lmao right I got that too. and his trail is about half the weight a semi would haul being most can haul 45 tho. adding 80 tho truck trailer and load all total
We are CONVINCED! This is a way cheaper option than a duelly, plus it potentially eliminates the need for a toy hauler completely (or maybe completely). This video has COMPLETELY allowed us to rethink our options and he is 100% correct about pricing and now we are definitely head pondering going in this direction. We cannot THANK you enough for this video! Our minds are blown. Wow, wow, wow.
After I gave up my CDL here in Texas they asked if I wanted to keep my Class A endorsement I said absolutely because we have a 5th wheel and want to get a larger one so I'd be safe. I drove a rig for 10yrs so I have no issues with a big rig lol. Great video guys and nice set up
Thank you Kevin. Sounds like you've got some miles under your belt. Hopefully you'll be able to share that knowledge with folks just starting out. Thanks for watching and hope you stick around!
@@jamesglenn520 I had it from 2016 to 2020. A western star 5700XE. My trailer was a 45 ft toyhauler DRV 450lx . The truck tow it great. Like the trailer was not there. When I sold the truck I had 27k miles on it. The trailer is permanently parked I think I'll sell it and go another direction for travrl.
I seriously doubt that truck will need tires and brakes anytime soon, especially if you got a Jake brake, the load is extremely light for that heavy hauler!
It's not just the mileage and load on tires, it's age. We had a Renegade motorhome that was on a Class 8 Freightliner chassis (12.8L motor, 12sp auto-shift) with a GVWR of 32K and at 8 years had a tire explode because of age. Tires DO NOT last forever. BTW, we only had 35K miles on the tires.
Having lived in Dallas my whole life I can say you are right about needing the air brake endorsement in Texas on your license to drive any vehicle with air brakes, commercial or not.
In my opinion no matter what vehicle it is if your driving a unit that has air breaks rather class A diesel pusher or a HDT you should need to have the endorsement. I have a class A CDL so it don’t bug me lol
That truck with your RV and smart car being towed will last forever . That western star will never see no stress like it would if you were working it as a commercial truck
I loved this video. It is extremely informative. My family and I are buying a 20,000 lb. toy hauler and we have been so worried about buying a big enough truck. So, now I am going tomorrow to look at big rigs. Thank You so very much......
So glad it was helpful Michael.....good luck in your search. Let us know if we can answer any questions for you. Thanks for checking us out and Merry Christmas!
Makes total sense. For me it's a no brainer. Diesel P/U new 1 ton. $60k. min. My bro. just bought a 500k mile single axel (used fed ex truck) for $25,000.00 You can pull a house!!!! If a man wanted to you could pull a boat or another car behind the RV.
Hey guys. Your spot on it is called an air brake endorsement. Here in Iowa you would need a non-commercial class A license and the ABE. To give you an idea on comparable weight your HDT, coach, and smart car are around 43k to 44k. My Western Star with an empty 53 ft. dry van trailer weighed in at 34,500#. So your pulling the equivalent of a semi with a 10k to 11k load which is really light. We routinely had 45k in the box. Thanks for an awesome video.
Thanks for the info! It's really hard to address ALL the state's requirements so we just hit the basic points. Our hope is to educate more folks on our setup. Have a great weekend my friend!
Just recently discovered your channel. My husband and I are enjoying following you. We’ve been married 41 years also and been rving for as long. Had a camper on a truck when kids growing up but now we’re retired and have a Class C 29 ft. Loving it! Not full timers but gone rving most of the year. Heading for Quartszite from Palm Springs tomorrow. Keep making great videos, fun to watch you guys! 🙋👨💼
Thanks for the kind words Kathy. We really appreciate you comments. Congratulations on 41 years....it seems to be a rarity these days. Glad your enjoying the videos and hope you enjoy your travels.
Great video but you forgot to mention that it's freakin' COOL to drive around in a semi truck! Love you guys and thanks for sharing the details on your rig.
@@mattv16031 If you google it, tire manufacturers suggest every 6 years even if you have not put that much miles on the tires, this includes RV, Semi's Cars and Trucks and motor bikes, Ya ya im sure some people here will say they drove much more then 6 years on the tires, but as i said tire manufacturers recommend this. (you can google it)
Tire rubber hardens over time. Some environmental aspects increase that affect. The soft pliable grip that comes from the factory degrades and it becomes easier to lose traction. 5 years is a safe time to stop being cheap and change the tires especially on a rig you basically live in. Let's consider the tires the foundation of the house. Will they still roll and hold air with plenty of tread depth? Most likely. But they will lose road grip much quicker in wet/icy/hard stop conditions. This pretty much applies to anything with rubber tread operated at over 25 mph on paved roads.
Your drive tires will last about 350,000 miles if you maintain proper air. Steer tires generally will last 100,00 to 120,000 before they start getting uneven wear. Often companies will switch steer tires to trailer after that. I generally run Bridgestone tires. Michelin tires are great too but really expensive. Brakes should last as long as your drive tires because you aren't pulling much weight. Fuel cost and tires are your biggest expense generally with a semi-truck. Change your oil at around 12-15000 miles and if you use synthetic oil then you can extend that to 25,000 or more. I am a 30 year truck driver and own a 2000 Kenworth W900 with a 14 liter 60 series 550hp Detroit. Happy trails! :)
Hey love the rig! As for the tires, I'd plan on changing them worn out or not I don't run tires more than five years old. Seven max. You're asking for trouble with old dried out tires. You can find the date on the sidewall looks like molded into the tire. Four digits something like 4120... That's 41st week of 2020. Be safe!!
Thank God for you guys. I have been pricing my option between a 1 ton 3500 pulley and an international prostar. About the same price range. Thanks so much.
As for GVW for a tractor and trailer it's a combined weight of the truck and trailer not just the weight of the trailer. I'm a truck driver. You should also drain the air tanks every day. So your air system doesn't freeze in cold weather.
Combined weight is GCW and GCWR. GVW and GVWR are individual to the truck and trailer. When the GCWR is not given/listed the GVWR rating may be combined to determine CDL requirement.
Your presentation is most informative, since we might go HDT for our fifth wheel I have prior over the road driving of HDT, when the trucks had pizza pie sized steering wheels! Thanks happy RVING
congrats on your happy endeavors. ive retained a cdl-a since 1988. its afforded me my career and lifestyle. its always aggravated me that people like you drive these motor homes and your setup with no experience, class a, nor a medical card. i have to be retested every year and jump thru hoops to get my med card renewed so i can continue making a living. meanwhile you just truck on the road to your next camping adventure.
Its an rv. You make money from it, hes retired and spends on it so he can travel. This is america, let people do what they want and quit your negative bitching.
Thanks for all the info. I'm in the early is this possible rabbit hole of trying to build a car hauling RV HDT setup that randomly seemed like a good idea. Way more work involved but seems cheaper than some of the trailer setups I've seen you can buy. Take care guys.
