Does anyone here tow their RW with a used semi tractor type vehicle. The reason I am asking is because I saw this done one time and it was set up so they could take their motorcycle just behind the cab of the truck the 5th wheel hitch just behind the last axle. After talking to the owner he showed me where he had it set up to also load a smart car if he didn't take the motorcycle. Also the cost was actually cheaper than a new truck.

At the 2014 Rally we had an owner with a similar system to the one you described. We also have at least 1 owner with a medium duty.

Take a look at this post........

http://www.redwoodrvowners-dev.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&view=topic&catid=53&id=1089&Itemid=159

Welcome to the site. the TV you are asking about can be found at Mountain Masters.com. More info can be found on the escapee's website.
Welcome to the 38GK family.

Tom you can buy a used medium duty truck for a hole lot less that a new truck. If you go with a semi your insurance will be a hole lot higher also. The medium duty is easy to drive and goes any where a car can go.

Welcome to the site. I too endorse a medium duty truck.

We looked at the HDT (the semi that has had one of the axles taken out). We had narrowed it down to the semi or the RAM.

Our deciding points:
* It would be a challenge for Lisa to get in and out regularly. They were going to install steps that could be used. But the steps would need to be set out each time.
* As for Size, it is only 6" wider and 1 foot longer; but definitely heavier. Periodically we have stayed in driveways of friends/family. Driveways are not made for that weight. Many campgrounds have asphalt roads and the bigger truck could do some damage that we weren't willing to deal with.
* It definitely limits some of the campgrounds. However, there is a whole network with maps for HDT campgrounds.
* RAM gave us a warranty and warranties were limited on the other because the semi's were previously Owned.
* Insurance was higher
* Colorado License plates were more expensive.

We did like the idea of having a "spare bedroom".

Good luck with decision. I think we are going to start seeing more of them on the road.

This is the guy we were talking to. http://rvhaulers.ca/ He is out of Canada, but delivers all the trucks to U.S. so you don't have to deal with any border issues.

Here is a website of good information: http://hhrvresource.com/

Thank you for all the ideas everyone! Couple of things that really make great sense are the problems with weight restrictions and the higher cost of insurance. Never really considered those 2 being a problem but makes sense.

I did see a guy from OKC in WI last Summer and he had a Semi-tractor that he converted to bring his smart car and tow a 37ft-39ft Cardinal. He was telling me that what he liked was he only needed to fill one time for a range of 2000 miles. Be nice to fill it at home for a couple of hundred dollars less than if he had to purchase along the way. With fuel prices varying as much as .80 to over a 1.00 a gallon across the country it could offset some of these other cost and issues. The other thought was maybe installing a diesel Genset 7500 to the tow vehicle and be able to boondock for longer periods not having to give up any of the creature comforts our RW's afford us.

Any more thoughts on this post would be greatly appreciated........

Another couple of considerations:

Will you have to change your license class, including an air brake endorsement and annual physicals etc. ?

Are there any additional requirements, for example emission checks and annual safety checks in your jurisdiction?

On the other side, if you configure the TV as an RV, can you reduce the above costs?

Interesting - I didn't need any special license for Class A, and I don't think the US has an air brake endorsement, but that may all be different when talking a heavy truck. Curious what responses you get from MDT/HDT owners.

I believe another consideration would be the maintenance costs and availability of service sites.

Yes I tow my Redwood with an M-2 Business Classa freightliner quad cab. Depending on where the placement of your 5th wheel hitch is there is room for a motorcycle or other things in front of the hitch with no problems. I bought my 2006 Freightliner used with 160,000 miles in 2011 for less than what a new pick-up would have cost. It can be serviced at any truck shop. As long as you are not using it for commercial hauling you do not need a CDL, just a normal operators license. It actually turns a tighter circle than a pick-up can, is easier to back-up with, and has a lot more stopping power when idiots pull in front of you. I would not trade mine for anything. AS for fuel, I get just over 10 mpg and can go over a thousand miles on my 160 gallons of fuel. My is an air ride, air seats,air brakes unit with two captains chairs in front and a rea bench that reclines into a full bed in the second row. The truck alone has as much storage capacity as the Redwood without the weight issues of the 5th wheel.

To answer a few more questions... Fully coverage insurance for my Freightliner is less than half what it is for my pick-up truck mainly because of the safety history of the big unit. Again there are no special license requirements for operating a big rig unless you also use it commercially to haul. I live in Indiana. My license plates can be either those of a pick-up truck or those of a semi. I chose the semi plates for the weight rating of 20,000 pounds they were about two thirds of what the pick-up truck plate was. You only get into truck inspections, DOT physials and the such if you are going to use it commercially. Otherwise it is treated the same as a pick-up truck for law enforcement. Anyone having questions can contact me directly at XXX-XXX-XXXX and I'll be happy to assist you.

Sorry - had to redact the phone number. Please PM or Email inb2winger if you'd like to contact.

Thanks