jkoenig24

Some LEDs have polarity. If these LEDs are installed backwards, they won't illuminate. If they can be inserted when turned 180º, they might work.

Pine trees have a shallow root system. If they're as small as you say, I doubt you'll have to worry about the tree hitting you truck (unless you have an insanely short chain / strap.

I've seen gooseneck hitches on HDT Toterhomes.

1: YES, I still use the HHRG. 2: I access the HHRG PRIMARILY on a Mac OS laptop. I also use (in descending order) a Chromebook, iPad Pro, iPhone, Android phone and finally a Windows laptop. I regularly recommend the HHRG to people who would benefit from this valuable resource. Thank you for your work on the HHRG. As far as I know, there's NOTHING else like it available in a single source form. I would be willing to "kick in" cash to help in deferring any costs (or, to just help keep you and other contributors in your favorite beverage). I will be at the National Rally next month. Again, THANK YOU for all the "heavy lifting" you've done over the years! Sincerely, John Koenig

Next month at the National Rally you might get a taker.

I got the email from TSD late last week. Apparently TSD has updated its' App which right now, is ONLY AVAILABLE on Apple's iOS. They expect to have the updated Android App ready later this year. I emailed TSD back but, have NOT yet received the "official" invitation to get updated. I'm currently in northeast TN but, expect to head west for the National Rally next month. I hope to have TDS sorted out before I hit the road.

ARE you a legal resident of MT? If so, the information in the video probably will not apply to you. If you're NOT a legal resident of MT here's a link to a YouTube video that explains the negatives of trying to get away with what is likely a tax scam / dodge: CA, NJ, NY and GA (and I imagine other states) are ACTIVELY pursuing people they suspect are tax cheats. I believe there is information in the Heavy Haulers Resource Guide on HDT registration. DO double check as the HHRG information might be outdated: http://www.hhrvresource.com/ If the HDT you're considering still has it's commercial fifth wheel hitch, expect to run into problems getting insurance as they're likely to look at it as a COMMERCIAL VEHICLE. Good luck!

Size can be less of a problem with newer campgrounds. Your best bet these days will be to call a candidate and speak with senior staff. In the AllStays Camp & RV App (iOS), I've see camp descriptions which include the phrase "big rig friendly". AllStays has NOT been available as an Android App for several years now. There IS an AllStays Pro which is BROWSER based so, that version can be used on any phone, tablet, computer etc as long as it has a browser. The Pro version is an ANNUAL subscription of about $40 (the iOS App is about $10).

My Super-C Dynamax had THREE (out of seven) seatbelts that were mounted "sideways". I've seen sideways mounting in other RVs as well. You need to get the mounting hardware WELL secured so, that in the event of a head on crash, the mounts do NOT pull out. I expect there are Federal safety standards that apply to mounting hardware.

"Standard" HDTs as far as I know, are NOT generally designed for "off road" use. The tires usually found on HDTs really want to be on hard pavement. I expect an HDT could be modified with tires that are more suitable for off-roading. Before spending a lot of money, I'd recommend that you insure that the HDT you buy WILL go the places you want to take it (and be able to get back OUT). Have you seen the Heavy Haulers Resource Guide? LOTS of good information therein. Link below PS: My HDT is a Class 7 Freightliner based Super-C diesel puller. I've gotten stuck in a KOA on WET GRASS. http://www.hhrvresource.com

Nice job. I don't see tie down rings, e-channel or airline channel. Will you be adding any of them or, do you have another method of securing your bikes?

Tread carefully! Most states have TIME LIMITS as to how long you can use another states's license & registration before you must get the local license & reg. With RVer's, I'm NOT aware of this being being strictly enforced in most states BUT, circumstances could bite you in the butt. A neighbor could report you; if you're involved in an accident / incident; if your insurance company notices the discrepancy of where you claim to live vs where you actually live etc. Attorney Steve Lehto does a video about what he calls the Montana Registration Scam. I think that some of the points Steve raises could apply to your situation. Be VERY careful NOT to lie or misrepresent material facts in all of the paperwork you need to file in making this change. Falsifying Official Documents can be a FELONY. You really want to have all your "I"s doted and "t"s crossed. It can be a confusing process. Good luck!

