Limited sites?? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Niles and Deb · RV-Dreams Family Member

Limited sites??

Howard · Host

Niles,

Of course we don't have an HDT, but our impression from the HDT rally is that a lot of those folks stick to the big rig campgrounds and don't take too many chances with state parks.

The biggest issue I see is with the length of the HDTs. Linda and I measured a few of the HDTs at the rally and they ranged from 5 - 7 feet longer than our F450. That would be a problem in a lot of the campgrounds we visit, and we probably like some of the same type places you do. We have been in rural campgrounds where parking the truck has been an issue and have often only been a few inches out of the roadway. I suppose the truck could be parked in visitor parking area, but most people wouldn't want to do that.

I wouldn't think the height and width would be much of a factor. They are not much wider than a dually pick-up and the truck should be able to go anywhere the fifth wheel can go clearance wise.

Just some observations, but I'll let the HDT owners tell the real story.

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our Volvo is a little under 25' long. It has a 182" wheelbase, which is 6" longer than the F550 we had. Same width, and like Howard said, height is not a factor.

On thing not noted is that an HDT turns better than almost all pickups, even though it may be longer. Our Volvo has a 50 degree wheel cut. It will out-turn Howards extended cab F450.

That said, we are still limited to big-rig sites, more because of our trailer size than our truck. Our truck can park anywhere a crew-cab dually can park. In tight spots I can park the back under the trailer, diagonal to the road. We have had to do that sometimes, in really tight parks.

Our truck has about the shortest wheelbase you can do with an HDT.

If you want a more complete discussion of HDTs and MDTs check out our website.

-- Edited by Jack Mayer at 21:38, 2006-10-13

Tim & Robyn · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Jack,

I've got one quick question: How adjustable are driver seats/pedals in these HDTs? My wife is 4'9" tall and side by side we look a lot like the picture of you and Danielle on your web site. We like the idea of the HDT, but we both also have to be able to drive it.

Cheers,

Tim & Robyn Fansler

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

Your wife will have an issue, but it is resolvable. Danielle is "tall" in comparison - 5'2". The seat is OK - it goes forward enough. The issue comes from the air ride in the seat. To have it up enough for good suspension her feet do not reach the pedals comfortably. Mainly, her heel is not able to rest on the floor in front of the fuel pedal. We solved this with a 2x6 about 10" long that we put in front of the pedal - it permits her to rest her heel on something, which makes it comfortable to drive.

Danielle can push in the clutch to the floor OK. She thinks your wife may not be able to - depending on how long her inseam is....Danielle has short legs, though. We have friend s that overcome this with Velcro on the clutch pedal, and a small block that sits on it, effectively extending the pedal. Although this sounds "kludgy", it actually works well, and does not move or slip.

Remember, on an HDT with an autoshift, you only push the clutch to the floor when starting out. Same with a manual, since you are floating shifts (without using the clutch at all).

New trucks have adjustable pedals.

Niles and Deb · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey thanks for the information I'm just not sure I want to keep the big truck to pull a camper and Howard next time your in Indiana come on over I'll give you a chance at a 13 or 18 speed transmission, I promise it won't be any wrost than the auto-shift you drove once you get it gear you just start changing gears and never touch the clucth, piece of cake!!! And if you have problems finding the gears when it stops grinding just shove it,it will eventually go,

Niles & Deb