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How are HDT RV Haulers perceived at campsites or RV resorts?


The Few

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We have been fulltiming since 2003 with an HDT been on the road since 2000, but started with an F550). For three years it was our only vehicle (a daily driver). I cannot ever remember a seriously negative comment. But perhaps they are keeping it to themselves. I've had some minor comments in general about the "big trucks".....mostly, about them blocking the "view". Which, BTW, motorhomes do as well.

 

Only two times have we had negative issues with campgrounds. One this past year when Frog City RV park (off I 10) refused us entrance. We had been there MANY MANY times before. It was a routine stopping spot. When we called this time they said they would not let in "big trucks" anymore. I've heard since then they have had a change of management and now let us in. I may or may not attempt to go there again....there are lots of places to stop. The other instance was in a mom/pop campground that had just re gravelled their roads. They expressed fear I would tear them up. I pointed out the big DP in front of me had more weight per tire than I did. They let me in but the owner escorted us. After parking he said - "good job, I don't see an issue with the big trucks".

 

We are ambassadors for the lifestyle and I treat things that way. I'm generally very nice to everyone, and answer all their questions - even though they are repetitive....

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail
2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it)
2022 New Horizons 43' 5er
2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 
2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU
No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units
2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar power
www.jackdanmayer.com
Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com

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For us the negative comments have been few and far in-between. The positives to many to count and/or keep up with.

 

The closest of being denied access to a Campground/Resort was just last week. In this case it boiled down to a new person at the front desk. She was under the impression a "tow truck" was bringing in the trailer and our Jeep. Once I explained that it was our truck and we have stayed there in the past multiple times, she had no issues.

 

As for fellow RVers only one has ever truly been mad, not at us but himself. It appears he use to have a 5th wheel that he really, really liked but got rid of it for a Class A. His P/U was way under rated and he was looking at MDTs. His wife was ok with the MDT but not as a daily driver and was not going to follow in a separate vehicle. He was mad he did not think of a HDT and carrying their daily driver on the HDT. He had no since of humor about it, he was that upset at himself.

 

In my case the truck never moves until we are ready to leave. If we are trying to get a jump on the day, I will load the Jeep the night before departure. So that may require me to move the truck but that is it. Typically the morning of departure we will go to breakfast or something. So by the time we fire up the truck it is close to checkout time anyways. The only time the truck is ever fired up in the wee hours of the morning is when we overnight in a parking lot or rest area. I have never fired the truck up at 6am in a campground (then left it running for 45 minutes like we have seen many Class-A and Super P/Us. But that is a issue with the individual not the Class of RV).

 

In 7 years only 1 truck driver was rude and got nasty. It was over the CB, so it was a easy fix. In all honesty he was mad at the entire world. I guess he just figured we were easy target and less likely to follow him to the truck stop and de-tooth him. At the rate he was going, I am sure it was not long before somebody finally did take care of his too many teeth issue.

 

This past weekend driving home from CA. I had 4 different long conversations with OTR drivers curious about our setup. The usual questions about mileage, paperwork, registration and insurance. The last one actually had a large 5th wheel and sold his LGT and started pulling it with the HDT as he felt the P/U was unsafe. So he was really inspired seeing a 5er being hauled by another HDT and was no longer feeling crazy that he does the same.

 

To be honest I could care less if people approve or disapprove our setup/decisions. I am not living my life for them. What is important to me is we love our setup. We feel it is was defiantly the right decision for us and have no regrets. We are a drive a vehicle to the wheels fall off type of people. We have come to realize that is not going to happen using the HDT as our tow vehicle. So we will have the truck for a long time with continued routine maintenance.

2017 Entegra Anthem 44A

SOLD - 2004 Volvo 780. 465hp and 10sp Auto Shift (from 2010~2017)

SOLD - 2009 Montana 3400RL

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Our experience is entirely the opposite of your questions. We typically call a few hours ahead to make sure they have space and we can fit; we use the All Stays Camp and RV app which shows max lengths accepted at most places but once we call we find they can take longer than the max. Almost ALL the time people do flip turns when we pull in - office staff, residents, visitors alike. Lots of pictures of us are hanging up in RV park offices and we often get folks stopping by to check out the rig. We have been to lots of out of the way Parks, not the traditional Escapees or Thousand Trails enclaves. (In fact, the only negative we ever experienced was Thousand Trails in La Conner, WA, who told us "no semis" in advance). Do call in advance and be very clear about your length (we are 65 feet nose to end but just added a bike rack that added about four feet). In truth, you will generally be the big "eye candy" in the park and on the road. Folks love the HDTs!

