Pete Kildow

If your out of items to do. Will run my T600 over, and drop it off for a while. Be happy to pick it up when your done. 😀

Sounds like you have done a lot in a short time for sure. Plus think of all the rest you can get now while on the road.

I have to get my shop finished. Get the AC going in it. Can't handle the hot these days. So anything like this, does not get done when its hot.

12 hours ago, RandyA said:

In Virginia you cannot just register a semi as a motor home.  You have to apply for a custom conversion and do all the DOT stuff.  If it passes you are given a new title as a motorhome.

When I did mine all was going smoothly until the agent noted the actual tractor weight was listed as 26,500# on the title.  For some "strange" reason Virginia will not do a custom conversion on any thing over 26K. (bus, truck, train ...........makes no difference).  I can not tell you why or how some folks get a Greyhound bus' title changed..... or maybe they don't?  Things are a little different in the bus world.

I was dead in the water with this news.  (stupid) DMV rules do not allow a title's tractor weight to be changed unless you are a certified or registered body builder.  I arrived armed with a photo of the door sticker showing under 26K, a CAT scale ticket showing under 26K and a piece of paper like a cash register receipt that showed the truck to be 18,000# when it rolled out of the factory door.  Those papers did nothing to convince them to change the title.  The agent apologized and agreed the title was wrong, but she could NOT change it.  BTW, the issue was taken to several higher-up's at DMV that gave the same answer,

So..... here I was back in 2009 with a truck I could not register in Virginia as anything other than a commercial vehicle due to a mistake on the title that showed the tractor's weight as being 26,500#.  The "computer" would not allow changing and if a DMV employee tried their job was as good as gone.

That is how SD got into the picture.  No problems getting a custom conversion RV title for a motorhome and tag. (NOT Private Truck!)

I have since heard of a similar incident  on one of the FB pages where a guy in one of the NE states had an almost identical problem.  His solution was to sell the truck and forget an HDT conversion.

The post was simply a "stop and look" warning if buying a new or used truck to check your title and the Licensing authority before you finish the purchase to be sure there are no weight mistakes on the title.  Everything differs from state-to-state.

Man that would be tough for sure. Guess were lucky here in Tn. Truck weight was not even an issue. And lots of people have Class A's that  push the scales at 40K, so never give it any thought.

Same for our 5th wheel, nothing on the weight. Just a $14.00 per year I think renewal on the tag.

I just spray mine, with white Lithium grease from a can. Worked for years, and easy to do.

See one big issue, that cat will need a litter box. When it hits 198!

Plus those would cause the trailer to lift off. Thus lift the rear of the TRUCK. Then your just well how would I say. Spinning in the 18liter box.

Be sure to contact Ground control before liftoff.

Been through 2 back Surgery's. First one lasted a couple of years. Then back to where it was before. Second one did not work at all. Put up with leg pain for years, that would make you want to cut both legs off.

2 years ago give up and bought a bottle of CBD oil. Been 20 months now with no leg pain. And was told by 3 different DR's. It was Nerve damage, noting we can do. But the CBD oil has worked for me.

Sad part is only took 2 days to have the leg pain go away. I take 1200MG bottle with 30 ML in it. Takes one per month. Best $150.00 per month I have ever given up.

If you need to cough after Surgery. Hold your Stomach with a pillow. Not near the pain, but without holding pressure. Man its like ripping your guts out.

Also when getting up when they allow you to get out of bed. Sit your self up with the Hospital bed. Sure beats trying to get up from a flat bed.

Last thing, make sure you have a good straight back chair when sitting up at home.

Good luck and may this take care of your leg pain. Anyone that has not put up with the leg pain. Has no ideal what it does to you. Back pain is a walk in the park compared to the leg pain.

So these people with 40K Class A motor homes would need there ratings at under 26K also? When I had my T600 Registered at a Motor home. There's no weight on the title. And was not asked that question.

Was told the under 26,001 rating had nothing to do with me. Unless I was commercial, that was by a DOT cop last week. Grossing 45K with my dump trailer.

On 6/17/2019 at 3:55 PM, lockmup68 said:

and the GasBuddy app on your phone is your friend.

It will sure save $$ fast. And always finds the smaller stations. I for one will not buy fuel at the Flying J or Pilot. There prices are jacked up around here. Sad station across the road is .40 cents cheaper.

But then again the Big trucking company's gets around .65 cents per gallon off there.

7 hours ago, dennisvr said:

My bets or still it being the drum.  I went down to Harbor freight and bought a 12 ton jack I think it was around $30 and leave it in the truck.  One suggestion if you do buy from HF, when you get finished using the jack compress the cylinder all the way back into the jack or the cylinder will rust.  As they say "ask me how I know"

That's not rust, just new metal forming. I have the air jack. And always keep it wiped down with Fluid film. I sure don't need any new metal forming on mine.

What if we just show up this fall. 50 Cal along with a can of rounds and offer to play farmer? That would be fun for sure.

