In the market for smaller toter

GHage · 08-16-2013, 02:34 PM

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Asking if any of the forum members are aware of anyone whom might be selling their late model medium duty toter at a reasonable price now or in the near future? I am in the market!

As you can see with our current toter, she is a behemoth! LOL As if the stripes on the parking spaces aren't a clue. 35' bumper to bumper. Add the 36FB and good luck getting the rig in and out of most RV resorts, and you can just forget the State and National Parks! Only reason we would be using her to tow the Fiver now is because with the trucking business still operational, see no need for two trucks at the moment. But....

Anyway, we are looking for no less than 350 HP diesel and a weight class of no less than a 650/4500/ FL60, etc. I want some truck under the pin! Also prefer the sport chassis or ranch hauler type body over the step or standard pickup body for clearance, etc. Not a tall order on my part. LOL Considering needing enough room to park a Smart between the cab and front of Fiver so longer ( but shorter than Miss Behemoth's) wheelbase acceptable.

Any help in locating such a vehicle would be appreciated. Have been watching the truck papers but it seems the good (well cared for and only been used to tow the Fiver around) units sell by word of mouth amongst the RV folks. A local horse trailer dealership says she has the used sport chassis sold before they ever hit her lot. Guess I'm just not quick enough on the draw!

Edited by: GHage

spindrift · 08-16-2013, 02:56 PM

I want your truck. How cool would it be to get groceries in that thing!

On a serious note, I know someone very familiar with sport chassis. I'll talk to him and get back to you with any helpful info.Edited by: spindrift

GHage · 08-16-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spindrift

I want your truck. How cool would it be to get groceries in that thing!

On a serious note, I know someone very familiar with sport chassis. I'll talk to him and get back to you with any helpful info.

Drive up to the grocery stores and Super Walmarts all the time in her when its time to restock the pantry and fridge. We actually can carry a full month's supply of food in the fridge/freezer and pantry area in this sleeper for the two of us. We certainly get a lot of stares and pictures taken of her!

When we bobtail in and set up at the casino RV resorts (without the Fiver) there seems to always be a steady parade of fellow RVers walking and driving past our site just to get a look and probably wondering " What's that big rig truck doing here in the park!" LOL

formulabill · 08-16-2013, 03:24 PM

Go to horse trailer world .com and click onto trucks and find dozens of used freightliners or other vehicles.

Also trailers of the east coast , click inventory and look at the trucks.

GHage · 08-16-2013, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formulabill

Go to horse trailer world .com and click onto trucks and find dozens of used freightliners or other vehicles.

Also trailers of the east coast , click inventory and look at the trucks.

Now I find some trucks to look at! Especially on the horsetrailerworld.com site There are several possibilities there in the price range I'm looking for. Been looking in the Truckpaper.com and Trucktrader.com sites with little to no results. Thanks!

Edited by: GHage

spindrift · 08-16-2013, 06:04 PM

PM sent...

rcflame · 08-16-2013, 11:14 PM

Used to pull with a FL60 but moved down to a 1T because of traveling changes and other things, but really likesd the FL. It had a 168 wheelbase so its footprint was = to a full sized crew cab dually, but had a tighter turning radius. Parked in Walmart like a regular pu. You could check with Sportchassis, don't know if they handle used. Mountain Master handles Ford 550 & 650, Dodge 5500, and FL. They handle used. You can also do a online search and find some listed on rv sites as well as private listings. Trailer Life and Highways magazines also usually has some listed in their classifides. Happy Hunting.

GHage · 08-17-2013, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcflame

Used to pull with a FL60 but moved down to a 1T because of traveling changes and other things, but really likesd the FL. It had a 168 wheelbase so its footprint was = to a full sized crew cab dually, but had a tighter turning radius. Parked in Walmart like a regular pu. You could check with Sportchassis, don't know if they handle used. Mountain Master handles Ford 550 & 650, Dodge 5500, and FL. They handle used. You can also do a online search and find some listed on rv sites as well as private listings. Trailer Life and Highways magazines also usually has some listed in their classifides. Happy Hunting.

Yea, in our current toter, the turning radius is the size of a football field to turn this thing around 180 degrees!!!

a64armt · 08-17-2013, 08:33 AM

I can't help on locating a MD toter, but I do have a couple questions. Much like one of the gawkers you encounter at campgrounds, I too am enamored with big trucks.

I have always wondered what the fuel mileage is for one of those things, especially when pulling something that is light when compared to the capacity or tow ratings.

What is the fuel mileage on that with no trailer?

What is the fuel mileage on that towing your 5er?

Thanks,
OJ

rcflame · 08-17-2013, 08:48 AM

There are so many variables that affect fuel mileage that it is difficult to come up with an exact figure. With a MD toter depending on brand, you have a variety of engines, transmissions & rear end ratios that are all going to affect mileage. Also, are you on the flats, or pulling in the mountains. Also, what are you pulling. Is your trailer 16,000 lbs, or 20.000 lbs. Are you single or double towing. All that said, I had a cummins with an Allison automatic. I figure I ran 12-13 mpg. solo, and 9-10 towing. Kept the exact figures on a spread sheet, but deleted it after sold toter.