2010 Volvo VNL 670 D13 500 HP Ishift - "THOR"

2016 DRV Elite Suites 38RSSA - "Freya"

2012 Smart For Two - "Loki"

 

Ron & Shelley Johnston, pilots

Toy, Nika, and Piranha, feline co-pilots and Demi-gods (at least if you ask them).

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Hi Everyone,

 

I tell people that I bought the truck for the brakes. lol. I think people use the line, ' Do you think you have a big enough truck ' as a opening line. Like, ' How is the weather '. They are surprised at what they are seeing. I am the one who is having the fun with the truck.

 

Al

2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger "
  Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood "
    2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog "
 

 

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We have never had an issue so far. But you cannot be an unsociable person and drive one of these things into a campground..... especially an HDT with painted flames on the hood.

We have had a couple of campgrounds question me as far as can I get us into the site and not fall into a ditch or tear up their grass. I usually just point out the Class A's and say if they fit we do too.

Never had an issue with other truckers, most either ignore us or like others above want to know more. The Jacklopee is a big topic because some of the more learned truckers know that the tail lights are different from a semi-trailer to an RV.

-Chickencoop- We saw y'all about 3 years ago at Tom Sawyers campground outside Memphis. Didn't realize y'all were Escapee's as well or we would have knocked on the door!

- Jack- The original hosts are back running the show here at Frog City. There is also another couple here with the Volvo that Brit sold. Mike and Robin are camp hosting here for another month or 2 before they wander elsewhere.

Alie & Jim + 8 paws

2017 DRV Memphis 

BART- 1998 Volvo 610

Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins

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BTW the number one question we get is "how do you get that little car up there??" We have actually been chased in to truck and rest stops by folks to ask us that very question. We always consider ourselves ambassadors to the HDT lifestyle and answer whatever questions people ask. We once had a commercial truck repair shop owner track us down in a restaurant parking lot because her son very excitedly told her he had seen our truck on the RV Hauler (Gregg Shields in Canada) website and she wanted to verify that we were, in fact, THAT truck! It was was pretty funny as we were in a small town in Tennessee but that big truck repair shop family was dreaming of having the HDT life. Folks are very excited to see our rigs!

2010 Volvo VNL 670 D13 500 HP Ishift - "THOR"

2016 DRV Elite Suites 38RSSA - "Freya"

2012 Smart For Two - "Loki"

 

Ron & Shelley Johnston, pilots

Toy, Nika, and Piranha, feline co-pilots and Demi-gods (at least if you ask them).

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I've had 2 guys say the truck was unnecessary, overkill and their pickup could easily handle my trailer...Have a nice day sir, I say. But to myself I say..Mebee so but I won't be in your truck going down a 5 mile long 8% grade with you.

I did bump into a guy at an RV Park in Eastern Washington who said he uses a pic of my rig as his screensaver on the computer. The team leader at last years build in Ft Meyers had taken a pic and posted it on his blog. This guy has snatched it from Randy's site...Not Randy A.

Someone else at my home base in Victoria, a visitor from Germany, said there is a pic of my rig on the wall at the Burnaby Caribou RV Park in Vancouver.

 

I tell in advance how big the trailer is, but generally they ask.

Generally, I walk the route to the spot in advance, looking for obstacles, sometimes coming in opposite to the normal flow for a variety of reasons.

When the rig leaves ruts, they get filled in by me and not left for someone else to deal with. Note to self, get a rake and shovel.

 

I always let traffic in ahead of me if able, don't tailgate. If asked a question when hooking up or unhooking say "I'll answer questions when I'm done"

I don't idle the truck more than necessary.

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For us the negative comments have been few and far in-between. The positives to many to count and/or keep up with.

 

The closest of being denied access to a Campground/Resort was just last week. In this case it boiled down to a new person at the front desk. She was under the impression a "tow truck" was bringing in the trailer and our Jeep. Once I explained that it was our truck and we have stayed there in the past multiple times, she had no issues.

 

As for fellow RVers only one has ever truly been mad, not at us but himself. It appears he use to have a 5th wheel that he really, really liked but got rid of it for a Class A. His P/U was way under rated and he was looking at MDTs. His wife was ok with the MDT but not as a daily driver and was not going to follow in a separate vehicle. He was mad he did not think of a HDT and carrying their daily driver on the HDT. He had no since of humor about it, he was that upset at himself.

 

In my case the truck never moves until we are ready to leave. If we are trying to get a jump on the day, I will load the Jeep the night before departure. So that may require me to move the truck but that is it. Typically the morning of departure we will go to breakfast or something. So by the time we fire up the truck it is close to checkout time anyways. The only time the truck is ever fired up in the wee hours of the morning is when we overnight in a parking lot or rest area. I have never fired the truck up at 6am in a campground (then left it running for 45 minutes like we have seen many Class-A and Super P/Us. But that is a issue with the individual not the Class of RV).