21 hours ago, dennisvr said:

Are you sure there is a spacer?  What I see in the picture should be the brake drum.  I also noticed it looks like the studs are a little short.  I like to see at less a couple of threads showing.

Looks like the black part is the spacer. You can see it more in the bottom of the hub to wheel section.

On 6/1/2019 at 3:51 PM, Exile said:

I will make sure I always have iced Dr Pepper on hand!

What made it a little more difficult:

the TX title manual changed in early 2019, and the old title manual was more clear and simpler. 

There is no actual title for motor homes now, it is registered as a travel trailer.

the laws changed, and they removed the motor home section while i was in the process.

the new title manual says the conversion has to cover the entire frame, but the laws don’t say that.

my frame is still bare, and the commercial fifth wheel is still on the frame.   This got the local title lady bent out of shape.  If you can put a bed on it and pull the fifth wheel off first, it would probably go smoother. 

That was one question I was asked in Tn. Does it still have the commercial 5th wheel on it? Told the lady no, it has a bed and rv 5th wheel on it.

After that 5 minutes and was heading out the door. But she did say, they would not tag it with the factory 5th wheel on it.

Thanks sure allows the heat out of the cab. While sitting out, and if it ever rains again. Should keep that out also.

45 minutes ago, Scrap said:

Nice!  Ah, it's an old KW......It allows you to close your doors all the way the first time!

Yes that is also a nice item also. Without the window cracked, the door is not shutting for sure. Unreal how tight a a 25 year old truck can be.

I agree we all need to thank everyone that has served. But most these days, Its just a reason to party. No though for what was Given. To this country, thus the reason for Today.

Was thinking about buying Window Vents for my KW. But did not care for most made for it. Thought I will just make my own. Had a some scrap Lexan in the shop. so dug it out and 45 minutes later. Had these made up, and ready to mount. Used cheap double side tape for now. As these are just to try out. There's scratches and stuff on these. Will get clean Lexan 1/4" to make them up. If I like these, and thinking I will like them a lot. Allows me to let fresh air in, while the truck is sitting.

On 4/18/2019 at 9:08 PM, Roadtrek 1 said:

Thanks. We tour in this vehicle, we certainly don't live in it.   

It's a very comfortable "mini motorhome"... with all the amenities of a larger rig, including an outside shower, complete wet bath toilet and shower, kitchen, king sized bed/convertible sofa, all cherry wood overhead cabinets, and 18 plus  MPG. And extremely easy to drive and park just about anywhere. 

I would never consider living full time in my rig, but, I've heard that some people do. We've easily spent a week or 10 days in it. 

Same as with our 9ft slidein truck camper. Had 8ft 11" floor space, then the overhead bed. Even had a 8ft slideout. Loved it for trips and fishing where I could take the boat along. But sucked when it rained 3 days or so. And no where to relax.

But could drop it and be gone in the pickup within 15 minutes of backing into a parking spot.  Thought about going back to the big truck camper. The one with 3 slide outs, and dual recliners. But enjoy room and all the comforts of home we have now.

On 4/10/2019 at 6:14 PM, Roadtrek 1 said:

Dave, OK, it's a fair comment.... my remarks were in relation to using a heavy duty truck to pull a 40 foot 5th wheel.... I've seen many dually diesel pickups easily do that.   Also, the remarks about me being naive and ignorant of the length of RVs in National Parks did not go unnoticed......I don't appreciate people making comments like that or misleading people thinking that a 40 foot 5th wheel with a big Mack or Peterbuilt can just pull in easily to any park....they can't....

My Kenworth is 22" longer then a Crew Cab dually. And I will bet you, It will fit anywhere that Dually and 40ft camper will fit.

But best of all, the Kenworth is in control of the camper. Not the camper in control of the pickup. And Yes I pulled ours with a crewcab pickup, then a Crewcab Kodiak C5500. And the Kenworth is better around. I get somewhere, I'm rested. Not beat to death by a pickup.

Your little Sprinter is great, but would not want to spend a few months in it. While seeing a part of the country for weeks at a time. Been there done that also. Slide-in truck camper. Loved it, but man its cramped after a couple of days.

Enjoy your camping and we will enjoy ours. Always people that know there way is better. But as we get older, room and comfort is king.

Had a lady walking her dog. She would lead him over to our spot. Let him do his job, and walk off. I was a nice Neighbor, Took his present back to her in a bag. Left it on her step, without the bag.

I know people have gone crazy over pets. And that's there choice. But I have a choice of not having one. Nor do I care to have one doing there Business around me. As for jumping on me. I'm sorry, but have no issues making sure it does not happen again.

