Deezl Smoke

U-bolts are a standard method. Anytime one allows for the flex of the frame under the bed rails, it is also standard to put a soft medium between the frame and bed rails. Like rubber or wood boards. Do not drill holes into the frame flanges. (the top or bottom part) only drill new holes in the web. (the sides) If you use a heavy angle iron against the frame, use short pieces at the selected bolt holes rather than a full length piece. This allows for frame flex without shearing the bolts etc. Typically this scenario does not require a rubber or wood medium between the frame and bed. IMO

Words of wisdom.

Yep. Did'nt even get the pictures of the Pete fully loaded and I recognized it. They always seem to use the same price of 15k on several trucks.

LMAO. The "job" box is what my friends have named it. When they call, the first question is "did I catch ya on the job box?"

We love this hot water heater. So to keep it......safe?.......as safe as we need it to be anyway, we attached the exhaust to the door and have a latch that holds the door open that 5" to allow the water heater exhaust to vent outside and a curtain on magnets hangs down to cover the door opening.

So the last trip, labor day weekend, we went 5 days and had a bit of time to prepare a small bit better. This time we had our own shower and sink as well as we took our mountain bikes and had a couple job boxes to lock coolers and other items. We put a plastic pallet that is about 7-8" tall in the floor of the shower to stand on and it then gave us many gallons of grey tank capacity. The curtains are in the house as we need to shorten them a few inches.

Not yet. I'll be at the rig later, and will try to get a few. This was our first trip out. The welds were still warm on the container rails. Last second assembly. But we had a blast and really got hooked on the redneck improvised build. This pic is from a fossil hill at Clarno Oregon.

Singled long. Rig Master APU. I love that style apu and if I ever have a second truck, it will end up with a diy copy of that style.

Backed into the farm shop to prepare for removal of the power divider axle.

Dave, I dont have to be bored to see truck porn. d:-) I'll go to your site this evening when Cari (my gf) is with me. I only have a few pictures so far, and I do not have a hosting site anymore since photobucket went commie, so I'll have to put a few replies with small pics, but i will keep it to a minimum. Thanks. Don. Oh ya, I've been calling around the big rig shops looking for the fiberglass fix for the ww, but no luck so far. Maybe there is still a chance that a fix it kit would sell? When I got it back from having the commercial name and number taken off.

Mr.Cob, Dave, just saw your truck on Suite Travels west coast rally video. NICE. Very nice.

Super. Thanks Dave. Then I will be making some calls today. I already tried Peterbilt and they only sell the whole cowl. Don.

OMG !!! That is just what I need. Thank you very much for the picture and info that that is available. I try to be price conscience, but I am willing to pay for that option. That is awesome.

A hunnerd percent understood and agree on the EXHD. Hence the reason I ended up with the 2005 379X I have. I used to have a white/purple FLD120, 12.7 DD. Though it turned in less than half the radius of my X, which is the truck's name, I just could'nt get that feeling of awe that a 379, or as you mention, a W900 give. I'm 56 and my gf is 54. We both love improvising our own inventions and love ever so much that we can say "we made that". Don't matter what others think, it's what we think that matters. As you can see from the photo of my X, it is improvised and under construction. But we love it. I'm not so sure a Volvo has no soul. A bone stock 379 or 900 does nothing more me than a fld120 etc. But a drop visored, unltra cab with stacks and a texas bumper?...........wood. I've seen some really cool graphic packages and ground effects on volvos that make them stand out and really look good. Is the front cowl under the windshield on you Pete fiberglass or aluminum? Mine is fiberglass and the wiper shaft support bumps have been broken. Looking for a fix.

Ok, so.......I'm pretty sure "Leroy" belongs to an Escapee. ? Here's a video that states mileage even with a D16. If my 379 were'nt so darn awesome styling, I'd be even more excited to look at the Volvo. But my gf and I are plus size and the gap between the seats, though tolerable for our younger age, is not the most friendly. We're weekend warrior types at this point and will continue to run solo without trailer for a while yet. So the sleeper is our main cabin. Spent 5 days in it over the labor day weekend and we feel we could easily do a 10 day run given the amount of driving we prefer.

Great info. I had not looked up the actual selection configuration for this trans. Typically, at least in a smaller torque trans, the OD drag is small enough to be considered parasitic, and in many cases, the gain of putting the engine in a more efficient range would outweigh the small loss. If your 90-92% range holds true however, it may be a wash or even a further loss as you suspect. Gunna try it when I get the valve fixed though just for the knowledge. Thank you for the reply. I appreciate them all.

This is fact. Direct, though OD is but parasitic drag, will always be the most efficient. To prove this to myself, this last trip I did in fact run in 16th any time speed fell below 60 or so. Prior trips were 7-4 and 7.6mpg running in 18th at all speeds over 55. According to gps speed, my truck speedo reads 2-3 mph fast. So 68ish is 65. It does have low pro 22.5s, not sure original spec as I have not looked it up. Reason for 16th vs. 17th, is the thumb splitter valve leaks when in low position. Soon as I fix it, I will try running in 17th when possible. Trans is RTLO-18918B

OH YA !!! Well said. That "smile" is ever so priceless. Just set cruise and no hill can stand in it's way. Thank you very much for the reply. I feel better about my mileage already.

Awesome info. Thank you. Yes, I am basically pushing a brick. I have been looking at the aero volvos, hence this thread. I have found more 6x2 drive configurations lately. I think that would fit my purpose well with a 2.6 axle. I see some people that use the dash mpg meter, are showing 15-16 when bobtailing longer distances and when already up to highway speed. I'd be a happy camper with 10.

Awesome information. Thank you. I wondered about the fuel use of a flat nose MH.

Thanks all. I guess I don't feel so bad getting 8.2 with the big Cat seeing what you all seem to average. Might anyone know of the video Gregg Shields put up here, was using US gallons or Imperial gallons?

I really do like the 379. It is an X trim, so less than 2,000 were made. By the looks of the replies so far, I wont gain enough to make the switch. I watched Gregg's video on youtube several times and the 11 to 13 average sounds so good. But I can's find anywhere that he mentions using imperial gallons vs. US gallons. Thanks for the reply. Love your rig. Looks very refined and thought out.

Hi all. It's been a while. I finally have had the chance to run a few short trips in my Peterbilt. Granted it is way over engined. C-15 @ 550, but the best mpg I have achieved yet is 8.2. That is with no trailer, just as pictured. Singled long, 3.36:1 axle and double over 18 speed. 90% freeway at 60 to 65mph. It has been the best fun ever. However, the mpg is getting to be a hang up with me. It's not that I can't afford it, I just don't care to "waste" that much fuel when I know I can have close to the same fun at a much better mpg. So here is a truck I am looking at. Granted it will have emission junk on it that I will have to deal with, but it appears to be well suited for the rv application. Curious what those of you with the D13 engine, whatever year, are getting in your application. I know most pull a fifth wheel, but still, what is your mpg like? Also any other brand owners, what engine and configuration have you found to get good mpg? Thank you. Don.

I guess I've not read the info about the negatives on rear kitchens. I admit I have not been looking for the info, but now you have me curious. What seems to be the most common complaint about it? I have a NuWa Hitch Hiker 2 with RK at 30'. I dont know how it tows yet, so I am going to follow your thread now with interest. I would think tank location would be more of a concern than appliance weight and food storage, but perhaps, as I too am a newbie, I am not seeing the bigger picture. Could it be the usual dinette slide out that usually is part of the RK that is a common issue?