I drove OTR for over 35 years and now am pulling my 5th wheel with a 07 Volvo D12 VNL twin screw and condo sleeper and get around 10MPG AND LOVE IT ! You changing your 5th wheel makes a difference in cab markings ! I have NOT FOR HIRE on my rig and thinking about changing mine to an RV size !
You briefly mentioned 'super singles' on your truck. My Motorhome is an '04 Volvo VNL that I bought at auction in Texas, drove it home to Vancouver Island and rebuilt it from the ground up. After doing much research, the SS were on the list. When the Volvo was ready to I took it from the "Island" to Calgary paying close attention to fuel usage. Got the new SS tires and a set of Alcola wheels in Calgary at a great deal. Next trip was to Sacramento to pick up my trailer. The difference was a saving of just over 2L /100km and the ride was markedly different. Better handling and a more comfortable ride. I was surprised with impressive fuel savings documented over a long distance. And Bonus, better ride. I think you are lucky to have SS on your rig.
In Texas, for RV purposes, you have to have a non-commercial CDL Class B or Class A, with air brake endorsement. The non-commercial CDL in Texas is for non-commercial drivers, or drivers that are not paid to haul RV’s or equipment, which also falls under the leisure category. All others that drive for compensation are required to obtain a CDL.
Its not a CDL if its a non-commercial license. CL = Commercial Driver's License. You meant to say that in Texas, you need a non-commercial Class A license.
Another great video. I'm a long haul truck driver and would like to do the hdt rv idea in a couple of years. I'm thinking of getting a European style cab over truck which would be a shorter wheelbase rig which would make it easier to maneuver in rv parks. Carls
Hey Carl...we've got a friend that talks about that same style truck. It sounds like it would work very well! Good luck on your project - would love to see pictures when you get started!
You did a very good job of explaining how every state varies on licensing requirements and registration fees. I'm from California and I pull my toy hauler with a Freightliner M2 106. This state will not classify that vehicle anything other than a "commercial vehicle" even though it's an RV and not used for commercial purposes. Your Western Star should have a GVWR sticker in the door jamb. The most common configuration was either a 14. 6k or 13.2k front axle with 40000 lb rear ends for a GVWR of around 54,000 lb. The technical term for your transmission is an "automated manual." It's a manual transmission that is shifted and the clutch is engaged via computer and servos. I noticed someone in the comments mentioned you upgraded to a toy hauler. Pulling doubles and being that long would be a serious red flag. Your smart car is already an illegal reducible load, one which can be turned long ways to be less than 102 inches in width. Please don't push the envelope.
Thank you Tyler....we're working as fast as we can to research our options. Really appreciate you taking the time to comment. We can't stress enough that everyone needs to be aware of their home license requirements and comply with them as each state is different. Have a great weekend!
Lmao. Glad to see so many people came to this conclusion. Two steps to tell someone is a spook / federal law enforcement 1) very cagey about their job. That’s all I’ll say about that. 2) When they retire their instinct is to go mobile, and to live as far away from human interaction as possible, haha
Thanks for a great video, very informative. Note: Texas Class C requires a airbrake endorsement but Class C is limited to 20,000lb GVW. Above 20,000lb GVW requires Class B license, your vehicle would be a Class B. Because you are pulling two trailer that requires an additional test and endorsement for double trailers that is only available on a Class A license. This license is normally what commercial truck drivers have. It's expensive, requires frequent renewal.
Thanks Bo....appreciate the kind words. Every state is different, that's why we stress folks do their own research and find the requirements for their own situation.
Amazing and informative video. For the last question regarding "Do you need a CDL?" The answer depends on each state requirements, although a CDL is exempt for private non commercial vehicles over 26,000 lbs. they [drivers] are not exempt from the weight class of the vehicle. Here is a list of states that have Non-Commercial/Non-CDL Class A & B or E & F Driver's License for the type of vehicle that you wish to operate. 1. California 2. Delaware Some websites state that Maine and Massachusetts need Non-CDL Class A & B. 3. Georgia 4. Illinois 5. Kansas 6. Maryland 7. Nevada 8. North Carolina 9. Pennsylvania 10. South Carolina 11. Texas 12. Wyoming
Massachusetts requires full class A CDL over 26,000 gross weight, even some pickup/fifth wheels with combined gross weight over 26,000 pounds are supposed to have it. I have seen web sites that say you don’t but I talked to the registry myself.
@@ScottenJonesVideo That's interesting to note, although the vehicle in question is not used for commerce, a non-commercial class A or B should suffice. I'm surprised MA is requiring a CDL. Although I had seen on certain websites, that Illinois had the same thing, and applicants will have to checkmark that they want "non-commercial" instead of "commercial." Could this be the case in MA?
@@rodmod8850 As far as I can tell in Massachusetts there are just CDLs and no such thing as a non-commercial CDL. There are also some web sites that claim Massachusetts has an RV exemption but I talked to the registry and they said they don't.
@@rodmod8850 According to the registry if vehicle GVWR is over 26,000 pounds or the combined GWR of the tow vehicle and trailer are over 26,000 pounds you need a class A CDL. I don't think there are non-commercial CDLs in Massachusetts. The really annoying thing is my truck has a 13,000 pound GVWR and my fifth wheel is rated for 15,000 pounds, so combined weight is 28,000 = CDL. But in reality over 3,000 pounds of the trailer weight is on the truck so the two can never weigh more than 25,000 pounds.
@@ScottenJonesVideo That's very surprising. I guess Massachusetts is pretty tough when it comes to these types of vehicles. Honestly, having a CDL for non-commercial vehicles over 26,000 lbs. is a bit overkill (HOS, strict laws & regulations). Non-commercial CDL is an oxymoron; I found that funny. The reason I mentioned Illinois is because it gives the applicant a choice to checkmark the type of class A or B license they wish to apply. And I thought it would be the same case in MA. (Taking all required written tests and pre-trip & road/skills tests). And can pick either "non-commercial" or "commercial" class A or B license.
New Jersey requires air brake and non-commercial endorsements or rigs over 26,000 lbs.( class b for under 10,000 lbs trailer or class A for above 10,000 lbs. trailer )
You forgot the important one, the one I always get asked "do you think you have enough power to pull that thing". If I had a half cent for every time I heard that I would be rich. Nice set up, hope to see you on the road be safe. Tipsy Marlin Travels.
Interesting. To actually go and get your CDL A for RV purposes and then double tow, I would have looked into a space craft trailer (made from an actual 53') you can park the smart car inside. You can still drive the motor coach with a class B which I personally would prefer since you can get a nice used prevost for about 200k (million mile chassis, 2.6m new) with 30 to 40k miles on it
The company I work for leases our trucks through Ryder so I've had the opportunity to sample just about every HD automatic transmission. In my opinion the Detroit DT12 is hands down the best automatic or automated manual out there. We run heavy all the time though the mountains and it's well up to the task.
