Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

I'm looking at buying a Toterhome for next season and have some questions that I'm sure you guys/gals can answer.
Obviously the Topkick or Kodiak are VERY popular but knowing how a U-Haul rides, I wasn't sure that would be the best choice.  How do the Toters compare to the U-Haul's?  Are they as loose feeling in the steering and as bouncy?  If so, I guess you guys just deal with it and roll on or is there a solution?

Then the next thing was, I have seen a few older model Peterbuilts and Freightliners.  How do they ride and is the size and fact it has 10 or 12 speeds make it a pain in the a$$ and just more beneficial to stick with the GMC or Chevy?

Obviously price is the factor here.....nice looking Topkicks and Kodiaks go for $20-50K whereas Pete's and Liners go for $50-100k.  What is the best bang for the buck?

Just wanted some feedback from some people who have owne, rode, and slept in both to help make a decision on what would be best for me and my family.

Thanks!

Make sure that the truck you get has air ride suspension on it,that helps a whole bunch in how smooth the truck rides(so no u-haul effect). Also get driver and front passenger air ride seats (makes the drive real smooth).

The team I work for had a 07 Freightliner with a box that was built by Optima, the tractor had a 300" wheelbase (driving in tight areas is a bitch) but it was very nice to stay in on race trips and rode very nice.It had a 10 speed automatic transmission in it (no pain shifting,but a little doggy on take off). Since we don't travel as much we got rid of it and got something smaller and it's nice not having to drive that monster around in tight areas anymore.

I am currently converting a Topkick to a toter type hauler, my truck was exactly that, a Ryder truck at one time , it has the Allison Automatic with a Cat (3116 or 3126 i forget) i purchased the truck extreemly low $$  in great mechanical shape, there is obvious problems i havent yet pinpointed on solutions for, It seems rather slow and powerless, ive discussed with others about similar conversions on this chassis and some have had mild improvements with reprogramilg computor ect, GM had a deal with Cat to govern the truck to john Q plublic can drive them and make them last, (thier kinda a throw away engine in the HD MD truck world) i figured it would still be better than the big block gas units i have been pulling with (one ton duallys) besides the fuel is about 10mpg, no hotels to look for,shower,toilet,TV,fridge,slideout,sleeping area for five, myself and crew,and AC is right there !.. soo,  my most major deal was I wanted AC and a shower after a long day/night racing, thus I tried to overlook the negatives and concentrate on the positives of the toter, besides with the money i have invested, if i like the unit enuff when it is complete i will upgrade the engine/drivetrain, if nessessary to make me roll a little better down the asphalt . there is a good site i visit from time to time  i believe it is www.truckconversion.net ? alot of toter builds,testimonies as well as trucks for sale there. hope that can help narrow down your specifics you'll be looking for, and agreed there is a large differeance on price typically when compairing a MDT to a HDT, again the registration on mine was easily converted and ins. its less than 26,000lbs/no airbrakes, super simple to drive (kinda bouncy about 17' from back of cab to rear axle but im hoping conversion should settle that a bit) and now registered as a "house car" here in ND, no removal of screw axle or streaching frame ect, pretty strait forward approach to the chassis side of things  ..