Install a Shower in a Highway Tractor Semi HDT RVHauler
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- čas přidán 23. 08. 2024
- What UNIQUE travel needs do you have? SHOWER? At RVHaulers, we build CUSTOM UNIQUE RVHaulers to meet your needs. We build custom beds. We customize our RVHaulers to meet your needs. Enjoy your travels. Don't sacrifice and just accept what someone has "in stock".
WEBSITE rvhaulers.ca
Gregg has created this channel to share EVERYTHING about RVHaulers. Gregg has many years experience building and customizing Heavy Duty Trucks (HDTs) into RVHaulers. Explore these videos if you are considering using a large highway tractor to tow your RV 5th wheel trailer or livestock horse trailer.
We live the RVing lifestyle - we have years of RV experience, with RV living. We also have decades of experience pulling large fifth wheel recreational vehicles with HDTs (Heavy Duty Trucks).
These HDTs can be specifically configured to pull your RV, large horse trailer, or race trailer safely and efficiently.
For further information or questions:
Gregg@rvhaulers.ca
877.631.0065
Always an exciting day when I get a new video from you! Been driving commercial for 10 years and have been dream up all sorts of combinations. Love the shower idea in a standard sleeper. Shower and a potty would be amazing for us truckers who have a very hard time some days finding a decent place to shower. Anyway keep up the great work!!
Hey Adam.
I am always happy when I hear from you and other professional drivers.
Ggg
Nice lower cost shower system. I've often wondered why long haul truckers don't get more of a bathroom in their trucks. I've seen videos of trucks with much larger blank and gray tanks which the owners use to drain their tanks in their coaches, so that would be a nice upgrade. Also would be nice to convert more of the cab into a wet bath closet with a toilet and sink, still leaving enough room for a small refrigerator and microwave oven with an upper bunk for sleeping. A lot more can be done with the space that a dinette uses.
Hi Paul,
I completely follow your idea. If you wish that option, we can do that for you. In this instance, we did what these folks were looking for. Call, and I'll make it happen.
Keep the great ideas coming.
Gregg
I've got you in mind if you're still doing this when I retire in a few years. Maybe also a semi trailer conversion, mainly just to add lower boxes for storage and get the rig in good shape as an RV. Until then I'm just dreaming and looking forward to what I would like to do when I have more time in retirement.
Great idea, seen this on ARI but they want to extend the cab to 90 inch sleeper. I have a cassette toilet in my semi not plumbed of course. But I still have the waste hose to connect my cassette when dumping at the RV sites. I would like to remove the small frig, relocate my convection oven, and remove the upper cabinet on the passenger side which give me enough space to plumb a wet bath on the passenger side without any extension to the cab. I like to also remove the top bunk and make that space for cabinets where the top bunk is to add a space for my convection oven and cabinets, relocate my TV mount and add pull out dual side domestic frig/freezer. But I have to finish paying off this truck first. I should be able to do that in the next 2 years G-D’s will. If you’re still doing custom work at that time, I’d like to keep you in mind and get a quote from you.
I’m a full time commercial driver that lives in her truck. So I’ve pretty much have turned my semi truck into a motor home. I’m currently upgrading my truck to have lithium batteries under the bunk and solar panels on the roof. I’ve wired my truck for the lithium batteries and solar panels but the freight market has been hit hard and reduced my profits almost to the point of losing everything. But I continue to push forward and try to save as much as possible to complete my projects of making this semi truck into a full custom motor home without extending the cab that would cost over $150,000.
Wow a professional driver found my channel! It is so very great to hear from a professional driver. I can't comprehend how you drivers can make a decent living and contemplate spending $100K or more to expand your rig. If we can make use of our existing space within the sleeper, keep our upgrade costs under control and make it work we are keeping our money in our bank accounts where it belongs.
The electrical upgrades you have underway sound really good. I can envision the storage area expansion as well will be helpful towards truly making the sleeper a mini motorhome.
Thanks for watching and sharing your ideas. Call any time if you want to just brainstorm a few ideas.
Gregg Rvhaulers
I want to get one built with a portable toilet for long trips, so I don't have to stop every 2 or 3 hrs for the wife or kids needing to use the toilet.
Hello There. That is quite achievable. We have self contained and inexpensive toilet solutions. There are some nice cassette systems that are easy to clean.
Thanks for the great comment.
