WHY USE AN HDT? Is it SAFE to RV? What's it all about? HDT RV Travel. Fulltime RV Life. RV Couple

Published 2024-07-11
WHY do we use an HDT to travel? We're not commercial, so, WHY?

We go to the HDT West Coast Rally for about 10 days to catch up with friends and do some presentations.

But what is an HDT and is it right for you? Why would anyone want to get into this type of RV travel?

Let's find out!

Come join our Facebook Group, Big Truck Big Travels for more details such as Alaska itinerary, annual costs and RV stuff.

Facebook Group "Big Truck Big Travels" (see links above)

#rvlife #spacecraft #fulltimerv #customrv #lifeintheslowlane #hdt #whataburger #hdtrailers #hdtrvtravel #harvesthost #harvesthosts #campendium #wanderlust #boondocking #lg #rvroadtrip #traveltips #rvlife #rv #travel #travelvlog #campgrounds #rvliving #rvcouple #lifeintheslowlane #thankshanks #rvtravel #blm #roadtrip #epic #wildlife #wildrvlife #iowa #scrapbooking #hdtravels #heavydutytruck #heavydutytrucks #idaho #hdtwcr #westcoasthdtrally #caldwell

RV Camping
We like to "Switch it Up" between resorts and campgrounds and boondocking is always an option.

We draw inspiration from Keep Your Daydream KYD, Less Junk More Journey, Finding Our Someday and Changing Lanes. We normally travel in an HDT similar to YouTube channels Suite Travels, Switch it Up and Watts on Wheels. I also get some ideas from the editing style of Happily Ever Hanks (Happilyeverhanks) #thankshanks and believe it or not, I actually learned something from MRBeast Mr Beast video's as well. We're not exactly taking Life in the Slow Lane but we do stop and smell the roses.

Our journey is the destination. We want to share our experiences of our discovery of What's Next.

I get my music from:
Epidemicsound.com
Tracks:
Outta Here by Jennifer Holm (intro song)
Freckles by View Point
Happy-Go-Lucky by Victor Lundberg
A Dance in the Sun by Erik Fernholm

Amazon Shop (no extra charge to you)
A convenient way to see (or buy) the items you see in the video's which may help in your adventure.
www.amazon.com/shop/bigtruckbigtravels

We use the TSD card for diesel fuel and save a bundle each time we fill up our Big Rig. We also use it to fill up our Onan generator.

The big blue boards (XL version) we use sometimes to get us "un-stuck" is from:
Gotreads.com

Our Class C is built by Thor Motorcoach on a Ford F550 chassis. It's a production build Magnitude model XG32. We tow our red Jeep Wrangler Sahara behind it. We've made some modifications to it so that we can boondock comfortably. Lithium batteries, Victron 3000w multi-plus inverter, dual alternators charge while traveling and mods to the water system greatly enhance it's boondocking capabilities.

Our extreme completely custom 5th wheel is built on a semi-trailer chassis with air suspension and air brakes. Completely loaded it weighs 42,000 lbs rolling down the highway. And we do roll down the highway nearly every week. You see, we believe that if your home has wheels they should be used.

Vehicles:
2016 Volvo VNL780 "Voyager"
2016 Smart fortwo "Pathfinder"
2019 SpaceCraft Custom built semi-trailer 5th wheel "Orion"
2023 Thor Magnitude XG32 Class C "Curiosity"
2017 Jeep Wrangler Sahara "Artemis"

Power system:
3250 watts of solar with Panasonic panels
30.1 KWH of Lithium batteries
2- 4K watt Magnum Inverters deliver power as if we are on shore power
2- 4K watt 240v Cotek Inverters deliver additional power for our LG Mini split HVAC and stove

Coachnet is our roadside assistance company we use but hopefully we don't use them too often. LOL

We are not sponsored by Whataburger but I do enjoy them anytime I can get my hands on one. They used to be just out of Texas but they have expanded.

BIg Truck Big Travels video's are based on our personal experience and not meant nor portrayed as experts in anything we do or say. It's our life on the road and our opinions are not meant to be construed as advice. Enjoy life on the road.