PS: while you're at it, it would be wise to add a quarter turn shut off valve too. I'd place it on the feed line a few inches below the BFPASV. RV toilets are famous for the fill valve ON the toilet to fail which then allow water to flow freely. Once failed, as long as there's water in your tank, the black tank will fill completely, then fill the toilet and the, overflow into the RV.A quarter turn valve allows you to QUICKLY shut water going to the toile off. One last thing, while you're working there, consider adding a hand held sprayer which will make cleaning the toilet easier.

I'd say Back Flow Prevention ~ Anti-Siphon valve.

I got stuck for HOURS driving though Chicago (while on MAJOR roadways) on two occasions even though I started through in the early afternoon. I've always had my best luck in going THROUGH big cities after 9:00 PM and before 5:AM (2100~0500). Once through, I pull into a rest area or place like a Denny's / Flying J if I need to. Using this strategy, I got through Chicago in about 35 minutes.

Disinfecting wipes are still in VERY short supply everywhere I've been.. If you're not there when a shelf is stocked, the product that stores put out, will be gone in less than 30 minutes.

Roaming Ranger, you're asking the right questions. Get a current copy of Rand McNally's Motor Carriers Road Atlas (often discounted at truck stops and on Amazon). LOTS of useful information therein. Don't be afraid to browse or, just dive in. My HDT is a Class 7 Super-C (2015 Dynamax DX3-37RB). I HAVE had to park the Featherlite trailer I have for my Prius in overflow lots on several occasions and to date, that has NOT been a problem. More and more RV parks ARE upgrading their properties so that an RV site can be 70' (or more) long. These improved sires are usually pull through. Other forum members have "Big Boy" Class 8 HDT Super-Cs; maybe they'll chime in. Some Class 8 Super Cs are BUNKHOUSE models and can sleep and travel safely with eight or more people. Get a SMART WEIGH done on your rig AND, make sure the height is properly measured. Post that height in the cab where it's readily visible and, will hopefully remind you just how much space you need to stay safe. When on local roads, PLAN AHEAD so as NOT to be surprised by finding yourself boxed in or, overweight on (or approaching) an old bridge. This is more of a problem in the east (and especially in the New England area) where some roads and bridges go back to colonial times. "Old" public style RV sites are often small. They were designed and built DECADES ago when RVs were smaller. If you want to visit a National Park, big rigs can often find commercial RV parks not too far away and, privately owned RV parks have the incentive to update / upgrade / expand their sites as it's MUCH easier for them to raise rates. Publicly owned RV parks often require a change in the laws to get a rate increase approved. If you want to visit a National / State / Municipal park, CALL that park directly and play 20 questions. Government properties WANT visitors and, are usually VERY familiar with their park and the surrounding area. Rangers can tell you that they DO have "x" number of sites that are longer than the park standard (getting of of those golden sites can be an entirely different matter. ASK questions and be ready to answer questions they'll have re length, height etc of your rig as well as your ability to drive it safely in tight quarters). For years now, LEOs (Law Enforcement officers) have largely left RVs / RVers alone. Decades ago, RVers tended to 1: be driving smaller rigs and 2: be far more responsible than many of today's newbies are. "Leave No Trace" was widely followed back then; not so much these days. I fear that the HUGE increase of new, inexperienced RVers who are often ill equipped to drive the monster RV they recently bought, will be the undoing of that hands off policy. most LEOs still follow. DECADES ago, the Federal government made major changes to commercial trucking. All it might take, would be to have a few horrific RV accidents, resulting in a public outcry calling for more restrictions on RVs and RVers. Most levels of government are cash strapped and, RVers could be seen as a source of easy revenue. Currently, RVs are generally NOT wanted "clogging up" weigh stations. I expect that most forum members have noticed that TODAY, more and more weigh stations list the WEIGHT (GVWR / GCWR) of vehicles required to pull in (and I've seen weights as low as 8,000# listed). I fear that it's just a matter of time before RVs (which, according to RVSEF are often overweight) will be required to pull into weigh stations. It might just start with HDT based RVs and then, expand from there (it's a slippery slope). Again, it is likely to be driven by accidents and government's need for a new cash source. I truly hope I'm wrong here but, unless people in general make the conscious decision to be more responsible RVers, as a group, are headed for a fall. As for your "family of six", a Smart for Two ain't going to cut it and, I'm not aware or any state that allows double or triple towing without some kind of special permit. Gregg Shield used to do EXCELLENT HDT seminars at out rallies but I believe he is now pursuing other interests. He showed that overall, an HDT tractor had the same "footprint" of a dually pick up truck (of course fuel economy won't be what a pick up truck would get). It would also be wise to park AWAY from the store entrance but yes, an HDT can be used as a daily driver. A second option would be to rent a minivan (or other suitable vehicle) if you'll be in one location for more than a day or three. Enterprise WILL pick yo up if you're within 10~15 miles of their office. All in all, what you WANT to do CAN be done. Start perusing the HDT RESOURCE GUIDE, there's a WEALTH of information contained therein. Good luck and, WELCOME! http://www.hhrvresource.com/