Gregg
Thanks Gregg, good to know. Doing my research, I will reach out when the time comes via your website, also will be looking into removing the bottom bed and replacing it with seats/seatbelts. The idea is to replace the driver and passenger chairs and using those as the extra passenger seats. I currently own a travel trailer and tow it with my F250, looking to upgrade to a 5th wheel or class A, better options with a 5th wheel, therefore hence the toilet question. I live in Texas and looking at tractors here that I will also convert to haul the 5th wheel and carry a Bronco. That (Bronco) would have to be down the road..$$$$
might as well had a toilet built in on the opposite side, agreed!
Nice job, Gregg!
Hey there! Thanks for watching and thank you for the kind words.
Ggg
Excellent 👍 work installation of a shower
The portable system is A+ on the build 😊
Have seen people with porta potty on floor. Just dump them in a freeway rest stop toilet. I like the lower build up Lip on shower, keep water out of sleeper when showering 😊
Hello There RP. Thanks for the kind words!
Gregg
More videos like these. Love to see this type of custom work
You got it! Thanks for watching and commenting.
Gregg
Hey Greg - glad to see that your still in the business and making your usual quality product. Shower in a sleeper, who woulda thunk?? I always thought that a --> UHMW (plastic) box lined box with a seperate bladder tank (one potable and one waste - grey) over and under, would be a way to go. Same space, as one empties the other fills--- zero grey and 1005 potable -- 50% grey and 50% potable --- 100% grey and 0% potable --- rinse and repeat. The box lining would keep the steel, sand, from abrading the bladders. Might even consider a coolant to water plate heat exchanger in front of that propane heater (they are small and can transfer a lot of heat.
Keep them coming!!
Hello hello!
I am honored that folks continue to put their trust in me and my team to create custom solutions.
I too am a big proponent of water bladder pillow solutions. Superbly cost effective, and when not in use occupy a fraction of the space for dedicated tanks systems.
Thanks for the excellent comment.
Gregg
Looking at the following video would give you more ideas specially were to store clean water snd gray water etc....."Krirte truck center shower "
Thanks for the suggestion.
More ideas!
Gregg
We had a shower 🚿 in Double Eagle sleeper we used exclusively for Memphis to LAX FedEx loop. Knowing how Greg comes up with innovative ways to create the perfect creature comforts, his will actually be more functional in less space.
Our next project will be Greg creating a straight truck horse hauler from a mid roof semi. And even before we talk details, we are confident he and his team will create the best horse hauler seen at any racetrack or farm, period.
It is Gregg with 3 "g's", but the autocorrect always switches it out. Sorry, Gregg.
Hello Hello!
Wow, thanks for the super nice comment and kind words. I love to learn how folks plan to travel, and what their unique needs are. Then we create a system to meet those travel and lifestyle needs.
Thanks for the awesome comment.
Gregg
Your grey water tank is small. If you saw what was in the Rv for water storage, you can make improvements. A toilet in the truck would be more important than a shower. Most rvs have showers
If you guys have your own truck head up or down. Depending where your at in the states head to Shipshewana IN a place called ARI you can also call them. They can put a shower and toilet with a little sink in your regular sleeper bunk. Instead of getting a huge condo sleeper
WOW! Me and my wife need this turnkey setup.
I hope the video gave you some ideas or what is possible. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Gregg
I'd like to see more than work in progress like end of this video and maybe even work being done keep up the awesome work and maybe one day I'll be able to afford to get one built
Hello There! Thanks for watching, and thank you for the suggestion. Every day we are "head down butt up" in the shop, and I really don't always grab the camera until 2 minutes later when I think - gee we should have recorded that - it was interesting. Too late. I'll try.
Ggg
If they will put a curved curtain rod for the shower curtain they will get a lot more room in that shower . We did it in our coach and it really opens the shower up
Hi There!
That is a really good suggestion - this particular RVHauler is already being enjoyed by the owners, but I am going to make that suggestion to them and see how well that works. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and share your idea.
Gregg
Perfecto gracias
De nada. Me alegra que hayas encontrado interesante el vídeo.
Gregg
Nice job Gregg's
A brilliant idea!
Hi there SMOKEY~
Thanks for taking the time to share a nice comment! I appreciate it.
Gregg
Just found your video what awesome work you do🎉
Hi Richard, Thanks for taking the time to post your very nice comment. It really helps to know someone is watching, and they think we did it right!
