Sorry I am a little late to this thread. As Bob mentioned and a few of you have seen me at the National rally last year and this year. I started my first HDT about three years ago. I purchased a Volvo 42T-420. This is the short flat top small sleeper version. The truck had 1,124,000 miles on it and runs like a new one. The engine had been in framed at about 800k. These trucks are designed to run about 3 million miles if kept up. In the three year period we drove it, put about 60 K on it and loved every minute. The 42T sported a N14 with 370/430 Hp and about 1450 ft lbs torque and a Super Ten speed transmission. This transmission is sort of a semi auto shift. You shift half the gears and a button will shift the other half. The bed was custom designed and built at my shop here in Smyrna De. Great Ride until my shoulder started giving me problems. So we decided to take a look around and see what was available for an upgrade. Kept my eye on Ebay and sure enough along came a 2001 Volvo 610 with Auto shift transmission. The truck was only located about 100 miles from me. The bad part was it had a blow engine. So I called the owner and negotiated a price and that was the start of my project for last year. If anyone was at the National Rally this year you got a chance to see the the project in the finished state. If not just click on my web shots album and take a gander. Three weeks ago we purchased a 2001 Volvo 660 with upper bunk. This will be my sons Toter for his 40 Travel Supreme. Seems the 42 was just a little on the small side for his growing family, and we do like to travel. Hope I haven't bored you and if you have any questions feel free to ask.
2001 Volvo 610 465 Hp Autoshift 1650 Ft lbs torque 2004 Mountain Aire Fifth Wheel 2002 Smart Car 08 Harley Ultra Classic 2002 Gem Electric Car First Newmar Fiver with Karma http://community.webshots.com/user/toterman2
Posts: 367 | Location: Clayton, DE | Registered: November 16, 2005
When we acquired our 5'er, I didn't have a truck that would pull it. I traded an old Ford 4x4 for an older GM Dually to move it around with, but wanted something better and safer for hauling it around the countryside. I initially considered a single-axle day cab ride, but after being directed to a couple of these forums, I re-evaluated the benefits of a class 8 "over-the-road" rig, eventually settling on a Volvo 610 as my goal. A newer model, high mileage (840,000) rig turned up that was affordable, and seems in real good shape, overall. We built our own steel bed, and made the required changes to allow it to be titled as an RV in Indiana, and just one week after purchasing it we had our "RV" plate on it. It's not as elaborate as most of the conversions, but the budget dictated economy over desires. It's still a twin-screw, and still has the commercial hitch in service. There's always room for improvement, but we're happy with the results so far, having put nearly 3500 miles on it before we even painted the bed. Jess
This message has been edited. Last edited by: HD_RIDER,
I also had a M2-106 with a 300 hp Mercedes w/ allison auto in my last conversion I did. Nice truck, but at 14,500 lb front axle made for rough travel on bad roads. I also weighted in at 30,000 lbs and the 300 Mercedes was a little weak at that weight on hilly roads.
How do you like your truck? What motor & trannie do you have?
Anyway, I did dress it up and if your interested I can give you the names of some companies that handle airdams, visors and other M2 accessories.
06 Winnebago Vectra 40 KD 03 Jeep Liberty Renegade
I pull a 1999 King of the Road Crown Marquis 40', 21000gvwr with a 2000 Volvo VNL64T770. CLifford had 562,000 when we bought him in Nov 2004. Now has 271,000 and after pulling the KOTR with an F350 and an F550, Clifford was unquestionably the right way to go. No more white knuckles just getting it all from point A to Point B.
Still working into FUll time as Merrily is still pulling a paycheck but we are negotiating her retirement date.
