Foreverunstopable Posted November 20, 2018 Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 Looking at the HDT guide there are a number of members in Florida. Were in the Sarasota area and my wife and I would like to know if there are other HDT RVs in the area open to sharing their experience with us and possibly a tour of their rig? Wife is really trying to get a good idea if she wants to sign off on a HDT vs MDT/1ton. We will also be at the Tampa RV show in January. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted November 20, 2018 Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 I doubt you'll have much luck finding HDTs in Florida, since putting a fifth wheel hitch on a M/H is not allowed there. Bumper pulls are fine. 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...
Foreverunstopable Posted November 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 Good eye. We intend to bumper pull a travel trailer with a piggyback car. Just really hope there are some locals with HDTs. If not I'll wait to the Tampa show or take the wife to an HDT dealer. Were also considering getting CDLs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 If you are not towing commercially then I would recommend that you do NOT get CDL's. The training is fine, but don't get a CDL. You will probably need medical cards, you will not be able to take a defense driving class to void a ticket and you will then have one less bullet in your ammo belt to convince that officer that you really are using your HDT for non commercial use. Florida doesn't require an upgraded license, so why do it? MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~ 2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 2014 smart Fortwo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydrvr Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 4 hours ago, Foreverunstopable said: Looking at the HDT guide there are a number of members in Florida. Were in the Sarasota area and my wife and I would like to know if there are other HDT RVs in the area open to sharing their experience with us and possibly a tour of their rig? Wife is really trying to get a good idea if she wants to sign off on a HDT vs MDT/1ton. We will also be at the Tampa RV show in January. Thanks in advance. I'm in the process of prepping my truck for that purpose and I'll be in North Port after the holidays. I'd be happy to discuss the process with you. Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billr Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 We are set up in Davenport Fl near Kissimmee. Welcome anytime to visit check out rig and go for a ride if you wish. Also going to be set up at RV show in Tampa. Bill and Joan and 3 Collie pups 2001 Volvo VNL 770 "The Doghouse" Singled short, "ET" hItch VED12 465HP Gen 1 Autoshift 3.58 ratio 2005 Mobile Suite 38RL3 2011 Smart Passion loaded piggybacK Weigh-It Portable RV Scales http://www.weighitrv.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdixon747 Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 Gail and I may be in Sarasota next summer. Probably May or June. Plans aren’t finalized yet, but we normally stay at Sun-n-Fun off of Fruitville Rd. We too do a bumper pull trailer. Stay in touch if you like and I will let you know the dates when we finalize our plans. Steve Steve & Gail 2000 Volvo VNL660 Autoshift Detroit 60 12.7 "Semi Crazy" 2016 smart "Lil Crazy" 2018 Space Craft 48' TT "The Nut House" KJ4YGY & KK4CTE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COFLTravler Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 We are further down the road in Bonita Springs - below Fort Myers, if you are passing through this area or want to take a ride. Ran into the "Florida" problem and elected to title/register out of state. We pull a 5th wheel with a 2014 Volvo 780 named "Baby Bird". Billr may recall what she is named after..... Mark 2014 HDT Volvo 780 "Baby Bird"2016 Smart Car "Baby Bird Turd" - on the back2020 Momentum 376THSWe're both proud USAF Retirees... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foreverunstopable Posted November 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 13 hours ago, Big5er said: If you are not towing commercially then I would recommend that you do NOT get CDL's. The training is fine, but don't get a CDL. You will probably need medical cards, you will not be able to take a defense driving class to void a ticket and you will then have one less bullet in your ammo belt to convince that officer that you really are using your HDT for non commercial use. Florida doesn't require an upgraded license, so why do it? We want to be more educated about how to properly use an HDT while being as safe as possible on the road. We also thought some of the classes give practical on the road training. Have many members taken a course but not taken the test? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foreverunstopable Posted November 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 1 hour ago, COFLTravler said: We are further down the road in Bonita Springs - below Fort Myers, if you are passing through this area or want to take a ride. Ran into the "Florida" problem and elected to title/register out of state. We pull a 5th wheel with a 2014 Volvo 780 named "Baby Bird". Billr may recall what she is named after..... Mark Where did you choose to title/register and are you still FL DL residents? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkoenig24 Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 If you haven't "pulled the trigger" by April, bring wifey to the East Coast Rally in Crossville, TN. There, she'll be able to see dozens of HDTs which most owners are happy to show off and talk about. LOTS of educational seminars too! Add in numerous social events and, you'll both have a GREAT week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkoenig24 Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 I forgot to mention; at the ECR, Deer Run RV Resort has several camping cabins so, you can attend even if you don't yet have an RV (that's what I did in 2014. It turned out to be a VERY wise on my part!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyA Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 Charlie and I will be in Melbourne this winter. That is midway down I-95 and on the east coast. Wife and I arrive mid-December, Charlie will be there by New Year. We both have Volvos and speaking for myself and I believe Charlie we would be glad to tell you what little we know and show you all the mistakes we made when we prepared our trucks. Randy, Nancy and Oscar "The Great White" - 2004 Volvo VNL670, D12, 10-speed, converted to single axle pulling a Keystone Cambridge 5th wheel, 40', 4 slides and about 19,000# with empty tanks. ARS - WB4BZX, Electrical Engineer, Master Electrician, D.Ed., Professor Emeritus - Happily Retired! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billr Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 15 hours ago, COFLTravler said: We are further down the road in Bonita Springs - below Fort Myers, if you are passing through this area or want to take a ride. Ran into the "Florida" problem and elected to title/register out of state. We pull a 5th wheel with a 2014 Volvo 780 named "Baby Bird". Billr may recall what she is named after..... Mark I do indeed! 😎 Bill and Joan and 3 Collie pups 2001 Volvo VNL 770 "The Doghouse" Singled short, "ET" hItch VED12 465HP Gen 1 Autoshift 3.58 ratio 2005 Mobile Suite 38RL3 2011 Smart Passion loaded piggybacK Weigh-It Portable RV Scales http://www.weighitrv.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remoandiris Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 16 hours ago, RandyA said: Charlie and I will be in Melbourne this winter. Staying at Wickham Park? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyA Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 1 hour ago, remoandiris said: Staying at Wickham Park? Yep Randy, Nancy and Oscar "The Great White" - 2004 Volvo VNL670, D12, 10-speed, converted to single axle pulling a Keystone Cambridge 5th wheel, 40', 4 slides and about 19,000# with empty tanks. ARS - WB4BZX, Electrical Engineer, Master Electrician, D.Ed., Professor Emeritus - Happily Retired! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdickinson Posted November 23, 2018 Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 On 11/21/2018 at 5:26 AM, Foreverunstopable said: Have many members taken a course but not taken the test? In Alberta, all that's required is a class 5 and an air endorsement. You can also triple tow, I've seen it done. After moving to BC, the requirement changed to a CDL because of the truck being air and the trailer electric. Add to that the whole rig weight over 8600 kg's. So grudgingly I took the course. In hindsight, I'm glad I did. It has made me feel safer on the road. I know: Where to position the left front wheel on an outside sweeping rt turn. Knowing what offtrack is Where to position my truck when making a sharp rt turn at a stop light or stop sign to prevent vehicles from passing on the inside or outside and making sure the back end of my trailer doesn't clip something on the sidewalk while initiating the turn. To maintain a 5 second separation b/w me and the vehicle in front in good driving conditions. At least 7 or more in poor driving conditions. Stopping so the tires of the vehicle in front are visible on the road. Any closer and they tend to feel uncomfortable and inch ahead because you are in their space. How to do a proper precheck. It took me 45 minutes going full bore to do during the exam. I practiced it for over a week, twice a day until I got it down perfect. When doing a pitstop, doing a walkaround, checking tires, hatches, lites. making sure nothing was missed when you started out in the am, keys left in doors, sat dish up, hatches unlocked, cap on the sewer pipe holder. How many sewer hoses have you seen by the side of the road?? When a Commercial rig is following me, I time his distance. If he's 5 seconds or more, I don't worry . If he or she's 2-3 seconds, then I look for a place to pull over to let him pass so he doesn't do something stupid to cause both of us problems. I'm no gearhead, but the CDL did teach me what to look for and to identify problems or symptoms. Whether we are talking about US or Canada, you can't go wrong. At the very least, you'll learn something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COFLTravler Posted November 23, 2018 Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 On 11/21/2018 at 8:28 AM, Foreverunstopable said: Where did you choose to title/register and are you still FL DL residents? We still have a home out of state and registered the rig there - Florida is not HDT friendly as you may have noticed on the forum Mark 2014 HDT Volvo 780 "Baby Bird"2016 Smart Car "Baby Bird Turd" - on the back2020 Momentum 376THSWe're both proud USAF Retirees... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenL Posted November 23, 2018 Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 We are north of Tampa and even have our truck for sale if you are interested. 2009 Volvo 780 with Herrin Hauler Bed 2015 Continental Coach 2017 Smart Car Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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