Ggg
Thumbs up ,i was alsi wondering that we should have a atleast a shower install ,plus the toilet to
The nice thing about our custom builds - is everyone is custom! You get what you want (although I can't break the laws of physics).
Thanks for watching my video, Gregg
Very cool stuff. new subscriber.
Hi James,
Thanks for taking the time to not only watch my video, but post a comment! Much appreciated. Let me know if there is any particular content or questions you have. I am making these videos for you folks. Let me know what you want to see more of!
Gregg RVHaulers
There is a video of a semi that has a Peterbilt 579 ultraloft with a toilet and shower combo and refrigerator freezer, stovetop microwave inside storage and bunks he uses it for commercial use and it is stock size 80inch sleeper
I would absolutely have a High Top Sleeper Completely Custom truck with a Nice Queen Size fold up Bed, Refrigerator, Shower and Toilet, Swivel TV, Closet, Lastly a Fold up table to eat with and double as a Office Desk for Recites and a Small File Cabinet.
Hey there, it sure sounds like you have a pretty nice plan! Thanks for commenting and watching.
Gregg
Long time no see!!
Hey there Mick e Davis! It has only been a week since I published the last video. Is that too long? Thanks for taking a moment to comment. Good to see you coming back to see what we are up to.
Gregg
I must have missed some of your recent videos. I always like to see what you have done for the last time. I will check in your videos moore frequently in the future.
@@rvhaulers
The big sleepers you see in the states don't have grey water tanks just dumps on the ground.
Hi Jason,
Thanks for taking a moment to share that information - yes we had that understanding. In our unique owner case, we wanted to have a gray water collection option. If these owners choose, they could certainly just disconnect that flexible fill hose, and allow the water to hit the ground.
The thought was that at times, they might be in locations and situations where the "optics" of the water draining might not always be understood, or welcomed.
Great comment sir! Thanks for watching, and commenting.
Gregg
looks good !
Thank you 😋
Gregg
Since it is just grey water, I see no reason why your could not just have like a gerbil water nozzle on the tank to dip it out slowly over time. Bump in the road? Drip drip drip. Pop the hood and on the passenger side against the firewall, you will likely find one of them in use by the truck's A/C unit. Just buy one of those and connect to your grey water.
What I use to do when I was over the road and had no access to a shower was I carried a folding dog pool ($25 Amazon), a collapsible hula hoop, small shower curtain and a camping shower bag.
Place the shower bag on the dash to heat the water as I drove. Laid out the dog pool, hang the hula hoop and curtain in the sleeper area. Place the shower bag on top of cabinet and took a light shower.
A small drain hose can be connected to the dog pool and deal with grey water as I saw fit.
Total cost = $60.
professional driver here. eventually want to get a shower system installed. always hard to get to the truck stop to shower. only thing is that would you be able to do it on freightliners as well or just volvo's?
Yes, we can install in other manufacturers as well.
Gregg
Nice work Greg but I prefer a Lonestar or Kenworth. Here's a challenge for Greg how about a Tesla semi or the boys at Edison trucks could make up a conversion kit for that Lonestar or KW. Why do remove the second axle of the tandem?
Hello there,
I am WAITING for someone to pull the trigger on electric - those guys at Edison are doing some amazing stuff.
Thanks for the great question.
Why do we “single” an RVHauler? Some Advantage and Disadvantages.
1. Every individual state/province has their own rules, however one rear axle can often be classified as a motorhome. Titling as a motorhome results in far cheaper insurance, and registration costs. If it has two rear axles, it is sometimes considered a commercial vehicle, and the insurance is about $6000+ per year. One rear axle, the insurance is about $900-$1300 per year. This is dependent on where you live. Sometimes you can have it titled as a “personal truck” when it still has two rear axles.
2. Perhaps an even stronger reason for singling the rear is the impact it has on the required operator’s license. A single rear axle can be driven with a standard driver’s license in most locations. A three axle truck requires a commercial driver’s license in a good number of cases. Sometimes we have to take a one-day air-brake course.
3. Make it a motorhome, and you don’t have to maintain a driver’s log, annual commercial safety inspections, or stop at weigh scales ever.
