Hey Dan, Looking good? I hope you are referring to the RVHauler. I am wrinkly, bald and older. Nope, definitely not referring to me. Dan - thanks always for your support, interest, and taking the time to comment. Gregg
Hello Jim! Wow, you got to spend time with Reid! What a cool guy! I saw some of the facebook happy times you guys had down south. I was jealous! Thanks for watching Jim! Ggg
A true PRO in the industry, Gregg and his team get it done right the first time. Having a large fleet with a major refrigerated carrier in the USA, I am a stickler for safety. My pretrip inspection was actually adopted by the State of Arkansas for training purposes, that is how serious I am about getting it right before you ever start your day. I can see Gregg and his team are the same way. That gives me the comfort and confidence in knowing the rest of the behind the scenes work done by RVHaulers is done right the first time.
Hello Again EQ BOSS! Thanks for your great kindness. All of us here at RVHauler truly agonize over the small things and anything safety related. This is the primary reason we look to these Heavy Duty Trucks HDTS for towing. They are safer than some other solutions. I just came back from a trip with my wife. After 20 hours of driving through the rocky mountains with a 26,000 lb 5er behind us, I am reminded why we appreciate towing with a safe a capable rig. I am careful to instruct all my clients in pre-trip inspections - even though we are only using these for personal reasons, you are responsible for around 40,000 lbs rolling down the interstate. This isn't play - it is serious every time we accept responsibility for our precious people cargo. Thanks for the wisdom, time, and comment. Gregg RV Hauler Passionate Person
When I win the lottery, please expect a call from me. I will want you to find, modify, and equip a truck for pulling a 5th wheel camper. I enjoyed this video and have liked and subscribed. Thank you for your efforts. If nothing else, I can watch and learn. Lou from Georgia.
Love the detail you provide! I sure would look forward to some repair and conversion videos. I enjoy seeing the nuts and bolts of how you get from beginning to end. I went back in your videos and watch many early videos of yours and really found your work very thorough. Great job!
Hello SD! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. I have had a few similar suggestions, and I will absolutely focus on some more wrenching videos for you in the future. Gregg
It is so awsome to look at these videos. I do know that I at some point My family comes to North America. I will sure choose to work with you creating our rv. I would like to develop a showerdrombox if it is room for it in the back. Just so it would be possible to rinse off a few times. Mabe sacrifase a lttle depth in the cargoboxes on the side. Would it be possible to create such a drombox. An "outhouse" with shower possibility. The weightcapasaty should be good for up toward 1000 litre combined: fresh, Grey and blackwater tanks. Thanks for putting these videos out here. I am a developer of fully or semi diy boat types. I get so much inspiration from all you show😊👍. Best regards from Tor Arve from Norway
Hello Tor from NORWAY! I am honored when people trust me to build their RVHaulers, and ensure their family is SAFE in their travels. When you are ready, lets talk! Video conference. I am happy to build my RVHaulers CUSTOM to the needs and wishes of my clients. The drombox idea you have is completely possible and feasible. Thanks for watching! Gregg Shields from CANADA - RVHaulers
Hello Doug, I am happy to answer any questions. I am a bit unsure what you are looking for - repair costs, singling costs, truck purchase costs? Alternatively, I am the guy that answers the phones! Give me a call and I can answer questions in that fashion as well. Gregg
Thanks Greg, lots of good stuff. One thing that would be helpful to my wife and I would be some discussion on costs, service logistics and licensing issues/strategies (we are in the US). We are considering a range of full time options from 1 ton / 5th wheel toy haulers to Super Cs and a trailer, and for a # of reasons, including your great channel, a HDT option is potentially on the table. However, since there is so much custom work required, and it is what you say " a niche of a niche", it is hard to even generalize around acquisition and service costs and logistics. If people are not familiar with owning an operating what is essentially a commercial truck, it can be hard to orient. Having owned a fairly large, twin screw cruiser, we understand that there is a huge range in how costs are considered, so any guidance or heuristics are much appreciated. I see you are only 12 hours north of us, so maybe well get up you way on one of our summer motorcycle trips. Thanks from the mountains of Utah!
