Ok, LBD, I don't know about the weight's, but I think I can squeeze in the 18 ft. box requirement... Ready Guys...
Freightliner Columbia with: Detroit 60 Series, Jake Brake, either an Allison 6 Speed Automatic, or an Eaton Fuller 6 Speed, maybe would go for a 10 Speed AutoShift. I would have the Super Single Wide Tires on the back instead of duals, less tires mean less weight. I'd also have either a tag or pusher axle, probably a tag (in front of drives, right?). I'm not sure though if I'd want the liftable axle or if I'd keep 'em all on the ground. I'd like to see either twin 100's, or twin 75 gallon tanks - might go for modified 125 gallon tanks?.
The new Vorad Lane Guidance System for safety. Power windows, power locks - more weight for the power options but overall it's safer, think NYC & LA. Not to mention I've heard horror stories about Loredo, TX. The rig would have a top of the line Warn Winch mounted/welded/bolted to the truck frame with 100' of steel cable. I'd have tow hooks mounted/welded to the trucks frame in the front & rear. The dollie legs would be manual, not hydralic/electric - gotta have some excitement. I would not have a back-up cam, that would just be one more thing to worry about back there... plus it would add weight. Smile!
Ok... what else? Keeping the 18 foot box that LBD says is critical... I'd get the Columbia with a 34" to 36" Mid-Roof Sleeper, I'd take the bed off the back wall, cut a hole in the back of the sleeper and install a boot to a custom 90" sleeper. ICT or Double Eagle most likely... I mean if we're dreaming, make it Goooood.
Why do this instead of the SST truck (see SST100.com) with the stretched integral sleeper? By having the custom sleeper you can switch it to another rig when you wear out the 1st rig. Having that space behind the drivers seat can be used as a mini-office and for cabinets/dresser space. I figure even with 24" behind drivers seat in the integral part of the sleeper thats still plenty of room for clothes, coats, boots/shoes. One could even put a small desk in there for a laptop "navigator" position (like they have on some jets). By having even 24" of cabinets behind front seats (in 34"-36" Mid-Roof sleeper layout), then you'd have plenty of room for nice drivers & passengers seats - with swivel, and plenty of room to recline.
Now, why did I do that? Now, in the custom add-on sleeper I can have everything functional... with no worries for cabinets/storage of clothes/coats/shoes/boots, etc...
I have 90" to work with now. The roof would have an in-motion satalite dome on it, and perhaps a rooftop AC unit... I'm still deciding whether or not to install a ceiling fan in the sleeper.
I could put 42" bed in there, more or less. Have a sink, 5 gal. House hot water heater in cabinet under sink, Have a one burner stove of some sort in there somewhere on counter (maybe a glass top style burner?), microwave overhead, nice sized fridge with seperate freezer. A 2'x2' shower, I suppose you want a toilet in there somewhere too? I'm still workin' on the location of that item. Plasma screen TV to save weight and add costs, and a VCR/DVD/CD/Cassette player (because I still play cassettes, as long as they keep sellin' them).
Now, there could be cabinets on back upper wall of sleeper for clothes, in which case I'd install a washer/dryer combo unit behind the seats in the cab, and put the fridge/freezer in there as well... which on a lighter note might make the room in the custom sleeper for the toilet *Smile everybody.
There would be a window in the bathroom, along with a roof vent? There'd be a window by the bed and the sink too.
I'd have a "Magic Switch" in the cab for the dump system of the grey/black water - which I'd probably put all into one tank to save space/time (yes, I know it's wrong, but so is driving a $150,000 rig with stock seats). The magic switch would only be used in the rain storms while driving though, and never on a drawbridge (or any bridge and/or tunnel)... I'd dump at J's about once a week or so (unless it's raining alot, smile).
I'd have 100 gal. of water, or no less than 75 gal. of water- 40 gal. will last 5 to 7 days, can stretch longer but it's rough. Waste tank would be on passenger side, freshwater would be on drivers side.
I'd have a RigMaster GenSet, or a Diesel Onan Generator thats completely self-sustained (using it's own cooling/heating, not the trucks system).
Next to that I'd have a Carrier reefer unit under the cargo box. I'd have a lift gate, and a curbside door on the box as well. I'd carry a pallet jack, plenty of blankets, and straps of various kinds, and have atleast 6 to 8 load bars that lock into the E-track, which I'd have 6 rows of on each wall. I'd also carry an extension ladder in the cargo box to change marker lights and disconnect the QC or atleast cover it with foil easier. I'd have 2 storage boxes on the truck somewhere as well. I'm considering having florescent lights in the cargo box, with a transluscent roof of course. There'd be electric heated mirrors, with adjustable spotlights controled from in the cab on each mirror arm.
The cab would have a phone in it that would ring the sleeper (and the sleeper could ring the driver too). There'd be a CB in the cab, with a PA speaker in the sleeper with an on/off switch. I think it'd be nice (sometimes) to have a CB in the sleeper though too. I think I'd have a large door in the sleeper somewhere to pass supplies in/out thru at the Wal-Marts & Bass Pro Shops stores. I'd have my fishin' rods and tackle box & mountain bike on the rig somewhere too no doubt. The cab and sleeper would have seperate XM Radio's.
And instead of a curtain... I'd have a wood door that would slide shut on metal tracks to keep light/sound out of the sleeper with a dark tinted window in it with curtain. The door would be covered with fabric & foam to further dampen/absorb sounds, and it'd have rubber bumpers on it so it would not rattle.
Now, that my fellow drivers... is a rig.
For now, that's my idea of the ultimate expediter...
Sincerely, BigBusBob
