Freightliners and that type of tow vehicle - RV-Dreams Community Forum

KD · RV-Dreams Family Member

Freightliners and that type of tow vehicle

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm sorry that I can't speak from real knowledge as to what is to come, however, in the last several years, diesel pickups went to Ultra Low Sulphur diesel in order to improve emissions. Now, the 2011 Fords (and possibly others as well) will be going to a system of Urea injection to do the same.

I don't know if they would "require" that earlier models be adapted, but we are dealing with the government and EPA in particular here.

Other than the fuel, check out the MDT's for visibility. While Jo and I looked at some mini-Freightliners called the "Sportchassis", we found that we actually have better all around visibility through the windows in the Ford F450. With it, I don't even have to adjust the inside rear view mirror to hook up the fifth wheel. It is easily visible in that mirror.

I've driven 18-wheelers and most don't give good enough visibility to suit me.

Hope this is some help.

Terry

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have monitored this for some time and my information said all the new emission requirements are based on the “official year” an engine was manufactured regardless of the “model year” of the vehicle. (An engine could be built in 2006 but put in a 2007 year built truck. Chevy had a lot of those right before a major emissions rule went into effect 1/1/2007.)

So, just like a 1998 automobile, you don’t have to bring it up to 2011 standards. I.e. the regulations are not retroactive, so not to worry about retrofitting, etc.

If you’re interested in a HDT, such as a Freightliner which is probably a MDT, I would recommend Jack Meyer’s excellent site http://jackdanmayer.com. He is a member of the RV-Dreams group, but I don’t recall seeing him post here recently. Jack’s information is primarily concerned with the purchase of an HDT and then converting it to private RV use. Regardless, it is very good information.

Naturally there are companies that produce “RV Haulers” that are “road ready.” The Freightliner chassis is one basis for these conversions, probably as you are considering.

There was a lot of good information about HDT’s and the like on the Escapees forum and I would look there as well.

Lots to consider, so please do your research carefully and don’t believe all you read “on the internet.” J (“We” could be wrong.)

Safe travels

Bill

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Also go to the Escapees web site forum. They have a whole section on MDT'S and HDT'S. Just be forewarned they are sometimes not as polite as we are hear.

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

California is putting in some regs on particulates that will apply to even the older rigs but other then that one state I haven't seen anything on it.

Mallo

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mallo wrote:

California is putting in some regs on particulates that will apply to even the older rigs but other then that one state I haven't seen anything on it.

Mallo

Mallo:

Were not those “retroactive” regulations in California only for vehicles (specifically diesel trucks) registered in California? That was my understanding. Not for those “transiting?

Naturally, it would be pretty hard to check every diesel pickup coming through the state. But for commercial vehicles, that would be another case.

Just curious what more you might know.

Thank you

Bill

KD · RV-Dreams Family Member

We're curious about CA too, cause --- that's where we are!!

Thank you all for everything so far. Looking forward to Mallo's info.

Karen

KD · RV-Dreams Family Member

here's what I've found so far --- helped to google CA regulations on particulates (that was the key!).

http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/clean_vehicles/carb_pm_regs.pdf

http://trailer-bodybuilders.com/mag/new_california_trailer_regs_0509/

-- Edited by KD on Thursday 25th of March 2010 04:45:54 PM

-- Edited by KD on Thursday 25th of March 2010 04:47:06 PM

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

KD:

Good job and good info! Thank you.

From a practical standpoint it looks like if you purchase a 2011 engine (actually a 2010 but I wouldn’t go there for sure) you should be fine if you’re really concerned – and I appreciate the fact you might be as I see no exemption in the links for private use.

It appears they put the GVWR weight limit for these regulations to begin at 14,000 lbs. So that would exempt many diesel pickups, but not all me thinks. It would most likely not exempt the Freightliner / RV Hauler, etc.

At the same time “depending” they give you till 2023 to comply based on this sentence: “The regulation requires affected trucks and buses to meet performance requirements between 2011 and 2023. By January 1, 2023 all vehicles must have a 2010 model year engine or equivalent.” So I guess it kind of depends on what year engine you purchase as to when it is no longer “legal.”

Sure looks like urea injection is in all our diesel futures. But I think we all knew that.

Safe travels

Bill

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill and Linda wrote:

Mallo wrote:

California is putting in some regs on particulates that will apply to even the older rigs but other then that one state I haven't seen anything on it.

Mallo

Mallo:
Were not those “retroactive” regulations in California only for vehicles (specifically diesel trucks) registered in California?That was my understanding.Not for those “transiting?
Naturally, it would be pretty hard to check every diesel pickup coming through the state.But for commercial vehicles, that would be another case.
Just curious what more you might know.
Thank you
Bill

I'm sorry I was unclear yes it is for rigs registered in California not for people transiting.

Mallo

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill and Linda wrote:

Sure looks like urea injection is in all our diesel futures.But I think we all knew that.
Safe travels
Bill

Actually this is why we may end up moving to a medium duty truck. International is not going with Urea Injection in their Maxforce engines (they're also offering the Maxforce in a diesel electric configuration new this year). I want to see how those go if they go well that is likely my upgrade path.

Mallo