 

In 7 years only 1 truck driver was rude and got nasty. It was over the CB, so it was a easy fix. In all honesty he was mad at the entire world. I guess he just figured we were easy target and less likely to follow him to the truck stop and de-tooth him. At the rate he was going, I am sure it was not long before somebody finally did take care of his too many teeth issue.

 

This past weekend driving home from CA. I had 4 different long conversations with OTR drivers curious about our setup. The usual questions about mileage, paperwork, registration and insurance. The last one actually had a large 5th wheel and sold his LGT and started pulling it with the HDT as he felt the P/U was unsafe. So he was really inspired seeing a 5er being hauled by another HDT and was no longer feeling crazy that he does the same.

 

To be honest I could care less if people approve or disapprove our setup/decisions. I am not living my life for them. What is important to me is we love our setup. We feel it is was defiantly the right decision for us and have no regrets. We are a drive a vehicle to the wheels fall off type of people. We have come to realize that is not going to happen using the HDT as our tow vehicle. So we will have the truck for a long time with continued routine maintenance.

Well said, Sir!

The Few

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BTW the number one question we get is "how do you get that little car up there??" We have actually been chased in to truck and rest stops by folks to ask us that very question. We always consider ourselves ambassadors to the HDT lifestyle and answer whatever questions people ask. We once had a commercial truck repair shop owner track us down in a restaurant parking lot because her son very excitedly told her he had seen our truck on the RV Hauler (Gregg Shields in Canada) website and she wanted to verify that we were, in fact, THAT truck! It was was pretty funny as we were in a small town in Tennessee but that big truck repair shop family was dreaming of having the HDT life. Folks are very excited to see our rigs!

I have to admit, those trucks are cool as heck to EVERYONE!!

The Few

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I've had 2 guys say the truck was unnecessary, overkill and their pickup could easily handle my trailer...Have a nice day sir, I say. But to myself I say..Mebee so but I won't be in your truck going down a 5 mile long 8% grade with you.

I did bump into a guy at an RV Park in Eastern Washington who said he uses a pic of my rig as his screensaver on the computer. The team leader at last years build in Ft Meyers had taken a pic and posted it on his blog. This guy has snatched it from Randy's site...Not Randy A.

Someone else at my home base in Victoria, a visitor from Germany, said there is a pic of my rig on the wall at the Burnaby Caribou RV Park in Vancouver.

 

I tell in advance how big the trailer is, but generally they ask.

Generally, I walk the route to the spot in advance, looking for obstacles, sometimes coming in opposite to the normal flow for a variety of reasons.

When the rig leaves ruts, they get filled in by me and not left for someone else to deal with. Note to self, get a rake and shovel.

 

I always let traffic in ahead of me if able, don't tailgate. If asked a question when hooking up or unhooking say "I'll answer questions when I'm done"

I don't idle the truck more than necessary.

Hello Roger,

Do you ever get the (beat down) question "your truck burns more fuel than mine does" or "your truck has more exhaust fumes" than my smaller truck does?

The Few

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I've had 2 guys say the truck was unnecessary, overkill and their pickup could easily handle my trailer...Have a nice day sir, I say. But to myself I say..Mebee so but I won't be in your truck going down a 5 mile long 8% grade with you.

I did bump into a guy at an RV Park in Eastern Washington who said he uses a pic of my rig as his screensaver on the computer. The team leader at last years build in Ft Meyers had taken a pic and posted it on his blog. This guy has snatched it from Randy's site...Not Randy A.

Someone else at my home base in Victoria, a visitor from Germany, said there is a pic of my rig on the wall at the Burnaby Caribou RV Park in Vancouver.

 

I tell in advance how big the trailer is, but generally they ask.

Generally, I walk the route to the spot in advance, looking for obstacles, sometimes coming in opposite to the normal flow for a variety of reasons.

When the rig leaves ruts, they get filled in by me and not left for someone else to deal with. Note to self, get a rake and shovel.

 

I always let traffic in ahead of me if able, don't tailgate. If asked a question when hooking up or unhooking say "I'll answer questions when I'm done"

I don't idle the truck more than necessary.

Overkill? hahaha, (I'm still laughing)....

The Few

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We have been fulltiming since 2003 with an HDT been on the road since 2000, but started with an F550). For three years it was our only vehicle (a daily driver). I cannot ever remember a seriously negative comment. But perhaps they are keeping it to themselves. I've had some minor comments in general about the "big trucks".....mostly, about them blocking the "view". Which, BTW, motorhomes do as well.