On 5/31/2018 at 1:02 PM, BlueLghtning said:

Okay, I had to look at mine again to see where I'm at. I'm at about 1425 at 65mph with my taller tires and 3.58 gearing, so still about 100rpm higher than you. You may really be in a nice gear range that allows you to run 9th on slower reads and still be pretty good. I still find I'm either running 9th a little higher than I would like or lugging 10th on back roads. You are still getting great fuel mileage. I do think I tend to drive a bit faster and not worry about fuel mileage as much as I did in the beginning. I just enjoy having the large truck that handles our large 5th wheels with ease.  

Thanks for sharing the info. 

 

Thats where a 13 or 18 shines. Allowing you to drop half a gear, or go up a half gear. My 2.93 gears and 295/22.5's and direct 10 speed trans. Gives me 70 MPH and engine is ok. But a 18 speed OD would allow me to turn in Direct and do the same. Or go up or down as needed.

My truck being a 1995 was built when the company was running 65 MAX and most times 55. AS it was a factory Single axle built to pull doubles.

Pete

I think a lot of people look  at changing the gears. When a tire swap can for most. Change the ratio enough to get those RPM's down or up. My old truck set up with this tire.

500 rev/mi, , R197 295/80R22.5

Customer Gearing Input
Intended Cruise Speed 65 mph

Engine Turning 1578-RPMS with the R197 tire that is 500 Rev per mile.

Transmission Top Gear Ratio  1, Eaton, RT-13710B

Low Gear Ratio Gear Down Ratio 14.78

Number Of Gears 1.34

Tire Size Rear 500 rev/mi, , R197 295/80R22.5

Axle Ratio 2.93
 

So if I wanted my RPM's around 1350, I could swap to 2.78 gears. Or just find a tire that has 430 Revs per mile. Both would do it. Tire change or Gears, both will get you there. So many people will not take in account the rounds that tire makes in a mile.

Or I could swap to a Over Drive trans with a 0.87 top gear. Get the R's down 200 RPMS. Plus give me the best of both worlds. IF I were to go with a 13 or 18 Speed. I Can run in Direct 16th gear at slower speed. Or run in Over Drive 18th and run  faster with less RPM's. This is all with a manual trans. The auto's, Gear change or tire change only.

5 hours ago, Jack Mayer said:

We do 6 seconds gap. It it fills we simply slow down. Darting cars often fill the gap....and we slow down. I'm not saying we are perfect at it, but we actively work it. I try to stay off of "busy" roads/times, but sometimes you just have to do it.

The pre-trip inspection is incredibly important. It must be done. Plus we do a walkaround at EVERY stop. And we tend to stop every two hours....Personally, I don't want to be in an accident so we actively try to avoid that....and I don't want to be broken down on the road, so we do pretrips, walkarounds, and preemptive maintenance. In 13 years fulltiming with a tractor, zero roadside breakdowns.....

Its unreal what a person can spot. Just looking at the truck while walking back to it. But most are talking, never think about looking over the truck and trailer. And go jump in the seat, taking off down the road. This is Commercial drivers and RV's. I for one care about the lifes of people around me. And don't know how I could live my with my self. If something happened. And I did not check the truck before hand. Be bad enough for something to happen after checking it out.

And agree with you. When time allows, we will get up early and get through city's. Then lay back down, or take a nap. When we start traveling soon. Our driving times will work around traffic. Were in no rush to get there or back home. So sure not going to hit Dallas at 7 am or 4 pm.

Pete

That 3 seconds can cost you everything. And I will do a pre-trip same as if I'm still commercial. Way to many people, talk about how this or that happened. And most times, it would have been caught with a pre-trip.

Seen a rv on the side of the road yesterday. It was being pulled by a small Freightliner. he has lost air pressure on the truck. He has a air tank strap rust into. And if he had taken time to look over the truck. Would have seen it way before it became an issue. Also that air tank had almost been eaten up by dragging on the hwy for a while.

Pete

I agree check the switches on the Clutch and brake peddle. And if you have jakes they should not work also. Being there tied into the curse. Can you still use the high idle? Set the cruse and bump down on the set switch. And you should still have high idle.

If its not the switches, but 95% of the time its one of those. Some times it can be the jake brake wiring harness. Where it goes into the valve cover. 

If your getting the fault for the batter in the ECM. There's a guy that can replace those. But most times, people just get a rebuilt ECM. Is it the DDEC-3 or 4?

Pete

Nice job sure wish I could find someone to do mine. 

Suite hate to hear the truck stops stopped selling the stuff. But I got three different colors (Green,White and red) last fall. I think it was at the Dickson Tn truck stop. Those bars will outlast me.

Pete

Not sure if anyone else posted this. But look at Berkey water filter. We have one and take it with us on trips. Will filter out a gallon or more. And you can take water out of a stream. And its good to go when done. Even take water out of a mud hole. And it will come out pure.

We also put the bottom filters in ours. its takes out all taste and chlorine while doing it. Not cheap, but water taste go good after going through it. Our City water is nasty tasting. But its like taking a drink of cool clear well water now.

It almost blew me away. When my penny pinching brother in law told me they own 2 of these. Bit on and the small one to travel with.

Berkey

Pete