From a former truck driver, the truck will probably outlast you guys but a very good video and it tells future HDT wonders what to expect pretty good, thx and Suite Travels to yuma...
When I got my Texas license I had to answer 20 additional question from the CDL manual because my Class A was over 26,000 lbs. It is a Class B license. The gentleman also made me take a driving test and "parallel park"!!
Yes Casey we're aware of the Texas license requirements and we can't suggest strong enough that everyone needs to be aware of their home state requirements and comply with them.
I have a similar setup. Texas required me to get a class A license with combinations since the trailer is over 10k. It will let me operate anything as long as not doing it commercially and as long as you would not have to get a special permit such as a wide load.
Max is 12500 lbs on steers, 34000 on drives, 34000 on your trailer. Definitely know how to use air brakes and check for leaks regardless of your states endorsements. Thanks for the video when I retire I plan on using my Freightliner Casadia Evo to haul a toy-hauler with a built in hot Jacuzzi.
One thing they didn't mention is the cost of a class 8 tractor (heavy duty truck). You can find used class 8's for as little as $15,000.00. One of those you will have to put some money into to bring it up to the condition that makes it near worry free. Once that is done you can drive it nearly worry free and pull as large a fifth-wheel trailer as you wish. You would need to jump through the hoops to license your tractor as an RV, but once done it would be like driving a class "A" motorhome.
We went through a weigh station in Colorado and the sign said, ALL TRUCKS AND TRAILERS INCLUDING RV'S. About a mile past the station they had an rv pulled over and we assumed they past the weigh station without going through. So they are out there!
Liked your video. Up here in Canada, (London, Ontario) We need to have the air brake endorsement & depending on the weight of the truck we may need to have at least a class D license. (CDL)
You do need to worry about age of the tires. At that rate you are correct in thinking that you won’t wear the tread to a point that they need replacing.
im from texas, you would need a Class A non-commercial. A Class A license is for the operation of a combination of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or registered weight of 26,001 lbs. or more, if the GVWR or gross weight of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 lbs. a class "B" is Class B: Single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle 10,000 lbs. GVWR or less.
The one thing you didn't tell us is how much this rig costs. How much more is it than say an F450 pickup or even that Sport Chassis? Also, have you ever had issues getting in and out of tight spaces? I guess you have to fuel up at truck stops and are going to be limited to larger RV parks. I'd sure hate to get that thing stuck driving it on anything other than paved roads.
Hahaha...well, it's actually less expensive than a newer 1-ton. A lot depends on what type of bed you want on the back - if you need a bed at all. Most of the owners purchase an HDT that is traded in with 500k miles on it and then have the bed installed. Yes, it's big, and we do need to choose our stops accordingly, but we've never had an issue. As far as driving off the pavement, we spend most of our time boondocking on BLM land or National Forests.
Hey Guys: Just wanted give you a big shout out as I just recently have discovered your channel and absolutely enjoy it and it's content!! Now I am in no way sure if you have been corrected but..your Western Star is classified as a class 8 over the road tractor and you are equally governed by the federal mandates for that truck as far as weight is concened..the CDL and the liscensing again you are spot on..however..with weights you are as they are also weights that are set out as the Manufacturer has specified..which is also how it also gets it's classifications as in this case as a class 8 OTR truck tractor!! You can as you have mentioned a few times pull the what is referred to as the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating pull up to 80,000 lbs!! That being said you then come under what woud be the weight restrictions for that vehicle even though its not liscensed as a CMV(comercial motor vehicle) and the weights for that are 34,000 on the trailer tandems....34,000 on the tractor's drives and 12,000 on the steer axle!! Now then, those numbers for the tractor remain the same even if you do not have a trailer in tow....34k for the drives and 12k for the steer axle!! Anything above those numbers would then require a specialized permit or a per trip permit!! The trucks routinely are permited for over a 100k as a GVCWR...gross vehicle combined weight rating!! Yes again you were spot on when you said your weights would not ever take you over the ratings..the only reason i chimed in was in that you are governed by weight from the manufacturer!! I owned class OTR for 30 years and am well schooled with the manufacturer's weights hahaha Love your channel and keep on haaving fun...my goal is to join you next year...and since watchng your channel and the mention of wearing out several 1 ton trucks i am now wondering if maybe i shouldnt call an audible on a tow vehicle!! Safe travels...Rick
Depending on front axle rating and tires, a three axle tractor will be rated for 34k on the drives and normally 12-14k or so on front axle, so maybe around 46k gross on the tractor only.
Yes it’s true you do not need a CDL to drive a rig like this! But it’s scary to know anybody who can afford this truck can get in it and go down the road. I’m a CDL holder and I’m confident running one of these rigs
So I'm still foggy on how you got around the 26k gvwr when your class 8 is rated for over 33k..your laws are same as KS. Your friends in Denis ks. Said I have to get a class B cdl even if it was tagged as an RV. Can you clear this up? Thanks
@@emtae65 CDL (Commercial Drivers License) is only required for commercial (for profit) used vehicles. Vehicles registered and used for personal use, federal law states a CDL is not needed. States may and have mandate their own licensing requirements. I know both California and Texas require a Non-Commercial class A or B license to drive rigs that aren't being used commercially, and thus have no federal licensing requirement, but are otherwise in an equivalent weight rating to CDL class A or B vehicles/rigs. Other states may have similar licensing requirements but only the feds mandate CDLs and as in the name it's only required for commercial use.
Class 8 truck makes sense for towing. At 80-90k for a F350 or 3500 Chevy is a lot of money for something that is marginal for towing heavy weights and stopping. These trucks will do it for years with just simple maintenance.
Hello. Great video. Just wanted to update you on some information concerning the weight in trailers. You're average Commercial Tractor weighs between 22,000 to 26 ,000 pounds. Ofcourse that will vary depending on size, brand, make and year model. With a Van (box) trailer or Reefer trailer it could weigh between 8,000 to 10,000 pounds. The max load for your lightest Dry Van trailer can be up to 45, 500 pounds. Giving you a total weight of 80,000 pounds. The 80,000 includes the Tractor, Trailer and Load in trailer. Now on a flatbed, Drop deck or Low boy trailer you van carry more than 45, 500 of weight but that then becomes an OVER SIZE LOAD and requires you to have a permit. These numbers can vary slightly by just a couple 100 pounds. But just wanted to give you guys that little info. I heard you mention 80,000 pounds in the trailer and I cringed. Hahaha. I shook in my skin. Lol. Honestly I don't think my reefer trailer is strong enough to hold 80,000 pounds alone....it would probably buckle......especially on some of these rough roads in the U.S.. Hahah. On a flat bed it could be very plausible because it has a way better design and strong structure. Anyways loved your video. Great job. Thanks for that video. I honestly did learn a lot. I'm a Commercial Driver and a full time RV'r. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Be safe and God Bless.
