As I’ve mentioned in other posts, Al and I are looking at our retirement options even though we’re still about four years away from retiring.  We are seriously looking at selling the house and hitting the road fulltime.

One of the options we’ve been exploring is buying a 5^th wheel trailer and a truck to haul it.  Most people who pull a 5^th wheel use a 1-ton truck; however, there is a small group that are using converted transport trucks.  They have taken new or used transport trucks (Class 8, heavy-duty truck, HDT) with sleepers and converted the truck so it can be registered as a motorhome.  Only minor modifications are necessary and vary by province/state.  The advantages of it being registered as a motorhome are for licensing, insurance and driver’s licensing.

It seems the most common reason people want to use the HDT for pulling is for safety.  Among the people I’ve talked to, including Al, the feeling is that in the case of an emergency stop, a regular 1-ton does not have the braking capacity to stop both itself and the trailer since the trailer will outweigh the truck.  The transport does have the necessary braking capacity.  In the case of an emergency swerve, the 1-ton truck would not have weight to control the trailer.

The second most common reason is for the horsepower for pulling up hills.

Before I go any further, I should point out that Al has been trying to convince me for months that the HDT is the only way to go if we decide to buy a 5^th wheel.  Logically, I understand his arguments, but I’ve believed the HDT is just way too big for me to consider driving.

In our research mode, we went to the East Coast HDT Rally at Deer Run RV Resort in Crossville, Tennessee.  There were approximately 80 rigs there.  Some old, some new.  A large number were carrying Smart Cars on the platform behind the sleeper on the truck.  The “Smarts” fit sideways nicely on the beds.

The rally is very well organized, and a full agenda is published so attendees can pick what sessions they want to attend.  Due to cold and snowy weather, a few of the sessions had to be rescheduled for later in the week.  However, we did learn a lot in the day and a bit we were there.

Some of the highlights of what was discussed at the sessions that we went to included:

• A good used HDT can be purchased for as little as $20,000 US; a new HDT will cost somewhere around $165,000 US. The life of an HDT will be more than a million miles; a 1-ton won’t even come close to that mileage. You need to consider the cost of one HDT versus 2 or 3 or more 1-ton trucks.
• The visibility from an HDT is much better than a 1-ton.
• The HDT will have better seats, ride (air ride) and less noise but the pick-up truck will be better for passengers and overall length.
• Besides the cost of the truck and 5^th wheel, some other start-up costs need to be considered. Some examples are:
  • Hitch, jackalope, brake controllers, camera system;
  • Tools and spare parts;
  • Bed, drom box (dromedary), ramps, winch; and
  • Daily driver, motorcycle or quad.
• Beds can be built for a little as a $1,000 US or purchased for as much as $30,000 US.
• If you’re going to fulltime in the rig, the big-ticket items to budget for include:
  • Fuel,
  • Camping fees including memberships,
  • Household expenses (food, entertainment, etc.),
  • Insurance,
  • Maintenance, and
  • Utilities (including internet and cell phones).

As well as some very educational sessions at the rally, there was lots of time for talking to the other travellers.  One of the travellers that we met was Steve from Toronto.  Steve was kind enough to offer to take Al and me for a ride in his rig.  He “bob-tailed” (truck, no trailer) us through the park, down the road and out onto the highway.  Once we were back in the park, Steve offered to let me drive.  I refused at first but then decided to go for it.  I will admit that it was easier than I thought it would be.  Part of the reason is that the truck was a 3-pedal automatic; I had to use the clutch to stop and start, but I didn’t have to shift gears.  And, the visibility is much better than our pick-up or my SUV.

Another couple that we met were Karen & Dave Watts who have been full-timing since December.  They have started a vlog to chronical their travels.

If you have an HDT or are considering an HDT, I’d suggest you visit the rally to educate yourself and have a little fun doing it.  If you’re interested in RVs in general, watch for my upcoming blog on our tour of RV factories in the Elkhart, Indiana area.

Happy travels!

Vanessa