Semi's as tow Vehicles

[RobertRyan]

This is similar to others I have seen here. The 5th wheel or 5th Caravan as they call it here tends to be a Custom or converted commercial trailer

[RobertRyan]

At last but not least a Japanese Heavy Medium with a Custom 5ver

[StirCrazy]

dblr wrote:

rjstractor wrote:

dblr wrote:
I am one that tows with a semi and when we bought ours (with the Smart car) we got the package for around. $33,000, two years ago we converted a friend's truck he bought, truck $18,000 (2005 Volvo) then they got a 2015 Smart for around $8,000. Deals can be found but take time

Did you single yours, or is it still a tandem? I've considered going this route, I have a few thousand miles in a mid 2000s Freightliner Columbia pulling a 53', and even the "Freightshaker" was very easy to drive and comfortable on the highway. I can imagine a quality truck like a KW with full air ride would be even more so, pulling a relatively light RV.

Our is still original with 2 rear axles, this way if I ever change my mind and switch from the Smart to a vehicle that would needed loaded front to rear it can still handle the weight.

I almost went this route, and in hind sight I should have as it would have been cheaper than buying a newer 1 ton 😉

[dblr]

rjstractor wrote:

dblr wrote:
I am one that tows with a semi and when we bought ours (with the Smart car) we got the package for around. $33,000, two years ago we converted a friend's truck he bought, truck $18,000 (2005 Volvo) then they got a 2015 Smart for around $8,000. Deals can be found but take time

Did you single yours, or is it still a tandem? I've considered going this route, I have a few thousand miles in a mid 2000s Freightliner Columbia pulling a 53', and even the "Freightshaker" was very easy to drive and comfortable on the highway. I can imagine a quality truck like a KW with full air ride would be even more so, pulling a relatively light RV.

Our is still original with 2 rear axles, this way if I ever change my mind and switch from the Smart to a vehicle that would needed loaded front to rear it can still handle the weight.

[dblr]

campinghut wrote:
We have a dealer for them here in Canada. https://www.rvhaulers.ca/inventory/

I was lucky enough to attend a rally for the HDT vehicles in Tn. one year and Gregg was there as well, very nice and helpful person who wants to make sure anyone who is looking at doing this totally understands all the options an converting a truck.

[RobertRyan]

Anyway here is one you would never see in the US. An old European Semi. Looks like a Custom 5th wheel as well

[rjstractor]

dblr wrote:
I am one that tows with a semi and when we bought ours (with the Smart car) we got the package for around. $33,000, two years ago we converted a friend's truck he bought, truck $18,000 (2005 Volvo) then they got a 2015 Smart for around $8,000. Deals can be found but take time

Did you single yours, or is it still a tandem? I've considered going this route, I have a few thousand miles in a mid 2000s Freightliner Columbia pulling a 53', and even the "Freightshaker" was very easy to drive and comfortable on the highway. I can imagine a quality truck like a KW with full air ride would be even more so, pulling a relatively light RV.

[RobertRyan]

dblr wrote:
Robert, thanks as I always appreciate the pictures you post of all the unique units you have there.

Yes many of them need a fair bit of explanation as the overall RV market in Australia is very different to what you would experience in North America or Europe

[campinghut]

We have a dealer for them here in Canada. https://www.rvhaulers.ca/inventory/

[dblr]

Robert, thanks as I always appreciate the pictures you post of all the unique units you have there.

[dblr]

I am one that tows with a semi and when we bought ours (with the Smart car) we got the package for around. $33,000, two years ago we converted a friend's truck he bought, truck $18,000 (2005 Volvo) then they got a 2015 Smart for around $8,000. Deals can be found but take time

[RobertRyan]

valhalla360 wrote:
Similarly common in the states...even seen similar in Europe.

Biggest difference is they generally don't modify semi trailers but just buy big 5ers.

A lot of them carry a smart car in front of the trailer as the trucks aren't great for non towing use. At that point a diesel pusher MH pulling a car seems to make more sense but it's their money and if it makes them happy....

Yes they tend to have a midsize SUV on the tray. Yes you can have converted coaches towing a garage( boat and SUV) but if you get a bargain with the truck or are used to driving them then that would be the way to go.

[valhalla360]

Similarly common in the states...even seen similar in Europe.

Biggest difference is they generally don't modify semi trailers but just buy big 5ers.

A lot of them carry a smart car in front of the trailer as the trucks aren't great for non towing use. At that point a diesel pusher MH pulling a car seems to make more sense but it's their money and if it makes them happy....

[RobertRyan]

Here is something similar

[RobertRyan]

laknox wrote:
There's a lot of people here using Class 8's to tow the really big FWs. The favorite seems to be a Volvo with 500k+ miles. Used to be, you could buy one for less than a new 350/3500 1 ton pickup. Most people modify them to a single axle and sell off the spare to recoup a bit, like upwards of $10k USD, from what I've heard.

Lyle

Something similar here