medicmike Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 Hello Folks! Been lurking for a while and decided I should sign up and say hello. I am looking at retirement within the next decade or so and have decided that I would like an HDT and 5th toy hauler to full-time for a while on the west coast (friends, family and especially grandkids are in the Northwest). First thought was an MDT but the deeper I researched an HDT seems to be more practical. Current plan is to pick up an HDT within the next few years, do the RV conversion, find a 5er and have a couple years to shake them down and work out the bugs before retirement. I am sure I will have a lot of questions and hope you all go easy on the new guy My son is a diesel mechanic and a good fabricator (I have a bit of experience there but he is better than I am), he has gotten excited about the prospect of the project and has volunteered to help with the conversion. That would however, require me to have the rig in Oregon to do the work so I would be travelling there on my vacations to work on the rig, bit of a logistical nightmare there but I am sure something can be worked out. Does this sound like a hair-brained scheme to the hive mind here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Dreamer Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 Welcome to thinking about going to the Dark Side! I don't think there are any worse hair brain schemes in this group! Just look at all the different configurations that people come up for their HDTs and campers. The one item that you may want to watch is insurance on your HDT, some companies may want to insure the RV too and if you do not have it at the same time or close to the same time, you might have an issue with insurance. We bought our HDT about 8 years before I retired, we already had a trailer we pulled with a dually, so it gave us time to get it and a trailer we wanted for retirement. We did not go full time but more like long time 2-3 months out, then back home for stuff like Drs appointments and restocking. Quote 2005 Freightliner Century S/T, Singled, Air ride ET Jr. hitch 2019 46'+ Dune Sport Man Cave custom 5th wheel toy hauler Owner of the 1978 Custom Van "Star Dreamer" which might be seen at a local car show near you! Check out http://www.hhrvresource.com/ for much more info on HDT's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappir Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 Welcome to the group. Each of us has their opinions on what will work but the only real test is for you to do it and see if it's working for you. There will be moments when you will say to yourself "what have I done" and maybe "why didn't I do this sooner" and maybe a few "Oh crap" moments. Best of luck in your venture. The more you post the more responses you will get. Rod Quote White 2000/2010Volvo VNL 770 with 7' Drom box with opposing doors, JOST slider hitch. 600 HP Cummins Signature 18 Speed three pedal auto shift. 1999 Isuzu VehiCross retired to a sticks and bricks garage. Brought out of storage the summer of 2022 2022 Jeep Wrangler Sport S Two door hard top. 2007 Honda GL 1800 2013 Space Craft Mfg S420 Custom built Toyhauler The Gold Volvo is still running and being emptied in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblr Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 Hello and welcome, you have come to the right place, there is a lot of experienced people here that will be able to offer guidance along your journey. Good luck Quote 2017 River Stone Legacy 38MB 2001 T2000 Kenworth 2009 Smart Passion ET Junior hitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medicmike Posted September 22, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 Thanks guys. I have been researching all I can on the net, looked at countless rigs and am formulating a plan for what I would like. Good call on the insurance Star Dreamer. I will research that out more as the time gets closer to buy a rig (I am figuring a couple years, plan to save up and pay cash). Storage and a place to work on it will be an issue as I am currently an apartment dweller (thanks to a recent divorce) so will have to rent storage or keep it out of state with family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 Welcome. Saving to pay cash is, in my opinion, a good move. When the financial cycle turns and prices come back to reality, or lower, you might find a rig already done. Keep an eye open and be ready to pull the trigger. 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...