Hi Again Todd, Great questions - thank you! Firstly - We LOVE visitors. I highly encourage folks to come to our yard where we can take time to drive and explore some RVHauler projects here in the yard. We even have a couple sample luxury 5th wheels to check out. Don't neglect to think about flying here. I am only 15 minutes from the Calgary International Airport. I can pick you folks up, and we can spend a day or two just brainstorming and learning about the RVHauler options available. When it comes to maintenance, our RVHaulers cost on par with what it costs to maintain a pickup. We can dig into this more if you want on perhaps a zoom call or phone call. Thanks, Gregg
Greg I have been watching you chat about the beautiful work you do, so I do have a question.. How about full camera systems.. what I mean are like dash cams but for all sides of the truck and future 5th wheels for that just in case moments.. thanks for all your hard work and attention to detail on every job, you and your team do!👍
Love the question. The system you refer to is called a DVR (Digital Video Recorder). They are becoming quite popular in the commercial trucking world for those occasions when someone does something unexpected around us. Just having a forward facing dash cam isn't always pointing in the right direction. Ggg
Nice detail video Gregg. Hard to do this maybe but explain how a vehicle sitting can suddenly have a bunch of little problems. Often people will sit for a week or a month at a site and if the truck sits little aggravations can come up. With the plague I had a newer vehicle that sat for up to 2 months since we did not travel and it started having little things, a sensor would set the money light and if I reset the money light all was good. Started trying to run it to the first road at least every other day it is just under a couple miles but it gets up to temp and we have no issues. The gremlins in the system like to be used once in a while. Stay safe and healthy Sir.
Hi Badger Pa - and thanks as ALWAYS for watching, and taking the time to share your excellent observations. What you are describing is what we call LOT ROT. Yes, it sounds a bit harsh but it really exists and you are RIGHT! When particularly these heavy duty trucks sit for a length of time without moving, things tend to go awry a bit more than when they are moving. They engineer these trucks to MOVE, not sit. When I get a candidate truck into the shop for conversion, and I find out it has been sitting I have a laundry-list of things that I know we need to take care of. Rear wheel seals. Hoses and clamps. Leaking AC systems and coolant systems. Certain harness connections (in particular those that connect to the wheel speed sensors). All little gremlins we zero-in on to make sure my RVHaulers are reliable when my clients get them. Please stay happy and healthy in these times Pa! Ggg
I saw a video a few years ago of a Kenworth that had very nice steps for getting into the cab. The bottom step was only 3-4 inches off the ground and it looked like any normal steps, not the typical truck ones like in this video. I tried searching for them because I wondered if they were just too expensive for most people to put on their truck, but I quickly found that there are easily 100,000 different parts and addons you can throw on a heavy duty truck. the search and filter options didn't really help either. have you seen something like that before, or do you think those might have been something custom ordered?
hmmm, I am thinking JM.... I really can't picture seeing "traditional" steps (like in your home???) on these Heavy Duty Trucks (HDTs). Not sure where you might have seen that. I have custom added extra steps to my client rigs before for folks with perhaps a bad knee or hip. I add a bottom step just a few inches off the ground as you describe, and the next steps are only about 6-7 inches apart until you reach the floor of the sleeper. Lets both keep our eyes open for a solution. Please email me if you see something. Thanks, Gregg
Hello Trevor, I get great pleasure when fellows like you watch, and find them interesting enough to watch another one! You are very welcome, it is my genuine pleasure to post a video. Thanks, Ggg
Hey Gregg, can you, or, os it possible to take a pre 2010 truck and update the body (hood, fenders, bumper and side skirts) to the current body style? Basically turn (cosmetically) a pre emission truck into a globetrotter?
Hello there and thanks for the cool question! Yup, I have done that!!!!! I took the 2008 RVHauler named VIC and put a bunch of newer components from a 2016 on him! It was cool! It sure psychs out folks when they think your RVHauler is "newer" and you just smile knowingly. Gregg
Hi Jim, I have spoken with the Volvo techs before and sadly they have told me that they are not interchangeable. They told me the mounting arms are placed differently, and are differently formed. Thanks for the question, Ggg
I am new to your channel and trying to talk my wife into a RVHauler instead of buying a Ford, Chevy/GMC or Ram Dually PU Truck. Have a few questions, first, can these rigs be equipped or changed over to some sort of Automatic Trans? Second question, I have seen a few big rigs out there with nice chromed aluminum Super Single tires....is this something you would agree would be a good investment or keeping the dual wheels? Last question, you are up in Canada, are there any international issues for purchasing a truck from you or do we purchase one and deliver it to you for updating? Love the channel Gregg and finding some very useful thoughts and ideas.
