Jim & Wilma Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Our middle son Derek and I drove the smart from central Florida to Kilgore this past weekend, loaded her up on Ruby and brought both back home. Just a bit of difference between the two rides! Not too sure I want to do another 1100 mile trip in the smart but the return trip was a pleasure, especially in comparison. Bed looks great. It has four large side boxes, three top boxes, a 2' deep DROM, a 60 gallon transfer tank, an ET hitch and what I'll readily admit are "sissy" ramps at 19" width. We singled at 235" and allowed 130" between DROM face and pin to accommodate future 2016+ smart. Had small issue clearing the deck without rubbing. Ground a bit of material from the ramps and that should do it. We couldn't be more pleased with Herrin's work. Also grateful for all the advice we got from folks here on the forum. Wilma and I hitch up for Ruby's first fifth wheel trip next week to the Rally and the LGT stays home this time. Jim & Wilma 2006 Travel Supreme 36RLQSO 2009 Volvo VNL730, D13, I-shift, ET, Herrin Hauler bed, "Ruby" 2017 Smart Class of 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSeas Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Looks very nice for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Gell Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 That's just terrific, Jim. Can't wait to see it. 2001 Volvo 770, Detroit 60 Series, Gen 2 Autoshift Passenger assist elevator to enter cab - for when we need it, or sell it? '05 Travel Supreme Select 40 RLQSO 5th wheel 2016 smart car We started full timing on December 1st 2014 Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness - Mark Twain Not all that wander are lost - J. R. R. Tolkien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreyandSusan Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Congrats Jim! Look forward to seeing y'all in Florida. Susan & Trey Selman | email | HDT: '01 770 VED12 | 5er: '02 40' Travel Supreme RLTSOA | '16 Piaggio MP3 500 | '15 Smart Cabrio | Personal Blog | HHRV Resource Guide | HHRV Campgrounds | Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncohauler Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Absolutely beautiful looks great ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC and Angie Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Nice truck there. Been to that parking lot a couple times. Oh, and your a better man then me. An hour and half and I'm out of the smart for a good hour break. No way I could do 1100 miles and on I 10 through Louisiana and I 49. You da man 2009 Volvo 780. D-16 500hp 1850 torque with a Herrin hauler bed. 2015 Continental Coach 2008 650cc Suzuki Bergman 2013 Mustang GT 500 convertible 2014 Smartcar convertible WWW.Hollyfab.com. (Metal Fabrication Company) Jamesc@hollyfab.com (preferred contact method) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toddleti Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 That is a good lookin truck. congrats. Maybe one day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewhoknowslittle Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Very Nice!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 That looks great Jim. Nice truck. Be picky about where you load and unload. Don't be bashful about airing down your suspension, and if needed a couple of 2 x 6s under the ramps will give you plenty to clear the break over. See you in a couple of weeks. Rocky & Sheri Rhoades '01 Volvo 770 2016 DRV Mobile Suites, HoustonHERO Makers Ministry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Wilma Posted September 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 That looks great Jim. Nice truck. Be picky about where you load and unload. Don't be bashful about airing down your suspension, and if needed a couple of 2 x 6s under the ramps will give you plenty to clear the break over. See you in a couple of weeks. Rocky You might notice that the pic with the smart loaded we're sitting low and that helped. You got a couple good points; we were on a slight incline in the opposite direction and I was thinking the same thing about bringing some boards along as insurance. Jim & Wilma 2006 Travel Supreme 36RLQSO 2009 Volvo VNL730, D13, I-shift, ET, Herrin Hauler bed, "Ruby" 2017 Smart Class of 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdickinson Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 I had that problem with the underbelly catching a hex bolt and ripping off plastic underbody parts. If you put a pce of 1.25x1.25 by 12" long by 1/8' thick angle iron in the hinge it will reduce the breakover angle. That 1/8" spacer will raise things up by 1.25 inches, should be enough to eliminate your problem. I think I sent this info a few months ago. Drop it in when loading and unloading and store in one of the compartments when not in use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyates007 Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Very nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry&Donna-AK Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Congratulations, looks great. Planning Nanook version 2.0 Nanook "When we made ready to depart, after a few days, Nanook was beside himself with joy. Hudson Stuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Wilma Posted September 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 I had that problem with the underbelly catching a hex bolt and ripping off plastic underbody parts. If you put a pce of 1.25x1.25 by 12" long by 1/8' thick angle iron in the hinge it will reduce the breakover angle. That 1/8" spacer will raise things up by 1.25 