This picture of this bright white, chrome and silver single-axle Peterbilt and horsetrailer was posted by a guy on The Truckers Report forum, and it raised a bit of controversy. The poster, a Texan who goes by the forum handle of HotRod1, posted this photo in 2012, wrote that he was buying this older truck and trailer for the price of a new or newer truck. He also wrote he wouldn’t have a 60 month loan. He was going to have a 24-36 month lease with a 10 percent or $1 buyout, and put this truck at the same payment rate as a new dually.
The thread they were discussing was about pickup trucks that were “trying to be semis.” That is, new pickups towing flatbed trailers of around 25 to 40 feet, hauling cars, motorbikes, and everything else you see semis hauling with flatbeds.
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The truck pictured got immediate compliments for its looks.
But then challenges arose about how he could lease a new custom Pete and own it in 24 to 36 months for around $18,000. If that was the case, he said, he’d buy a bunch of them and resell them.
What do you think? Is it possible to get a new Pete for that price? They also had some criticisms of the numbers HotRod1 was using for his rate (1.73 per mile) and the income figure the photo poster mentioned.
If anyone knows more about this great Peterbilt tractor trailer, let us know and as always we’ll update this write up.
Here’s a stretched extended sleeper cabover from Ross Burnham’s collection of truck photos. Burnham doesn’t say much about the custom big rig, just what it was and that the photo was taken in Las Vegas in 1992.
The K100 cabover model from Kenworth is now discontinued. They don’t make them anymore. It seems they just weren’t popular enough. In Australia, a number of cabovers enjoyed popularity, like the K100E, K100G and related models. Then K100E was a “Twin Steer” model.
The only cabover built in Australia now is the K108, which is in the B-Double market because of its shorter length, and is very popular there.
They used a K100 to haul a shuttle in 1978 — the “Enterprise” shuttle, during ground operations in Huntsville, Alabama. Here the photo (click).
These tractors can be very inexpensive. You can see them for even below $10,000 on sites like Truck Paper, and even below $5,000 for some of the more worn out ones. Then there’s K100’s around $50,000 as well — for ones from the 2000’s. Most of them seem to be around $20,000 though.
I didn’t see anything like this extended sleepers, but there are sleeper models for around the same prices. Obviously, not as polished and customized as the pictured rig.
This large luxury RV unit came up for sale recently, and it caught our eye, mainly due to its size and the Kenworth cabover pushing it, as well as its clean, interesting look.
The basis of this motorhome is a K100 Kenworth cabover tractor. It’s a “Canepa design Kenworth.” Very strangely (to me), the sale information included no details about the tractor, its engine etc. It went on about the long list of RV comforts and amenities. The Kenworth tractor was converted into the luxury motor home and is currently licenced as a motor home. So to drive it a person doesn’t need a commercial drivers licence.
So what is in this big RV?
two twin beds, located in the cab
living space with custom built-in sofa
ample storage compartments under the sofa cushions
removable table
built-in TV/VCR/Radio
microwave
Euro-designed cabinetry
hidden hinges, positive latches and radius corners
water pump
water heater for the sink in the bathroom with toilet
plumbed for an optional shower (not installed)
fresh water fill spouts
black water dump holding tanks for water management
Sanyo HVAC unit with thermostatic remote control
7-KW generator with sound suppression system installed
shore power hook-up coupling
interior starter switch
This luxury motorhome carries 2 cars. on 2 levels.
The car carrying part of it has:
34’ steel framed van box
aluminum single sheet roof
adjustable second level in 4” increments to allow for a taller vehicle, 16’ long with two 8’ sections
Canepa designed 6000 lb lift gate, with foldout diamond plate extension that can load both top or bottom levels, for easier loading
flush floor mounted and side mounted E tracking
couplers top and bottom to secure vehicles
AC & DC power sources (12 volt/DC and 220 VAC) throughout storage area
lighting for upper and lower sections
Accessories for the transporter section:
The price for the unit wasn’t mentioned in the ad. It has been sold though. I was hoping for better interior photos, but this is what they had:
Big tractor. Can anyone argue with that? This unit is a 2013 Kenworth T600 Super Condo Custom Hauler with an extended sleeper. A Kenworth Super Sleeper, as they are called.
There’s a few of these giant custom sleeper K600s around. According to the builders of them, a lot of them say their super sleeper is “the largest custom sleeper they’ve had.” These kind of units have 2 bedrooms, some of them. With full kitchen, convection oven microwave, fridge, then you go through a split door into the front room, and between the two rooms there’s 3 beds sometimes.