Hello Bob, Sorry for the slow reply - I missed your comment until now. I try my best to reply to all that I can. Almost everything we convert is already an autoshift transmisssion. In the 12 years of building these RVHaulers, I have only had two stick-shifts come through the shop. Regarding Super Singles: Super singles are ok, but not my preferred solution. I prefer duallies - if we have a drive tire that is starting to lose air, or is flat, we can still limp-along on the other. We can get off the road to a safe place to have the tire fixed. With a super single, you have to pull over right away. Another risk of a flat on a super single is rim damage. I was told that in over 75% of a super single blow-out, the truck ends up running on the rim for a short period of time, and gets damaged quite often. It isn't just the rubber you have to replace, but the rim as well in some cases. Also, the super singles are not quite as commonly "stocked" by the roadside tire repair folks. Sometimes you will have to wait to get one replaced. In other words - with duallies - you have a built-in spare. There are no issues bringing us a US truck. Folks do it all the time! We pickup and deliver too! Bob - you are most welcome to call me any time with your great questions. Thanks, Gregg
Hello Brian, Yes, we have certainly kept some of our builds as tandem axles. It is interesting that there are some advantages and disadvantages to the single rear axle solution. Even this owner, who is an active professional commercial driver, wanted his rig singled. I'll be sure to make a video for you next time we have a tandem axle build. Thanks for the suggestion. Ggg
Greg would love to get one just to bad i am so far away from retirement but keep up the good work would love to see more of you team if not shy of camera and shop
Hello Guillaume, the gents and lady in the shop are more and more getting comfortable with being in the videos. I will share this request with them, and I promise I will not keep shop secrets from you! Thanks for taking the time to share your comment, and thank you thank you for watching my videos! Signed, The Very Appreciative Gregg
Great stuff, Greg! I know you generally single your RV haulers but I'd be interested in seeing more with the original dual axles converted for RV hauling. Also, and I don't know if you've done any, but has anyone put a pseudo-pickup bed on an RV hauler? I've seen some on mid-duty units, but don't recall any on HDTs. Thanks so much - great to see you !
Hiya QQ! I have left a few client rigs with dual rear axles. It sure does get requested! I haven't had anyone ask for a more "traditional" bed look. I'll do it for you! On the topic of why we single, I had a few thoughts I hope you don't mind me sharing. 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 maneuverability 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,
Hi Raymond - they use that dash space in front of the passenger seat for some mechanical, heat, and AC systems. Instead of a glove box, Volvo gave us all kinds of giant storage spaces all over the rest of the sleeper space. Thanks for the question! Gregg
Hi Dan, I have a whole number of finished pricing examples on my website. You can review fancy and functional, years, models, and features and get an idea of the end-pricing. Here is the link: www.rvhaulers.ca/inventory/ Gregg
You said your a niche of a niche but you shouldn’t be. People are spending more or the same money for a f350 dully and towing large 5th wheels. These retired semis are safer and easier to drive and much less stressful then a dully imho. Plus’s they’ll last much longer as they are not being stressed pulling a 16k lbs 5th wheel.
Hi Adam, Thanks for sharing your professional driving observations and opinions. I really appreciate your support. It is so great to have a professional driver sharing their real-life experiences. Gregg
Great looking truck
Looking good!
Hey Dan,
Looking good? I hope you are referring to the RVHauler. I am wrinkly, bald and older. Nope, definitely not referring to me.
Dan - thanks always for your support, interest, and taking the time to comment.
Gregg
Good work thanks
Hey Mousetrap! Thanks for commenting your compliments! I appreciate it.
Gregg
We love all your work
Hello There! I am so glad you found my videos. Thanks for the kind works!
Gregg
Always enjoy your content Gregg. See ya down the road.
Hi Keith,
Thanks so much for your continued support of my channel!
Ggg
YOU ARE THE DIRECTOR/PRODUCER OF THIS VIDEO AND
NEVER "APOLOGIZE"!!! YOU ARE DOING A PERFECT PRESENTATION...
Hello John Doe!
I am Canadian. Did you know that we tend to apologize a bit? We even apologize BEFORE we speak, just to be careful.
Sorry, Greggie.
We spent the winter next to Reid and this truck. Marvelous job on the conversation. He is so happy with the truck.
