Low Profile HDT
Low Profile HDT |
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| tmacracin 20 August 2009 02:51 PM |
I was originally thinking MDT but now you guys got me thinking HDT. What are my options on a low profile HDT? Try to find a car hauler? My trailer right now isn't very tall and I don't like having a truck that towers over it. |
| Jack Mayer 20 August 2009 03:37 PM |
A Volvo 610/630 is 10' 10". Unless you go to a 420/430 you won't find lower. David has a NICE 420 for sale, that would be as low as you can get in a heavy truck. |
| D K. 20 August 2009 03:58 PM |
An auto transporter will be a low, but by the time you get all the skeleton framework removed and set it up for a hauler, you would be just as well off to swap out the tires on a flat top or mid roof truck like Jack mentioned. There are 22.5 super low profile tires that are only slightly larger than a 19.5 MDT tire. The 22.5's have a higher weight capacity over the 19.5's. You will be limited in what your steer axle can support with them, but by the time you set a hitch behind the axle on your truck, you will likely counter balance the steer axle some anyways. I'm working on specific brands of tires to work with my WIA's 11,800 front steer axle scaled weight. When I get to the point of selecting one model/brand over another, I will post up my deciding info for them. You can do a cab drop, but it's not cheap or easy. A Pete, KW or Freightliner would be my choice due to their cab designs. I've seen Pete's that at truck shows with a overall height of about 9ft tall. They looked like a pit bull version of a Mexican low rider pickup, but they were definitely able to clear most overpasses I can think of. Check for Wagoner's auto transporters if you want to see a low roof HDT. They cut their cabs down in house, they are not bought or ordered from the dealer that way. They have a main terminal in the Mid-West that handles all their new equipment prep. I spoke with their fleet manager a while back about purchasing a used tractor from |
| Jeff- C IL 20 August 2009 04:31 PM |
I must admit I thought the same about my high top (13') WIA when I bought it--TOO HIGH! Now, I wouldn't trade! We love the "open" feel the high top sleeper has inside and the extra space for stuff. And as far as dropping the whole truck or the cab - I think the sitting up high is the BEST thing about an HDT. It lets you see more around you - both traffic and scenery.
Everyone has their own "feel" about stuff, so I would STRONGLY recommend you find one of these fine folks to let you drive an HDT around before you make any decisions! Then compare it to driving around in a LDT or even MDT! |
| J.W. Morgan 20 August 2009 07:17 PM |
 DaveNo KW, they are so insistent about running the exhaust under the cab. That is also why you never see one hauling cars. IIRC there are some crew cab Sterlings with MBE400 that would fit the bill for the intended use. |
| Scrap 20 August 2009 07:51 PM |
Hey now, a flattop modular sleeper KW is 9ft tall. A flattop Aerocab is a couple inches shy of 10ft. The others must be lower. The whole carhauler chop up drops them what, 8 inches? I can't see it being worth it if its just pulling a trailer with nothing over the cab. |
| J.W. Morgan 20 August 2009 08:05 PM |
Scrap! I been missing you around here! I got an unrelated question for you, what are the specs on those Carlisle Transportation KW's used on the north slope? Also tell my why I may want a W900L vs. a 379EX. (You could start a new thread so I don't misdirect this one any further) Thanks man |
| marvmarcy 20 August 2009 10:53 PM |
My VNL42T420 is 9'6" tall with standard tires (11R22.5). I took the top fairing off because it was a sail in the wind, but I left the side fairings on. It looks like an MDT on steroids. The front axle is rated 12,350 and rear axle is rated 23K#, so it can carry a big load. Weights are 10,285 front 6,025 rear bobtail and 9,720 front and 10,450 rear towing my 20K fiver with ET hitch mounted 3' behind the rear axle. I've been in 610s and 770s and am still quite happy with the room in my 420, and it feels much smaller than the others. Marv |
| tmacracin 21 August 2009 12:26 AM |
Have a picture of your truck? |
| blizzardND 21 August 2009 08:50 AM |
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| blizzardND 21 August 2009 08:52 AM |
Do you suppose any of these would have a prayer of fitting in my 9' garage door? Might be time to start saving for my next project! blizz |
| alan0043 21 August 2009 09:51 AM |
Hi Folks, Would a Freightliner work? Maybe a FL80 of a FL112? If they would work I would have other questions for a new topic. Thanks for any help, alan0043 |
| J.W. Morgan 21 August 2009 09:52 AM |
Blizz, If you get one of the Petes (that look like 359's to me) and it don't fit you can park it at my house! I wont drive it, much! |
| waylandlong 21 August 2009 12:07 PM |
