rollinbrian Posted September 8, 2020 Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 (edited) After two years of dragging our 18,000lb trailer around with the MDT I think we've reached the point where it's just not cutting it anymore. Items that have led us here: We thought the shorter MDT would make us more maneuverable. And it does, but as we evaluated all the places we've parked only a couple would not have worked with an HDT. And in one of those I clipped a palm tree and a rock on the way out, so clearly shouldn't have been there in the first place. We thought the shorter MDT would let us park most places just like a pickup. Almost, but in many places (California beaches) you can't park a pickup there either. We thought we would just be making short trips around the PNW. With changes in work and then the pandemic we're now roaming from North Wa. to South Cali. The 5.9 Cummins in the MDT is running at a high duty cycle, maintenance and repairs are costing as much as buying newer. The MDT has the deck space for a smart car but adding one would push us up to a gross weight of around 33,000lbs. So, we are on the hunt for an HDT now! Edited September 8, 2020 by rollinbrian Quote 2017 Jayco Designer 37rs "Fiona" 2007 Volvo 670 "Henry" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted September 8, 2020 Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 (edited) Welcome to the dark side:) Edited September 12, 2020 by Parrformance Unneeded info Quote 2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS Jackalopee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollinbrian Posted September 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 1 minute ago, Parrformance said: Edit your final sentence and welcome to the dark side:) Lack of coffee this morning, all better now. Quote 2017 Jayco Designer 37rs "Fiona" 2007 Volvo 670 "Henry" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted September 8, 2020 Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 A heavier MDT might be your best compromise. But they tend to be pricey, and have nearly all the disadvantages of an HDT, except many have 4 doors. There's no "one size fits all", in rv-ing. Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted September 8, 2020 Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 👍 Quote 2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS Jackalopee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollinbrian Posted September 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 (edited) 2 minutes ago, rickeieio said: A heavier MDT might be your best compromise. But they tend to be pricey, and have nearly all the disadvantages of an HDT, except many have 4 doors. There's no "one size fits all", in rv-ing. We contemplated that, with a bit of searching we found some M2's in our price range. We decided a sleeper cab with storage would be preferred over what is effectively a crewcab. Also, most don't have the deck space for a smart car. Edited September 8, 2020 by rollinbrian Quote 2017 Jayco Designer 37rs "Fiona" 2007 Volvo 670 "Henry" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted September 12, 2020 Report Share Posted September 12, 2020 The bad thing about a MDT is they dont have any more power than a pick up truck. We have a M2 with a service body on it and a FL60 roll back truck. I couldn't imagine pulling my camper with either of them. The M2 would probably do pretty good until we hit the hills. Quote Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted September 13, 2020 Report Share Posted September 13, 2020 Some of the MDT's have the same drive lines as we do, but they're not common. I believe Georgia Hybrid had one? Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollinbrian Posted September 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2020 We've put a down payment on a unit, will report back once everything firms up. Thanks again for the great forum! Quote 2017 Jayco Designer 37rs "Fiona" 2007 Volvo 670 "Henry" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollinbrian Posted September 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 Everything is settled - working on delivery arrangements now. We're getting a 2007 Volvo 670 from Gregg with RVHaulers. Quote 2017 Jayco Designer 37rs "Fiona" 2007 Volvo 670 "Henry" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky242 Posted September 23, 2020 Report Share Posted September 23, 2020 (edited) Nice looking truck, you will be very happy with it. I haven't found one thing I don't like about towing with an HDT, besides its just plain fun Congrats Edited September 23, 2020 by Sparky242 Quote 2000 Volvo VNL 610 2011 Cedar Creek 36RE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted September 23, 2020 Report Share Posted September 23, 2020 Sweet!!!!! Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan0043 Posted September 23, 2020 Report Share Posted September 23, 2020 Nice looking truck. 