Truck

I'm looking to put in a rear view camera system...not just a back up camera, but one that is on all the time. I would like to use a wireless camera that I could have on truck when bobtailing or put on what ever trailer I'm using (I have multiple) thus I thought wireless would work the best because I could move it to where I needed. It could also be used as a hitch hook up camera when needed. Also would love to use a rear view mirror monitor so it is natural to look at to see what is behind me. What have ya'll been using that you recommend? Truck

Since finding a truck with lockers is more difficult than those without (only found one in my area), I was wondering if anyone knows the approximate cost to install lockers in a non locked twin screw truck? What all does it entail? how different than installing lockers in any regular truck or jeep axle? Thanks, Truck

Thanks folks this is the kind of info I needed to know. I don't mind doing work but can't afford the time for a project in short term. Need a running truck for my VA to CO trips then I can take time to make better after we are permanently in CO. Truck

Ok, i have been slowly shopping but a lot of life has gotten in the way. I met a lot of you great folks at the Rally in KS. I missed a couple of deals on big bunk sleeper trucks which would have been perfect for my 'mission profile'. But just couldn't get travel worked out to see them. So back to looking and paying more attention to Volvos as recommended. So looking at 05 or older trucks what is recommended from an engine perspective in Volvos? Some have cummins and a very few have detroits but the rest seem to have volvo engines. What is the reliability of the volvo engines? What is the difference in the designations and are there some better than others? Detroit Series 60s seem to be the cheapest to work on, how expensive are rebuilt kits or parts for the volvo engines? For the ones that do have cummins, is there a preferred cummins? Are there any of these engines to definitely stay away from? Truck

Pat, yes we are still in VA. We live in Manassas. Happy to talk when i get back to town from HDT rally. Truck

This is extremely relevant. Thank you. This very similar to what i will be doing except with Jeep Scramblers. I doubt i could find one for 10k these days but would love to. Even thought of the idea of having a bed long enough for 1 jeep if it is just me and use the truck as a camper.

Ok all, I'm taking advice and going to go to the HDT rally. I'm going to visit my folks in OKC and my father and I are going to drive up to KS. We will probably only be able to attend Mon-Wed but hope ya'll can educate me enough to venture out and make my own purchase. Maybe you can convince my dad this isn't a bad idea...he thinks I'm nuts...but he thinks that about any car I have purchased for restoration....So I look forward to spending some time with my dad and learning from all of you that will be there. Cheers, Truck

What do ya'll consider lower mileage in most of these trucks?

I appreciate the sage advice and realize ya'll have been doing this awhile. Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of waiting a year to have a tow vehicle for my short term requirements. If I put off that long I will have to get a pickup truck after which I will not be able to afford to come back to an HDT solution. Thus, I'm trying to learn as fast as I can.

Ok what do ya'll think? There is the truck described above that is 07 Freightliner single axle, with locker, 680k mi, on a Detroit 60 Series 14L and never been run as an rv. The below one popped up on the boards: 04 International, tandem, not locked, 250k mi on overhaul, Cummins (he thinks N14) deleted, and flat bed with 5th wheel, gooseneck and receiver hitch, registered as an RV. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/787047202609728 The second one is twice the money as the first. Is the bed and low miles on overhaul worth it? Like I opened up, I'm new to this. first truck seemed to meet initial needs and then add to it in future, however it is 9hrs away and I don't want to make that drive just to educate myself. I want to be prepared to purchase if it checks out. But maybe I shouldn't spend the time if I need to be looking for something that is more complete? Truck Or should I really try and make this Rally and get better educated before I do anything!!! Only issue with that is I may loose my trip out to CO for this fall. Probably loose these two opportunities but I assume other stuff comes up.

does anybody know ballpark cost to put air lockers in axles of a tandom truck.

maybe my ignorance but i thought most tandems weren't locked. and even if you have both as drive axles if you still may only have two sets of tires grabbing traction and maybe only on one side. Where locked diff will have both sides spinning. Although i have been looking at the length of twin screws and they might have a bed long enough to put my Jeep Scrambler on when only taking one and not have to tow a trailer, but still tow a trailer when needed. Too many options!!! I don't want to rush into it but i also need to get something relatively soon so I don't loose the time I have set aside to go to CO this fall with a load. Truck

Yes, I read about the rally. I don't know if I could make that or not....I would have to plan it while making a trip out to CO, as I can't afford to waste vacation time or fuel going that far without taking things to the new homestead. Do you suggest I wait on buying a truck until then or see what I can do to the truck I may have bought there.