When I had a t600 with a 70 inch sleeper it weighed 16,800 according to the CAT scale company I don't know where you're getting these numbers from I think you're all dreaming anyway
MOST OTR trucks have a 80,000 lb max weight, 34,000 lbs to a tandem, 12,000 on the steers. Most class 8 tractors are rated for 40,000 on the drives, but again are limited to 34,000 most of the time. The 53' trailers I pull are usually rated for 60-68,000 lbs but again restricted to 34,000 on the trailer tandems. Considering that an empty 53' trailer is between 9,000-15,000 lbs (depending on the type) pulling a 24,000 lb 5th wheel RV is like pulling a very lightly loaded commercial trailer. Hope this helps.
From SURPRISE, AZ - I’m an owner operator in my current life and haul an RV with my current daily driver. I’m definitely going to haul a fifth wheel with my Peterbilt once I retire. Just not sure about a smart car behind the cab or inside of a toy hauler, still thinking about that one.
It's a great way to go - good luck on your decision! We have a good friend staying with us right now that has a 2001 long nose Pete with a Smart on the back and it's amazing!
Thank you for the video wonderful truck that you have. And a wonderful idea. Not only was it a good presentation but it provided hope as well. Ever since I was young I wanted to drive a truck. But I really don't cotton to the idea I'm loading and unloading and being forced to drive When the weather says it's safer to stay put. I thank you once again. Sincerely, Scott
without special permits the GVWR is 80K lbs for an 18 wheeler. Semi trucks can get permits to carry more but you pay for the weight sticker I have driven commercially in Ca. and the Cordelia truck scale AKA the iron Curtin to truckers has told me that having not for hire and private coach exempts you from stopping at the scales when you are pulling an RV. If you are bobtailing you need to pull in
1: it's 80,000 lbs gross weight. Not pull an 80,000 lb trailer. 2: rv fifth wheel hitches don't come standard with air bags or springs. 3: what modifications were required to hook your trailer lights and brakes to the truck?
Can I ask why you guys have not gone mid single? I worried about modifying the frame honestly and valued your restraint. Is more maintenance worth the added safety of manufacturer build/brakes, etc?
We stayed tandem because when the truck is singled the drive shaft needs to be replaced and the truck's computer needs to be re-programmed to accept the single....both are rather expensive. Also, in our opinion, if we stay tandem we could remove the bed, have a commercial hitch plate installed and sell as a OTR truck if necessary. Most is just personal preference.
Its not 80000 pound trler its 80000 gross weight truck trler and load!
Thanks for the correction Oliver....that's what I should have said. Nice catch! Really appreciate the comment.
Was thinking the same thing
lmao right I got that too. and his trail is about half the weight a semi would haul being most can haul 45 tho. adding 80 tho truck trailer and load all total
There are weight rating ...trust me. There front and rear axle weight ratings.
@@SuiteTravels I drove OTR fro 27 yrs!
We are CONVINCED! This is a way cheaper option than a duelly, plus it potentially eliminates the need for a toy hauler completely (or maybe completely). This video has COMPLETELY allowed us to rethink our options and he is 100% correct about pricing and now we are definitely head pondering going in this direction. We cannot THANK you enough for this video! Our minds are blown. Wow, wow, wow.
We're glad you found some good information! Good luck in your search and enjoy the process...maybe we'll see you on the road!
Because you run so light, I highly doubt you ever change brakes.
This truck will be so under worked , it will last forever.
Agent J who forgets their trailer? Hahaha!
That is what’s nice about it.
The intro alone made me subscribe
This is honestly what I had in my mind what I want to do in the future
Thanks Marco! As we like to say....it all starts with an idea! Have a great week.
After I gave up my CDL here in Texas they asked if I wanted to keep my Class A endorsement I said absolutely because we have a 5th wheel and want to get a larger one so I'd be safe. I drove a rig for 10yrs so I have no issues with a big rig lol. Great video guys and nice set up
Thank you Kevin. Sounds like you've got some miles under your belt. Hopefully you'll be able to share that knowledge with folks just starting out. Thanks for watching and hope you stick around!
I had one. It's an automated manual transmission. I also used the commercial 5th wheel hitch to tow my DRV and it worked fine.
You say you Had one. How long did you tow with the commercial hitch? And an idea of how many miles?
What was your pin weight?
@@jamesglenn520 I had it from 2016 to 2020. A western star 5700XE. My trailer was a 45 ft toyhauler DRV 450lx . The truck tow it great. Like the trailer was not there. When I sold the truck I had 27k miles on it. The trailer is permanently parked I think I'll sell it and go another direction for travrl.
I seriously doubt that truck will need tires and brakes anytime soon, especially if you got a Jake brake, the load is extremely light for that heavy hauler!
It's not just the mileage and load on tires, it's age. We had a Renegade motorhome that was on a Class 8 Freightliner chassis (12.8L motor, 12sp auto-shift) with a GVWR of 32K and at 8 years had a tire explode because of age. Tires DO NOT last forever. BTW, we only had 35K miles on the tires.
Having lived in Dallas my whole life I can say you are right about needing the air brake endorsement in Texas on your license to drive any vehicle with air brakes, commercial or not.
In my opinion no matter what vehicle it is if your driving a unit that has air breaks rather class A diesel pusher or a HDT you should need to have the endorsement. I have a class A CDL so it don’t bug me lol
That truck with your RV and smart car being towed will last forever . That western star will never see no stress like it would if you were working it as a commercial truck
Thanks for answering all these questions. Your rig is awesome!
Thanks Matthew....we really appreciate your kind words. Have a great weekend!
Holy Smokes what a FABULOUS way to travel! Just simply Beautiful
I loved this video. It is extremely informative. My family and I are buying a 20,000 lb. toy hauler and we have been so worried about buying a big enough truck. So, now I am going tomorrow to look at big rigs. Thank You so very much......
So glad it was helpful Michael.....good luck in your search. Let us know if we can answer any questions for you. Thanks for checking us out and Merry Christmas!
Your RV neighbors must love you.
Makes total sense. For me it's a no brainer.
Diesel P/U new 1 ton. $60k. min.
My bro. just bought a 500k mile single axel (used fed ex truck) for $25,000.00
You can pull a house!!!! If a man wanted to you could pull a boat or another car behind the RV.
Yeah the limit isn't what the truck *can* do, it's what the truck is *allowed* to do.
Source: am a trucker and own my own rig.
Hey guys. Your spot on it is called an air brake endorsement. Here in Iowa you would need a non-commercial class A license and the ABE. To give you an idea on comparable weight your HDT, coach, and smart car are around 43k to 44k. My Western Star with an empty 53 ft. dry van trailer weighed in at 34,500#. So your pulling the equivalent of a semi with a 10k to 11k load which is really light. We routinely had 45k in the box. Thanks for an awesome video.
