http://www.lonestarhaulers.com/FL60__2000_side_w_border.jpg

But I know nothing about them. I only know it will haul my shit to hell 'n back without choking like my little 350 is now doing.

Anyone help get me pointed in the right direction so I can learn up and be more educhumacted when I go to buy one. I thinking used but want to be remotely smart enough to not buy someone elses problems.

There are tons of them around. When you go to look at them ask for the maintenance records, if used commercially they are required to keep them. If they wont offer them up walk away.

When you say tons.... where are you seeing them. I've only seen the online places and some very shady lots here in town. The ones in town have been beat to crap and it's all cash. The one's online can be had for relativly cheap but I'd need to go to Texas it seems for the "good" deals.

Not that going to Texas to save 10G's is a bad deal.

you must have alot more cash than i do...

they had those at the rv show i was at recently...new it was 95,000$.. alittle out of my price but very comfy and bling bling

That is what Freightliner calls the Sport Chassis (http://www.sportchassis.com) it is specifically aimed at people who pull horse trailers, race cars and RV 5th wheels so I doubt that you'd find one that has been used as a commercial truck. They are all done up with a fancy leather interior. They are really nice and from what I remember they are based on the FL60 which is I believe a 3 ton. The Sport Chassis is direct competition for the Ford F650 SuperCrewzer (http://www.commtruck.ford.com/ctw/news/GreatDeals_f650crewzer.htm). For the same amount of money and having looked at(but not having driven) both at last year's car show I'd rather have the Sport Chassis than the SuperCrewzer.

Here are a couple of pictures I took of one last week at the truck show.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/uploads/P9040009.jpg
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/uploads/P9040010.jpg

Well, used they are in the 20 range for the one's I've seen around and some of the true no frills commercial ones can be had for less than 10k. Yes, I've seen a few, but they where beat to shit.

I pull the rig @ 5,000 lbs plus trailer and have a two horse trailer with tack/sleeping room so yes I am looking for a truck that will take me in comfort down to the Quarter Horse shows and out to the trails and the occasional trip cross country to places like Moab.

I don't mind starting out stripped cause I have a grand plan on adding a custom mini camper on the back, extending the frame a smidge to locate the gooseneck beyond the sleeping area. Sortof like a class 'C' on steroids.

Paul, any idea on where used ones can be found? Everytime I search on the Internet all I get are new ones or a couple places in Texas.

I like the idea of service records but is there anyplace you would recommend to become somewhat diesel/medium truck savvy.

Something else to consider:

A friend of mine bought a used Freightliner OTR tractor w/sleeper. Had the frame streched at the place he bought it, and built a camper on the back of the sleeper. Price was pretty reasonable, and once you put a can in it, you can get RV plates (at least in CO).

Pete

There's a place in Hemet that sells those... I see it every time I go by. I can't remember the name of it but I did find this link.

http://www.cowboycadillac.com

Sorry Belly... I've also seen tons of them floating around, but it's mostly rodeo cowboys and hot rod guys I see pulling them... We had one on our lot on consignment last year at this time, but I think the guy that had it got it sold. Unfortunatly, most of them that you will find are indeed in the Texas/Oklahoma area.

I can't find a good clear pic of it, but would you be opposed to something like this (minus the trailer).

Haulmark is starting to do a truck like this with a living quarters on the back, with a 5th wheel or gooseneck on the back. I haven't heard any numbers on them yet, but they have the big diesel motors and all the other good trick stuff.

www.haulmark.com

http://www.haulmark.com/images/EdgeXL2000/header.jpg

Originally posted by FYRMAN
I can't find a good clear pic of it, but would you be opposed to something like this (minus the trailer).That is exactly what I want a nice hauler with a small living quarters. Although it hurts my checkbook just looking at one of those. I will have to investigate and see if I can find something like that used. New is out of the question but a good deal on a used one would be perfect. As with anyone else I'd like to find one owned by a little ol lady from Pasadena that had one to pull her travel trailer and has since seen the world and have finished all the hauling days. I will search again, there has to be a site somewhere that all these old guys go to await a new life.

They are out there, you just have to look. I know of 3 different rodeo cowboys with a set up like that, and all 3 of them bought theirs used. Of course, they were all from Texas/Oklahoma :D

Originally posted by Belly Dragger
Not that going to Texas to save 10G's is a bad deal.

Make you a deal, find one in Texas in the next couple of weeks and I'll drive it to Moab for you :)

Is a crewcab vital??

If not, you might be able to get a heck of a deal on a used Swan's truck, or something like it, say a ITEC Lo-Pro 4700, T44E, Super 6, 20,000 lbs eaton.

If you really need the space, try your local railroad. It's pretty common for them to have sub-CDL crewcabs that had a 10-15 foot service bed on them. You might even score and get a 4x4 truck.

Originally posted by Belly Dragger
That is exactly what I want a nice hauler with a small living quarters.

You mean like this?

http://www.kibbi.com/images/Familyalbum/TH/13tlq/13_ext.jpg

Do a google search on "toterhomes". BTW, my brother-in-law's dad has one of those crewcab Freighliners converted by Cabriolet. 300HP CAT/6-speed Allison. Says he gets 10 MPG towing his 15,000lb (dry weight) trailer. It's rated to tow 40k, so it's barely working at the 15-18k level. And with 150 gallons of fuel, he has a really nice range :)

One of the guys who races with me is doing what someone above suggested - converting a used road tractor to pull their RV trailer. They're using a Powerstroke truck now to tow a 53' race-car hauler with living quarters & would like something a little heavier duty once this truck wears out (over 400,000 miles on it now).


TEX

I have a friend who bought Darrell Waltrips old rig, it was just like that one. I think he got the truck for around $15,000. It will haul a$$ with a 42ft enclosed trailer, he can set the cruise on 80 and hardly ever downshift and there are allot of hills out here. I think its a great idea keep looking..

A guy that came to the Unimog meet this year used this truck to haul his Unimog. He loves his truck but he said that if he was to do it again that he would splurge for the bigger cab.

Later.

Ken S.

Good idea but before you commit and pick up a heavy hauler check out your maintenance costs. An oil change for example doesnt have to be done as often but cost ALOT more. Brakes, etc cost alot more too and if you cant do the work yourself it can cost you bigtime. Just keep this in mind when looking at these truck. Take a few new ones for a drive before you drive used ones. If you know how they are supposed to drive it can help you when buying used. There are alot of trucks out there than should not be on the road.