👍 Is Greg back in business again ? I was just curious. Quote 2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger " Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood " 2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollinbrian Posted September 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2020 We're excited! As I understand it this is a truck he built earlier for a part-time couple. It has come back in for a quick refresh and then was back on the market. Quote 2017 Jayco Designer 37rs "Fiona" 2007 Volvo 670 "Henry" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imurphy907 Posted September 23, 2020 Report Share Posted September 23, 2020 On 9/22/2020 at 1:06 PM, rollinbrian said: Everything is settled - working on delivery arrangements now. We're getting a 2007 Volvo 670 from Gregg with RVHaulers. Thought Gregg retired? Quote 2016 Road Warrior 420 2001 Volvo VNL 660 Alaska Based. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollinbrian Posted September 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2020 31 minutes ago, Imurphy907 said: Thought Gregg retired? I think this was more like a consignment sale of an earlier truck. Dunno beyond that. Quote 2017 Jayco Designer 37rs "Fiona" 2007 Volvo 670 "Henry" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan0043 Posted September 24, 2020 Report Share Posted September 24, 2020 13 hours ago, rollinbrian said: I think this was more like a consignment sale of an earlier truck. Dunno beyond that. Thank you for sharing your photo. I like the paint job. Be safe on the road and enjoy the ride. Quote 2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger " Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood " 2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollinbrian Posted December 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 Finally home, took a bit of work getting it across the mountain passes and the over the Canadian border. Working out the project list for it as well as the hitch swap. Parked beside the F800 we were using for comparison. Quote 2017 Jayco Designer 37rs "Fiona" 2007 Volvo 670 "Henry" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted December 2, 2020 Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 Well, now you've gone and done it. Your wife will be spreading the word of your increased performance far and wide. Looks sharp. Quote I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted December 2, 2020 Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 Nice and simple.. Two thumbs up. Cool barn too. Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPL Posted December 4, 2020 Report Share Posted December 4, 2020 Fine looking truck. When will you be hitting the road? Pat The Old Sailor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad NSW Posted December 6, 2020 Report Share Posted December 6, 2020 Nice, clean, simple and functional. You'll love it! Quote 2010 Freightliner, DD15 Eaton Ultrashift, 2015 New Horizons 5th Wheel. Occupants - Dena/Brad/Hershey BLOG LINK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimster Posted December 8, 2020 Report Share Posted December 8, 2020 As you get your head wrapped around the rig and figure stuff out like how it drives, what you have to do to feel comfortable moving down the road, I might suggest some mirrors on the hood. Ours came with them and they are key to seeing idiots in the blind spots. Just when you think you are clear to move over, I've glanced at those and found a small car or motorcycle that would cause things to end badly with the lane change. Didn't have them on our MDT. Would not be without them now. Enjoy the rig.... and all the beer-can-in-hand rubber necking when you pull into the campground. Quote Robert & Lisa '14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er 2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours) 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9' 2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours) We are both USAF vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollinbrian Posted December 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 On 12/7/2020 at 6:37 PM, trimster said: As you get your head wrapped around the rig and figure stuff out like how it drives, what you have to do to feel comfortable moving down the road, I might suggest some mirrors on the hood. Ours came with them and they are key to seeing idiots in the blind spots. Just when you think you are clear to move over, I've glanced at those and found a small car or motorcycle that would cause things to end badly with the lane change. Didn't have them on our MDT. Would not be without them now. Enjoy the rig.... and all the beer-can-in-hand rubber necking when you pull into the campground. Thanks, that's really great info. I was wondering if it was worth effort of adding those in. I have noticed that the factory door mirrors do leave a little blind spot tucked right up next to the truck. Didn't have that issue with the MDT. Another thread here on the site does have a document on how to add and position them so we'll give run here shortly. Major issue right now is it was originally equipped with a skyjacker hitch bolted straight to the frame. Swapping in my air ride hitch consumes a lot more space and interferes with the back main beam of the aluminum deck body. hmmm Quote 2017 Jayco Designer 37rs "Fiona" 2007 Volvo 670 "Henry" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollinbrian Posted February 25, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2021 Hitch is in! Quote 2017 Jayco Designer 37rs "Fiona" 2007 Volvo 670 "Henry" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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