inches, should be enough to eliminate your problem. I think I sent this info a few months ago. Drop it in when loading and unloading and store in one of the compartments when not in use. Roger I didn't forget your advice and already have pieces cut and will be trying out this weekend. Old bed frames come in handy! Jim & Wilma 2006 Travel Supreme 36RLQSO 2009 Volvo VNL730, D13, I-shift, ET, Herrin Hauler bed, "Ruby" 2017 Smart Class of 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblr Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Very nice!!!!!!!!! Congrats and best of luck. 2017 River Stone Legacy 38MB 2001 T2000 Kenworth 2009 Smart Passion ET Junior hitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdickinson Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Roger I didn't forget your advice and already have pieces cut and will be trying out this weekend. Old bed frames come in handy! Make 3 and paint them a bright color. Just in case you misplace one. Regardless, that is a very nice truck. Did he beef up the door latches so the doors don't pop open? Did he put Teflon or similar product in ramp storage area? How long and how heavy are the ramps? Wt capacity? Obviously angle iron will be ramp width. You will be surprised when you measure hinge ht from ground with and without hinge spacer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSD_Tweaker Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 That HDT is a knock-out! The VNL 730 model is the perfect choice in my view. The paint color will match beautifully with your 5th wheel. Please post a pic of the complete set-up when you get a chance. Well Done! Rick 1998 VOLVO 610 VED-12 @ 425 HP with 13 speed, 22.5" rubber, TC Equipped, single 3.70 drive axle, 193'' WB. REESE, 30K 4 way rocker-hitch, Jordan Ultima 2020. Under-frame mounted Honda 3000 ei, Towing a DRV MobileSuites- 36TK3 with TrailAir Pin Box, a Yamaha Road Star 1700 on deck. http://diesel-gypsy.blogspot.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmzero Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 That's an amazing truck and bed. Very well done. Congratulations. "Willy Mammoth" - Volvo 730, Sold Heartland Cyclone 4000 Toy HaulerT-Minus 26 years and counting to being a full timer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sclord2002 Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Beautiful rig....enjoy it. Charlie Don't ever tell a soldier that he doesn't understand the cost of war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Jim, you have come a long way in less than a year. I'll be looking forward to seeing you guys, and your truck, in a couple of weeks. 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...
Jim & Wilma Posted September 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Make 3 and paint them a bright color. Just in case you misplace one. Regardless, that is a very nice truck. Did he beef up the door latches so the doors don't pop open? Did he put Teflon or similar product in ramp storage area? How long and how heavy are the ramps? Wt capacity? Obviously angle iron will be ramp width. You will be surprised when you measure hinge ht from ground with and without hinge spacer. Roger, Good idea on painting. The ramps are Big Boy II from Discount Ramps that they market for smart loading. I've got the HDPE sheet for the ramps and will probably beef up the latches with some scrap I have using my old Lincoln stick welder to attach a stiffener. Probably similar to what you had done. That HDT is a knock-out! The VNL 730 model is the perfect choice in my view. The paint color will match beautifully with your 5th wheel. Please post a pic of the complete set-up when you get a chance. Well Done! Rick Thanks Rick. In the spirit of full disclosure - you were the one that found the 730 for us so you might be just a bit biased! Thanks again for helping us with this and we agree the 730 was a great choice. Jim & Wilma 2006 Travel Supreme 36RLQSO 2009 Volvo VNL730, D13, I-shift, ET, Herrin Hauler bed, "Ruby" 2017 Smart Class of 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Jim, Congrat's on the truck....it looks great!! Safe travels!! 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...
whatsnext Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Jim- That is very nice. I saw Ruby before the bed was back on and she looks real nice cleaned up in your pictures. Glad your trip went well. My 800 mile trip from SC wasn't bad but I am glad it was not 1100! See you at the Rally. 2016 Volvo VNL780 D13 I-Shift 2016 DRV 44 Houston 2015 Smart Cabriolet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billr Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Nice job Jim! Looks great Well worth the wait and the trip to Sudbury! Enjoy! I like the idea of bed frame steel in the big boy ramps my next task to do ? We sold the 05 Deisel Smart and pick up a 2011 in Toronto in Oct. don't want to damage the nice under belly own ? Bill and Joan and 3 Collie pups 2001 Volvo VNL 770 "The Doghouse" Singled short, "ET" hItch VED12 465HP Gen 1 Autoshift 3.58 ratio 2005 Mobile Suite 38RL3 2011 Smart Passion loaded piggybacK Weigh-It Portable RV Scales http://www.weighitrv.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Roger, I also am planning on trying the angle iron since you suggested to me a while back. Just wondering though does that put an extra stress on the hinges that could cause them to fail? When the hinge angle flattens without the angle iron there is a large surface area contacting a large surface area. Just curious. 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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