I don't know the dimensions but the pictures he sent me show the typical "cabinets" behind seats on both sides and what looked to be a typical double size mattress that is in most trucks. So I was assuming I could fit fridge and microwave in cabinet area. Only time I think axle loading will be an issue is in my short term while moving. Long term loads will be light for this kind of rig, two maybe 3 jeeps or classic cars. I thought about registering in CO since that is ultimately where it will be. I just wasn't sure about driving with CO tags and a VA license would cause a problem especially pulling cars even though I will have "not for hire" and everything will be my own personal property...Just wasn't sure how strict folks are out there. Truck

Need a little advice from those of you that have been driving HDTs for bit. Moving up from a 1ton dually that recently caught fire and burned to the ground. So since I need a replacement I was thinking now might be the time to go to MDT or HDT. The more I have read I’m leaning to HDT. I’m not a trained mechanic but I’ve been working on cars and jeeps since I was young so not afraid to do my own work if I can learn what to do. Why do I need and what will I be using it for? Primary and long term use is to haul a trailer with Jeeps or vehicles to events. I currently have a gooseneck trailer with truck slide in camper on it. An HDT with a reasonable sleeper setup has me thinking I could use it the same as my slide in on trailer and have a shorter trailer or have room for another vehicle. Short term use. I will be moving from VA to CO over the course of the next 2 years. I have several jeeps and cars in need of full restoration that I need to take out to CO. An HDT would allow me to have a larger trailer and move 5-7 cars at a time vs. 2-3. Making for significantly fewer trips. May could even use a dry van for household goods. In CO my driveway has a decent grade and is dirt/gravel (many places we take jeeps it is not paved). I’m a little concerned on getting up it loaded. Always put my truck in 4wd when pulling trailer. This all is still unfamiliar territory for me and need to know if I’m on the right track for my needs or need to be thinking differently. So based on my reading I think I want a single screw truck with sleeper large enough for two. To register as an RV in VA it needs 4 of 6 standard defined things. This weekend I was planning on going to look (approx. 9hrs away) at a Freightliner Columbia w/700k mi, single screw, locked diff (I thought that would help with my driveway), Detroit 14L only has EGR (no dpf or def), 10 speed, low straight top sleeper for around $17k. Doesn’t have anything it needs to convert to RV so I would have to do that relatively quickly to register it. Would need to put gooseneck and receiver hitches and electric brake controller to make more useful. Doesn’t have APU or hauler bed, both of which seem to be fairly spendy unless the used market is reasonable. Research seems to show the Detroit is a good motor if taken care of and potentially delete egr. Total investment I really have is about $25k but would prefer to spend a little as possible. I might could stretch to $30k if and only if it was something that had all the extras without me having to spend time and money doing it myself. So am I on the right track? Any suggestions for my price range? Should I look for something that is already RV and hauler ready? If I am on the right track are there things I need to look for and understand about the Freightliner? I do have a copy of the pre purchase inspection checklist from the resource guide. Most of the stuff I understand what to look for there are some on there I don’t. Thanks in advance, Truck

I looked at the truck and although low miles the bed needed a lot of work. Leaning toward an HDT with sleeper to use as a mini RV and more power to pull what I need to. Thank you all, Truck

thanks all

going to look at an FL 60 tomorrow. Nobody has any advice on what to look out for?

Hi all. Due to fluke my 06 Duramax 3500 cc lb drw burned to the ground. Can't afford a new pickup and looking into MDTs. I typically haul a 40' gooseneck with slide in camper and 2 jeeps on the back to many off road locations and beyond. We are also slowly moving from VA to CO and have quite a few (need restoration)vehicles that have to be hauled. Looking to use biggest car hauler I can legally use to shorten the # of trips. Although I would love a 4x4. Seems MDT in 4x4 are rare and expensive. In my price range I've seen several Freightliner FL60s (98-04 range) with crew cabs, Cat 3126 and Allison 3000 series trans. All that being said. What do I need to look for in one of these trucks? What are key wear items and what are potential issues I need to avoid? Thank you for help you can provide. Truck PS. We have thought about HDTs and just don't think that will work for what we need at the moment.