drumtwister Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 OK I'm a bit new to the idea to use a HDT to pull my 5th wheel but after finding this great forum it makes total sense to me. Especially considering I'm a heavy equipment/crane operator and have been driving everything you could possibly imagine down the road weather its 14ft wide to 100ft long and 16ft tall. So my question is what are your opinions as to where to place the rear axle? I realize fore and aft will make a difference turning that's obvious. I will fab the bed myself and may move the axle myself. In the future I would like to be able to put a smart car or a couple Harleys on back. Been leaning toward a newer Volvo 630. All the fab work I look forward to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Heiser Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Most people single mid on the Volvo's. This leaves enough room for a Smart car or motorcycles like you want and it looks proportional for the truck. 2000 Kenworth T2000 w/ Cummins N14 and autoshift 2017 DRV Mobile Suite 40KSSB4 with factory mods, dealer mods and personal mods - now in the RV graveyard 2022 DRV Full House MX450 with customized floor plan 2018 Polaris RZR Turbo S (fits in the garage) 2016 Smart Car (fits in the garage or gets flat towed behind the DRV when the RZR is in the garage)My First Solar Install ThreadMy Second Solar Install Thread & Photos and Documents Related to the buildMy MX450's solar, battery and inverter system - my biggest system yet! chadheiser.com West Coast HDT Rally Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad & Jacolyn Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 I have a 2004 630 and I'm singled short. I also carry a Smart car. I may have an advantage though over a lot of trucks. My front axle is 14,600 instead of 12,500. I keep forgetting my WB but I believe it is 218". I could measure if you really wanted to know. Brad Brad and Jacolyn Tucker the Wonder dog and Brynn the Norfolk Terrier 2009 Smart "Joy" 2004 VNL630 "Vonda the Volvo" 2008 Hitch Hiker 35 CK Champagne Edition VED12 465 HP, Freedomline, 3.73 ratio, WB 218" Fulltiming and loving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 To carry Smart single mid, it makes lots of things more "manageable" during the bed build (positioning and anchoring the chocks, anchoring the ramps, centering the winch, just to mention few things). Yea, there are workarounds that people have done to make it work with short singling, but why screw around when you can avoid it. And besides the whole thing looks better (more balanced) when done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drumtwister Posted January 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Yes please do. Seems like its rare to find a 14k front axle. So you happy with the 630. What year? Likes/dislikes. Which engine do ya have? Mpg? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Is/Are there any disadvantages to singling long with a Volvo...other than maybe not looking proportional? 2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff 2019 Arctic Fox 32-5MCindy and Tom, Kasey and Maggie (our Newfie and Berner) Oh...I forgot the five kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 The major disadvantage to singling long is overloading the front axle. And you will overload it if you have a larger engine and carry much deck cargo. You can get away with it if you do not carry much. Of course, IMO, it does not look very good, but some people prefer that look. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 I would think the closer you position the drive axle to the front axle, the more you would be in danger of overloading the front axle. What am I missing? 2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff 2019 Arctic Fox 32-5MCindy and Tom, Kasey and Maggie (our Newfie and Berner) Oh...I forgot the five kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkennell Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 No. As you move the rear axle further back, more of the weight of the cab and any cargo between the axles gets transferred to the front axle. Think bridge. A support in the middle holds the whole weight. As you move the support toward the far bank, more and more of the weight of the bridge gets carried by the near bank... No camper at present. Way too many farm machines to maintain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Ahhhh...makes perfect sense now. 2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff 2019 Arctic Fox 32-5MCindy and Tom, Kasey and Maggie (our Newfie and Berner) Oh...I forgot the five kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldRush Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 I would think the closer you position the drive axle to the front axle, the more you would be in danger of overloading the front axle. What am I missing? Think of the rear axle like a Fulcrum Point or the pivot in a Teeter Totter. The more you have on the backside of the rear axle it will remove weight from the front axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEIFamily Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 I singled long, 13,200 front axle and will be getting it weighed this spring. Will have room to haul a smart car and some other small things on there. 