Pulling your RV with a Heavy Duty Truck! What does it take? Cost?
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- I have always wondered about the HDT and how it works with towing a 5th wheel. We met Bruce and Susan at the Brinkley Rally, and they graciously showed us their Volvo HDT and talked about the maintenance, mileage and custom build. Bruce and Susan are a fun couple and Bruce's passion comes out in the quality of this build! Plus as a bonus we got to drive both the big rig and the Smart Car! #brinkleyrv #rvlife #brinkleymodelg #fulltimerv #rvlifeontheroad
Looks like an old Tidewater truck.
Nice job!
Another advantage is you are sitting up high with the other big trucks during heavy rain storms instead of having your windshield drowned every time you get passed or pass on the highway like in a pickup or car.
Road time goes much faster too.
Yep, it’s a retired Tidewater truck.
Finally a driver who knows the fact that it is an "automated" not automatic> There is no torque converter, it has a clutch operated via a computer. I have drive many Volvo trucks with this transmission. The best in the industry and super smooth.
@@michaelsorrentino-yp7nb I found it super easy to drive!
beside the clutch actuators leaking air they are amazing transmissions.
There is a difference between automatic and autoshift!
Awesome to drive a commercial tractor, I can imagine pulling a 5th wheel. Retired tractor trailer driver of 42 years
You should consider going this route
Super nice setup and they seem like such sweet folks, happy they are living their best lives!!
@@anothertickintime5578 They are super sweet! He’s an amazing fabricator too!
One smart RVer right there !!!!
@@michaelsorrentino-yp7nb agreed!
I had a similar experience when we were in Galveston. Like you, I was really impressed by the big rig, especially the cost compared to a dually. It's also easy to like the visibility from "up there" as you go down the road. Thanks for the video!
@@randallgriffith6416 yes! I was impressed with how great the visibility was up there!
I'm not a fan of pulling my Brinkley with a semi but Kudos to that fellow for his craftmanship on that truck bed. I worked as a Machinist Moldmaker for 42 years after my army days and did a lot of metal work including fabricating and welding and I'm impressed. Also love the smart car. My wife likes a little bigger car. Fun video! Burlington Bill busking on the road and here on youtube.
you'd be suprised how well and easy they are to drive especially nowdays ther is alot of automatated & automatics.. add air ride suspension with air ride cab and air ride seat ther is no comparison on ride quality and they usually are fleet maintained so could get 1 million miles out of them pretty easy if you maintain them and you can find tractors for under $10k & up easy of course you'll probably want to put a lil money into it to make it yours but heck havin 5-650hp and over 1,850-2250ftlbs of torque they are way safer to use for rv'ing vs a regular pickup truck and having the capability of towing 80klbs you'll never have to worry bout worrying if ur rv is overweight
@@mikemccabe7124 I imagine they have come a long way with the big trucks. I like my F-350 with the 6.7 diesel. I've had Ford trucks for a lot of years and have had great luck with them. We are on the road about 6 or 7 months a year. Just did our third trip to Alaska.
@@mikemccabe7124 stoooop! You are making me want one 😂🤣
@chasing70degrees23 lol.. o wait alaska ya it'd definately do better in Alaska with all that air ride you wouldn't hardly feel that alcan highway with a semi and with 2 drive axles you can have 2 sets of dually axles for getting traction.. I'll stop, lol but its something you shouldn't overlook and while traveling distances you already have an rv to sleep in attached to ur cab and if you get a condo sleeper it's almost like having a 2 story cab you can stand up out of drivers seats
@ got me dreaming!
That looked like fun! Thanks for the video!
@@grayfox9911 Thank you for watching!
Awesome guy and rig.
@@hook880hanh agreed! 💯
I hope you brought some steaks over for all the work that couple did showing you their tips/tricks. Great folks!
Hahaha great idea! But they had to head out the next day!
How fun! Great video and great people...
@@ibrewalot agreed! X 2
Awesome video. Now I want to get a big rig to tow the G
@@johnpabst8690 I’m right there with you!!
You won’t regret it!
Very cool. That dude is awesome.
@@fa24neteng101 yes! Super talented and a great guy!
What a great video! If you didn't know, I'm in the market for a new truck. When he said it cost him $47K for the truck I was very interested. However, think on all the upgrades he had to do to the bed of the truck, the tool boxes his smart car winch and ramp system. I do not have those skill sets and the labor costs would be excessive. I believe I'm going to look for a gently used F450. Thanks again for the video! Have fun stay safe, and don't drive tired.
You can find a nice HDT for around $20k and you don’t need an elaborate deck to pull a trailer.
This is absolutely fantastic 😮
@@TuckerSteve Thank you for watching!! Love you guys
It looked like you were in a Brinkley RV park. A few Brinkleys in the park. 😂
@@MikeM-vi3hg yes!
The turning radius is called "Cut Back" has nothing to do with the width of the front axle plus the steer axle is set back thus making a sorter wheel base as compared to the conventional hood truck.
Talona Ridge! Nice truck review.
@@motoringwithmonty Thank you!
Another great job Ross & Jackie! If we were full time…I could see us in a Class 8…nothing like reserve capacity 👊🇺🇸
Volvo’s have one of the best turning radius of HDTs. That’s a nice setup. If I were to go HDT, I’d get their full height sleeper with the dinette!
@@NedbLegocity That would be a dream truck!!
