New tow vehicle car carrier on the way

[Torben]

I was thinking late March or early April like you had last year

[Double D's]

YAAAAYYYYYY!!! I am SURE hoping there will be one while we are still down there.. it Won't change our travel plans one way or the other, cause we will be down there in that neck of the woods anyway.... We can be THERE in the drop of a hat ( or a couple days' notice to head that direction a day or 2 sooner!) SO looking forward to it... I KNOW how fast you work, buddy and I will bet MONEY that you will have that new ride before then.......

[Olbird]

Bruce how long do you think it will take to build the body and have you truck on the road.
Are they going to custom out the inside with wood, leather, DVD/TV, Bed, Etc.

[campswithcritters]

Bruce how long do you think it will take to build the body and have you truck on the road.
Are they going to custom out the inside with wood, leather, DVD/TV, Bed, Etc.

Well George I am on a budget so the inside will be what it is at least for now, that said all of them have some nice stuff from the factory. I hope to have the truck in January or March by the latest, but once again since I am on a budget my truck will not be priority one for the shop, but like everyone else they want the rest of the money so will try to move it out. 2L is known for nice stuff so I know it will be quality build just not going for all the bells & whistles and beauty as the budget is the proceeds from Miss Ellie. I should have an approximate date on my next off time in December/January and hopefully can decide if a TX rally is possible at that time giving at least 6-12 week notice.

[PaulandTammy]

Bruce,

Very nice. I really like the Smartcar too (Dallas Cowboys colors). It will be interesting to see you hop in the Smartcar after a few thousand miles driving the Columbia. You might be wanting to make some WIDE turns in the Smartcar the first few miles. I can imagine what a huge difference that will be. Again, VERY nice set up you and Sharon are going to have.

[Olbird]

Hey Bruce, Look I found Miss Ellie converted to carry the Smart Car

[campswithcritters]

Thought about going that route George, but Miss Ellie did not have enough power to carry the Smart and trailer at the speeds I like. Would have needed to trade her for a M2-112 with the Mercedes 450 hp. Research showed I can get big motor, more capacity, & even better braking by going HDT. All that & a bed built on it for 66 percent of the cost the 112 alone. Besides I am looking forward to going back to a pre-DPF engine. Still waiting on the truck, have one reserved and paid for but waiting to see 3 others returning from the same fleet. Hoping to get pick of the litter. Only change from original plan is a Detroit Diesel instead of Cummins ISX. Bed builder busy for another couple weeks, so looking at options.

[Mike Clay]

Keep us updated Bruce on the progress

[Traveler II]

Hey Bruce, this is just like waiting for Christmas to come alone with you were a kid. Only difference is you have to pay for it.

How is Sharon doing with the Smart Car?

[campswithcritters]

I will update when I have more on it, luckily I am at work which keeps the anxious feelings at bay. I did not plan to do any trips on my Dec/Jan break anyway as I do not know if it will be finished.
Sharon is getting along fine in the Smart which she named Urkel.

[snoking]

FWIW. I talked to a HDT guy the other day and said that if I got one I wanted a Series 60 Detroit. He said no way they are oil leakers just like the old 2 cycles. Chris

[campswithcritters]

FWIW. I talked to a HDT guy the other day and said that if I got one I wanted a Series 60 Detroit. He said no way they are oil leakers just like the old 2 cycles. Chris

Funny that none of the truckers report dot coms mention oil leaks. Sounds like a ford bs Chevrolet type conflict. Cummins is noted for expensive EGR valve problems and the newer cats have issues too. Any of those 3 are easy to find repair shops for so not really concerned. We shall see.

[campswithcritters]

The raw material is now at the bed builders shop. Here are the first pictures of the truck before bed build: http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h232/ ... 20Cruizer/
It is a 2005 Freightliner with 14 liter Detroit Diesel 60 series and ultrashift transmission.
Can't seem to get this silly grin off my face!

[Travelers]

Hi Bruce.
I take it they'll move the hitch back to the last axle? Will they eliminate the one of the axles? Does your rig pin weight need two axles? Sorry for the dumb questions. Just curious.
We are planning on being in your area the end of February. Will try to hook up with you and Sharon.

[campswithcritters]

Hi Bruce.
I take it they'll move the hitch back to the last axle? Will they eliminate the one of the axles? Does your rig pin weight need two axles? Sorry for the dumb questions. Just curious.
We are planning on being in your area the end of February. Will try to hook up with you and Sharon.

The comercial hitch will be completely removed. The bed will be built for hauling the smart and to mount the hitch from Miss Ellie, hitch will likely be behind the axles and I am leaving both axles on it. There can be problems associated with singling and the main one would be the likely overloading the front axle with Smart on and no trailer, the extra axle helps prevent that. I do not need 2 axles for the pin weight & Smart, it just keeps it balanced better.
I will be at work in February and getting off duty early March but Sharon will be around so come on down.