Hi Heavy Haulers, I'm John. I've been an intermittent Lurker since learning there were Heavy Haulers. I didn't start RVing until 2010 when I bought a 17' Casita Spirit Deluxe travel trailer to facilitate a trip to the Burning Man Festival in Nevada's Black Rock Desert. My tow vehicle then was a 2004 Toyota Sienna minivan. That first trip was 22 days driving from NY to Rice, TX to pick up my fiberglass "egg" at the Casita factory. I headed out from Rice, through rush hour traffic in Dallas and, on to Nevada. I had a great first experience! In 2011, I retired and did a 4+ month trip out west. On that trip, the AC on my Toyota died on a 102ยบ day. The 10+ hour drive to get to Oshkosh, WI was brutal. 2012 saw me get a 2010, Mercedes Benz Sprinter van. Its a 3500 series with the high roof and long wheelbase. I did two trips (South to Florida+ for five weeks starting in March and then, four months out west starting mid-July). I'm currently on the road and, would like additional space my 17' Casita can't provide. I can see myself as a full timer for the next five+ years so, its time to get a serious rig. While at the Tom Johnson CG in North Carolina last year, I saw a Class 8 pulling a large 5th wheel and, it had a Smart car up behind the cab! This seems like an ideal way to go. In the 70's, I drove a transit bus in NYC. I've driven large fire apparatus. I'm not cowed by large vehicles. I don't have any experience in class 8 tractors though. I'm hoping I can learn enough here from all the experienced haulers so as to be able to get the "right" class 8 the first time. Reading various posts, it sounds like Volvo makes class8 trucks that make a good truck ~ house conversion. I expect there are others. I need to learn about class 8 trucks; what's very reliable, who gets the best fuel economy, where to find / buy a class 8 without getting burned, what modifications are recommended and how to go about those mods. Diesel engines, how old is too old? Are pre-DEF worth looking at? I'm sure I'll be thinking of lots more questions. As to a 5th wheel, I'm hearing good things about Montana / Keystone units. What else is really good? What should I stay away from? I'll stop now and peruse this forum some more; I have a lot to learn. Informed advice will be most welcome! Thanks in advance! Regards, John