Thanks for the info! It's really hard to address ALL the state's requirements so we just hit the basic points. Our hope is to educate more folks on our setup. Have a great weekend my friend!
Colorado wouldn’t be too happy without a CDL. (26,001)
I noticed the same thing with the light duty trucks. How much does the truck weigh?
Okay, this is one of the coolest rv setups I’ve ever seen. I had to sub.
Thank you!
I did as well, I have CDL license and love RVs
Just recently discovered your channel. My husband and I are enjoying following you. We’ve been married 41 years also and been rving for as long. Had a camper on a truck when kids growing up but now we’re retired and have a
Class C 29 ft. Loving it! Not full timers but gone rving most of the year. Heading for Quartszite from Palm Springs tomorrow. Keep making great videos, fun to watch you guys! 🙋👨💼
Thanks for the kind words Kathy. We really appreciate you comments. Congratulations on 41 years....it seems to be a rarity these days. Glad your enjoying the videos and hope you enjoy your travels.
Suite Travels Thanks! Safe travels to you too. We’ll be watching your future videos. Love it! 👏
Great video but you forgot to mention that it's freakin' COOL to drive around in a semi truck! Love you guys and thanks for sharing the details on your rig.
Thanks guys! Yes....it is VERY COOL to drive around in a big truck 😂. We miss you guys already. Can't wait to get together again!
Thank you so much for videos!! Ever since I saw your videos I went to heavy truck dealers to look at rigs!
So glad you enjoy them!
You should replace your tires every 5 years they will get old and tend to blow out. Especially your steer tires
Steven Jennings consider covering the tires when parked for a few days. Keeping the sun off of them will greatly help extend the tire life.
@@mattv16031 If you google it, tire manufacturers suggest every 6 years even if you have not put that much miles on the tires, this includes RV, Semi's Cars and Trucks and motor bikes, Ya ya im sure some people here will say they drove much more then 6 years on the tires, but as i said tire manufacturers recommend this. (you can google it)
Tire rubber hardens over time. Some environmental aspects increase that affect. The soft pliable grip that comes from the factory degrades and it becomes easier to lose traction. 5 years is a safe time to stop being cheap and change the tires especially on a rig you basically live in. Let's consider the tires the foundation of the house. Will they still roll and hold air with plenty of tread depth? Most likely. But they will lose road grip much quicker in wet/icy/hard stop conditions. This pretty much applies to anything with rubber tread operated at over 25 mph on paved roads.
Thanks Y'alls for the comments
Your drive tires will last about 350,000 miles if you maintain proper air. Steer tires generally will last 100,00 to 120,000 before they start getting uneven wear. Often companies will switch steer tires to trailer after that. I generally run Bridgestone tires. Michelin tires are great too but really expensive. Brakes should last as long as your drive tires because you aren't pulling much weight. Fuel cost and tires are your biggest expense generally with a semi-truck. Change your oil at around 12-15000 miles and if you use synthetic oil then you can extend that to 25,000 or more. I am a 30 year truck driver and own a 2000 Kenworth W900 with a 14 liter 60 series 550hp Detroit. Happy trails! :)
Thanks for the advice Robert. So far we're happy with our results.
Hey love the rig! As for the tires, I'd plan on changing them worn out or not I don't run tires more than five years old. Seven max. You're asking for trouble with old dried out tires.
You can find the date on the sidewall looks like molded into the tire. Four digits something like 4120... That's 41st week of 2020.
Be safe!!
Big props I’ve always wondered how to RV in a big rig, Nice setup!
Thank you very much....and thanks for checking us out! Have a great weekend!
Thank God for you guys. I have been pricing my option between a 1 ton 3500 pulley and an international prostar. About the same price range. Thanks so much.
So glad we could help....have fun shopping!
As for GVW for a tractor and trailer it's a combined weight of the truck and trailer not just the weight of the trailer. I'm a truck driver. You should also drain the air tanks every day. So your air system doesn't freeze in cold weather.
Combined weight is GCW and GCWR. GVW and GVWR are individual to the truck and trailer. When the GCWR is not given/listed the GVWR rating may be combined to determine CDL requirement.
Your presentation is most informative, since we might go HDT for our fifth wheel
I have prior over the road driving of HDT, when the trucks had pizza pie sized steering wheels!
Thanks happy RVING
Thank you very much Frank....it's not for everyone but we certainly enjoy it. Thanks for checking us out and Merry Christmas!
congrats on your happy endeavors. ive retained a cdl-a since 1988. its afforded me my career and lifestyle. its always aggravated me that people like you drive these motor homes and your setup with no experience, class a, nor a medical card. i have to be retested every year and jump thru hoops to get my med card renewed so i can continue making a living. meanwhile you just truck on the road to your next camping adventure.
Its an rv. You make money from it, hes retired and spends on it so he can travel. This is america, let people do what they want and quit your negative bitching.
Im a trucker ive seen you guys on the road
How would u know? You know how many people have things like this. One of my neighbors have something similar.
@@off-roadingridingtrails1212 you always notice one of those Western Stars when you see one
Thanks for all the info. I'm in the early is this possible rabbit hole of trying to build a car hauling RV HDT setup that randomly seemed like a good idea. Way more work involved but seems cheaper than some of the trailer setups I've seen you can buy. Take care guys.
I drove OTR for over 35 years and now am pulling my 5th wheel with a 07 Volvo D12 VNL twin screw and condo sleeper and get around 10MPG AND LOVE IT ! You changing your 5th wheel makes a difference in cab markings ! I have NOT FOR HIRE on my rig and thinking about changing mine to an RV size !
Greetings from Ukraine! Good video. Happiness to you is the health of good and peace.
Very excited to have found your channel. I'm currently building a Volvo 780 as an RV hauler. I'm looking forward to seeing your double-tow setup.
Hi Stan welcome to our community! So glad you found us. The 780 is a pretty cool truck and hopefully we can cross paths on the road!
You briefly mentioned 'super singles' on your truck. My Motorhome is an '04 Volvo VNL that I bought at auction in Texas, drove it home to Vancouver Island and rebuilt it from the ground up. After doing much research, the SS were on the list. When the Volvo was ready to I took it from the "Island" to Calgary paying close attention to fuel usage. Got the new SS tires and a set of Alcola wheels in Calgary at a great deal. Next trip was to Sacramento to pick up my trailer. The difference was a saving of just over 2L /100km and the ride was markedly different. Better handling and a more comfortable ride. I was surprised with impressive fuel savings documented over a long distance. And Bonus, better ride. I think you are lucky to have SS on your rig.
Thanks for the info! We've heard similar stories about SS, but don't have any experience without them. Good to know.
In Texas, for RV purposes, you have to have a non-commercial CDL Class B or Class A, with air brake endorsement. The non-commercial CDL in Texas is for non-commercial drivers, or drivers that are not paid to haul RV’s or equipment, which also falls under the leisure category. All others that drive for compensation are required to obtain a CDL.