These trucks are typically for people who “home-school.” That is, “road warriors” who have kids that get home schooling while they are on the road in their RV. And the ones I’ve seen have passed through a couple of owners, despite their fairly new-ness.
The problem for many considering such a giant Kenworth sleeper unit is length and width. Only fairly narrow sets of loads can be hauled. That goes for practical ability as well as legal limits.
The other thing some people would think is a bit unusual is, despite the weight of some of these giant sleeper semis, there is no shower or toilet on some of them. If you’re hauling that much weight, wouldn’t you have a shower/toilet on board?
The owner of a truck similar to this one (but with a sleeper not built into the cab structure) said she and her husband bought before the housing market went bad and they drove for van lines HHG so they didn’t have a weight issue, and they could keep their family together while they worked, even when a job was 4-6 weeks. Them and their 3 kids in that giant semi sleeper. She said they loved it. ARI built their sleeper and they made it their home on wheels. So I guess a shower’s not everything! right, Mrs. Orf?
This is the transporter for the promo vehicle called “Bandag Bullet” (which is pictured behind / atop). The promo truck is a Kenworth Expediter and draws attention with its flames and burnouts. It seems the trucks might be in Australia, because photos of these two Kenworths have been posted in numerous places by Australians. It’s also listed as an “Aussie Truck” by Ultimate Semi Trucks, who posted photos but no big description of it.
I’m lookin for what truck this is and hoping someone out there knows. I can see its a Kenworth cabover, but that’s it. Anyone know more about this truck? If I can get a bit more, I can maybe track down some details on it for you all.
This semi-mysterious RV is as big as it is unknown. Someone uploaded this photo to a to-do-projects list. There are just so many trucks out there where there isn’t much known, but look at this RV. It’s unlike almost anything you see out there. Vintage giant tractor-based motorhome — or motorcoach. Or maybe it’s a caboverhome.
Elsewhere the photo’s posted with this title: “Used Peterbilt 362 Truck For Sale Cabover W Sleeper Heavy Picture.”
But this isn’t a Pete. Look at that grill. It’s a Ford. I emailed the guy who posted the photo. Hopefully he gets back to me and I can update this soon with what he tells us about that great big RV.
The guy does a bunch of custom projects, a wide range. Cars and trucks. So it might be he did this custom job himself. Hope so.
Ok, I heard back from the man, and he doesn’t know anything about it either. So if you do, people, let us know.
“It was a photograph taken by a family member who saw it at a campground years ago and we don’t know anything about it,” the man wrote to us.
Update: Some people on the Facebook page have filled in some of the mystery of this giant cabover RV. This is a Ford CL 900 cabover (thanks go to Brian Michael he’s the first one to id the big old RV). According to Michael,
“The CL 900 was one of the first trucks with a air ride. When you went around a corner too fast you felt like you were going to kiss the ground.” He said it wasn’t one of Ford’s better ideas. And Zosia Joji Varga said it was probably circa 1982. Thanks, guys.
Peterbilt with Mountainous Sleeper
This post follows our original write up on this truck. So many people commented with informative comments that we read them over and wrote this update to the write up. We’re going to call this a Blogunity Truck Member’s Take (because its members of the mailing list (subscribe by clicking this — it’s just a weekly email with some great trucks, and we’re going to be doing giveaways later) and the Plains Trains page).
Members take:
This is a custom sleeper, according to Michael Maucelli, who told us that most cars like this one do dedicated runs, like most conventions, or bed bugging.
Wayne Taylor filled in that the driver of this truck was hauling specialized cars like Reliable. Barry Carter commented that the driver was hauling regular units as well.
Some of the other things to consider when driving a truck like this: reduced load capacity, maneuverability issues (super long wheelbase) — pointed out by Dennis Larson, who also said it would be a great truck to live in, even if not for daily work.
Gary Johnson added that he agreed and it would be maybe a good idea to pull a smart car and motorcycle in this rig, that would make a “perfect camper.”
I have often wondered what exactly RDA means concerning health. Who developed it and when was it first developed?
This post is for those like me who did not know it was developed for several reasons:
There were three persons who developed RDA during World War II. The reason it was developed was due to “national defense.” The government had concerns how nutrition would affect those in the armed forces. The idea was to provide the best nutrition for not only the military but also civilian personnel. They provided a guideline called RDA — which stands for Recommended Dietary Allowances. They recommended there be a “margin of safety.” The reason was because during the war accessibility of of food was low; food was rationed out to the people. This is why a “margin of safety” was designed. The guidelines of the RDA are evaluated every five to ten years. There were additions to the guidelines that included a number of servings for each food group.
