots, in fact it takes one and a half spaces in length and the same width as a dually, pretty much the same space as a long bed dually. We do park out in the lots and walk so as not to scare the locals.
Gas milage is 10 whether towing or not. The Ram Cummins got 16 without the trailer (I have a heavy foot) and about 7 when towing. The ISX in the 630 is 500HP and 1650 ft/lbs. - I've never had to come out of OD on any hills while towing. Our 630 is not the tall condo type so height is usually not an issue and being up high gives a commanding view down the road. I have way more brake area on my rear drums that I had on all four wheels on the Dodge and braking is incredible.
We full-time and put on alot of miles. I got tired of $1000+ for tires and another bundle for brakes every 18 months and was looking at a transmission job from the stress of towing on the pickup. Insurance is 1/2 what we paid for the pickup. At 600,000 miles it's only just getting broken in. The pickup would have needed to be replaced after 200,000 at a cost of 50K+. The cost of the HDT was no where near that.
I admit it's not for everyone but all should keep an open mind.

[hammer]

Thanks Ray for your input. I am looking for a Volvo 610 or 630. Is you truck singled with a deck.

[krsmitty]

They seem to be growing in popularity.

[The Way Life Should Be]

I wonder how long it will be before the various states mandate that you have a Class A CDL to drive one of these. This is no longer a pick up and trailer, an HDT and luxury fifth wheel trailer is just like a commercial truck tractor & semi-trailer. ( Less weight but very similar physical characteristics )

Dwight
6 weeks until the first trip

[poohbear]

Originally Posted by The Way Life Should Be

I wonder how long it will be before the various states mandate that you have a Class A CDL to drive one of these. This is no longer a pick up and trailer, an HDT and luxury fifth wheel trailer is just like a commercial truck tractor & semi-trailer. ( Less weight but very similar physical characteristics )

Dwight
6 weeks until the first trip

If the combined GVWR exceeds 26000lbs the FED standards if adopted by your state(Tx adopted) require the "A" endorsement to a non-commercial license or have a CDL..Per my buddy with the Tx DPS(highway patrol) most states are adopting these standards since it helps with highway dollars from the U.S.govt
As to the 26000,most duallys with 5'rs say over 33ft probably are over the 26000 combined wight,my 321 RLTS would if I stepped up to a newer GMC dually .Probably very few of us rv'ers have the added A on thier license.I am however studying to go take the written & find a dually to borrow to take the driving test since my 3/4T wont exceed the combined GVWR.

[poohbear]

This thread has got me searching and thinking.Been looking at some used Frieghtliner crewcab "business class"hualers (think luxury but big bucks) but have been eyeballing some of the Volvo conversions as well.we are about 3 years from retirement so we want to get it now so we can depreciate thru our business.Those single axle conversions Volvos look like the best bang for the buck though.