 

Only two times have we had negative issues with campgrounds. One this past year when Frog City RV park (off I 10) refused us entrance. We had been there MANY MANY times before. It was a routine stopping spot. When we called this time they said they would not let in "big trucks" anymore. I've heard since then they have had a change of management and now let us in. I may or may not attempt to go there again....there are lots of places to stop. The other instance was in a mom/pop campground that had just re gravelled their roads. They expressed fear I would tear them up. I pointed out the big DP in front of me had more weight per tire than I did. They let me in but the owner escorted us. After parking he said - "good job, I don't see an issue with the big trucks".

 

We are ambassadors for the lifestyle and I treat things that way. I'm generally very nice to everyone, and answer all their questions - even though they are repetitive....

You have a Beautiful Set up Jack, no denying that!!!

That's a pretty good point you made about the Motorhomes being just as big as your rig in terms of blocking the view..

 

However, why are people so biased towards Motorhomes vs HDT RV's?? Is it jealousy, envy, or are they just being grumpy that an HDT RV setup might be a bit more clever than their setup?

The Few

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Do you ever get the (beat down) question "your truck burns more fuel than mine does"

 

I tell those that ask that the mileage is comparable to the mileage I was getting with my SuperDuty pulling the same trailer. The biggest variable is the weight of my right foot. The cockiness in their voice tends to dissipate once they learn the truth.

 

The worst mileage I have seen was a few weeks back on our way out to Cali. We hit a wicked, wicked head wind (30+). If we were not on such a tight time schedule we would have set it out. It was a keep both hands on the wheel day, all day. Wore me out. I saw a 20% reduction in fuel economy.

2017 Entegra Anthem 44A

SOLD - 2004 Volvo 780. 465hp and 10sp Auto Shift (from 2010~2017)

SOLD - 2009 Montana 3400RL

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I have had 1 gentleman tell me that his truck could handle my Carrilite. I invited him to come hook up to it and he did. Before I could retract the landing gear completely so his F250 had all the weight he stopped me and said that was enough. 4850lbs of pin weight is not to be dealt with lightly, much less the weights Jack and some of the others carry.

Alie & Jim + 8 paws

2017 DRV Memphis 

BART- 1998 Volvo 610

Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins

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We don't carry a car but carry a custom golf cart that I drive up and down with ramps. Total length tractor and rig is shade under 70'. Canceled res in a San Antonio area rv park when they said I could not park tractor on the site even though the site(s) are plenty long."The owners don't want them parked and you'll have to park over by the hotel where the 'semi's' park. Why?? "They tear up the road". But class A's are OK.

 

Dave

2004 Volvo 630 left tandem with 12 speed Freedomline

2014 Sandpiper 35 ROK 42' fifth wheel

Western Golf & Country Cart (EZ-GO frame)

 

 

 

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Yes. I actually called twice and talked with the same person because I wanted to make sure that I heard it correctly. I thought it would be a nice change from the SA KOA where we have stayed several times. I thought wrong.

 

Dave

2004 Volvo 630 left tandem with 12 speed Freedomline

2014 Sandpiper 35 ROK 42' fifth wheel

Western Golf & Country Cart (EZ-GO frame)

 

 

 

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Was a full-time RVer for over twelve years. Have sold our truck and trailer is for sale. But when we owned the truck, 98% of the people were great. Would ask questions about the truck and when we had the motorcycles would come out to watch them unloaded or loaded up. Thought it was an great set up. Lots of videos and photos taken.

 

Would get this a lot "Think that is enough truck to pull that trailer?" to "I bet that truck doesn't even know that trailer is back there." But they were still interested and would ask lots of questions.

 

Did have the ones who thought it was overkill or stupid to have that big of a truck, that their three quarter ton pickup or one ton pickup pulled their 18,000 plus pound trailer just fine. They got 18 to 25 mpg pulling their 18,000 plus pound trailer, etc., etc., etc. :rolleyes:

 

Campgrounds. Only had one where the owner told us to leave because the truck would crack the concrete pad. Did tell him it weighed less then the class A diesel pusher I pointed out, but didn't matter. Sometimes would get the "Oh, you didn't say it was a semi truck." Even when the wife had told them what we had when she made the reservation. Otherwise never a problem. Once in a while the truck had to be parked in a different location, but always in the campground. Sometimes we got a better site because of our size.

 

Did have at one campground a guy complained to me that the truck blocked their view and I should put it in storage.

 

We were ignored in truck stops. I think maybe three truck drivers talked to me in all the years of ownership.

