RV Transport Equipment ??

Exactly, but we are talking about loaded. Then they have to return empty.

You need an average of 14 mpg to be successful.

 

I was thinking something smaller with an ISC 8.1 Cummins. I'm sure a little truck like that could average 10-12 MPG. 12.7 S60 is pretty economical. My dad had a log truck with one and he averaged 6 MPG with 4.56 rear ends.

 

There a few fl60s and such running RVs.

 

The majority of trailers we pull are in the 6-9k lbs range. Very few CDL loads in the 15k range. A big truck would be overkill unless you were doing haul and tow or flatbed with multiple units. I average 18.5 mpg empty, and 11 loaded, total trip average is 13.5-14. Even with my personal 5th wheel, which is 15k lbs, I get 10.5.

 

Do RV haulers get empty/unloaded pay?

 

No. Only loaded miles are paid and only miles calculated by the companies system, I believe most use PC Miler. My experience is you need to stay above a 40/60 ratio of paid to unpaid miles to make a profit. Most companies allow you to find backhauls, but you have to work it through them, it goes under their insurance and BOL. In exchange they take 20%. Don't count on backhauls though. Some people are successful at finding them, most are not. My experience is that so many people are after them that they bid the price way down which doesn't make it worth hooking up. I'd rather run empty without the hassle/risk of a load than take a load that only covers my fuel cost. Fuel costs are a lot less empty anyway.

 

I just made back to back runs from Indiana to Colorado with two 12k trailers. I averaged 11 mpg loaded on both trips. 20 mpg on the return trip. I'm pulling with a 2005 Dodge dually with a 5.9 Cummins, 6 speed manual trans and 4.10 rear gears.

 

Whatever truck you go with get one with a pre-emission motor(no DPF or DEF system)
I have had medium duty trucks and a single axle semi I would recommend going with a single axle semi

why would you want to be limited to only transporting RVs?

 

Not everyone wants to drive a semi.

 

business and safety wise a single rear axle semi makes way more sense then a RAM 5500

when I started hot shotting I had a 2000 Ford F550 7.3 powerstroke with air ride 4 speed auto it was the worst experience with that truck...the motor had just about every performance upgrade possible (bigger turbo, stage 3 injectors, built transmission etc) but going up hills was miserable EGTs where through the roof so I had to go really slow. the engine would get so hot it would melt my water injection lines and turbo hoses, the transmission didnt have enough gears.. the truck didnt have a sleeper so it was motels every night

semi truck 8 with a single rear axle
purchase cost is less then a RAM 5500
routine maintenance intervals are longer
tires last longer
brakes last longer
sleeper