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Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by amariusd, Oct 8, 2008.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Oct 8, 2008 #1
    amariusd

    amariusd Bobtail Member

    7
    0
    Jun 23, 2008
    Austin, TX
    0
    Hey all! My boyfriend and I drive a Volvo 770 double bunk. I really like this truck because of the feeling of spaciousness I get from it. We've been really interested in getting an ARI sleeper, but I'm not so enthused about having to get a volvo day cab and having to crawl through the little space that is given to attach it- and since my boyfriend is 6'7" I'm sure he would be bothered more then I. I know that on other makes of truck there would be more room for the crawl though, but I would really like to find out the feasibility of just adding a few feet to the truck we have. We're bedbuggers and having a shower and kitchenette is really so appealing. Has anyone else had this done?
    Is it reasonable?
    Is it cost effective?

    Really looking forward to any advise!
     
    amariusd, Oct 8, 2008
    amariusd, Oct 8, 2008
    #1
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  3. Oct 8, 2008 #2
    MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

    5,799
    6,440
    Jan 13, 2007
    Woodville, TX
    0
    no it's not cost effective but if you are bedbuggers then you need it. the sleeper will cost a much or more then the truck. the hole isn't that small, it's not like your crawling into a 1972 Kenworth coffin sleeper. basically the hole will be as big as the back of the cab.
    there is some companies who can stretch your existing sleeper but I don't know who and it's not really any cheaper
     
    MedicineMan, Oct 8, 2008
    MedicineMan, Oct 8, 2008
    #2
  4. Oct 12, 2008 #3
    amariusd

    amariusd Bobtail Member

    7
    0
    Jun 23, 2008
    Austin, TX
    0
    Sweet! That's definetly what I've been looking for. Any idea on cost?

    Medicineman- My boyfriends brother has a volvo with the ari sleeper and I (5'8") find it uncomfortable to climb through the hole! For some reason the volvo's have the smallest holes out of the ari line... Much appreciated though!
     
    amariusd, Oct 12, 2008
    amariusd, Oct 12, 2008
    #3
  5. Oct 12, 2008 #4
    MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

    5,799
    6,440
    Jan 13, 2007
    Woodville, TX
    0
    so buy a real truck. the peterbilt has a huge hole. Not like your volvo is going to get any kind of aerodynamic advantage with that big box behind it anyways
     
    MedicineMan, Oct 12, 2008
    MedicineMan, Oct 12, 2008
    #4
  7. Oct 13, 2008 #5
    Rat

    Rat Road Train Member

    1,522
    1,445
    Aug 31, 2008
    Rats nest Grafton North Dakota
    0
    One thing you have to take into consideration is the Wheel base or current distance between the back of the stock sleeper and the 5ft wheel plate.

    Adding any more length to the stock sleeper may require lengthening the wheel base considerably. That again is going to further add to the cost of the modification.

    You also have to take into account the added weight which will mean hauling lighter loads which many times equals less money per haul.
     
    Rat, Oct 13, 2008
    Rat, Oct 13, 2008
    #5
  8. Oct 14, 2008 #6
    amariusd

    amariusd Bobtail Member

    7
    0
    Jun 23, 2008
    Austin, TX
    0
    Geez, Medicineman... harsh! :biggrin_25523: Guess it's a good thing my mans size makes up for a "girlie" truck! His brother actually still gets 5 to 7 mpg with his 144" beast which is super.
    The good thing about being bedbuggers is we never get to our max weight, and we can get a double drop or a spread axle trailer to make up for the wheel base we lose. Gonna miss the 236" base though.
    -Seriously though- where did that link go! I was impressed!
     
    amariusd, Oct 14, 2008
    amariusd, Oct 14, 2008
    #6
  9. Oct 15, 2008 #7
    Freddy

    Freddy Light Load Member

    73
    6
    May 9, 2008
    Pittsburgh
    0
    What does the term "bedbugger(s)" mean here? I ask because I unfortunately know all about the other kind
     
    Freddy, Oct 15, 2008
    Freddy, Oct 15, 2008
    #7
  10. Oct 15, 2008 #8
    Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

    16,583
    12,233
    Aug 4, 2008
    Let me check my logbook
    0
    Moving company/driver.
     
    Lilbit, Oct 15, 2008
    Lilbit, Oct 15, 2008
    #8
    Freddy Thanks this.
  11. Oct 16, 2008 #9
    MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

    5,799
    6,440
    Jan 13, 2007
    Woodville, TX
    0
    5 to 7mpg isn't hard to get with any truck hauling light like you do. He's not getting any advantage from the volvo. I'm sure your stock volvo pulling that light weight is getting better then tht as long as you aren't running around at 80mph.
    I didn't really mean for it to be harsh but look around and what brand f trucks make up the vast majority of large sleeper units? Petes and KW's... Do you want to know why? well, I'm glad you asked. With any truck with a set back axle it is VERY hard to get your weight off the front axle with that huge sleeper. It is very common to see shrt hood trucks in that configuration having the off road type float tires on the front. the reaosn being that makes it legal to have 20k on the steer as long as you have a HD axle under it. WIth the short hoods you will never get your weight down to 12K pounds, it just puts that big heavy sleeper too close to the axle.
     
    MedicineMan, Oct 16, 2008
    MedicineMan, Oct 16, 2008
    #9
  12. Oct 16, 2008 #10
    amariusd

    amariusd Bobtail Member

    7
    0
    Jun 23, 2008
    Austin, TX
    0
    True...
    No harm meant in the harsh- we've been teased before about the truck so I can be a little defensive! I'm truly not sure what truck we'd be going with, but we've had great use out of Volvo's so far, and either way we won't be getting our usual 6 to 9 mpg once we add a super sleeper anyways.
    -I wish I hadn't cleared my cache/history 'cause I can't find that site now! Anyone know what site it was?
     
    amariusd, Oct 16, 2008
    amariusd, Oct 16, 2008
    #10
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