dbrandon Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 We just purchased a used Herrin Volvo 780 truck and it came with a free 453 Smart car! That said I had to learn just how unique this car is when it came time to get spare keys. 1) Found ebay action that would cut a key from a picture of my key. This worked perfectly, new keys are perfect. Seller also gave us the smart logo for the backside of the remote! 2) Purchase NEW remotes from ebay/amazon. Take the electronic board and battery and put it in the remote you got in step 1. 3) Program the remotes to the car. < No locksmith in my area would touch the car since they consider it a Mercedes. That said, went out and purchased a key programmer for my car, and I am now offering my free key programming services to anyone. I live in the East Texas area. Programming takes 20min or so. Shoot me an message here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted May 6 Report Share Posted May 6 Welcome!!! That's quite the intro, and a generous offer too. So, is your truck from one of our former members? From someone we may know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike5511 Posted May 6 Report Share Posted May 6 7 hours ago, dbrandon said: We just purchased a used Herrin Volvo 780 truck and it came with a free 453 Smart car! That said I had to learn just how unique this car is when it came time to get spare keys. 1) Found ebay action that would cut a key from a picture of my key. This worked perfectly, new keys are perfect. Seller also gave us the smart logo for the backside of the remote! 2) Purchase NEW remotes from ebay/amazon. Take the electronic board and battery and put it in the remote you got in step 1. 3) Program the remotes to the car. < No locksmith in my area would touch the car since they consider it a Mercedes. That said, went out and purchased a key programmer for my car, and I am now offering my free key programming services to anyone. I live in the East Texas area. Programming takes 20min or so. Shoot me an message here! Welcome! And you may end up regretting that offer!😄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Heiser Posted May 7 Report Share Posted May 7 Congratulations on the new (to you) rig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappir Posted May 7 Report Share Posted May 7 Congrats. Photos please!! Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted May 7 Report Share Posted May 7 Welcome to the craziness. You'll like it here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbrandon Posted May 8 Author Report Share Posted May 8 On 5/5/2023 at 7:27 PM, rickeieio said: Welcome!!! That's quite the intro, and a generous offer too. So, is your truck from one of our former members? From someone we may know? You know, I dont know if the former owner was on this forum! I have been reading this for years; watching Greg's videos, stalking Jack..etc.. I started with a MDT sold it and upgraded! No comparison to the volvo vs the sportchassis. Smart is incredible. A solid smile on my face each time I drive with the top down! Smart had some standard issues (windshield needed to be resealed, convertible seals needed some love) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbrandon Posted May 8 Author Report Share Posted May 8 More detailed links on what you need to buy for keys Smart 453 Key cutting on ebay $12 per key (its overseas so shipping take 3 weeks, but $12!!) Seller even includes the little smart logo on the back of the key. Key fob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbrandon Posted May 8 Author Report Share Posted May 8 I would love to know who used to own this.. I need to call Herrin to see if I can get the paint codes for some touch-ups. I would also love to know the design for the truck bed and the logic behind the tie downs. Truck is in good shape. I swapped out the rear camera system to a wireless system to work with our 5th wheel. Rewired the onboard 120V/inverter with a transfer switch to prevent the inverter from backfeeding the shorepower outlet. Drivers door has water rust at the base which needs to be solved. Replaced the sleeper outdoor window hinges (@$20 each) all were sun damaged/broken. I am too much of a wuss to drive it up the ramps, so I use the winch. Single tow hook on the 453, and thats how I pull it up. Driving it off is ok.. Tempted to put in airline track and get the RVH chocks vs the original design. RVH Chocks My smiling face. Enjoy the little things, get a Smart convertible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappir Posted May 8 Report Share Posted May 8 Don't recall seeing that rig in any photos or at the HDT Rally's I attended. Maybe someone else has a better memory. Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpsinc Posted May 8 Report Share Posted May 8 12 hours ago, dbrandon said: I am too much of a wuss to drive it up the ramps, so I use the winch. We will be using a winch for sure, and I believe that other than the 453, the trannys dont like going up those ramps. My DW needs a way to load without my help so the winch it is. I would not call that being a wuss. Do what makes the most sense for you. Undoubtedly when you have become more familiar and comfortable with the setup, you may find it reasonable to drive up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbrandon Posted May 8 Author Report Share Posted May 8 With the hint given by Rpsinc, I found pictures of my hdt with its original trailer. It looks to have been painted to match a very nice trailer. https://youtu.be/nv93x0J9l_U Greg sold the truck to Ken & Cindy, and here is a post on this forum about them! Jack's Introduction Sadly all the pictures are gone, google+ is no more. Then Ken's post here where he sold it! For Sale Sadly all of the pictures are gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted May 10 Report Share Posted May 10 (edited) Very nice truck, it spent couple of days at the Old Goat's installation and upgrade "central". I wrote an article on weight and balance using their rig as an example (portion below), see what I can dig up for photos, my google pictures are still working. Edited May 10 by phoenix2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpsinc Posted May 10 Report Share Posted May 10 Love how this forum helps us all bring this around in a circle. Most are not FULL circles yet but we continue along the journey with different caretakers for the many parts of our RVing experience and its associated equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted May 11 Report Share Posted May 11 Ken Leaville working on his Volvo The truck had standard ET Senior, perfect for 22-25K trailer with 5-6K pin weight. Old Goat learned though through " this network and friends" that Ken was pulling 33K fifth with 8K pin weight. So Old Goat "invited" Ken to come down to Florida to remedy the situation. The ET was upgraded with a 13.5K airbag to an ET Super Senior. That airbag might be "too mushy" if your fifth is significantly below 5K on the king pin. While he was staying at the local RV park we go a tour of his "palace". Curious what Ken did with the coach, it was a one of the kind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbrandon Posted May 12 Author Report Share Posted May 12 hmm my trailer will be 3K on the pin on a good day. Maybe someday I find will the forks rv and re-unite the pair. Henry thx much for the pictures. Its great to see 1) the history 2) a master at work. I am in awe of people who can think and work in 3D. This hitch is massive. Looking forward to my first trip and the ET Super Senior! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted May 12 Report Share Posted May 12 In 15 years I had seen only two Forks RVs (JC Canterbury's and Ken Laveal's) both pulled by Volvos and ETs and both needed the extra size bag. The ET is massive because it was designed to take care of fifths like those. The rigs were custom built for JC and Ken and I believe one or both were featured on a TV show featuring custom rigs like these. JC sold his few years back and it looks like Ken did more recently. Forks went out of business few years back, they found out that building super expensive and super custom fifths is great for soul and reputation but not so good for profit margin. The business with airbags is not where more is better. You might have a lot of mush with 3K pin weight. The ET was designed to take different size airbags to match the pin weights. See how it goes and and I might have some ideas for you, call me if you want to "chat". This was JC's Volvo getting the larger bag and a new Super Binkley head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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