Hauler bed for Volvo HDT

[Themisfitking]

I have my bed and hitch for my Volvo. Got the bed fabricated at Herrin's Wleding in Kilgore Texas. Larry Herrin is a first rate guy who builds a first rate bed.

More pics on my Picture Trail site.

 

[KAYE RIVERCITY]

.....HOT DAMN!.....perfect!.....class style and uitility!....geofkaye

 

[Gary Atsma]

Originally posted by KAYE RIVERCITY:
.....HOT DAMN!.....perfect!.....class style and uitility!....geofkaye

What Geof said- IN SPADES!!!!!
Truly a CLASS RIG!
May you enjoy it to its fullest!
Gary

 

[Bear-FRF]

That is way to pretty. What are the specs on that deck (length and width)? I am starting my deck next week, hope you don't mind but I am going to steal your desin, it may be a little longer though.
Cheers
Bear

 

[Elburn Bill]

How does FET play into a bed like this? How long did it take to get built and painted? What are some of the measurements for your truck (WB, overall length, hieght, height of bed, turn radius, etc)??? I love your truck! I am now going to try to get the wife to agree to do a 780 like this. My other option is to do a F650 crew with a bed by Herrin. I would need to find out about FET on that configuration also. One major difference is the 780 would be registered as a MH whereas the F650 would still be a truck and restricted to 26,000# (or more if I go get my CDL). We are looking at having a custom built toy hauler 5er built. I don't know all the specs yet so it makes it hard to decide which TV. I know the 780 would not even know it's there but it may be an easier sell to the wife for the F650.

 

[Gary Atsma]

Tell her the truth- The Volvo will ride waaaayyyyy better, due to air ride rear suspension AND air ride bucket seats. Plus the Volvo will be a far classier, and roomier, rig than a lowly F-650.
If you are gonna spring for a full-boat custom toy hauler, at least put a GOOD truck ahead of it. The F-650 will leave you wanting more, I can promise you
The ball is in your court.....
Gary

 

[Themisfitking]

My bed is 10' long X 8' wide. The sides are 36" high with a deck height of 49". The WB is 197" The turning circle is much less then my F350 4X4. I haven't measured the overall length but it's about 2.5' longer then my F350 4X4 CC 8'bed, height is 10'8". FET, I paid cash for the truck and bed and bought the truck in another state. I agree with Gary, there is no comparison between a Volvo and a F650. I wouldn't get a 780 because of the height, but I heard Volvo is coming out with a 730 the length of a 780 sleeper with the height of a 630. Even that will add 16" of WB to the truck and I was focused on min. WB with the features I wanted. Build time at Herrin's was 5 weeks.

 

[Elburn Bill]

Thanks for the quick reply. The reason I need to go with the 780 is that I have 4 kids that we'll keep seated in the dinette area while driving. I would prefer the lower height of the 630 so if Volvo does come out with a 730, I would be all over it. Unless I can figure out how to fit a jack-knife sofa across the back of a 630 that can seat 4 across in seatbelts.

As for the F650, I would be sending it over to Alton Truck Manufacturing to get another set of doors added. This way we could seat 8-9. Then send it to get a bed from Herrin.

Overall the costs would be within $10K or so unless FET comes into play with the 780 or the bed for it. Then the difference grows quickly.

I also need to check into registering the 780 in IN as a motorhome.

 

[Bear-FRF]

Originally posted by Themisfitking:
My bed is 10' long X 8' wide. The sides are 36" high with a deck height of 49". The WB is 197" The turning circle is much less then my F350 4X4. I haven't measured the overall length but it's about 2.5' longer then my F350 4X4 CC 8'bed, height is 10'8". FET, I paid cash for the truck and bed and bought the truck in another state. I agree with Gary, there is no comparison between a Volvo and a F650. I wouldn't get a 780 because of the height, but I heard Volvo is coming out with a 730 the length of a 780 sleeper with the height of a 630. Even that will add 16" of WB to the truck and I was focused on min. WB with the features I wanted. Build time at Herrin's was 5 weeks.

