Finished my new tow vehicle, it works very well.

[Mr__Cob]

Howdy All,

I got tired of the Smart Car, taking up half the garage in my toy hauler, so I built a new truck that could haul the Smart Car, behind the sleeper. I thought my Freightliner was a good tow rig, this Pete, is wonderful.


Dave

[spoon059]

Thats an awesome rig for sure! Much bigger than I would ever want, because its too limiting as to where you can go.

Just curious if you would divulge an approximate cost for the truck and then an approximate cost for upgrades?

[FishOnOne]

Me Again wrote:

Mr. Cob wrote:
I wasn't really trying for mileage I was having to much FUN climbing mountains.

Dave

Like Ron(Cummins12V98), I like buzzing up mountain grades at the speed limit. Chris

Yeah right.... LMAO

[Me_Again]

Mr. Cob wrote:
I wasn't really trying for mileage I was having to much FUN climbing mountains.

Dave

Like Ron(Cummins12V98), I like buzzing up mountain grades at the speed limit. Chris

[Mr__Cob]

blofgren wrote:

Mr. Cob wrote:

blofgren wrote:
That's a great looking truck; I love the older Pete's too.

What engine and transmission does it have?

The engine is a 6NZ C-15 550 horse power with 1850 lb pounds of torque, the transmission is an Eaton-Fuller 18 speed Auto-Shift, 3.55 axle ratio. It has what it needs to get the job done and then some, darn thing is going to get me into serious trouble one of these days with the law as I run up the mountain.:B

Dave

Awesome, and all mechanical with no electronics to go wrong, right? I've driven several 425 Cats with 13 speed Eaton-Fullers and loved them so I can only imagine how much fun your truck is.

Have you crunched any fuel economy numbers yet?

There is some electronics but not much, NO EGR crud, the 6NZ was the last of the good big Cat's. On the last trip I got 7.7mpg but I wasn't really trying for mileage I was having to much FUN climbing mountains.

Dave

[blofgren]

Mr. Cob wrote:

blofgren wrote:
That's a great looking truck; I love the older Pete's too.

What engine and transmission does it have?

The engine is a 6NZ C-15 550 horse power with 1850 lb pounds of torque, the transmission is an Eaton-Fuller 18 speed Auto-Shift, 3.55 axle ratio. It has what it needs to get the job done and then some, darn thing is going to get me into serious trouble one of these days with the law as I run up the mountain.:B

Dave

Awesome, and all mechanical with no electronics to go wrong, right? I've driven several 425 Cats with 13 speed Eaton-Fullers and loved them so I can only imagine how much fun your truck is.

Have you crunched any fuel economy numbers yet?

[Jarlaxle]

This thread is the best argument I have ever seen for making CDL laws apply to rvs.

[hone_eagle]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I understand that this is a great setup for some. Personally I would not want to drive around in a "SmartCar", I like some metal around me. Also don't see why having two rigs with engines and only really drive one while camped. One rig should do everything you want. Any newer 350/3500 will work as a daily driver and tow your load within specs. Also most women would drive the pickups well before the Big Rig.

As far as holding up traffic that has not been an issue with my 33-35K combined load.

Nice to have options!

I do it because I cant afford a nice new diesel dually every few years and I hate the thought of 13% sales tax every time I change a expensive truck.So last truck ....... ever.

oh and dont mistake a smart for fragile ,that tiny car weighs 2000# all steel cage the body panel s are snap on plastic.

[Mr__Cob]

blofgren wrote:
That's a great looking truck; I love the older Pete's too.

What engine and transmission does it have?

The engine is a 6NZ C-15 550 horse power with 1850 lb pounds of torque, the transmission is an Eaton-Fuller 18 speed Auto-Shift, 3.55 axle ratio. It has what it needs to get the job done and then some, darn thing is going to get me into serious trouble one of these days with the law as I run up the mountain.:B

Dave

[blofgren]

That's a great looking truck; I love the older Pete's too.

What engine and transmission does it have?

[Mr__Cob]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I understand that this is a great setup for some. Personally I would not want to drive around in a "SmartCar", I like some metal around me. Also don't see why having two rigs with engines and only really drive one while camped. One rig should do everything you want. Any newer 350/3500 will work as a daily driver and tow your load within specs. Also most women would drive the pickups well before the Big Rig.