Its not a CDL if its a non-commercial license. CL = Commercial Driver's License. You meant to say that in Texas, you need a non-commercial Class A license.
Thank you for the correction.🙂
Great video, kinda funny I’ve seen you guys on the road a couple times.
Thanks dreusch! Wave next time you see us...
In South Carolina you just have to take the air brake test and they put an E endorsement on your license.
That is the absolute way to go.......I am so jealous.
Thanks for watching and the kind words William.
until you pull into some of the tight squeezed national park campgrounds
Think it's great that you all are able to travel and live the dream. And what an awesome way to do it. God bless, have a safe year
Thanks Will. We are truly blessed and thank God every day for putting us on this journey!
Another great video. I'm a long haul truck driver and would like to do the hdt rv idea in a couple of years. I'm thinking of getting a European style cab over truck which would be a shorter wheelbase rig which would make it easier to maneuver in rv parks. Carls
Hey Carl...we've got a friend that talks about that same style truck. It sounds like it would work very well! Good luck on your project - would love to see pictures when you get started!
You did a very good job of explaining how every state varies on licensing requirements and registration fees. I'm from California and I pull my toy hauler with a Freightliner M2 106. This state will not classify that vehicle anything other than a "commercial vehicle" even though it's an RV and not used for commercial purposes.
Your Western Star should have a GVWR sticker in the door jamb. The most common configuration was either a 14. 6k or 13.2k front axle with 40000 lb rear ends for a GVWR of around 54,000 lb.
The technical term for your transmission is an "automated manual." It's a manual transmission that is shifted and the clutch is engaged via computer and servos.
I noticed someone in the comments mentioned you upgraded to a toy hauler. Pulling doubles and being that long would be a serious red flag. Your smart car is already an illegal reducible load, one which can be turned long ways to be less than 102 inches in width. Please don't push the envelope.
Thank you Tyler....we're working as fast as we can to research our options. Really appreciate you taking the time to comment. We can't stress enough that everyone needs to be aware of their home license requirements and comply with them as each state is different. Have a great weekend!
Awesome!!!!!! I'm retired and I think this will fit my desire to travel America!!!!
This dude used to stack bodies lol.
At waco
That’s what I was thinking when he said that 😆
@@katynunnery2904 If Janet was still around, boy you'd be in a tangle! lmao!
Lmao. Glad to see so many people came to this conclusion. Two steps to tell someone is a spook / federal law enforcement
1) very cagey about their job. That’s all I’ll say about that.
2) When they retire their instinct is to go mobile, and to live as far away from human interaction as possible, haha
Thanks for a great video, very informative.
Note: Texas Class C requires a airbrake endorsement but Class C is limited to 20,000lb GVW. Above 20,000lb GVW requires Class B license, your vehicle would be a Class B. Because you are pulling two trailer that requires an additional test and endorsement for double trailers that is only available on a Class A license. This license is normally what commercial truck drivers have. It's expensive, requires frequent renewal.
Thanks Bo....appreciate the kind words. Every state is different, that's why we stress folks do their own research and find the requirements for their own situation.
Talk about timing. We just walked past your rig walking our dogs a hour ago. The smart car gave it away. Nice rig!!
Amazing and informative video. For the last question regarding "Do you need a CDL?" The answer depends on each state requirements, although a CDL is exempt for private non commercial vehicles over 26,000 lbs. they [drivers] are not exempt from the weight class of the vehicle. Here is a list of states that have Non-Commercial/Non-CDL Class A & B or E & F Driver's License for the type of vehicle that you wish to operate.
1. California
2. Delaware Some websites state that Maine and Massachusetts need Non-CDL Class A & B.
3. Georgia
4. Illinois
5. Kansas
6. Maryland
7. Nevada
8. North Carolina
9. Pennsylvania
10. South Carolina
11. Texas
12. Wyoming
Massachusetts requires full class A CDL over 26,000 gross weight, even some pickup/fifth wheels with combined gross weight over 26,000 pounds are supposed to have it. I have seen web sites that say you don’t but I talked to the registry myself.
@@ScottenJonesVideo That's interesting to note, although the vehicle in question is not used for commerce, a non-commercial class A or B should suffice. I'm surprised MA is requiring a CDL. Although I had seen on certain websites, that Illinois had the same thing, and applicants will have to checkmark that they want "non-commercial" instead of "commercial."
Could this be the case in MA?
@@rodmod8850 As far as I can tell in Massachusetts there are just CDLs and no such thing as a non-commercial CDL. There are also some web sites that claim Massachusetts has an RV exemption but I talked to the registry and they said they don't.
@@rodmod8850 According to the registry if vehicle GVWR is over 26,000 pounds or the combined GWR of the tow vehicle and trailer are over 26,000 pounds you need a class A CDL. I don't think there are non-commercial CDLs in Massachusetts. The really annoying thing is my truck has a 13,000 pound GVWR and my fifth wheel is rated for 15,000 pounds, so combined weight is 28,000 = CDL. But in reality over 3,000 pounds of the trailer weight is on the truck so the two can never weigh more than 25,000 pounds.
@@ScottenJonesVideo That's very surprising. I guess Massachusetts is pretty tough when it comes to these types of vehicles. Honestly, having a CDL for non-commercial vehicles over 26,000 lbs. is a bit overkill (HOS, strict laws & regulations).
Non-commercial CDL is an oxymoron; I found that funny. The reason I mentioned Illinois is because it gives the applicant a choice to checkmark the type of class A or B license they wish to apply. And I thought it would be the same case in MA. (Taking all required written tests and pre-trip & road/skills tests). And can pick either "non-commercial" or "commercial" class A or B license.
Semi with a car and RV attached? That’s baller
New Jersey requires air brake and non-commercial endorsements or rigs over 26,000 lbs.( class b for under 10,000 lbs trailer or class A for above 10,000 lbs. trailer )
Problem with brakes and tires is they do deteriorate over time. Eventually they will need replacing even when they don’t get worn down.
Yeah dry rotted and may just come apart while driving. Can be very dangerous in large trucks like that.
You forgot the important one, the one I always get asked "do you think you have enough power to pull that thing". If I had a half cent for every time I heard that I would be rich. Nice set up, hope to see you on the road be safe. Tipsy Marlin Travels.
😂YES! That's one we forgot to mention....your Pete looks pretty amazing. I'm sure we'll cross paths soon. Thanks for the comment!
Interesting. To actually go and get your CDL A for RV purposes and then double tow, I would have looked into a space craft trailer (made from an actual 53') you can park the smart car inside. You can still drive the motor coach with a class B which I personally would prefer since you can get a nice used prevost for about 200k (million mile chassis, 2.6m new) with 30 to 40k miles on it
We really prefer a towable so if one of our rigs needs work we're not stuck without the other. Everyone has their preferences. Thanks for watching!