@ I’m a ‘local’ driver covering the mid Atlantic area, and home daily. I see new Volvos all the time coming out of the Volvo plant south of Roanoke VA. A close second would be a Freightliner Cascadia which is what my company supplies.
Big Truck Big Travels have similar setup. Dinette with a fridge and microwave.
@ and who do you think I got the idea from?
North of the Border in Canada we have Diesal Smart Cars! Just Look around they are here.😅
@@Davidson120 oh! That makes sense with the colder weather up there 👆🏼
Buy the 2016 smart. Its the next gen 453 vs 451. Its got better suspension and several inches wider inside.
Also look for a "prime" model. top of the line, heated seats, leather, turbo charged, better resell.
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What a nice build. I enjoyed the video. Where did he get those ramps? Where did you find insurance? I'm looking at buying a Volvo 870, singling and building a bed.
@@marvelousmarv-marvelousper4886 I’ll see if I can get him in the comments to answer!
We bought the ramps from Discount Ramps and they’re sold as Smart Car ramps. State Farm is our insurance company and it’s less than my prior 2022 Ram 2500, also there are NO restrictions. With this particular truck there is absolutely no reason to single the truck if you’re concerned about ride quality, it rides as smooth as my 2022 Ram. You do have to add weight (steel deck) to smooth the ride.
StateFarm
Used Ram vs used Volvo are about the same in price once you factor in you have to customize the bed and get rid of the commercial hitch. I guess at a minimum you can just remove the commercial hitch and install a TLSB2 or similar. I was quoted about $85k+ for a full custom skirted bed for my Kenworth.
@@entertainerssgt wow! Bruce being able to do all of the fab work himself really paid off!
Such a great skill set to have!!
Yes, it’s much cheaper to do it yourself and the satisfaction of the build!
For power and safety running a semi is safer than using a pickup and better visibility
@@rodneystewart8958 agreed 💯
What was his total length ! I am getting ready to purchase a HDT and buy a toy hauler for full time rv! I would love to pick his brain on somethings
We are just under 70’ long. Don’t hesitate if you have any questions.
Registered as a RV, but do you still need a CDL to drive it?
@@svenbodell1415 Bruce can probably answer to his specific situation but I know in Texas is not about the type of truck it’s about the weight. Any vehicle or combination of vehicles over 26001 pounds you must have a Class A (non CDL) driver license.
@ Have to do some checking on that it might vary on what state it registered in we’re in Tennessee so I have to check it out. Thanks for the reply.
@ you bet! I know in some states if it’s an RV you don’t need a special license. I don’t know that I fully agree with that though. I had to pass the Class A written test and a driving test pulling my actual RV. I see a lot of people who don’t even know how much their total RV weighs and really have no idea how dangerous the total rig can be.
@@svenbodell1415State of Florida does not require a CDL for private use.
Great video, not many women can rock red hair but dayummm
Nice setup how do you register in florida
@@josegomez3920 Thet told me they just had to prove it had a camping toilet and it was registered as an RV. They do live in Florida though
You will find what you need in FLHSMV, procedure TL-13, some of the folks at DMV aren’t even aware of it.
Who do you use for insurance??
@@badgear Bruce told me he uses State Farm and it’s less than his 2022 Ram 2500 6.7 was and he has no restrictions.
Plenty of torque and power to go up any grade and plenty of breaking power plus a Jake break. A lot better than a pick up truck
@@joerubalcava11 agreed! It’s a pretty impressive setup!
This guys is nice, but you should look up and see some of the custom ones that Volvo builds for pulling 5th wheels. Unbelievably beautiful.
Yes much safer than any pickup
Did he say 50k oil changes?
@@dfro7159 yup! Or once a year
That's fucking nuts you don't need a cdl to drive that, usually I would be pissed and scared that someone like this drives a semi truck with zero extra traning and schooling but this guy seems decent
@@Unpopularbeliefs You know in Texas I had to get a Class A license to pull my 5th wheel with a Ram 3500. That included the written CDL test portion of the Class A.
We come from class A diesel pushers which are much bigger than the Volvo semi and I have experience driving semi’s while in the military. However, I do understand your concerns with inexperienced people driving HDTs and large class A motor homes without proper training.
@@brucemcnutt6491 it amazes me how some states don’t require any license upgrade or RV specific training. Just jump in a rear diesel pusher, attach your Honda accord to the rear and hit the road!
Would you ever buy one?
@@edwardhogan8197 I think I would, the only issue I would have is trying to navigate RV parks and city streets. On the interstate it would be a dream though!
You would not over 2006ish because of def system
@@danakibby627 yeah, seems like we are all struggling with DEF systems these days
They do Make diesel Smart Cars!😅
@@Davidson120 That’s awesome! Are they for the US market?
What is wrong with Craig? Wussy?
@@PhilMarshall-b4k naw! He’s a great guy I’m just razzing him a little 😂
Craig did drive the truck and loved it, you can see it on the end of one of his videos.
That is a nice bed build who did that sorry. I have a 15 now but now bed .
@@leeworsdell1410 Bruce, the owner built it all
It is still a Volvo. The Volvo engine will be hard to get service anywhere but Volvo and Mack dealers.
@@glenackerman214 it’s still a Volvo, I didn’t ask about service locations though!
@@glenackerman214Finding service and dealerships has not been a problem.