As far as holding up traffic that has not been an issue with my 33-35K combined load.

Nice to have options!

Like you said, "Nice to have options."

I carry at least 3, sometimes 4 motorcycles in the toy hauler, someday I might add a RZR to that mix. The Smart Car,is a lot stronger then you may think when it comes to being in a crash, no its not a 1960's tank but there's a lot more protection there then when I am riding one of my bikes. My over all gross weight is well over 40,000 pounds depending on how I am loaded up to 45,000 I am not saying your pickup won't pull it but I guarantee your pickup can't stop it in a safe and controlled manner in the distance the HDT can. Different strokes for different folks, it all comes down to the FREEDOM to live our lives as we wish.

Dave

[Mr__Cob]

Me Again wrote:
To OP, what is the overall length of this setup? You have to be pushing the 65' limit in many states.

When I used the Freightliner, my total lenght was 68 feet, now with the Pete, as its long enough to carry the Smart Car, total length is 72 feet. I am aware of the 65 foot limit but as I am NOT commercial and am a legal RV, I and many others that are over lenght have not YET had any problems. Don't drive like an idiot or do anything to attract attention and you'll get by. Yes there is the chance of a ticket but its a risk I am willing to take to enjoy the RV of my choice.

Dave

[FishOnOne]

Mr. Cob wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:
Interesting and nice rig. Is there a concern with the 5ver frame being fatigued while attached to a truck with a very stiff suspension?

That's a good question. I and most others who tow with an HDT, use some sort of air cushioned hitch to dampen the bumps incurred while traveling. On my Freightliner, I used a hitch that had an air bladder which was pressurized by its own air compressor, on the Pete, I am using a different type of hitch that is cushioned by what are called air cells there is no compressed air needed. Towing with an HDT without this type of hitch can be very destructive to the trailer frame. Here is the hitch I am using on the Pete.


Click this link to be taken to a photo gallery detailing the build of this truck that is now a motor home.

https://mr-cob.smugmug.com/My-2001-Peterbilt-379-RV-Hauler/

Dave

Interesting stuff... Looks like there's enough of a market for company's to make this type of hitch.

[FishOnOne]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I understand that this is a great setup for some. Personally I would not want to drive around in a "SmartCar", I like some metal around me. Also don't see why having two rigs with engines and only really drive one while camped. One rig should do everything you want. Any newer 350/3500 will work as a daily driver and tow your load within specs. Also most women would drive the pickups well before the Big Rig.

As far as holding up traffic that has not been an issue with my 33-35K combined load.

Nice to have options!

And you ride around on a motorcycle and you're concerned how much metal is around you.

[Mr__Cob]

SidecarFlip wrote:
Dave: I rowed gears for a living too, hauled steel for a private carrier leased to a large steel processor, always long nosed Petes or Western Stars and I disagree with the one post about a day cab in Michigan. If a day cab is pulling an RV trailer (5th wheel or pull behind), it's classified as a combination motorhome. I've checked with the DMV. In my case I would need DOT numbers because the tractor would be pulling my farm goose neck hauling ag products as well.

I agree 100%. Why have a pickup truck to pull a large RV when a Class 8 that is built so much stronger component wise is actually cheaper to buy (used) than a new pickup truck and would never be taxed at all with toting around a big trailer or fifth wheel.

Having 'rowed' gears for 30 years (13's or 18's), don't bother me at all and in my case, my wife can drive as well. She has he 'A' too.

I may at some point in the future do just like you did. A distinct possibility. Lot of plusses in going that route.

It depends on what State you live in if you can and what it takes to make a commercial truck some sort of non commercial vehicle. In Washington, for example I couldn't use a day cab as it has no permanent sleeping facilities. But if you do the simple math, there is no better tow vehicle to be had then a used HDT.

Dave

[Cummins12V98]

I understand that this is a great setup for some. Personally I would not want to drive around in a "SmartCar", I like some metal around me. Also don't see why having two rigs with engines and only really drive one while camped. One rig should do everything you want. Any newer 350/3500 will work as a daily driver and tow your load within specs. Also most women would drive the pickups well before the Big Rig.

As far as holding up traffic that has not been an issue with my 33-35K combined load.

Nice to have options!