Pipe I bought the 385 that was advertised here on Escapees two weeks ago and I was shocked that nobody jumped on that truck here. 45k miles on a pre-owned truck was like hitting the lottery. I still can not figure out how I got that truck snuck out of here. I get so confused sometimes on this stuff. I felt like I should have wore a mask. |
| D K. 21 August 2009 12:26 PM |
Stay away from the business class Freightliners if you want the truck to be a cost effective hauler. Do a search for username "ghillie " and review his day cab Freightliner. He made a very careful choice with his truck and it has served him well in a daily driver application. I have considered a similar setup a few times, but unless I start hauling daily, a 1/2 worn out pickup for in town use and my WIA is a lot less financial commitment to step up to. If you are looking for a weekend tow vehicle, I would go with whatever fits the drivetrain requirements you are looking for, not the name brand stenciled on the hood. Just make sure you concentrate on a component truck so you are not going frantic to find parts for brand "x" proprietary parts when all you have in your area is brand "Y" and "Z." If you are looking for a truck to operate within a certain from your homebase, take a look around at your local community's commercial trucks. Is there an abundance of one brand standing out from the others? There is likely a reason for it. Having a nice low roof truck might be a good thing though if you have to have it towed on a flat bed to the next city away for repairs, no overheight issues to worry about. (Not kidding with this, flat bed transporters are much cheaper than traditional hook stinger tow trucks if this becomes an issue). |
| alan0043 21 August 2009 02:52 PM |
Dave K, I think I found Ghillie's truck. Is it a 2004 Freightliner Columbia day cab? Is there any pictures of his truck? When you talked about business class Freightliners do you mean a truck like the M2? alan0043 |
| D K. 21 August 2009 04:26 PM |
John has a website/blog. I am not sure of the address at the moment, it used to be in his signature I think. I'll check my bookmarks on my home PC when I get in tonight.
John's rig is listed in the Resource Guide |
| alan0043 25 August 2009 12:56 PM |
Is there any other trucks that could be a low profile HDT? Inquiring minds need to know. Al |
| Russ Barnes 25 August 2009 01:44 PM |
Al, There's low, and then there's low rider. What height are you looking for? The above posts give several options. I selected a KW T2000 and pulled the spoiler, that makes it about 11' 6" (+/-) and lines up well with my trailer top, then there are the trailer carbunkles (ac, solar panels, satellite, etc.) that go above that. A 9' (+/-) wouldn't look right with my trailer, but I didn't want a 13' 6" height either. Russ |
| alan0043 25 August 2009 04:59 PM |
Russ, I want the truck to look more like a MDT but I want the performance and braking of a HDT. I know here has to be a compromise when it comes to height. I would like to have the height as short as possible. I will be bobtailing the truck as a daily driver when I get on the road. So I don't want the truck to become to over whelming. All ideas are welcomed, Al |
| D K. 25 August 2009 05:13 PM |
You will be best served with a day cab or flat roof integrated sleeper if you are trying to appear like a MDT. Once you get into even a mid roof, you are going to "appear" big to the average person. You will not feel any difference in the cab height of an HDT from a flat top sleeper to a full condo when driving, unless you have low obstructions on side streets you need to negotiate. The seat height is going to be nearly identical in all, along with the windshield and door heights. |
| Hogrydr 25 August 2009 07:31 PM |
"I want the truck to look more like a MDT but I want the performance and braking of a HDT" THIS IS THE VEHICLE YOUR LOOKING FOR. Meets all your requirements Changed link to Toterman VN42T |
| alan0043 25 August 2009 08:52 PM |
Jim, That is a good looking truck. I like the picture. It show a nice comparison with the camper. Not to tall but just right. Is the truck a Volvo VNL 42 or a VNL 610? I do not know the rest of the model number. Thank you for posting the picture. This has been a real big help. Thank you, Al |
| Scrap 25 August 2009 09:30 PM |
Expensive, but one of the newer Schwalbe's. |
| Hogrydr 26 August 2009 06:21 AM |
Al its a 42 and its for sale here in the for sale thread. Or you can contact "Toterman" on this thread. Shoot him a PM and he'll be happy to answer your questions. Very knowledgeable and a good guy!! Jim |
| marvmarcy 26 August 2009 10:32 PM |
Yep, It looks like the Volvo 420 Blizzard shows - just silver/blue color and weed burner rather than stack. Note: 42 vs. 64 is one vs. two rear axles. The three digit number 420, 610 etc. is the model. I'd post a picture, but haven't had any luck doing that. Marv |