4. Traction. I have proven in side by side tests that a single rear axle has superior traction in pavement, grassy and gravel conditions. I have had people with their dual axle RVHaulers here in my campground in various wet, nnowy, or icy scenarios. My yard has some very gentle undulations, lumps and bumps. They have tried to backup their trailers, and gotten horribly stuck, chewed up grass, and spun tires on ice. I have had to unhook them from their trailers in-place, and I winch them out. Then, I backup unaided to their trailer with my single rear axle RVHauler, connect, and back them up into the site, or drive out. I have done this probably 12 times in the past few years just in my yard. I have always won. In every case, the tandem axle RVHaulers had full lockers. Every tire (all 8) spinning back there. WHY? We have extremely little pin weight pushing down on the drive tires (perhaps 3000 - 5000 lbs). The coefficient of friction requires downward force. I have many more small details that I can share with you should you wish to explore this further, and I would suggest you call me to learn more if interested.
5. Limited axle articulation when we have two rear axles. The rear axles are attached with extremely stiff springs onto an extremely stiff frame. There is only 3 inches of tipping or articulation from side to side available to an individual axle. When driving over the slightest uneven bumps (or a gravel divot in a campground), the axle will tend to stay level. If you lift the one set of wheels, the opposite wheels tend to lift as well because the second unaffected axle is still on the flat. The lifting wheels that have lost much of their ground contact will spin. Again, I have proven this in side by side testing on my own driveway that leads into my shop.
6. Better fuel mileage. There is less weight, road friction, and steel rotating.
7. Singling results in a far better turning radius than your pickup. Two rear axles tend to “scrub” or grab the road surface, and it makes campground manoeuvrability a bit more challenging.
8. Superior trailing backing. As an aside, when we combine singling with the location of our 5th wheel hitch placed rear of the axle (not directly above it as we do with pickups), we gain amazing trailer backing characteristics. When we are backing up a trailer with the hitch placed approximately 3 feet rear of the axle we essentially have the backing characteristics of a bumper pull trailer. We start trailer "turning" sooner.
9. Singling results in less downward force carrying capacity over the rear axle. Most rear axles are engineered for 20,000 lbs of "sprung" weight. They can support 20,000 lbs of downward force. When we add to the bare frame (A) a fully outfitted bed (deck), (B) a drom box, (C) smart car, (D) and we fill all the storage with our super-heavy contents that full-timers take --- END MATH RESULT --- My "heaviest contents" customers have had 7,500 lbs left over capacity for their 5th wheel pin weight. If you plan to tow a very heavy pin weight trailer that is approaching 7500 lbs two axles might be warranted.
10. Take a Jeep or something heavier than a Smart Car? If you plan on carrying something other than a smart car on the bed, they need to be loaded length-wise. We have to be aware of weight capacity. Most small cars or Jeeps will weigh around 4700 lbs and up. This will take away from our 5th wheel pin weight allowance. On average, a 4700 lb Jeep will allow us a maximum 5th wheel pin weight of around 4,800 lbs.
11. Nicer (smoother) ride. I have enjoyed many hours and days of towing our 5th wheels with single, and dual rear axle RVHaulers. We have consistently remarked that the single rear axle is much much smoother. The dual rear axles tend to "chatter" when hitting road imperfections and cracks in the pavement.
12. Singling results in a shorter rig overall. If you leave the tandem axles, we often have an RVHauler that is 3 feet longer overall.
13. Lower maintenance and repair costs (fewer tires, brakes, etc)
14. Increases your resale value - when you are ready to sell, it REALLY increases the value when there is a single rear axle. There are many many commercial trucks available for sale. There are far fewer RVHaulers!
15. Allows for more storage boxes under the bed/deck. Those tires are almost 4 feet across! Leaving the two rear axles reduces our storage opportunities by 4 feet of width X 2 feet deep X 2 feet high X two boxes = 32 cubic feet of storage.
16. Some folks like the looks of a single rear axle. Visually it becomes more of an RV rather than a commercial truck. Some like the traditional looks of a commercial truck with two axles.
We can dig into any of these points in more detail should you be interested. Call me or email me!
