spooner

RC we used to have a MDT (medium duty truck for the folks that dont know the short names ) and it was a mistake IMHO if you do it, do it right! : go direct to a HDT (heavy duty truck) -the ride is a lot better (air seats, air cab and air suspension are standard in almost all of the HDT`s) -bigger engine (it is just a more safe and relaxed driving experience if you have more power then you ever need) -bigger hood = superior cooling and performance with a bigger radiator opening and a bigger intercooler -Jake brake is standard on almost all HDT`s (IMHO that alone is already a reason to go HDT) -engines that are designed to last longer (usually a HDT engine like the N14 in our Pete is designed to last a average 1000000 miles. MDT engines usually last less then half of that) -more room and more driver comfort (MDT cabs are designed for short city delivery. HDT cabs are designed for the long haul) -$$$ to run and maintain is no big difference -footprint is no big difference (HDT is usually just taller) ....the list goes on and on

your Tractor needs to be registered as a RV... it is easier (and cheaper) to get insurance for a RV. all you need is just to fulfill the basic requirements for a RV; a microwave, a small fridge, a sink with running water and a toilette (could be a portapotty) usually do the trick

Amy only a short one but IMHO this is still the funniest Dumont video of all time : a oldie , but i still enjoy watching it :freakin_nuts: sorry Bert

DAAAMMNNN!! Chris, that is some serious work you did there IMHO 10x cooler and 100x safer then a rhino i like the details like the baby hummer look and the beefy tow loops.....got any more pics???

barney talking about super singles; did you check out the new Michelin XONE plus? ...the regular XONE was a low profile fleet "highway" tire but the new plus (designed for O/Ops) is just perfect in size for a (sometimes offroad) RV conversion. wide one 455/ 55 R 22.5.....thats 42.5" tall and 18 " wide superior flotation, fuel saving and 100 lbs lighter then a regular dually tire/rim set looks great too....IMHO the way to go if your worried about traction in the sand

jackpunx check WyoDuners website: dunereview click the "photos" bar and you can select the area; great pics, lots of useful info .... btw check out the "one way" sand canyon wash trail @ Coral Pink.....i did that one with my buggie that was the first time my powersteering overheated it is a awesome twisty trail that follows a sandy wash....check it out if you ever go to CP (however, a quad would be more fun )

birdpic??? here we go

i think it is ok to go with a pickup truck if you need it as your everyday transportation and use it on the weekend to tow a modest trailer. however, if you plan on driving a lot and towing something bigger then a lightweight trailer you need the right tool to do it. IMHO diesel pushers are great for what they are designed for; retired old peeps that spend most of the time parked and dont drive many miles. almost all of them (except the really $$$ ones) dont have the tow rating and aft frame strength to safely tow a large toy trailer. you see a lot of peeps doing it but that does not make it safe or sane. i also dont like the drivers position right on top of the front axle. i gladly sacrifice a little interior room for the nose... but if you ever have a frontal collision i rather have the hood and the 3500lbs engine in between me and the other guys bumper. IMHO the top argument for a semi is safety: right on top of the list is the "Jake brake". the "Jake" modulates the valves to turn the engine into a compression brake (basically it turns the 14 liter Cummins in our Pete into a huge air pump)...usually in 3 stages (by using 2,4 or all 6 cylinders)...it allows you to slow down or hold your speed on even the steepest hills without ever using the service (foot) brakes. not like a friction brake, a Jakebrake does not overheat or loose any performance even if you use it for a extended time.

never ask me that question ...i just give you crazy ideas like this one: Buy something like this Pete: details and add this GreatDane air ride trailer: details add some elbow grease (and a shower, toilette, beds, windows, kegorator , sink, generator, fridge, cooktop, ..... ) and your all set btw did i already say that i like Peterbilts?

IMHO forget the pusher and buy a Pete Freightshaker drivers may like to tell you that under the skin all trucks are the same....NO! ; they are not Petes are usually a little more $$ but you get what you pay for. things like the superior suspension geometry are part of what made the "on and off the road" reputation of Peterbilt legendary

i agree IMHO the same is true for ford (i used to be a ford kinda guy); what the heck are the designers thinking .....everything looks so bulky and ugly ..... strangely all the big trucks (semis) get nicer and sleeker and all the little ones get boxier and fuglier ....whats up with that???

IMHO for towing....

oh yes......big HP= big last trip Ryan was too busy to give rides to his kids and friends so we had no time to mess with the bypasses.....hopefully next trip we can get things dialed in

most likely we will be out there at the superbowl weekend (supposed to be a great duning weekend ; everybody else is watching TV :chev_bowtie: ) your welcome to join us and im sure Ryan doesnt mind a playing partner .....kinda days of (bigblock) thunder :chev_bowtie:

dune and drag....after all ryans car is a doitall ... kinda like a 4000lbs swiss army knife

not for very long j/k Supreme , would be fun to see you at D btw; is it ok if i pimp my cars over here ??? :chev_bowtie: :chev_bowtie:

that almost sounds dirty it was a guy from the camp next to us. Ryan pulled him out from deep in the dunes it looks like another U-joint axle victim :porn: (i think "extreme" axles in this case) it looked like the complete hub was "pressed" out of the trailing arm

yeah, Ryan is dangerous :porn: just watch how he cuts in front of that other sandrail you see how pissed that other guy is!!! hmmmm .....wait!!....is that a towstrap??? it is amazing how the haters (over at GD) that dont know what they are talking about judge somebody just by a picture (or videoclip) btw it was great to see the DDR support...thanks guys!

Pete, too bad you could not be out there with us last weekend; it is really something special to ride with Ryan in his monster i hope we can meet next trip out and have some :rainbow1:

Bp i agree, the styling is different . some love it and some dont maybe it is a little too much form=function; V-rex is only 14' long and has no overhang front and rear (everything is placed in between the wheels) the engine is placed well after the front axle (BMW actually calls that a midship engine placement ) yes , there is a manual shifted auto 400 in it (J&W prototype with a beefy allison imput shaft) oh, it can wheelie here is a little sequence ...and it is a flame throwing BBQ :rainbow1:

at least we made some nice pics. here is one of my favorite shots of Ryan taking me for a ride in V-Rex ; click here for hi res full size the air was clear and the light just right

that is just a quick test video .... check back later this evening , my bro should have one with better shots and some onboard action up and running. we just didnt have the time to do a lot of video on this trip (i guess we and and and too much ) next trip we will spend more time dialing in the car first and then shoot some real action videos

:shoot: yeah, i think Ryan still didnt have time to mess with the suspension . it looks like the front compression is still too soft and the rear rebound also needs to be stiffer and the rear is sitting too high... but even the way it is the ride is just unreal comfortable

yeah...Flyin Ryan shows us how it is done notice his roost; you see how he is" feathering" the throttle :mc_smiley: