Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Join Truck Conversion Today
Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-20-2010, 07:46 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 16
Default

I am considering a purchase of a 45ft HDT motorhome. At a recent rally someone brought up the weight of the HDT as an issue when parking at rv parks (damage of roads ect). I was wondering what experiences you HDT motorhome owners have had at rv parks.
__________________

JG1199 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2010, 08:08 PM   #2
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: MO
Posts: 93
Default

JG,
We had an HDT issue at a high-end RV park last summer but not that one. One of the managers at this “exclusive Class-A only” resort tried to classify us as a Commercial truck or a Super C. I had my MO DOT papers that classified us as an RV and the write in area had us listed as a Class A Motorhome. Not to mention we meet the literal definition of a Class-A with the cab opening into the living area and clear overhead area with no bunk or storage. After a brief discussion and a walk into the truck and we were given the OK. The interior is first class all the way and that was all they needed to see. We didn’t show them the motorcycles in the garage area out back.

Now about the weight, we scale at 37K LBS and that isn’t any more than a typical 40 foot diesel pusher so I can’t see where that would be much of an issue.

Rad
__________________

__________________
T2000 Complete (but never finished)
Radman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2010, 07:06 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Bob86ZZ4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1,819
Default

Just a bit of nomenclature too. The term "hdt" usually refers to using a semi tractor type truck to pull a 5th wheel camper. A single unit rv built on a semi tractor type truck chassis would more commonly be referred to as a "truck conversion." Yay for looking at a truck conversion purchase. They are great. Weight isn't the issue as Rad said. My t/c is 36' long and with full (200 gallons) water tanks I'm under 27k lbs. The only place you might not be allowed in is one of those "class A only" parks. Their rules sometimes say if it's got a hood it's not a class A. Who would want to stay with a bunch of class A rigs that don't allow hoods anyhow?

A t/c is a great rv platform. Don't let any salesman from a rv dealer that doesn't sell t/c's tell you otherwise.
__________________
'03 Freightliner FL112, 295" wheel base, with '03 United Specialties 26' living quarters, single screw, Cat C12 430 h/p 1650 torque, Eaton 10speed , 3.42 rear axle ratio
Bob86ZZ4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2012, 12:39 PM   #4
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 1
Default

I know that on the back roads it can be a pain to have such a large rig, I know when i am planning my trip i call around to most all of the camp grounds on my route and let them know what i have and when i plan to camp there, that way they can have a spot open for me (if they have trees in the way they will find a spot that is accessible. They will also tell me what roads i can use to get in/out of the park.

Melbourne RV
Global Auto And RV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2012, 03:32 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
bushpilot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tomball
Posts: 1,414
Default

Ok i can see the issue from a SNOB appeal perspective - but ive got no more OVERHEAD clearance need and weigh no more than a PUSHER...Every park we've been in (and im still new to this), we've attracted as much or more INTEREST than most of the "ordinary" pushers (its to the point that a high end pusher is common place).

any place a pusher can go, i can go and i can back in to any RV slot....i dont need a pull thru like some non driving TOTER HOMER owners.
__________________
Don R.
'04 Haulmark (M42386) 42', 2 slide, 10kw - Pictures
'04 F350 CrewCab Longbed 4x4, 50g aux tank & gear vendors dbl over
bushpilot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2012, 07:05 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
#90-GTSC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Grafton
Posts: 285
Default

Last summer I looked at a 1981 Prevost (I think it was a Marathon conversion). In 1996 it had a new engine and transmission installed and the Marathon factory (or whoever did the original conversion) did a complete update of the interior and updated the outside lights to bring it into the 20th century. I was really impressed how nice the coach looked ... looked like something less than 15 years old! I think the miles on the new engine and trans was in the 150K area; no idea of the miles on the chassis.

Price was $75,000. I suspect I could have horse traded to something less than that.

So if the park has a Class A only ... no hoods allowed policy ... I could show up with my $75,000 Prevost and "be welcome" but you guys who bought your $200K or $300K Renegades or NRCs or Showhaulers are going to get pointed down the road?

Doesn't seem right. But then its a free country and type of RV is not a protected class under any anti-discrimination laws I'm aware of!

If I get an under $100K Prevost, get it into an exclusive Class A, no hoods allowed park and any of you are in the area ... you're more than welcome to come and visit. Please bring your potato cannons and lets see who can get a potato the furthest out in the pond! Winner gets to blow the train whistle!
__________________
Started looking for 379 Peterbilt TC, 24' to 30' box, bumper pull--but ended up w/1999 Liberty Coach conversion of 45' Prevost XLV bus. 1,000sf heated/AC'd race shop w/dump station, 50amp shore pwr where bus parks, 3 NASCAR/ARCA race cars & 26' Bravo trailer.
#90-GTSC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2012, 07:55 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Bob86ZZ4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1,819
Default

Good one, #90.
__________________
'03 Freightliner FL112, 295" wheel base, with '03 United Specialties 26' living quarters, single screw, Cat C12 430 h/p 1650 torque, Eaton 10speed , 3.42 rear axle ratio
Bob86ZZ4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2012, 09:28 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Grand Forks BC Canada
Posts: 170
Default

Tried to get a reservation at Las Vegas Motorcoach park and was denied because I am not a Class A. Too funny, they allow a POS 10 year old class A and deny a brand new, custom painted Truck Conversion. Hope they go broke.
Attached Thumbnails
017.jpg  
Gordy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2012, 10:37 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
GENECARP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 259
Default

Never a problem here.......
__________________
https://youtu.be/938JJIX-w8E
GENECARP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2012, 12:12 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Grand Forks BC Canada
Posts: 170
Default

Gene-that is a cool rig. Neat having the bed over the garage, good thinking. Silver Crown built a nice rig, the guy who designed it now works for Renegade and introduced the Ikon (or so I was told)
Gordy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2012, 09:37 AM   #11
Member
 
40's rock's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Dallas
Posts: 89
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob86ZZ4 View Post
Just a bit of nomenclature too. The term "hdt" usually refers to using a semi tractor type truck to pull a 5th wheel camper. A single unit rv built on a semi tractor type truck chassis would more commonly be referred to as a "truck conversion." Yay for looking at a truck conversion purchase. They are great. Weight isn't the issue as Rad said. My t/c is 36' long and with full (200 gallons) water tanks I'm under 27k lbs. The only place you might not be allowed in is one of those "class A only" parks. Their rules sometimes say if it's got a hood it's not a class A. Who would want to stay with a bunch of class A rigs that don't allow hoods anyhow?

A t/c is a great rv platform. Don't let any salesman from a rv dealer that doesn't sell t/c's tell you otherwise.
Hey....whats wrong with no hood...lol
Attached Thumbnails
camp.jpg  
40's rock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2012, 02:13 PM   #12
Member
 
Highway OPie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 74
Default Our conversion

Here is a recent picture of our Peterbilt motorhome conversion project at our favorite campground, Grand Haven State Park in Grand Haven, Michigan. On the beach, on the shore of Lake Michigan.

If you are lucky enough to be at the beach, you are lucky enough!"
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_0044.jpg  
__________________

__________________
Highway OPie (Speed Gray) Grand Rapids, MI: 2003 Peterbilt 379 Motorhome; 550 hp 6NZ Caterpillar C15, Eaton-Fuller 18 speed transmission, 3.36 rear; 63" sleeper and 16' Morgan box.(highwayopie@aol.com). There are many Peterbilts, but this one is mine!
Highway OPie is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:16 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×