Howdy All,Its been a while since I last posted on this forum been spending a lot of time on a forum that pertains to HDT's Heavy Duty Truck.For the last three years I have been towing a 38 foot triple axle toy hauler with a very well setup Dodge one ton dually diesel, bought the truck new in 2003 and spent a LOT of money doing things that would make it tow better and safely. However a couple of friends of mine who have been using HDT's to tow their big 5th wheels over the last three years gave me plenty or reasons to make the change.A couple of months ago I bought a 2002 Freightliner Columbia that had been converted to a RV trailer puller. I have about 1/3 the money invested in the HDT that I have in my one tone dually and the HDT drags that big toy hauler up and down mountain passes like the flat lands of Kansas and burns less fuel in the process.So I am interested to see if others have made such a switch in tow vehicle. Post up your experience or ask questions if you have any on my recent up grade.My trailer behind the Dodge.Same trailer behind the HDT. Yes, I know now I want a bigger trailer.

Mr Cobb I have a question,, how do you align the king pin with the hitch???? T-10

Probably uses the mirrors, or at least i would.

I have a 2007 Pete. Its a very nice truck to drive when I need it but for trailers up to 30,000 lbs I prefer to use my one ton. I find the pick up quieter and more relaxing. For an rv I like having the pick up to run around with once the rv is unhooked.

T-10 Parabolic wrote:Mr Cobb I have a question,, how do you align the king pin with the hitch???? T-10Howdy T-10,I have an air ride 5th wheel hitch mounted on the HDT. Because the HDT sits a tad higher then the Dodge, I built a shorter pin box for the trailer. The shorter pin box not only dropped the trailer so that it rode level it shortened the over all lenght of the truck-trailer by 28 inches.Here's some before and after photos of the hitch-pin box.Before pin box mod.After pin box mod.

That's intersting that it's 28" shorter and you now have a guest bed room also...........Bill

Now towing with a HDT, why didn't I do this years ago

T-10_Parabolic
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
Mr Cobb I have a question,, how do you align the king pin with the hitch???? T-10
nevadanick
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
Probably uses the mirrors, or at least i would.
4x4ord
Explorer III
Oct 29, 2013
I have a 2007 Pete. Its a very nice truck to drive when I need it but for trailers up to 30,000 lbs I prefer to use my one ton. I find the pick up quieter and more relaxing. For an rv I like having the pick up to run around with once the rv is unhooked.
Mr__Cob
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
T-10 Parabolic wrote:
Mr Cobb I have a question,, how do you align the king pin with the hitch???? T-10

Howdy T-10,

I have an air ride 5th wheel hitch mounted on the HDT. Because the HDT sits a tad higher then the Dodge, I built a shorter pin box for the trailer. The shorter pin box not only dropped the trailer so that it rode level it shortened the over all lenght of the truck-trailer by 28 inches.

Here's some before and after photos of the hitch-pin box.

Before pin box mod.

After pin box mod.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Oct 29, 2013
That's intersting that it's 28" shorter and you now have a guest bed room also...........

Bill
joeshmoe
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
That's just not fair. And here I thought my F350 was considered a "HD" truck. I want my money back. :)
Mr__Cob
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
4x4ord wrote:
I have a 2007 Pete. Its a very nice truck to drive when I need it but for trailers up to 30,000 lbs I prefer to use my one ton. I find the pick up quieter and more relaxing. For an rv I like having the pick up to run around with once the rv is unhooked.
Howdy 4x4ord,

I feel just the opposite, my Freightliner is much quieter and a lot more comfortable when doing a 700-900 mile day of towing the toy hauler. The Freightliner turns sharper then the Dodge and when towing on rough pavement I don't even know that toy hauler is back there unless I look in the mirrors. Like I said I wish I had done this years ago. I have a great Dodge one ton for sale if anyones looking.
Mr__Cob
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
Trackrig wrote:
That's intersting that it's 28" shorter and you now have a guest bed room also...........

Bill
Howdy Bill,

The HDT and trailer is 28" shorter then it was AFTER I made the pin box mod.

The HDT and trailer WITH the pin box mod is about 40" longer then the Dodge and the trailer when they were hooked together.

Just wanted to make sure folks understood what I was talking about.

As to the "guest room" on the truck. Its a double sleeper, with a small fridge, micro wave and port-a-potty, this makes it possible to have it licensed and registered as a "Motor Home"in Washington State, no CDL required as it is no longer a commercial truck, its a motor home.
Lantley
Nomad
Oct 29, 2013
Hello Mr. Cob
I researched HDT's a while back and I have given it lots of consideration. Do you have a toad vehicle? How do you like driving around in the HDT once you arrive at your destination.
Many claim it's no big deal, but I can't imagine there are absolutely no issues.
What's your bob tail experience been like.
hone_eagle
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
T-10 Parabolic wrote:
Mr Cobb I have a question,, how do you align the king pin with the hitch???? T-10

A lot of guys use a camera ,I have never got around to it , 99% of the time I do alone -no 'spotter' .
I just line the sleeper and trailer in the mirrors, piece of cake since both are the same width,click click I am in,get out and look to make sure jaws are touching and drive off.