Happy 4th of July all! I'm safe and hope you all are too. I look forward to the time it will be safe to travel again and I'm sure y'all feel the same. Carl, I'm glad you were wise enough to cancel the ECR early. I believe your quick action saved at least some would be attendees from contracting Corona19 (although I expect you caught at least a little flack for taking decisive action). I understand that a tornado touched down in Deer Run while we would have been there so, you're really responsible for a double save. Again, have a safe and happy 4th. I hope to see you and others in the HDT forum soon.

Do you ACTUALLY live in MT? If not, Michigan attorney Steve Lehto has a very good YouTube video which CLEARLY explains WHY, just forming a Montana LLC to avoid paying taxes that would otherwise be due, is a problem just wailing to bite non-Montana registrants in the butt. I'm including a link to said video. If you ARE a Montana resident, the HDT Resource Guide will probably have valuable information: https://hhrvresource.com

Have you looked at "Toter Homes". The ones Ive seen start with a Class 7 or 8 HDT cab~chassis. You can get it configured to haul a fiver, a horse trailer type connection and, have a bumper pull as well. Behind the cab is a small (or large) RV box in which you can carry all sorts of people, critters and "stuff". You can go custom build or, find prebuilt Toter Homes. Two years ago, a vendor at the National HDT Rally did display a couple of toter homes (I was unable to attend in 2019; I don't know if any toter homes were shown). Hallmark, Renegade and Showhauler are names that quickly come to mind. I have seen Class 7 Crew Cab HDTs. I cannot remember seeing a Class 8 HDT Crew Cab BUT, if you've got the money, there are RV builders who have the skills. https://www.racingjunk.com/category/1253/Toterhomes-RVs-Motorhomes.html https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2057872.m570.l1311.R1.TR11.TRC1.A0.H1.Xtoter.TRS0&_nkw=toterhomes&_sacat=0

Thanks for that information Jeff!

Sounds like a good plan you've there, Vern. I'm somewhat similar except that, if I get a call I don't recognize, I just let it go to voicemail. If it's a legitimate call, the caller will leave a message which I will return. Otherwise, said number gets added to my "Blocked Number" list. I'd say that over a 100 phone calls, about 90 of them are BS. Being "old school", I RARELY "do" texts (it's a phone; CALL ME!)

I'm wondering why there'd be a "Second D13 in this truck with less than 300k miles on it"? 300,000 miles is NOT a lot for an HDT. Otherwise, that's a nice looking truck!

Your persistence paid off. Congratulations! FCIS switched me over to Progressive a few years ago. I've been happy with both FCIS and Progressive.

Welcome home!