Looking at HDT

[Nwcid]

I have been hauling a variety of trailers for many years.  I currently have a 17k, 38' toy hauler and a 2016 Chevy 3500 dually.  I know I have plenty of capacity to spare with this configuration, but I'm starting to get frustrated with the maintenance costs and performance.  I am at 60k and need my front brakes done again.  I might be imagination, but I feel like from time to time my shifting is getting rougher.  Overall ride is better then my 2004 version, but still leaves a bit to be desired.  Topped off with the fact I am in the PNW and average about 8 mpg.  

I have been searching as much as I can about HDT and most information keeps pointing back to this site so I thought I would join.  

We have moved to a point in life where we are not just doing short trips anymore and can take off for month long, or longer trips and looking to do is safer, and more comfortably.  

I have a ton of questions but I will break those out into individual questions instead of word vomit.  If I ask a question that has already been answered I am happy to be given a link to follow.

 

[sdixon747]

Welcome to the forum. I would recommend that you come to the National HDT Rally in Hutchinson, KS October 11 to 17. Get all your questions answered and plenty of hands on time too. 

[Nwcid]

30 minutes ago, sdixon747 said:

Welcome to the forum. I would recommend that you come to the National HDT Rally in Hutchinson, KS October 11 to 17. Get all your questions answered and plenty of hands on time too. 

That would be nice.  That is a long way from the PNW and we are not that free yet.

 

[SuiteSuccess]

Welcome and ask away.  I’ve been on this forum over 10 years and rehashing questions keeps us current.  Above in the pinned notes at the top of the forum you will see “The Heavy Haulers Resource Guide and Rally Site”.  That link should be your first place to research as it answers lots of questions and is packed with great information.  Just be aware like any forum you will have a few responders that will chide you for not doing your own research first.  Just phrase your question “couldn’t find in the resource guide” and then ask away and should quiet those responses.  As Steve says if you have an opportunity to attend a rally it will help a lot.  Hopefully the Covid pandemic will allow us to resume our normal gatherings.

[Shawn Patterson]

I would suggest joining the FaceBook group as well as there are over 6,000 members there.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HDTRVs/

[Nwcid]

1 hour ago, Shawn Patterson said:

I would suggest joining the FaceBook group as well as there are over 6,000 members there.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HDTRVs/

I did join that one, also, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1752108481675511

 

[alan0043]

41 minutes ago, Nwcid said:

I did join that one, also, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1752108481675511

 

Hi Nwcid,

Welcome to the forum. As Steve said that there is a national rally in October. There is also a west coast rally. Hopefully Chad will chime in and tell you more about that rally. There are also a few fellows from the northwest. Hopefully they will chime in.

Best of luck,
Al

[Chad Heiser]

The West Coast Rally is in Caldwell Idaho in June every year.  We started it because the East Coast and National rallies were a little to far away for those of us on this end of the country who have limited travel time.  (I still work full time and live in California.  I’m hoping to correct both of those circumstances in the not too distant future. 😉).  I put out the official rally announcement in January every year because that is when the park we use sets aside our sites, but for planning purposes the rally will be June 14-21, 2021.  You do not need an HDT to attend.  Welcome to the forum and ask away.  I am also a member of all the Facebook HDT groups, but I much prefer the interactions here as I am not a huge fan of Facebook in general.

[Sculptor]

23 hours ago, Nwcid said:

I'm starting to get frustrated with the maintenance costs and performance.  I am at 60k and need my front brakes done again.  I might be imagination, but I feel like from time to time my shifting is getting rougher.

I gave up on domestic pickups for the same reasons.  I had 170k on my GMC.  At least 5 sets of brakes and rotors. 1 differential rebuild at 50k before ever pulling anything!  Brake lines rusted through.  Second differential and whole rear axle because the E brakes rusted away, about 130k.  I said buying a $70K diesel won’t fix these defects so I found this group and bought my first HDT.

Welcome!

[mr. cob]

Howdy Nwcid,

Greetings and welcome to the forum from a fellow NorWetter.

 I know it’s a long trip to the National Rally but if there is any way you can make it I strongly suggest you do so.

I bought my first HDT in August of 2014 went to my first National Rally in October of 2014 with that truck which was a great truck but after attending the rally and learning what I did if I had it to do over I would not have bought that truck.  So I started to seriously look in 2017 for what I really wanted, found and built my present truck in 2018.
 

Looking what others have done gives you a much better idea of what can be done and what you may want rather then what you think you want now   It’s much easier and cheaper to do it right the first time then do it over again or get another truck.

Dave