 

I never owned a pickup truck. We went straight with the HDT because we wanted to take two 800 pound motorcycles with us and didn't like any of the toyhaulers out in 2003/2004. Didn't like the location of the TV in motorhomes, but did in regular 5th wheel trailers. It worked for us.

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Most folks are curious and ask, tongue firmly planted in cheek, if we’re sure we have enough truck. Only once has a troll emerged, who left an anonymous note declaring the truck an eyesore. The RV park owner cried balderdash, figured out who the culprit was, and quieted her down.

 

Otherwise, the truck has been a conversation starter in about every park we’ve landed. And loading/unloading the Smart has been great theater, as have my efforts to maneuver the rig in tight settings. Still working on that.

2001 Volvo 610 HDT with Smart Car bed and ET Junior hitch

2007 New Horizons Summit 38

2013 Smart for Two

2012 Easy Racer Tour Easy recumbent bicycle

 

"There is no path. Paths are made by walking." – Spanish poet Antonio Machado

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Hello all, just some general question I have always asked myself, but need answers.

 

I had a conversation with a friend recently, and he gave me his personal experiences about how other people respect, view, or treat him when they see these big monsters roll into their campsites or RV resorts... I can imagine that some people might feel threatened, because they feel that you will be invading in some of their personal space, and might act a bit defensive towards you??

 

1) Are most people willing to accept the fact that you are different that they are without coming to their own conclusion, thus forming an opinion based on how they perceive the situation?

 

2) Are you shunned at the front office with a biased attitude or rudeness from the staff?

 

3) In your experiences and conversations, do people want to know and learn more about the HDT RV haulers, and find them fascinating and a good fit for their situation, or are their more haters that would rather ruin your day than to enjoy theirs??

 

4) These are all valid questions of mine, based on the size of these vehicles, and the amount of space these vehicles tend to use..

 

I have SO MANY other questions, but please feel free to chime in and give us your experiences.. I can learn a LOT from this forum, so please tell us your best, worst, or normal situations/experiences!

 

 

I have not experienced anything negative at all. I see people taking pictures while on the road and lots of thumbs up. Most people are very inquisitive and ask a lot of questions. We welcome it and love to answer all of them. Some people have said it was overkill and they town their rigs no problem with their 250/350. I went from a brand new 15 F350 diesel to my Volvo and it is NIGHT and DAY. I no longer need a nap and a Xanax when I arrive at any campsite lol.

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"We have only been turned away once in 7 years and we even had reservations. They said we were to heavy for their roads, I asked about the class A motor homes in the park and they just repeated their line and they would not open the gate so we could turn around. So we sat in their driveway blocking everything until we found another place and then I had to back 1/4 mile down the curving tree lined driveway to get out. "

I think this is the type of information that needs the name of the RV Park and its location. Not for the "no HDTs" policy, but for the refusal to allow Brad and Jacolyn to turn around. Having to back a quarter mile would be difficult for most of us, so warning the group of the management's no HDT turnaround policy would possibly save another HDT owner your long backing trip. There is no libel when one sticks to the truth and informs others of factual events. I would have a really hard job backing my rig that far, especially needlessly. The old fashioned name for this kind of behavior is "mean spirited".

John McLaughlin

2010 Volvo 730, D13, I-shift, singled and decked

2014 Lifestyle 38' Fifth Wheel

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I have no idea what the name of the park was but it was near Decatur, MI. I have looked in that area and I find nothing in the area where they were so maybe they are not in business anymore. We moved over the Timber Trails RV park just south and west of Decatur and have been back 3 times. It is a nice place and has lots of room for our rigs.

 

Brad

Brad and Jacolyn
Tucker the Wonder dog and Brynn the Norfolk Terrier
2009 Smart "Joy"
2004 VNL630 "Vonda the Volvo"
2008 Hitch Hiker 35 CK Champagne Edition
VED12 465 HP, Freedomline, 3.73 ratio, WB 218"
Fulltiming and loving it.

 

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Along the same line as Rickeieio- I gently bring them back to earth by explaining "my used HDT cost about the same as a brand new Dually".

Circ & Cindi Toepel

 

2015 Volvo 730 Niki (for our daughter who didn't make it)

Cougar SRX with side ramp access to garage

Coming soon....42' Forks Continental

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Along the same line as Rickeieio- I gently bring them back to earth by explaining "my used HDT cost about the same as a brand new Dually".

 

Plus better mpg and lower insurance cost!

2016 Western Star 5700xe (Pathfinder) DD15 555hp

w/12 speed automatic 3:05 diffs

2005 Newmar Mountain Aire 38RLPK

2 Great Danes

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