Hello Jim! Wow, you got to spend time with Reid! What a cool guy! I saw some of the facebook happy times you guys had down south. I was jealous!
Thanks for watching Jim!
Ggg
I love seeing these small details
Hi Kevin,
You and I are alike.
I love seeing, finding and FIXING the small details.
Ggg
@@rvhaulers yes, the immense satisfaction from bringing a vehicle back to where it should be; on something that just needs some attention.
@@rvhaulers I can't wait to come over to see you and I'm thinking of a new Volvo HDT with a Cummings engine no Volvo Dealer on Hawaii Island.
Super informative, nice to see a company that takes pride in customer service.
Hello Michael,
Thank you for taking the time to share a nice comment! I appreciate it.
Gregg
A true PRO in the industry, Gregg and his team get it done right the first time. Having a large fleet with a major refrigerated carrier in the USA, I am a stickler for safety. My pretrip inspection was actually adopted by the State of Arkansas for training purposes, that is how serious I am about getting it right before you ever start your day. I can see Gregg and his team are the same way. That gives me the comfort and confidence in knowing the rest of the behind the scenes work done by RVHaulers is done right the first time.
Hello Again EQ BOSS!
Thanks for your great kindness. All of us here at RVHauler truly agonize over the small things and anything safety related. This is the primary reason we look to these Heavy Duty Trucks HDTS for towing. They are safer than some other solutions.
I just came back from a trip with my wife. After 20 hours of driving through the rocky mountains with a 26,000 lb 5er behind us, I am reminded why we appreciate towing with a safe a capable rig. I am careful to instruct all my clients in pre-trip inspections - even though we are only using these for personal reasons, you are responsible for around 40,000 lbs rolling down the interstate. This isn't play - it is serious every time we accept responsibility for our precious people cargo.
Thanks for the wisdom, time, and comment.
Gregg RV Hauler Passionate Person
When I win the lottery, please expect a call from me. I will want you to find, modify, and equip a truck for pulling a 5th wheel camper. I enjoyed this video and have liked and subscribed. Thank you for your efforts. If nothing else, I can watch and learn. Lou from Georgia.
Do you ever consider mounting a spare tire or two? If so, how and where would it go?
You can put a spare up against the rear of the sleeper some truckers carry one there
Love the detail you provide!
I sure would look forward to some repair and conversion videos. I enjoy seeing the nuts and bolts of how you get from beginning to end. I went back in your videos and watch many early videos of yours and really found your work very thorough. Great job!
Hello SD! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. I have had a few similar suggestions, and I will absolutely focus on some more wrenching videos for you in the future.
Gregg
It is so awsome to look at these videos. I do know that I at some point My family comes to North America. I will sure choose to work with you creating our rv. I would like to develop a showerdrombox if it is room for it in the back. Just so it would be possible to rinse off a few times. Mabe sacrifase a lttle depth in the cargoboxes on the side. Would it be possible to create such a drombox. An "outhouse" with shower possibility. The weightcapasaty should be good for up toward 1000 litre combined: fresh, Grey and blackwater tanks. Thanks for putting these videos out here. I am a developer of fully or semi diy boat types. I get so much inspiration from all you show😊👍. Best regards from Tor Arve from Norway
Hello Tor from NORWAY! I am honored when people trust me to build their RVHaulers, and ensure their family is SAFE in their travels. When you are ready, lets talk! Video conference. I am happy to build my RVHaulers CUSTOM to the needs and wishes of my clients. The drombox idea you have is completely possible and feasible.
Thanks for watching!
Gregg Shields from CANADA - RVHaulers
Greg tell us more about true cost. Thanks
Hello Doug,
I am happy to answer any questions. I am a bit unsure what you are looking for - repair costs, singling costs, truck purchase costs? Alternatively, I am the guy that answers the phones! Give me a call and I can answer questions in that fashion as well.
Gregg
Contact info on the Mudflaps? Looking for a lighter version for my NH 5th wheel. Maybe these will do.