medicmike Posted September 22, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 28 minutes ago, rickeieio said: Welcome. Saving to pay cash is, in my opinion, a good move. When the financial cycle turns and prices come back to reality, or lower, you might find a rig already done. Keep an eye open and be ready to pull the trigger. That's the plan! My assets took a huge hit in the divorce but I have been able to start socking away about $1k/mo and selling off some of my collectibles and other stuff, all the proceeds from that are going direct to savings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkoenig24 Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 Welcome Mike! Have you attended an HDT Rally (are you even aware that there IS such a thing)? The ECR (East Coast Rally) is been held in Crossville, TN sometime between mid-April ~ early May. The WCR (West Coast Rally is been held in Cauldwell, ID in early June. The National HDT Rally is held in Hutchinson, KS in mid ~ October. ALL feature VERY informative seminars about getting started in the HDT lifestyle as well as entertainment and fellowship and other RV related topics. At some rallies, owners looking to downsize (or leave RVing altogether) look to sell their rigs. If you could swing the time to attend an HDT Rally, you WILL be rewarded with a wealth of knowledge! Again, WELCOME! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medicmike Posted September 22, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 58 minutes ago, jkoenig24 said: Welcome Mike! Have you attended an HDT Rally (are you even aware that there IS such a thing)? The ECR (East Coast Rally) is been held in Crossville, TN sometime between mid-April ~ early May. The WCR (West Coast Rally is been held in Cauldwell, ID in early June. The National HDT Rally is held in Hutchinson, KS in mid ~ October. ALL feature VERY informative seminars about getting started in the HDT lifestyle as well as entertainment and fellowship and other RV related topics. At some rallies, owners looking to downsize (or leave RVing altogether) look to sell their rigs. If you could swing the time to attend an HDT Rally, you WILL be rewarded with a wealth of knowledge! Again, WELCOME! I have yet to make a rally but hope to be able to make one next year (that is if I can get vacation when one is going). I have watched videos and read the threads here on them and I think attendance for me would be very beneficial! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. cob Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 Howdy Mike, Welcome. I would strongly suggest attending one of the rallies, sometimes there are finished rigs for sale sometimes not but the main reason to go is to look at all the many different ways others have gone about doing what your thinking about doing. Saving up to be able to JUMP on a deal when it comes down the road is a very wise thing to do. Unless you do all or most of the conversion yourself it's often times cheaper to buy a turn key setup if you find one that fulfills your needs. THINK long and hard about what YOU want from the truck and trailer, THINK about if you want to carry something behind the sleeper, Smart Car, Jeep, etc. when buying a toy hauler in my opinion you can't have too large of a garage but you sure can have too little and regret it later when the new toy doesn't fit in the old trailer. As with everything things change new folks come into this lifestyle older folks such as myself will in time hand the keys to someone else, that's when you can usually pick up the best deals, buy a well thought out, proven setup for a reasonable price ready to fill with fuel and go down the road. The only disadvantage I can see with your plan, buying-building now but planing to use the setup years down the road, is that we never know what curve life is going to throw at us. My advise, BUY, BUILD, USE as soon and as much as you can while your younger, there's always time to get old andretire. Dave Quote 2001 Peterbilt, 379, Known As "Semi-Sane II", towing a 2014 Voltage 3818, 45 foot long toy hauler crammed full of motorcycles of all types. Visit my photo web site where you will find thousands of photos of my motorcycle wanderings and other aspects of my life, click this link. http://mr-cob.smugmug.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sculptor Posted September 23, 2021 Report Share Posted September 23, 2021 22 hours ago, medicmike said: Current plan is to pick up an HDT within the next few years, do the RV conversion, find a 5er and have a couple years to shake them down and work out the bugs before retirement. I am sure I will have a lot of questions and hope you all go easy on the new guy My son is a diesel mechanic and a good fabricator (I have a bit of experience there but he is better than I am), he has gotten excited about the prospect of the project and has volunteered to help with the conversion. That would however, require me to have the rig in Oregon to do the work so I would be travelling there on my vacations to work on the rig, bit of a logistical nightmare there but I am sure something can be worked out. Does this sound like a hair-brained scheme to the hive mind here? Welcome to the group! Formulating a plan ahead of time, while you are looking for just the right model, sounds like a great plan. ( I didn’t do that. Ours has worked out pretty well in spite of that fact). Some guys do very well with duct tape and cardboard, some use the latest CAD. You will be fine. A rally, especially the National in Hutchinson, can make you aware of some questions that you need to ask. Often you can get the answer to anything you can think of from these folks. Somewhere I have seen a list of past presentations at the various rallies. This is the only list I could find, and it seems incomplete. Maybe someone knows where a more complete list is. I didn’t open any documents, I just glanced at the titles. http://www.hdtrally.com/Presentations.htm Good Luck and welcome again. Quote Kevin and June 2013 Volvo VNL 730 D13 Eco-Torque @ 425 Ratio 2.47 2014 DRV 36TKSB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medicmike Posted September 23, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2021 Thank you Sculptor, that will give me some reading material! Absolutely right Mr.Cob, and I certainly do admire your Pete! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad & Jacolyn Posted September 29, 2021 Report Share Posted September 29, 2021 Welcome. Another place to watch for a HDT is the for sale forum right here on the Escapees. Quote 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...