All Comments (21)
  • @kcsmpatter
    Love your normal travel videos but man, these last 2 you’ve put out have been so incredibly interesting! Nice to hear your back story. Safe travels.
  • @1966spyderco
    The length of these videos is what brings me here. Its not like 25 mins and zero message. Well done
  • @oldbroad7672
    The smart car parade just struck me as absolutely hilarious. 🤣 I was waiting for bunches of clowns to come tumbling out of each one! It was so cute.
  • You two crushed it again. I was drawn to your channel because of the HDT and even though I don't think (at my age and health downfalls) I'd ever be doing what you are doing in the same way, information is information. Learning new things is learning new things. Regardless. And even after not having my Class A anymore after 17 years, I can't let go (RV life) and it's still a part of me (Teenager days my Dad bought a new '72-22' Prowler Travel trailer....bug bit for camping started). And I'm here because of your dedication of what you do and how you do it. I cannot thank you enough for sharing it all!
  • @NatKekuna2012
    I know it’s called HDT now but to me it’s still a Semi to me. I understand why you got it. As a previous OTR driver, find it hard now to even drive my GMC 3500. Felt safer in the Semi. I didn’t realize how many HTD’s are out there.
  • This episode was absolutely PERFECT timing, as we just let our family know that we are getting a Volvo too. We introduced them this last weekend to your channel and now they’ll see we aren’t the only ones. Thanks for showing what a huge following the HDT community has. It will hopefully ease our family’s concerns. Great job guys! And Sondra absolutely needs her own ‘craft carrier’😂Better get on board David 😉Take care you guys!❤~Wendy
  • @CryMeARiver63
    Great info from you guys . My uncle was a long haul trucker and he has told us through the years he felt safe in his semi then he did in his car . There were some nice looking rigs there . Y'all stay safe .😊
  • @grampabill
    I have really enjoyed these last two videos. You are no longer a couple of silly people who drive a crazy big rig. You are two very intelligent people who know what they are doing. You have done a great job telling your story and explaining why you are doing what you are doing. All the best to you and may you live long and prosper!
  • Really enjoyed your video. Were almost ready to retire and travel. Such a nice wealth of information. Safe travels. Dan & Lila Seymour
  • @krazedkamper
    I have a 15,000 lb Solitude 310GK, and now you have me strongly considering an HDT for safety, above all. Thank you for the details.
  • @brentwall9786
    Thanks from Australia for being so down to earth and sharing how you ended up on your awesome set up.
  • You guys have one heck of a set up with the Volvo sand that awesome trailer. I would have thought the Volvo would have been about $225,000 so $140,000 all in was I’m sure a no brainer. Love your channel and you guys are so fun to watch. 😊
  • @marketshare3969
    I’m only out on the road about three months a year, but I can’t wait for your next video. Very cool and interesting way to travel.👍👊😎
  • @RickV1967
    A lot of great information! Thank you for being so upfront so that we can make the best choices in traveling!!
  • @dericktrx7573
    Hopefully one day me and my wife can do something like you guys are doing….. Man I love you have a job like you all must of have. Dreams come true I hope! Safe travels guys.
  • @JeffFrmJoisey
    This was so much fun! Showing us who you are and how you got to today was sooo interesting. Told myself I’d watch 1/2 tonight and the rest tomorrow; that didn’t happen. Had to watch it all, just like picking up a book and being 52 pages in before you know it. Thank you so much for entertaining me!! 😃👍
  • @BJM217
    I love how brave you were starting out on this journey. I recently had a leg operation after being off my leg for 1 year, I lived vicariously through your journey, had operation 3 months ago and recently took my beautiful dog and two granddaughters on a two kilometre walk, first for a long while (still building back muscle). I still wait for your videos with much anticipation, have travelled the world extensively and to the States 2 but always with work and the last thing I want to do is get on another plane, never got to see the beautiful places you go to so I appreciate very much your travel blogs. For now more than happy to explore my beautiful state of South Australia.
  • Loved the smart car exodus! I’m a hd truck mechanic and I remember back in the early 90’s seeing class 6-7 medium trucks pulling the larger RVs and that made much more sense to me regarding safety. My question/comment is about the coach. I don’t think the cookie-cutter 5th wheels are designed for full time living, both mechanically and coach wise. Spacecraft is probably not for everyone but in the end, just like the HDT, long term it will cost less. A commercial trailer chassis is built for the weight and mileage a full timer puts on the coach. Air ride suspension is so much easier on the coach and air brakes are less maintenance / give more stopping confidence. Just my two cents from someone who owns a 21’ TT 😉 Great channel and I tune in often.
  • @tameramer9348
    I love your life in America, the vast spaces, God willing, and the independent private homes without the high-rise, multi-storey buildings, and your constant connection to nature, so that every house has its own backyard, and this is the best life or the ideal life on the face of the earth, the constant connection to nature, greenery, and trees.
  • @my09ultra
    Very Cool Video you guys! Park looks very clean and organized there in Idaho. Thanks for bringing us along 🎉