Wgeorge11 wrote:
I'd keep one camera pointed up if you're planning on using that shelter. Congratulations!
The photo is deceiving. The truck is forward, going up a slope. Therefore it looks much taller than the fiver. Both the fifth wheel and the truck are the same height (13'3"). The RV port is 15 feet at the center, 12 at the sides. The Volvo will drive through. In fact, if the weather stays this nasty I plan on putting it under the RV port and putting some tarps up on the sides so I can do some electrical work. The turn signal and tail lights on the Volvo are separate, the fiver combined. In 2004 Volvo started controlling the truck lighting from a computer. Actually pretty cool because when a light is out the DID (Driver Information Display) immediately tells you which light to replace. Anyway, the Hoppy converter doesn't work with the Volvo lighting computer so I have to build one using Bosch mechanical relays that have a coil. The coil provides enough resistance for the computer to "think" it is a lamp filament. It is snowing! So, I built up the module this afternoon. Now I get to install it and hope it works.
The Volvo was 1/2 full of fuel when I picked it up. That's 150 gallons. Yes, it holds 300 gallons and will take a second mortgage to fill it up. The DID has a fuel mileage function and a really neat bar graph showing where the economy range is. The 200 miles from Roanoke to home has a lot of steep inclines to pull. I think I can actually improve on the mileage on level Interstate.
As far as the APU goes I am thinking at this point that I may take the Champion Chinese genny out of the 5th wheel and mount it on the Volvo along with a large bank of AGM batteries weighing about 600#. This would get some weight off the front camper jacks. Obviously, there is plenty of room on the back of the Volvo for generators, golf carts, batteries, tool cabinets and maybe even a small motorcycle. I also have a huge space under the passenger side lower fairing for batteries or even holding tanks if I decide to put a small sink in the sleeper area (which I probably will do).
My only gripe is the color of the interior - mauve. But, I guess I can live with that since it is clean and in good condition. It is really no different than driving a big motor home or bus.
ol Bombero-JC wrote:
Hmmmmmm - things have been kind of quiet here for a while!
A Beagle in the neighborhood heard a rumor from Oscar . . . .the Prof has a new rolling "doghouse" he's been tinkering on? :W
Care to fess up, Prof?
~
Looks like you can't keep anything a secret in cyberspace ๐ I was only planning on making a subtle change in my signature to include the "new doghouse" on wheels.
It's a 2004 Volvo VNL670 Heavy Duty Truck (HDT) 465 HP, 1,625 ft. lbs. of torque and an amazing 11.5 MPG. Full sleeper cab that will be modified so that it can be registered as a "RV or House Car".
It will have a Chinese generator as part of the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) which will include an inverter and maybe even some solar panels (still working on that design). The RV fifth wheel hitch, light converter, electric brake controller and two additional CCD cameras are ready to be installed (if the weather gets better).
It is totally awesome and other than the height, really is not that much bigger than the Dually PU on the road. Turning radius is about the same! Easy to drive and I am quickly getting the hang of the 10 speed. I've been using it as my daily driver all week - grocery store, doctor, Lowe's, etc. The cab has an air suspension as well as the seats. Inside rides like a car. I now see why truckers like to pull up beside pretty young ladies in convertibles at traffic lights. You have a high chair to the world below you!
I did mention using a Chinese generator as part of the APU - didn't I? I just don't want for this to be off topic :).