Cotreker Posted October 5, 2021 Report Share Posted October 5, 2021 Welcome Texas you landed with a group of folks having many years of HDT experience. Next week I head to the Hutch KS Rally maybe I can share some of the materials with you. My truck was converted by myself over the past 4 years while I have enjoyed the work it is tough and mine is set up as a bumper pull Volvo 670 see link below in signature. In the future we do want a 5er so will have to decide to cut down the frame rails or sell truck most likely already converted to singled. Keep asking others questions and write down the pro's and con's of what you plan. Texas has some good bed building shops as does KS. Quote Volvo 670 / 2006 10-Speed ATV's & Sleds 2017 Host Mammoth Slide-In Camper on Deck Jackalopee Build article published here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medicmike Posted October 5, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2021 (edited) Thanks Cotreker! I am absorbing as much as I can. Years ago I did military vehicle collecting and restoration. Had an M35 deuce and a half that I converted a GI communication shelter to a military themed camper. Was a fun project and I am certainly looking forward to getting stuck in to an HDT conversion. I have been reading every scrap of material I can find and spending hours combing ads for trucks, found a couple I would have jumped on but going to have to build the savings a bit more. And nice job on the Volvo BTW! Edited October 5, 2021 by medicmike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rahim Posted October 28, 2021 Report Share Posted October 28, 2021 Welcome me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotreker Posted October 28, 2021 Report Share Posted October 28, 2021 Consider putting off the hdt purchase a year until prices come back down. Quote Volvo 670 / 2006 10-Speed ATV's & Sleds 2017 Host Mammoth Slide-In Camper on Deck Jackalopee Build article published here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted October 28, 2021 Report Share Posted October 28, 2021 6 hours ago, Cotreker said: Consider putting off the hdt purchase a year until prices come back down. When will that be? I got mine 5 years ago when truck prices started going crazy. They never stopped. I still watch the auctions as a hobby. I will say that there hasn't been as many nice trucks for sale as there use to be. 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...
medicmike Posted October 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 On 10/28/2021 at 10:44 AM, Cotreker said: Consider putting off the hdt purchase a year until prices come back down. That's about the time frame my finances will allow. Finding a few that look like decent deals but prices on many do seem high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted October 31, 2021 Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 (edited) We had that discussion. We're in our prime travelling years, but who knows for how long? We decided waiting to save a few bucks was a poor trade, so we bought the KW before even advertising the Volvo. In fact, the plan was to run the Volvo until the KW was finished. Someone else wanted it more than we did. YMMV. Edited October 31, 2021 by rickeieio 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...
phoenix2013 Posted November 7, 2021 Report Share Posted November 7, 2021 (edited) On 10/31/2021 at 11:21 AM, medicmike said: That's about the time frame my finances will allow. Finding a few that look like decent deals but prices on many do seem high. Welcome medicmike, you are at the right place, we were all at the same "stage" at one time, even the veteran pullers who initially pulled RVs with "something else". There was a discussion at the Hutch Rally this year about the fact that this is not the right time to go shopping for an HDT. Volvo was on the strike and the waiting period for a new now is two years. Used ones that were at $50-60K few months ago are going for $90K, because truckers need trucks to make a living regardless of price. In couple of years, when sanity returns (hopefully), that $90K truck might be worth $60K again, so why sit upside down to a tune of $30K. If you have an excited and skillful son, that's gold, use his talents. All kind of info on this forum to help you guys along. You want to know how to do this, we can help you and show you how. Edited November 7, 2021 by phoenix2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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