hutchman Posted July 11, 2017 Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 I've been looking at a HDT/MH for towing a larger 5th wheel for the oast few weeks. I think they make sense and I would love to own one. Sadly though, sometimes things are not meant to be. We were traveling in the Midwest in May and my wife started driving our 3500 Ram daily and quite a bit more than normal. This caused her to use her legs differently than normal and for no other apparent reason, she suffered a fractured ankle. This fracture has not healed yet after 2 months....and shows no sign of getting much better. So it appears anything involving climbing is out....Class 8 or even a 4500/5500. I just don't want to take a chance on her getting hurt. Life takes some unexpected twists and turns. Nobody said it would be easy but this sucks. She is one of the sweetest people I've ever known and doesn't deserve this crap..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve from SoCal Posted July 11, 2017 Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 Did she get the fracture fixated? I have a friend that broke two toes when a large oven fell, he had the bones plated up after the swelling subsided. It took nearly a year for the bones to fully knit but the fixation made normal locomotion possible after 6 weeks or so. He was 64 at the time of the accident. Steve 2005 Peterbilt 387-112 Baby Cat 9 speed U-shift 1996/2016 remod Teton Royal Atlanta 1996 Kentucky 48 single drop stacker garage project Pulls like a train, sounds like a plane....faster than a Cheetah sniffin cocaine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Dreamer Posted July 11, 2017 Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 There was an HDT that had a platform scissor lift installed for the passenger to simply stand on and it raised them up to the level of the cab, no climbing necessary. Henry may be able to share some pictures. 2005 Freightliner Century S/T, Singled, Air ride ET Jr. hitch 2019 46'+ Dune Sport Man Cave custom 5th wheel toy hauler Owner of the 1978 Custom Van "Star Dreamer" which might be seen at a local car show near you! Check out http://www.hhrvresource.com/ for much more info on HDT's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchman Posted July 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 Thanks for that! I just found this video: This would certainly work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted July 11, 2017 Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 1 hour ago, Star Dreamer said: There was an HDT that had a platform scissor lift installed for the passenger to simply stand on and it raised them up to the level of the cab, no climbing necessary. Henry may be able to share some pictures. Or you could try this which is what we did. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchman Posted July 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 Outstanding! You all have made my day.....was kind of down but looks like there several simple solutions. I guess the search is on. My bride is all for the HDT project too!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted July 11, 2017 Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 Hutchman, Just make sure the truck you choose has the space behind the fairing for the hydraulic lift if you go that route. A lot of the newer trucks (mine included) have the new emissions crap behind it (SCR, DEF Doser and DPF filter) and you don't have any room left to store anything. 2017 Kenworth T6802015 DRV 38RSSA Elite Suites2016 Smart Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted July 11, 2017 Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 BTW Hutchman the stairs I posted are easily removed from the bracket and stored in the truck while driving. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAutom8r Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 The other thing to note is i noticed there wad a definite difference between crawling up into a Volvo vs GeorgiaHybrid's Kenworth. The Kenworth seemed easier and less strenuous is the best way I could describe it, and the DW agreed as well. Steven Steven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Steve, the cab is a little narrower on the KW which allows the steps to be set back at the top VS the Volvo which is straight up. It makes a big difference climbing up into the cab. 2017 Kenworth T6802015 DRV 38RSSA Elite Suites2016 Smart Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 24 minutes ago, GeorgiaHybrid said: Steve, the cab is a little narrower on the KW which allows the steps to be set back at the top VS the Volvo which is straight up. It makes a big difference climbing up into the cab. It also puts you within reach if you criticize the navigator. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 56 minutes ago, GeorgiaHybrid said: Steve, the cab is a little narrower on the KW which allows the steps to be set back at the top VS the Volvo which is straight up. It makes a big difference climbing up into the cab. Depends on the model. I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 The T660 is narrower than the T680 that I have. The discontinued T700 had the wide cab similar to the Volvo. The "vintage" style W900 is old school narrow. Generally speaking, almost all of the Paccar models have a narrow cab compared to the Volvo. The sleeper area behind the seats is the same width for all of the models. 2017 Kenworth T6802015 DRV 38RSSA Elite Suites2016 Smart Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickW Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Another Step option: This is what we did and they did not have to be removed for travel. They were always there. We made them from scrap under the sheer in the fabrication shop. I referred to them as short wife steps. The original plan was to use them until I could fabricate a sliding stair case that would be behind the fairing. When close would look normal. When open the fairing slides out and then walk up/down the steps. When I got ready to build the stairs I was told "NO". She was happy with the steps and the simplicity. In the end worked out great as then I was able to put a generator behind the steps. 2017 Entegra Anthem 44A SOLD - 2004 Volvo 780. 465hp and 10sp Auto Shift (from 2010~2017) SOLD - 2009 Montana 3400RL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLongWayHome Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Here is another light weight solution. Intended for pets, so no disrespect. But the large version can handle up to 250lb and folds nicely and fit in a jockey box. http://petloader.com/ Here is a video of it being used on a Volvo HDT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_elkins Posted July 17, 2017 Report Share Posted July 17, 2017 We had a PetLoader for our older dogs; it is a terrific product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Gell Posted July 18, 2017 Report Share Posted July 18, 2017 The "scissor" lift on the blue-green truck in the video that Hutchman posted above is ours. It's installed on our 2001 770. We would be willing to part with the lift it if that would make a difference. Might even consider selling the auto-shift truck so we could get one with an I Shift that Cathy could drive. Jim 2001 Volvo 770, Detroit 60 Series, Gen 2 Autoshift Passenger assist elevator to enter cab - for when we need it, or sell it? '05 Travel Supreme Select 40 RLQSO 5th wheel 2016 smart car We started full timing on December 1st 2014 Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness - Mark Twain Not all that wander are lost - J. R. R. Tolkien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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