What does that all mean, since the World War II has ended? I realize every five to ten years they revise the guidelines but how does that affect people on an individual basis, I wonder? When the guidelines for the daily allowance for the intake of vitamins and minerals are based on, the quantity of each nutrient an average healthy person needs to maintain for their healthy body to function there is still a question. How is it determined when it comes quantity of nutrients? According to the RDA it is done through percentage of the proportion in nutrients’ RDA standards in food and/or supplements.
This is the first in a series on Korean local foods: Has anyone tried any of them before?
Can you name these 10 Korean street foods? Don’t peek…
①Dakkochi (Grilled chicken skewer): It is called Dakkochi in Korean, which is a grilled chicken skewer. But why is it so red? Because chilli sauce is put on chicken. Are you already scared of hot tastes? Don’t worry about it! It is optional. You can choose one among salt, chilli and soy based sauces.
Warning: Sauces can stain your clothes.
②Waffle: It is a Korean style waffle. On a round shaped waffle, you put apple jam and cream, and then fold it in half. Apple jam is always a base, but you can choose different flavors of cream like chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, blueberry and etc. If you try a waffle in summer, it is strongly recommend you add ice cream inside.
③Pineapple stick, ④Melon stick: You might have also seen these on the street in Southeast Asian countries. These are fruit sticks, and they are quite popular in summer. You can get the taste of the tropics in Korea, too.
⑤Wang Shu cream (King cream puff): It is a plain puffy pastry with custard cream inside. The size of Wang Shu Cream is as big as your face, so you had better share with your fellow travelers.
Warning: Be careful that you don’t have custard cream all over your face.
⑥Smoothie: This drink might be very familiar to you. You can have fruit or yogurt smoothies in Korea, but if you want something special, I’d encourage you to have mixed grains flavor which has a rich, nutty — as well as healthy — taste.
⑦Mandoo (Korean steamed dumpling): It is a Korean steamed dumpling. Particularly, you should try ‘Kalbi Mandoo’, which is filled with grilled marinated beef short ribs and fresh vegetables including chives and onions.
⑧Sundae (Korean blood sausage): Sundae is made by steaming pig’s intestines that are filled with various ingredients including glass noodles and vegetables. It is a bit similar to black pudding, a type of blood sausage, eaten in Europe. But my British friend told me that Sundae’s taste is stronger than black pudding. Sundae gets along well with tteokbokki (rice cake with Korean chilli paste).
⑨Ssam: Ssam means ‘wrapped’ in Korean. When people eat Korean barbecue, they usually wrap meat and other filling with a leafy vegetables like lettuce. As filling, I like to put grilled garlic and spicy spring onion salad along with a piece of beef or pork. You can include anything you want on your Ssam, but don’t forget to put Ssamjang (red chilli and miso paste)! This paste is a finisher for Korean authentic Ssam.
Warning: Don’t be greedy, otherwise it takes forever to swallow one Ssam.
⑩Soft ice cream: Have you ever seen a 30 cm-soft ice cream? The length of the ice cream is incredible, but you will be even more surprised of the price: 2,500 Won (about US$2). There are many different flavours such as chocolate, yogurt, strawberry, vanilla, and green tea, but the most popular flavours are mixed green tea and yogurt and mixed strawberry and yogurt.
Warning: it melts rapidly, especially in summer, so keep up your speed until you finish it.
This is a custom Peterbilt in one of its earlier custom looks. I’ve seen photos of it recently, and it looks quite different. I guess since customs are always changing we can enjoy a lot of looks from each custom job. This is a 1988 Peterbilt 379 and it’s owned by Ray Rodriguez, who calls the truck “Hardway.” The name comes from the “Stay tuned this weekend and next week for more coverage of SuperRigs.”
These are mostly working trucks Rodriguez does. His company is Lil’ Ray’s Transport in Salinas, California. He’s wone Best of Shows more than once for Pride & Polish. This truck now pulls a matching flatbed trailer (sorry, didn’t find any photos of this trailer for this version of the custom truck. If you have some, we’ll add them in).
Rodriguez’s company does contract truck hauling and has been in business since 2001 as far as I can tell. The staff seems to be just one though, which I guess is Rodriguez.
Rodriguez got some 3rd and 2nd prizes in various custom truck categories in 2011, I think for this orange Pete.
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