HI All,
I've been seriously thinking about building a custom tow rig to haul RV's (5th wheel and large pull behinds).
The runs are about 1380 miles round trip and it pays about $1.35 per loaded mile.
I have access to a 1990 Dodge d350 diesel dually (engine and tranny was sold so it is basically a rolling chassis with a 3.08 rear end).
I was thinking of putting in a TDI from a 2003 Jetta that a friend had wrecked.
I also have access to a 13 speed big truck tranny (yes air shift but I can rig up a compressor (electric maybe to eliminate parasitic losses).
The all up weight being moved would be about 17K (truck and pulled RV (less if moving smaller RVs)
I know it sounds crazy but even the strongest Big rigs roll 80,000 lbs using about 600 HP and 2000 lb feet of torque so I figure a lightly modded TDI should be able to move 16K when backed up to a 13 speed tranny. (FWIW most big rigs do NOT roll with 600 HP....just the strongest ones...most make do with a fair amount less power).
Yes, I could go conventional and simply buy a diesel pick up ready to roll to do this (or for that matter use the pickups I already have) BUT I figure a custom build could get better MPG's and fuel is a huge part of costs when hauling (next to labor fuel IS the largest other expense).
Of course I could use a 4BT but a TDI may be able to eek out more MPG's....
Any ideas on the likely MPG's from this set up?
Any potential things I have not thought about ?
Thanks in advance for any help on this.
Andrew
PS - As a potentially more efficient tow rig I was thinking of one that could haul one like a roll back (although the overall height may be too tall so it may require some tinkering....maybe a front wheel drive truck / van front with an ultra low deck in the back to carry one on the truck itself and tow one behind)....
I don't want to go CDL so trying to keep it simple (the company said RV deliveries are exempt from lots of paperwork / rules).
Thoughts or opinions on this?
I
I've been seriously thinking about building a custom tow rig to haul RV's (5th wheel and large pull behinds).
The runs are about 1380 miles round trip and it pays about $1.35 per loaded mile.
I have access to a 1990 Dodge d350 diesel dually (engine and tranny was sold so it is basically a rolling chassis with a 3.08 rear end).
I was thinking of putting in a TDI from a 2003 Jetta that a friend had wrecked.
I also have access to a 13 speed big truck tranny (yes air shift but I can rig up a compressor (electric maybe to eliminate parasitic losses).
The all up weight being moved would be about 17K (truck and pulled RV (less if moving smaller RVs)
I know it sounds crazy but even the strongest Big rigs roll 80,000 lbs using about 600 HP and 2000 lb feet of torque so I figure a lightly modded TDI should be able to move 16K when backed up to a 13 speed tranny. (FWIW most big rigs do NOT roll with 600 HP....just the strongest ones...most make do with a fair amount less power).
Yes, I could go conventional and simply buy a diesel pick up ready to roll to do this (or for that matter use the pickups I already have) BUT I figure a custom build could get better MPG's and fuel is a huge part of costs when hauling (next to labor fuel IS the largest other expense).
Of course I could use a 4BT but a TDI may be able to eek out more MPG's....
Any ideas on the likely MPG's from this set up?
Any potential things I have not thought about ?
Thanks in advance for any help on this.
Andrew
PS - As a potentially more efficient tow rig I was thinking of one that could haul one like a roll back (although the overall height may be too tall so it may require some tinkering....maybe a front wheel drive truck / van front with an ultra low deck in the back to carry one on the truck itself and tow one behind)....
I don't want to go CDL so trying to keep it simple (the company said RV deliveries are exempt from lots of paperwork / rules).
Thoughts or opinions on this?
I