Thanks for watching my videos,
Gregg
@@rvhaulers Your points are well defined but having driven, owned and repaired trucks and heavy equipment since 1973, I prefer the handling, weight distribution and braking of a tandem with two live axles and full lockers. That's when pulling a proper (commercial) type semi trailer from fourty to fifty three feet long, which would be my choice for an RV conversion or even a Super C. I think an F 350 to F650 with a modern diesel is more than enough for those fifth wheel RVs. Do any of them weigh much more than 30,000 pounds?You may have detected my dislike for Volvos and yes I've driven them but I wouldn't own one. By the way I live in Alberta and have worked the oil fields, off and on since 74. I know that makes me old, so I'm told by my grandchildren and even my great grands. 😇 I'm retired and enjoy your videos, helps keep my mind occupied. 👍
Hi Gregg
I have been following you for years and look forward to your videos.
It would be really nice if you wanted to show more of you and your employees' daily life, especially thinking about the production part.
See what happens and how you get the trucks ready.
Regards, Jesper
Denmark
Hello Jesper in Denmark! It is always so nice to hear from people that are interested in what we are doing. Thank you for the suggestion.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Gregg in Canada
What keeps the water tanks from freezing ? The small door and compartment is not even insolated ! Wow 😯! That could be a problem . Yes you have a water heater but the water needs to get to the water heater first
Hey No Fear!
Thanks for the question. This particular build was designed as a spring summer fall solution. No winter travelling plans and no concerns with freezing. These folks are not travelling in the winter. They are only using their RVHauler in the warmer spring, summer and fall during nicer temperatures.
If we want a 4 seasoned solution, we have that thought through and have a solution. Thanks for watching!
Gregg
Nice system 😁, but the ratchet strap around the water tanks is very tacky! Should have a aluminum or metal removal bracket
Hello there.
Thanks for the suggestion. Sometimes you work on these custom systems for weeks, and it takes fresh eyes to come in and point out something that has been starting you in the face all this time.
I really appreciate you taking the time to share your ideas and observations. Thanks for watching my video!
Gregg
Pretty cool Gregg. Do people just use dashcams or is a 360 type camera w/DVR used?
Hello there. My clients sometimes add a dvr function to our multi camera monitoring system. Others choose to go with a dedicated dash camera. It comes down to your preferences and budget.
Thanks for the question.
Gregg
I would rather have a toilet in my truck. I hate using truck stop toilets.
Hey There!
We have options for that too. Everything we do is custom. Use the space in YOUR sleeper the way YOU want it.
Ggg
no C.D.L . Necessary to own & operate one of these for personal use???
Hi Kevin - YES NO CDL. We title these units as motorhomes. No scales, no annual inspections, no driver logs.
Less expensive insurance and tags as well!
Gregg
what keeps the water supply from freezing
Hey Redman.
Thanks for the question. This particular buld was designed as a spring summer fall solution. No winter travelling plans and no concerns with freezing.
If we want a 4 seasoned solution, we have that thought through and have a solution. Thanks for watching!
Gregg
Any way to heat fresh, lines and grey tank? Could it be set up for 4 season? Store under benches?
Hi Marcel,
Sure - everything we do is custom - if you want 4 seasons sure! We certainly know the technology and best practices exist.
Thanks for the question.
Gregg
Something needed for years , but 7 gallons of water wouldn't be worth the effort. The grey water tank needs a camper style drain and hose for convenience.
Hi Robert - Excellent observation and suggestions - this build was done to the specifications of the client - and in their specific use-case this was the match. They wanted water portability, and the disposal system was setup to their travel case. I can EASILY add much more water capacity for you, and the more traditional drain system. DONE!
Gregg
Can you do a toilet 🚽 in a semi truck KW t680 2020 ?
Hello There,
Yes, we have a solution!
Gregg
It's a shame semi trucks don't come with a sink or a shower. Or a toilet.
If only they knew that for every 50-60 gallons of fuel purchased at a truck stop with loyalty card (loves, pilot, flying j, TA, petro) that you get a free shower. Would be pretty easy to have mostly free showers. May have to pay for some (these days it’s $14-18 a shower, a few years ago before bidenomics it was $12 a shower).
Hi Johnny. These folks aren't heading at all into truck stops. They aren't professional drivers. .. instead this family is taking their rig to other recreational areas.
However, I thank you for taking time to share that information that can help others! Keep driving safe.
Gregg
@@rvhaulers well I’m sure truck stops is what’s fueling the truck!
Good point. My mistake. I should have provided more detail. When you are dirt biking and taking your side by side through the wet mud, a shower before hitting the road back home was the wish.
Ggg
Go look at clutch trucker CZcams channel,he remolded his truck
Hi James,
Thanks for your excellent recommendation - pretty good content there!
Gregg