Thanks Greg, lots of good stuff. One thing that would be helpful to my wife and I would be some discussion on costs, service logistics and licensing issues/strategies (we are in the US). We are considering a range of full time options from 1 ton / 5th wheel toy haulers to Super Cs and a trailer, and for a # of reasons, including your great channel, a HDT option is potentially on the table. However, since there is so much custom work required, and it is what you say " a niche of a niche", it is hard to even generalize around acquisition and service costs and logistics. If people are not familiar with owning an operating what is essentially a commercial truck, it can be hard to orient. Having owned a fairly large, twin screw cruiser, we understand that there is a huge range in how costs are considered, so any guidance or heuristics are much appreciated. I see you are only 12 hours north of us, so maybe well get up you way on one of our summer motorcycle trips. Thanks from the mountains of Utah!
Hi Again Todd,
Great questions - thank you! Firstly - We LOVE visitors. I highly encourage folks to come to our yard where we can take time to drive and explore some RVHauler projects here in the yard. We even have a couple sample luxury 5th wheels to check out. Don't neglect to think about flying here. I am only 15 minutes from the Calgary International Airport. I can pick you folks up, and we can spend a day or two just brainstorming and learning about the RVHauler options available.
When it comes to maintenance, our RVHaulers cost on par with what it costs to maintain a pickup. We can dig into this more if you want on perhaps a zoom call or phone call.
Thanks, Gregg
Greg I have been watching you chat about the beautiful work you do, so I do have a question.. How about full camera systems.. what I mean are like dash cams but for all sides of the truck and future 5th wheels for that just in case moments.. thanks for all your hard work and attention to detail on every job, you and your team do!👍
Love the question. The system you refer to is called a DVR (Digital Video Recorder). They are becoming quite popular in the commercial trucking world for those occasions when someone does something unexpected around us. Just having a forward facing dash cam isn't always pointing in the right direction.
Ggg
Nice detail video Gregg. Hard to do this maybe but explain how a vehicle sitting can suddenly have a bunch of little problems. Often people will sit for a week or a month at a site and if the truck sits little aggravations can come up. With the plague I had a newer vehicle that sat for up to 2 months since we did not travel and it started having little things, a sensor would set the money light and if I reset the money light all was good. Started trying to run it to the first road at least every other day it is just under a couple miles but it gets up to temp and we have no issues. The gremlins in the system like to be used once in a while. Stay safe and healthy Sir.
Hi Badger Pa - and thanks as ALWAYS for watching, and taking the time to share your excellent observations.
What you are describing is what we call LOT ROT. Yes, it sounds a bit harsh but it really exists and you are RIGHT! When particularly these heavy duty trucks sit for a length of time without moving, things tend to go awry a bit more than when they are moving. They engineer these trucks to MOVE, not sit. When I get a candidate truck into the shop for conversion, and I find out it has been sitting I have a laundry-list of things that I know we need to take care of.
Rear wheel seals. Hoses and clamps. Leaking AC systems and coolant systems. Certain harness connections (in particular those that connect to the wheel speed sensors). All little gremlins we zero-in on to make sure my RVHaulers are reliable when my clients get them.
Please stay happy and healthy in these times Pa!
Ggg
I saw a video a few years ago of a Kenworth that had very nice steps for getting into the cab. The bottom step was only 3-4 inches off the ground and it looked like any normal steps, not the typical truck ones like in this video. I tried searching for them because I wondered if they were just too expensive for most people to put on their truck, but I quickly found that there are easily 100,000 different parts and addons you can throw on a heavy duty truck. the search and filter options didn't really help either.
have you seen something like that before, or do you think those might have been something custom ordered?
hmmm, I am thinking JM....
I really can't picture seeing "traditional" steps (like in your home???) on these Heavy Duty Trucks (HDTs). Not sure where you might have seen that. I have custom added extra steps to my client rigs before for folks with perhaps a bad knee or hip. I add a bottom step just a few inches off the ground as you describe, and the next steps are only about 6-7 inches apart until you reach the floor of the sleeper.
Lets both keep our eyes open for a solution. Please email me if you see something.
Thanks, Gregg
Love the work and videos! Thank you
Hello Trevor,
I get great pleasure when fellows like you watch, and find them interesting enough to watch another one!
You are very welcome, it is my genuine pleasure to post a video.
Thanks, Ggg
Hey Gregg, can you, or, os it possible to take a pre 2010 truck and update the body (hood, fenders, bumper and side skirts) to the current body style? Basically turn (cosmetically) a pre emission truck into a globetrotter?
Hello there and thanks for the cool question!
Yup, I have done that!!!!! I took the 2008 RVHauler named VIC and put a bunch of newer components from a 2016 on him! It was cool! It sure psychs out folks when they think your RVHauler is "newer" and you just smile knowingly.