2006 Volvo 670 singled long 2011 Heartland Sundance 3300CK 2006 Smart passion 2001 F350 DRW CREWCAB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 I know when I was ordering the new truck most of RV Haulers.ca trucks were being singled mid with a 230" wheelbase. Gregg suggested that we go with a 236" WB to accommodate the new Smart Car width and the deck design. I think he is building all his trucks @ 236" mid now. Also, with the 236" WB that I spec'ed I had no choice from the factory as the engineering sheet automatically said I had to have a 13,200 front and 23K rear axle. Rick & Carey,Excel W41GKE Wild Cargo Toyhauler Volvo 730, D13, I-shift, 500/1850Brabus Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drumtwister Posted January 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 So what are dimentions for single short and long. If single short or mid is the frame shortened or not. I wouldn't think so but I guess it depends on combo length. I really am not worried if I'm a few feet longer than 65' I have a friend who has a 610 with a jeep on the back that sits on a turn table and will rotate and take off the side without removing his trailer. He is 71' never been questioned yet in 10yrs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEIFamily Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 I have a 37' 5er and I should be about 65' 4" when hitched. I singled long and will need to add about 1' of steel to the end of the frame for the hitch. Singling short, you can cut or leave long 2006 Volvo 670 singled long 2011 Heartland Sundance 3300CK 2006 Smart passion 2001 F350 DRW CREWCAB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Here is a early sheet on a VNL730. We changed the WB to 236" and OH to 80". My ET hitch is mounted at the end of the rails. Rick & Carey,Excel W41GKE Wild Cargo Toyhauler Volvo 730, D13, I-shift, 500/1850Brabus Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drumtwister Posted January 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 OK so you started with 230"WB and 35" OH. Then decided to go to a 236WB which would have made the OH29" now so you added a additional 51" to the frame rails right or was there already that much there because before the frame rails were shortened? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 So what are dimentions for single short and long. If single short or mid is the frame shortened or not. I wouldn't think so but I guess it depends on combo length. I really am not worried if I'm a few feet longer than 65' I have a friend who has a 610 with a jeep on the back that sits on a turn table and will rotate and take off the side without removing his trailer. He is 71' never been questioned yet in 10yrs And then there are those on this forum that have been stopped....and ticketed for only a few (3) feet over. The more common over length RV's become, the more common over length tickets will become also. It isn't a life shattering ordeal but it will cost money, so be prepared. Does it happen to everyone? No, but you may be "the one" it happens to next. MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~ 2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 2014 smart Fortwo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drumtwister Posted January 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 True that. Everything that everyone adds and every pointer I get from all the members helps. Thanks everyone and keep up the great work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 OK so you started with 230"WB and 35" OH. Then decided to go to a 236WB which would have made the OH29" now so you added a additional 51" to the frame rails right or was there already that much there because before the frame rails were shortened? The end spec on the truck is 236 WB and 80" OH. That was just an initial factory drawing. Rick & Carey,Excel W41GKE Wild Cargo Toyhauler Volvo 730, D13, I-shift, 500/1850Brabus Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil D Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 OK so you started with 230"WB and 35" OH. Then decided to go to a 236WB which would have made the OH29" now so you added a additional 51" to the frame rails right or was there already that much there because before the frame rails were shortened? Unlike those of us that start with a used truck and then have to work within the parameters of what we've bought and started with, Rick was able to spec and order his truck brand new. On a new truck, nearly every aspect of the truck -- including the option of having them build it on a frame that is 51" longer than would normally be used for the selected wheelbase -- is almost infinitely customizable. Anything that you can think of that someone in your manufacturer of choice's Sales Engineering Department is willing to approve for production during their pre-acceptance review process is available for purchase. Phil 2002 Teton Royal Aspen 2003 Kenworth T2000 - Cat C12 380/430 1450/1650, FreedomLine, 3.36 - TOTO . . . he's not in Kansas anymore. ET Air Hitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Refuzn-To-Grow-Up Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 How does one ascertain the load rating of the front axle? Is it stamped into the axle? If so, where? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 Jim, I think you should find it inside your drivers door on the panel. Rick & Carey,Excel W41GKE Wild Cargo Toyhauler Volvo 730, D13, I-shift, 500/1850Brabus Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Refuzn-To-Grow-Up Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 Thanks for the quick reply, I will check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 Jim, If you go to a dealer or call the national help line with your VIN they should be able to send you a build sheet on your truck. Or try emailing this guy at Volvo. He sent mine. Build sheet is nice info to have in your files. Has all the particulars. ryan.sweetser@volvo.com 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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