The load on the engine is so minimal compared to a one ton pickup
I have imagined a set up like this.. great job ..
Thanks Jeff....appreciate the kind words.
The company I work for leases our trucks through Ryder so I've had the opportunity to sample just about every HD automatic transmission. In my opinion the Detroit DT12 is hands down the best automatic or automated manual out there. We run heavy all the time though the mountains and it's well up to the task.
From a former truck driver, the truck will probably outlast you guys but a very good video and it tells future HDT wonders what to expect pretty good, thx and Suite Travels to yuma...
Thanks Greg. We're glad you enjoyed it and we really appreciate you coming along. Have a great weekend!
Great information. Thank you.
When I got my Texas license I had to answer 20 additional question from the CDL manual because my Class A was over 26,000 lbs. It is a Class B license. The gentleman also made me take a driving test and "parallel park"!!
Was that 26,000 the gvwr or just the weight of the class a alone??
Yes Casey we're aware of the Texas license requirements and we can't suggest strong enough that everyone needs to be aware of their home state requirements and comply with them.
Thank you two so much for your post! Love what you are talking about!
Thank you for watching and the kind words. Really appreciate it!
I have a similar setup. Texas required me to get a class A license with combinations since the trailer is over 10k. It will let me operate anything as long as not doing it commercially and as long as you would not have to get a special permit such as a wide load.
Yup....every state is different and folks need to research. Appreciate the comment David and thanks for watching!
Max is 12500 lbs on steers, 34000 on drives, 34000 on your trailer. Definitely know how to use air brakes and check for leaks regardless of your states endorsements. Thanks for the video when I retire I plan on using my Freightliner Casadia Evo to haul a toy-hauler with a built in hot Jacuzzi.
One thing they didn't mention is the cost of a class 8 tractor (heavy duty truck). You can find used class 8's for as little as $15,000.00. One of those you will have to put some money into to bring it up to the condition that makes it near worry free. Once that is done you can drive it nearly worry free and pull as large a fifth-wheel trailer as you wish. You would need to jump through the hoops to license your tractor as an RV, but once done it would be like driving a class "A" motorhome.
Your 80,000lbs number you reference to is gross not payload. Great video guys, very good coverage on a lot of questions I get as well.
I’ve seen a ton of those mdt’s pulling into the campground. I thought they were bad ass until I seen your set up
Thanks Anthony. Appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment!
Gotta say not an RV. Person currently but I did learn a lot from this short video thanks for that and enjoy your RV’ing life it looks pretty cool
Dee Jay never said that I guess a period got in there. I SAID. GOTTA SAY. IM NOT AND RV PERSON. THE PERIOD GOT IN THERE NEVER SAID ITS NOT AN RV
Dee Jay I was giving a compliment to video and I said I’m not an RV person But period separates so looks like I’m saying it’s not an RV
Great build
Thank you I leaned a lot God Bless
You are so welcome Ray....glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for coming along.
We went through a weigh station in Colorado and the sign said, ALL TRUCKS AND TRAILERS INCLUDING RV'S. About a mile past the station they had an rv pulled over and we assumed they past the weigh station without going through. So they are out there!
Yes they are!
You are nice people! It was a cool video!
Thanks Tim and thank you for coming along with us! 😀
Liked your video. Up here in Canada, (London, Ontario) We need to have the air brake endorsement & depending on the weight of the truck we may need to have at least a class D license. (CDL)
You do need to worry about age of the tires. At that rate you are correct in thinking that you won’t wear the tread to a point that they need replacing.
Hi John....I agree. It's something we check every time we air up the tires. Thanks for watching and have a great weekend!
Weather checking (cracks in the side wall) is what will do your tires in not wear.. keep your tires covered when parked will help them last longer👍🏻
Great video guys. We may or may not be leaning in the HDT direction and these answers are very helpful. Keep up the great work. Safe Travels
Ahhh...come on over the the dark side Aaron!
What a nice couple, thanks for the information
Really good questions and answers. We get about 8 gallons per mile. We have a Class A 40ft Diesel pulling a 18ft flat bed trailer hauling our truck
Thank you Susan....but I think you meant to say 8 miles per GALLON 🤔 . Hope all is well and you're having a good time.
Nice Western Star. Detroit Diesel is a good Choice and Western Star are good looking trucks.
One person ina parking lot asked, Can that truck handle such a heavy trailer? I said yea its OK I have air bags! We both had a laugh.
You are so right Jon! We get that one a lot too! Thanks for checking us out.
Answer is On point for the air brake endorsement In texas
im from texas, you would need a Class A non-commercial. A Class A license is for the operation of a combination of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or registered weight of 26,001 lbs. or more, if the GVWR or gross weight of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 lbs. a class "B" is Class B: Single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle 10,000 lbs. GVWR or less.
Your GVWR should be around 52,000 lbs. Its on the door.
Great video. Thanks for taking the time to do that. I'm getting ready to do the same thing and it's hard to get answers from the state.
Thanks....glad you found it helpful. We can't help you with the state though. Just out of curiosity, what state are you dealing with?
The one thing you didn't tell us is how much this rig costs. How much more is it than say an F450 pickup or even that Sport Chassis?
Also, have you ever had issues getting in and out of tight spaces? I guess you have to fuel up at truck stops and are going to be limited to larger RV parks. I'd sure hate to get that thing stuck driving it on anything other than paved roads.
Hahaha...well, it's actually less expensive than a newer 1-ton. A lot depends on what type of bed you want on the back - if you need a bed at all. Most of the owners purchase an HDT that is traded in with 500k miles on it and then have the bed installed. Yes, it's big, and we do need to choose our stops accordingly, but we've never had an issue. As far as driving off the pavement, we spend most of our time boondocking on BLM land or National Forests.
Hey Guys: Just wanted give you a big shout out as I just recently have discovered your channel and absolutely enjoy it and it's content!! Now I am in no way sure if you have been corrected but..your Western Star is classified as a class 8 over the road tractor and you are equally governed by the federal mandates for that truck as far as weight is concened..the CDL and the liscensing again you are spot on..however..with weights you are as they are also weights that are set out as the Manufacturer has specified..which is also how it also gets it's classifications as in this case as a class 8 OTR truck tractor!! You can as you have mentioned a few times pull the what is referred to as the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating pull up to 80,000 lbs!! That being said you then come under what woud be the weight restrictions for that vehicle even though its not liscensed as a CMV(comercial motor vehicle) and the weights for that are 34,000 on the trailer tandems....34,000 on the tractor's drives and 12,000 on the steer axle!! Now then, those numbers for the tractor remain the same even if you do not have a trailer in tow....34k for the drives and 12k for the steer axle!! Anything above those numbers would then require a specialized permit or a per trip permit!! The trucks routinely are permited for over a 100k as a GVCWR...gross vehicle combined weight rating!! Yes again you were spot on when you said your weights would not ever take you over the ratings..the only reason i chimed in was in that you are governed by weight from the manufacturer!! I owned class OTR for 30 years and am well schooled with the manufacturer's weights hahaha Love your channel and keep on haaving fun...my goal is to join you next year...and since watchng your channel and the mention of wearing out several 1 ton trucks i am now wondering if maybe i shouldnt call an audible on a tow vehicle!! Safe travels...Rick
Just a heads up the GVWR is usually located inside the door frame and will list wheel base, axel ratio, axel weight rating and GVWR
Appreciate the info!