Gregg
Are the different generation Volvo mirrors interchangable?
Hi Jim, I have spoken with the Volvo techs before and sadly they have told me that they are not interchangeable. They told me the mounting arms are placed differently, and are differently formed.
Thanks for the question, Ggg
I am new to your channel and trying to talk my wife into a RVHauler instead of buying a Ford, Chevy/GMC or Ram Dually PU Truck. Have a few questions, first, can these rigs be equipped or changed over to some sort of Automatic Trans? Second question, I have seen a few big rigs out there with nice chromed aluminum Super Single tires....is this something you would agree would be a good investment or keeping the dual wheels? Last question, you are up in Canada, are there any international issues for purchasing a truck from you or do we purchase one and deliver it to you for updating? Love the channel Gregg and finding some very useful thoughts and ideas.
Hello Bob,
Sorry for the slow reply - I missed your comment until now. I try my best to reply to all that I can.
Almost everything we convert is already an autoshift transmisssion. In the 12 years of building these RVHaulers, I have only had two stick-shifts come through the shop.
Regarding Super Singles:
Super singles are ok, but not my preferred solution. I prefer duallies - if we have a drive tire that is starting to lose air, or is flat, we can still limp-along on the other. We can get off the road to a safe place to have the tire fixed. With a super single, you have to pull over right away. Another risk of a flat on a super single is rim damage. I was told that in over 75% of a super single blow-out, the truck ends up running on the rim for a short period of time, and gets damaged quite often. It isn't just the rubber you have to replace, but the rim as well in some cases. Also, the super singles are not quite as commonly "stocked" by the roadside tire repair folks. Sometimes you will have to wait to get one replaced.
In other words - with duallies - you have a built-in spare.
There are no issues bringing us a US truck. Folks do it all the time! We pickup and deliver too!
Bob - you are most welcome to call me any time with your great questions.
Thanks, Gregg
have you ever built a tandem drive axle rv hauler?
Hello Brian, Yes, we have certainly kept some of our builds as tandem axles. It is interesting that there are some advantages and disadvantages to the single rear axle solution. Even this owner, who is an active professional commercial driver, wanted his rig singled.
I'll be sure to make a video for you next time we have a tandem axle build. Thanks for the suggestion.
Ggg
Greg would love to get one just to bad i am so far away from retirement but keep up the good work would love to see more of you team if not shy of camera and shop
Hello Guillaume, the gents and lady in the shop are more and more getting comfortable with being in the videos. I will share this request with them, and I promise I will not keep shop secrets from you!
Thanks for taking the time to share your comment, and thank you thank you for watching my videos!
Signed,
The Very Appreciative Gregg
Great stuff, Greg! I know you generally single your RV haulers but I'd be interested in seeing more with the original dual axles converted for RV hauling. Also, and I don't know if you've done any, but has anyone put a pseudo-pickup bed on an RV hauler? I've seen some on mid-duty units, but don't recall any on HDTs. Thanks so much - great to see you !
Hiya QQ!
I have left a few client rigs with dual rear axles. It sure does get requested! I haven't had anyone ask for a more "traditional" bed look. I'll do it for you!
On the topic of why we single, I had a few thoughts I hope you don't mind me sharing.
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 maneuverability 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,
Why Doesn't Valvo 780 have a Glove Box?
Hi Raymond - they use that dash space in front of the passenger seat for some mechanical, heat, and AC systems. Instead of a glove box, Volvo gave us all kinds of giant storage spaces all over the rest of the sleeper space. Thanks for the question!
Gregg
How much does a finished rv hauler cost? Truck and mods!
Hi Dan,
I have a whole number of finished pricing examples on my website. You can review fancy and functional, years, models, and features and get an idea of the end-pricing.
Here is the link: www.rvhaulers.ca/inventory/
Gregg
You said your a niche of a niche but you shouldn’t be. People are spending more or the same money for a f350 dully and towing large 5th wheels. These retired semis are safer and easier to drive and much less stressful then a dully imho. Plus’s they’ll last much longer as they are not being stressed pulling a 16k lbs 5th wheel.
Hi Adam,
Thanks for sharing your professional driving observations and opinions. I really appreciate your support. It is so great to have a professional driver sharing their real-life experiences.
Gregg