**Dave&Ginny** · 08-17-2013, 11:03 AM

The bigger the truck the easier it is to handle the larger 5th wheels and the MD would pull a Redwood like it wasn't even there. Today the "big 3" all offer more power in their trucks than ever before. So power wize the MD trucks aren't as much needed until you get into much heavier trailers (20,000lbs +) However the MD trucks are million mile trucks, easier to work on, can handle more weight and with the air seats more comfortable to drive but there is a cost factor.

atom ant · 08-17-2013, 11:12 AM

I just can't help thinking those oversized trucks are just pounding the heck out of the pin box and front frame on these trailers. I've seen an empty tractor practically leave the ground crossing railroad tracks. They may be able to carry several tons of pin weight, but the recoil from those springs must be tremendous when they are carrying a light load.

spindrift · 08-17-2013, 11:28 AM

You'd be surprised how the air suspension negates any harsh ride.

GHage · 08-17-2013, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a64armt

I can't help on locating a MD toter, but I do have a couple questions. Much like one of the gawkers you encounter at campgrounds, I too am enamored with big trucks.

I have always wondered what the fuel mileage is for one of those things, especially when pulling something that is light when compared to the capacity or tow ratings.

What is the fuel mileage on that with no trailer?

What is the fuel mileage on that towing your 5er?

Thanks,
OJ

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Pulling our 48' work trailer our empty weight ( no payload/full of fuel and water/ all supplies/both on-board) is 40,000K. We run the Cummins ISX (set at 475HP) through an Eaton Fuller 18 speed auto-shift tranny and down to twin screws with a 3.55 gear ratio. With that said running at 70mph on cruise control we average between 6.72-7.50mpg depending on terrian.

Since our loads are lighter than most commodities, averaging 15-18K ( and would be similar to pulling the Redwood) our fuel mileage sees little to no change from running empty or loaded with this rig. We have yet to pull the Redwood with it since we just took delivery a few weeks ago and had LazyDays deliver it to our site. Time will tell but have no plans of pulling it in the near future as of yet.

Edited by: GHage

**Dave&Ginny** · 08-17-2013, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atom ant

I just can't help thinking those oversized trucks are just pounding the heck out of the pin box and front frame on these trailers. I've seen an empty tractor practically leave the ground crossing railroad tracks. They may be able to carry several tons of pin weight, but the recoil from those springs must be tremendous when they are carrying a light load.

They don't use the same air pressure in the MD trucks so the ride much better

GHage · 08-17-2013, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny

Quote:

Originally Posted by atom ant

I just can't help thinking those oversized trucks are just pounding the heck out of the pin box and front frame on these trailers. I've seen an empty tractor practically leave the ground crossing railroad tracks. They may be able to carry several tons of pin weight, but the recoil from those springs must be tremendous when they are carrying a light load.

They don't use the same air pressure in the MD trucks so the ride much better

Plus many of the HDT (Heavy Duty Toter) crowd are using an air head along with the air pin to haul their Fiver with to help soften the chucking etc associated with the suspension while traveling down the highways to lessen frame and pin box stressing that can cause welds to fracture and break. If we do pull the Redwood with our Kenworth, it will only be after I have a removable air head installed behind the commercial fifthwheel hitch. I believe softening the vibration and chucking is the key to extending the life of the Fiver as long as one can. At least that's the plan.

That is also the reason that although I may not need as heavy of a toter to haul the Redwood with if we retire the Kenworth, I want air ride suspension on the replacement toter, not just springs and shocks.

Edited by: GHage

rcflame · 08-17-2013, 08:00 PM

My FL60 had the Trailer Saver air ride hitch, and air ride suspension. When you were on a rough road, crossing tracks, or anything like that you could look in the mirror and just see the front of the trailer float up and down. It was easier on the trailer than many pu's.

atom ant · 08-17-2013, 09:23 PM

I was thinking more of the HDT trucks that haul these 5th wheels. The MDT isn't that much more of a weight hauler than pickups these days.

a64armt · 08-17-2013, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcflame

My FL60 had the Trailer Saver air ride hitch, and air ride suspension. When you were on a rough road, crossing tracks, or anything like that you could look in the mirror and just see the front of the trailer float up and down. It was easier on the trailer than many pu's.

That's one of the reasons I picked up a Hensley BD3. I am hoping it will take some of the sting out of these Pennsylvania roads for both the truck and trailer.

OJEdited by: a64armt

UNDRPSI · 08-17-2013, 10:57 PM

There is a nice 2006 F-650 all Black with about 75000 miles on it in Boerne, TX at Brothers Auto Sales. I want to stop and look but I don’t trust myself. It looks very nice from the road!
Hensley Trailer saver hitches are the way to go. Between that and the MoR/ryde IS our coach floated home behind us. I never thought that a suspension could make that much difference. But I can honestly say IT DOES!!! Best option we had installed on our coach. I too am a firm believer that the smoother I can make our coach ride the less troubles down the road that we will have. Nothing is perfect but this is close and we love the way our coach follows us down the road now.

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