Thanks so much for your input. Pictures and dimensions have been sent to my fabricater and he is now putting together some numbers for me. This is going to be expensive but well worth it. I hope my truck comes out looking half as good as yours.
Cheers
Bear

 

[Themisfitking]

Originally posted by Elburn Bill:
Thanks for the quick reply. The reason I need to go with the 780 is that I have 4 kids that we'll keep seated in the dinette area while driving. I would prefer the lower height of the 630 so if Volvo does come out with a 730, I would be all over it. Unless I can figure out how to fit a jack-knife sofa across the back of a 630 that can seat 4 across in seatbelts.

I also need to check into registering the 780 in IN as a motorhome.

I have 3 kids as well. You can get a dinette installed in a 630 by Fontaine warranteed thru Volvo. "Nuftruck" over on the escapees forum did that. I looked at the dinette and was not happy with the seating comfort for long trips so I am going with a 76" Flexsteel jack knife sofa with 4 seat belts from Bradd and Hall in Elkhart (your neck of the woods). I am going to install nest month and will be posting photo's on that as well. Also "Pete and Carla" over on Escapees just bought home a 770 to IN and has the lowdown on registering as a MH. If you order new, i have a lot of helpful info and a salesman that understands our use, I would be happpy to share. Good hunting.

 

[KAYE RIVERCITY]

Bill Elburn...don't you own a company that does these truck conversions?...geofkaye

 

[Elburn Bill]

Where in teh world did you come up with that? I was offered at one point a consultant job from Kingsley Coach but I did not take it due to prior commitments. I currently own a 2005 Kingsley Coach that is built on a brand new 2004 780. It is for sale since we have decided that a custom built 5er/toy hauler and a HDT would work better for us. Can't do anything until it is sold though.

 

[Camping Dutchman]

The sport chassis conversion wit hthe M2 is nice, you can fit 4 kids in the back seat, you have to add the belt, but there is rooom

 

[KAYE RIVERCITY]

....I remember some discussion of you and Kingsly some time ago.....I guess I remembered just parts of if.......so sorry...geofkaye

 

[Themisfitking]

Here is my combo hooked up.

 

[Camping Dutchman]

SHARP

 

[Gary Atsma]

Now THAT is the way to pull a 5'er!
NICE!
Gary

 

[KAYE RIVERCITY]

.....very very NICE!....geofkaye

 

[docM]

My plans have changed, outside forces, on getting a toter or a moterhome. I think it's going to be a fiver now. can you advise on the fuel mileage ...doc...

 

[Team Roper]

Themisfitking

First off beautiful conversion. Your Volvo is stunning and a fabulous example of HDT RV hauler should be.

I have been pondering one of these conversions for some time as I haul horses and these larger living quarters horse trailers are now getting too large to be safely towed by an F350.

I have looked at most all the HDT platforms and have decided on the Volvo being the best suited for my type application. I am hoping you or the other forum members can assist with a few questions.

1) With 465/1650 and 3.42s what is your typical cruise speed. Aka where does she like to run? 65, 70, 75.
2) Obviously speed plays heavily in mileage. What fuel mileage do you get at 65, 70, 75 assuming flat ground.
3) How much weight are you pulling? 20K, 25K?
4) Would changing the axle ratio to 3.00 help with mileage.
5) Have any of you begun using Hydrogen Injection such as HyDrive?
6) Are any of you running Michelin X One super singles?
7) If so did they help with mileage.
8) Have any of you had the chance to drive a tractor with the new Detroit DD15 yet?
9) Have you had any issues with the Volvo Engines?
10) What if any issues have you had with the Cummins Engines?
11) What would you recommend engine trans wise?
12) Anyone driven the new Volvo iShift yet? Thoughts?
13) Has anyone made and used their own biodiesel and had any issue with checkpoints?
14) Can anyone confirm the 25% improvement for Biodiesel / Hydrogen powered HDT's I keep hearing about in Hydrogen forums?

And now for some of the important questions.

1) Have you had any legal battles with Insurance, Registration or Operating this vehicle?
2) If so what states and why?

I will search some of the forums for these answers but would appreciate any thoughts from you folks.

Obviously those of you who have already done this have a world of knowledge from the experience. I would like to try to keep my mistakes to a minimum.

Thank you!

Dwayne