Depending on front axle rating and tires, a three axle tractor will be rated for 34k on the drives and normally 12-14k or so on front axle, so maybe around 46k gross on the tractor only.
the standard GVW for a semi is 80,000lbs total, including the tractor. 12k max on steers, 34k max on drives, 34k max on tandems.
This is awesome!!!! We are looking to do the same thing. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for coming along guys! Happy new year.
That's a brilliant idea !!!!
Yes it’s true you do not need a CDL to drive a rig like this! But it’s scary to know anybody who can afford this truck can get in it and go down the road. I’m a CDL holder and I’m confident running one of these rigs
Yes...hopefully everyone understands this is a VERY large machine and takes the time to learn about it and drive it safely.
So I'm still foggy on how you got around the 26k gvwr when your class 8 is rated for over 33k..your laws are same as KS. Your friends in Denis ks. Said I have to get a class B cdl even if it was tagged as an RV.
Can you clear this up? Thanks
@@emtae65 CDL (Commercial Drivers License) is only required for commercial (for profit) used vehicles. Vehicles registered and used for personal use, federal law states a CDL is not needed. States may and have mandate their own licensing requirements. I know both California and Texas require a Non-Commercial class A or B license to drive rigs that aren't being used commercially, and thus have no federal licensing requirement, but are otherwise in an equivalent weight rating to CDL class A or B vehicles/rigs. Other states may have similar licensing requirements but only the feds mandate CDLs and as in the name it's only required for commercial use.
They let swift drivers drive them.....
Thanks for the video. Color match everything and it would be perfect:)
Great video, guys!
Thank you very much!
Class 8 truck makes sense for towing. At 80-90k for a F350 or 3500 Chevy is a lot of money for something that is marginal for towing heavy weights and stopping. These trucks will do it for years with just simple maintenance.
Hello. Great video. Just wanted to update you on some information concerning the weight in trailers. You're average Commercial Tractor weighs between 22,000 to 26 ,000 pounds. Ofcourse that will vary depending on size, brand, make and year model. With a Van (box) trailer or Reefer trailer it could weigh between 8,000 to 10,000 pounds. The max load for your lightest Dry Van trailer can be up to 45, 500 pounds. Giving you a total weight of 80,000 pounds. The 80,000 includes the Tractor, Trailer and Load in trailer.
Now on a flatbed, Drop deck or Low boy trailer you van carry more than 45, 500 of weight but that then becomes an OVER SIZE LOAD and requires you to have a permit. These numbers can vary slightly by just a couple 100 pounds. But just wanted to give you guys that little info. I heard you mention 80,000 pounds in the trailer and I cringed. Hahaha. I shook in my skin. Lol. Honestly I don't think my reefer trailer is strong enough to hold 80,000 pounds alone....it would probably buckle......especially on some of these rough roads in the U.S.. Hahah. On a flat bed it could be very plausible because it has a way better design and strong structure. Anyways loved your video. Great job. Thanks for that video. I honestly did learn a lot. I'm a Commercial Driver and a full time RV'r. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Be safe and God Bless.
Thanks Elvin. Really appreciate you kind words and great info!
When I had a t600 with a 70 inch sleeper it weighed 16,800 according to the CAT scale company I don't know where you're getting these numbers from I think you're all dreaming anyway
Great information. Great video!
Thanks for checking up on us Dean! Really appreciate your feedback!
MOST OTR trucks have a 80,000 lb max weight, 34,000 lbs to a tandem, 12,000 on the steers. Most class 8 tractors are rated for 40,000 on the drives, but again are limited to 34,000 most of the time. The 53' trailers I pull are usually rated for 60-68,000 lbs but again restricted to 34,000 on the trailer tandems. Considering that an empty 53' trailer is between 9,000-15,000 lbs (depending on the type) pulling a 24,000 lb 5th wheel RV is like pulling a very lightly loaded commercial trailer. Hope this helps.
From SURPRISE, AZ - I’m an owner operator in my current life and haul an RV with my current daily driver. I’m definitely going to haul a fifth wheel with my Peterbilt once I retire. Just not sure about a smart car behind the cab or inside of a toy hauler, still thinking about that one.
It's a great way to go - good luck on your decision! We have a good friend staying with us right now that has a 2001 long nose Pete with a Smart on the back and it's amazing!
Very very good video! Thank you so much!!
I am considering converting my 20 foot straight truck - International into hauling my 32 foot rv trailer. I love the power .
Nice video!!! Some states require a non-CDL Lic. if your total wieght is over 26,001 lbs. Some states also require an air brake endorsement.
Thanks Bob....every state is different. I hope folks understand they need to research their own licensing state laws to get correct information 🤔
Thank you for the video wonderful truck that you have. And a wonderful idea. Not only was it a good presentation but it provided hope as well. Ever since I was young I wanted to drive a truck. But I really don't cotton to the idea I'm loading and unloading and being forced to drive When the weather says it's safer to stay put. I thank you once again. Sincerely, Scott
without special permits the GVWR is 80K lbs for an 18 wheeler. Semi trucks can get permits to carry more but you pay for the weight sticker I have driven commercially in Ca. and the Cordelia truck scale AKA the iron Curtin to truckers has told me that having not for hire and private coach exempts you from stopping at the scales when you are pulling an RV. If you are bobtailing you need to pull in
1: it's 80,000 lbs gross weight. Not pull an 80,000 lb trailer.
2: rv fifth wheel hitches don't come standard with air bags or springs.
3: what modifications were required to hook your trailer lights and brakes to the truck?
Can I ask why you guys have not gone mid single? I worried about modifying the frame honestly and valued your restraint. Is more maintenance worth the added safety of manufacturer build/brakes, etc?
We stayed tandem because when the truck is singled the drive shaft needs to be replaced and the truck's computer needs to be re-programmed to accept the single....both are rather expensive. Also, in our opinion, if we stay tandem we could remove the bed, have a commercial hitch plate installed and sell as a OTR truck if necessary. Most is just personal preference.
"Headwind in Wyoming ".
It does get windy here in parts of Wyoming. Very windy!
😂 I think both Wyoming and eastern Montana use a piece of chain link for a windsock! It sure is beautiful country though....thanks for watching!
Haha. The wind here can be annoying!
Get off of 80 and go 30. much better lookin!