Novel Help?

[JRN]

Hi. I'm the author of a few WWII novels, currently working on a contemporary thriller. My hero's gonna be driving a truck all over creation, basically, hauling 10 tons of goods on 12 pallets. I'll give him a commercial license if I -have- to, but that's really too convenient; I'd rather have him overloaded and breaking the law if he can fit all that inside a truck with automatic transmission, or some such?

But I've no idea if that's possible. If anything other than a tractor trailer has enough room for 12 pallets and can handle 10 tons. I'm looking for the smallest, easiest trucks that fit the bill.

As I'm sure you can tell, I know -nothing- about trucking! So I need some expert advice. If you don't mind answering some ignorant questions, I'd love if you responded here or via private message.

Thanks,
Joel

[Rev.Vassago]

Hi. I'm the author of a few WWII novels, currently working on a contemporary thriller. My hero's gonna be driving a truck all over creation, basically, hauling 10 tons of goods on 12 pallets. I'll give him a commercial license if I -have- to, but that's really too convenient; I'd rather have him overloaded and breaking the law if he can fit all that inside a truck with automatic transmission, or some such?

But I've no idea if that's possible. If anything other than a tractor trailer has enough room for 12 pallets and can handle 10 tons. I'm looking for the smallest, easiest trucks that fit the bill.

As I'm sure you can tell, I know -nothing- about trucking! So I need some expert advice. If you don't mind answering some ignorant questions, I'd love if you responded here or via private message.

Thanks,
Joel

10 tons is nothing. I can haul over 21 tons legally. I can fit 32 pallets in my 53 foot trailer.

Auto transmissions are for wimps. A real BBR would have an 18 speed manual.

EDIT: Nevermind. You want him driving a straight truck. Meh.

[Rawlco]

You can probably fit that much stuff (illegally) into a rental size non CDL truck. For any vehicle weight over 26,000 pounds you need a CDL but rental companies like Ryder and Penske have trucks that fit just under those limits.

I would recommend going and spending a few hundred bucks to rent one of those trucks for a day. You can drive around in it empty to work up some description of how it will handle, look, feel, smell etc. Of course overloaded it will handle like a pig.



There are some states that require any truck over 8,000 pounds to weigh at a weigh station, but of course you can pick routes around them usually if you are a small truck. Go and buy a motor carriers road atlas and it will point out the weigh stations on the map so you can plan your trip.

[Jumbo]

Ok I will bite, what is the significance of the 12 pallets and 10 tons. And another thing, your hero better not be in any chase scenes unless he is after a person in wheelchair

[Syncrosonix]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GhOGuazES1U

i think you should write a fictional novel on marv heemeyer's resurrection and his wicked-badass creation, KILLDOZER.

[ben45750]

Hi. I'm the author of a few WWII novels, currently working on a contemporary thriller. My hero's gonna be driving a truck all over creation, basically, hauling 10 tons of goods on 12 pallets. I'll give him a commercial license if I -have- to, but that's really too convenient; I'd rather have him overloaded and breaking the law if he can fit all that inside a truck with automatic transmission, or some such?

It sounds great and all, but why a Automatic Transmission? If it's going to be an Automatic Transmission you make it sounds like he's a soccer mom driving a minivan with 12 2x2 pallets of magazines.

Please give the guy a manual transmission.

[JRN]

Thanks for all the help--frankly, I'm glad to hear the whole thing is possible, and you didn't all just fall about laughing. "Ten tons in a straight truck! What an idiot!"

Actually helps having the 21 tons/32 pallets figure, too, so I can pretty easily visualize the scope I want; half of that.

And I'll definitely try Ryder and Penske to rent one, thanks. Just ask for the biggest thing they have that I can legally drive? And when you say 'vehicle weight over 26,000 pounds,' that means cargo plus vehicle, right?

Good point about the chase scenes, too. Actually that might work in the novel: the baddies are speeding after him, and he's maxing out at ... however fast an overloaded truck the size I need -can- go.

Hm. I suppose there'd be serious trouble with steep grades, too?

And yeah, he can have a manual transmission, I just wanted to be clear I was asking about trucks for idiots, not for professionals! Though I kinda like idea of a thriller based on a soccer mom delivering ten tons of Girl Scout Cookies ...[/quote]

[Rawlco]

And I'll definitely try Ryder and Penske to rent one, thanks. Just ask for the biggest thing they have that I can legally drive? And when you say 'vehicle weight over 26,000 pounds,' that means cargo plus vehicle, right?

That is correct. Complete vehicle weight over 26.000 pounds requires a CDL.

Hm. I suppose there'd be serious trouble with steep grades, too?

Yeah, wipe any ideas of a high speed chase up a mountain from your head. Now down a mountain might work. Or plan on setting it in some flat midwest states.

You will find most of those rental trucks are governed at 65 or 70 mph. Of course if you buy it you can remove the governing restriction in the computer.