Golden_HVAC wrote:
The reason the new trucks sell so well is they have better EVERYTHING!
Better insulation under the floors
Much better and more accurate steering
Smoother suspension
better braking system and more reliable
better lighting - that truck shown, the cars coming towards you on a 2 lane highway might think the side of the vehicle is 12" their side of the headlights - like on most current vehicles, but there is actually about 2 feet between headlights and the outside edge of the mirrors.
Better seating
Better transmissions. Can you meet the efficiency of a 10 speed autoshift? They will electronically shift the transmission to the most energy efficient gear all the time.
Who wants to be changing the rear end ratio with one hand and shifting the truck with the other? And what if the rear axle gets stuck between low range and high range? There is a reason the older trucks had to have 10 speeds, call it 225 HP problems. Modern Volvo's have well into the 450 and 500 HP range, and can tow a RV fifth wheel at 55 - 65 up the 6% hills.
Sure that one will look cool, but the floorboards are not insulated, the system was not set up for air conditioning, and will not be cool inside during a summer drive. Fogged up windows in the winter too.
I would be looking at a used Volvo and taking off the center axle, shorten the frame to the minimum length that you can use. Then you will have a nice truck to tow the largest possible RV fifth wheels, or can tow a 40' fifth wheel if you like. You will still have up to 33,000 GVWR in a truck around 14,000 curb weight, so plenty of cargo rating, as well as GCVWR. There is no need for more than 2 axles with current tires rated at 12,000 each. You can even figure on installing super singles in the back, to save both weight and cost to replace the tires.
Good luck,
Fred.
Modern volvos are not charming.
Modern upgrades can be made to older tractors like a/c, defogging and cab heat. Not to mention nice air suspension seats and power steering.
The tractor will still have its antique-ey charm on the exterior. My tractor would be painted solid UPS brown with my own door sign.
Manual transmissions, gear splitting and double-clutching old-school style is a barrel of fun. Then there is that lope of the blown Cummins 262 with straight single stack.
The converted trailer should be quite light as compared with a loaded freight trailer so the tractor would be getting easy-chair duty.
For a converted semi-trailer, I can use what model is best for comfortable living on the road, camping/hunting gear stowage, large pet dogs and carrying along a small vehicle inside. I need my trailer climate-controlled even while underway as live animals (pets) will be loaded.
The fuel costs on running a rig like this should be nightmarish if the big, dark brown antique truck isn't scary looking enough.
Oh, and my CB handle will be "Kenny Brown".
This auto hauler, 53' might make a good RV conversion wih an expanding side section:
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