Help me design a custom truck

[matcat]

Now I know price wise it would be more expensive, but why not directly ask the manufacturer (KW or Pete, or maybe even Volvo or Freightliner) what it would cost and what they could do to spec you a truck with your requirements.

A cabover would most certainly give you the best option for extra length within a 244" wheelbase. An Argosy would probably be able to give you 110" sleeper or close to it. Though how that will effect weight I am not sure.

[matcat]

Here is an idea, Buy Trucks And Trailers Used FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY T/A Onlineit looks like it has plenty of room for a bigger sleeper

[allan5oh]

I called ICT they said you can put a 102" bunk on a 244" wheelbase but it has to be a t800 or a 386. There are other options but they're not as good as those two for some reason. They just did a 386 not too long ago.

[Jumbo]

Why not just throw that pesky fifth wheel away. Sleeper right to the end of the frame rails.

[matcat]

Why not just throw that pesky fifth wheel away. Sleeper right to the end of the frame rails.

I think then it would just be an RV

[allan5oh]

And how am I supposed to make money with that?

[Sparks280zt]

There are some t800s with the 42" removable sleeper with big wheelbase on truckpaper.

2004 KENWORTH T800 Conventional Truck w/ Sleeper For Sale At TruckPaper.com

[Jumbo]

And how am I supposed to make money with that?

Do you think all of Divinci's ideas were great?

[allan5oh]

There we go:

1999 KENWORTH T800B Conventional Truck w/ Sleeper For Sale At TruckPaper.com

I can't imagine what it weighs...

[Sparks280zt]

2006 KENWORTH T800 Conventional Truck w/ Sleeper For Sale At TruckPaper.com

I bought a truck off the people that used to own this one, but mine is a flat top, they keep their trucks super clean.

And say what you want, the newer ISXs are slicker than sneezin between two ice cubes!

[Jumbo]

There we go:

1999 KENWORTH T800B Conventional Truck w/ Sleeper For Sale At TruckPaper.com

I can't imagine what it weighs...

Nice truck>Canook special.

[Heavy Duty]

I called ICT they said you can put a 102" bunk on a 244" wheelbase but it has to be a t800 or a 386. There are other options but they're not as good as those two for some reason. They just did a 386 not too long ago.

The difference is the way the sleeper attaches to the cab, I know on a Western Star they have to add about a foot more for the gap between the cab and the sleeper.

I have a 102 ICT, plenty of room, the rear bed has better use of the room than a side bed, rear door.
It's almost 10 years old, 1.2 million miles and very few problems, all doors and cabinets are good as new, orginal microwave, refig and roof air replaced once, zero eletrical problems, new air bags and torision bar($37) They make a good solid unit.

[allan5oh]

T800's have a 48.5" axle back, with either a 114" or a 122.5" BBC(anyone know why there's two?). T600's have a 46" axle back with a 120" BBC. Cant find the 386's axle back, but they have a 126" BBC

So that means from the middle of the front axle to back of cab, there are t800's that are 65.5" and 74", t600's are 74". Take the 65.5" and add a 110" bunk, brings you to 175.5" or 184".

One spec I do not know is how much gap between back of cab and front of sleeper. I'm going to guess around 4". That brings us to 179.5" and 188". Add the trailer, kingpin to corner which is 54:

C = kingpin to corner, A = Kingpin setback, B = Kingpin to edge of trailer

C^2 = A^2 + B^2
C^2 = 18 X 18 + 52 X 52
C^2 = 324 + 2601
C^2 = 2925
C = 54"

That brings us to 233.5" and 242". Now this assumes that the kingpin is directly in the middle of the drive axles. Of course it could be quite a bit further back. Probably up to 8-10". I prefer it in the middle, best handling that way I find.

So that leaves us with 10.5" and 2". I think I'll be looking at the T800, not T600. 2" of clearance from the corner of the trailer to rear of sleeper isn't enough. Especially since I want to add a headache rack(custom of course).

I think the second t800 option(122.5" BBC) are those daycabs with the rear of the cab flaring out. Of course that isn't an option.

Ace Mfg out of S'toon does custom headache racks, which is probably what I'll need. I saw one that was very nice, it was the headache rack, cat walk, and steps all in one piece. It's a shame the guy didn't have his 5th wheel far enough back one time and took a nice gouge out of the rack. With it all being one piece, it does not protrude out as far, and can have a "different" mounting method.

Those green trucks look like almost the perfect truck for this. Under hood air cleaners(what I want) yet exhaust in the front(also what I want). Hard to find both like that.

[allan5oh]

I found the spec for the 386, the SBFA is 49.8", which makes it 76.2" from middle of front axle to back of cab, not a very good number.

To further complicate things, I think the 114" t800 is only the removable sleeper type, not the unibody type.

This is going to be one HARD truck to find. If I just found one equipped with a detroit and a removable sleeper I'll be happy. I can always pay to stretch the frame.

[matcat]

I found the spec for the 386, the SBFA is 49.8", which makes it 76.2" from middle of front axle to back of cab, not a very good number.

To further complicate things, I think the 114" t800 is only the removable sleeper type, not the unibody type.

This is going to be one HARD truck to find. If I just found one equipped with a detroit and a removable sleeper I'll be happy. I can always pay to stretch the frame.

I wish I had money like you.

[allan5oh]

I don't have money! Right now anyways. This is a project that is at LEAST a year down the road. Once things smooth over.

I'm a pretty frugal guy, I drive a paid off 99 volvo and a paid off 92 camry with rust holes. My mortgage payment is $544 a month. I've had the Camry for 7-8 years now and I've only put on maybe 25,000 miles(40,000 km).

[Jumbo]

The two BBC's maybe is because they offer a regular daycab or an extended one.

[allan5oh]

Saw a T800 with 244" wheelbase and an 86" studio sleeper yesterday. Talked to the guy and turns out I know him(he just got this truck not too long ago that's why I didn't recognize it). When he made the turn with a reefer trailer, there must've been damn near 3 feet between the corner of the trailer and the back of the bunk.

I think 110" will work.

[Heavy Duty]

Why not buy a older truck that was grandfathered in on the wheel base law, I think 1989 or older. Then you could go as big as you want(or can afford)