Texas Dually

“Texas Dually” with Jeep Rubicon Unlimited Loaded

Texas Dually, Jeep and RV loaded and on a trip!

We are taking retired over the road Class 7 & 8 Semi Truck tractors and converting to safer and more comfortable tow rigs than using a pickup truck.  Many times large RV trailers are weighing upwards of 20,000 lbs. and more and towing with even a F-550 or RAM 5500 is pushing the envelope of safety.

Face it, a Class 8 tractor is designed to run at 80,000 lbs or more, meaning much larger brakes, more power, and a rig that its main mission in life is to tow!  Not only do you have larger brakes, you can also use the Jake brake, and further increase your braking capacity, without using the actual brakes.  Also factor in greater towing power.  The Volvo 630 pictured above has the Volvo D-12 engine, 465 hp and over 1200 lbs of torque.  On a recent trip from NC to TN on I-40 through the mountains it was an easy pull uphill maintaining 60 mph fully loaded.  Then going downhill I never touched the brake because I used the jake brake.

The ride is very impressive with these trucks.  Air ride suspension, air ride cab, and air ride seats, and add in the air ride hitch systems, and now you have a ride that is very smooth.  The fatigue level is minimal.  In a pick up, driving 300 or so miles per day was the limit for me.  Recently I did an 800 mile day, and was not worn out!

Fuel?  It does depend on what size RV you are hauling, but for Volvo 630 I am getting between 10 and 14 towing the bumper pull RV and hauling the Jeep.  When towing the same RV with a Dodge RAM 1500, I got about 8.5 to 9 mpg.

These trucks can be built for about the same as a new or even used dually pickup truck.  Yes, you can go all out and bring the price up over that.  It really depends on what you want.  The Volvo 630 shown above has an impressive list of options installed.

Option List for Texas Dually Volvo 630 

1. Custom Built Dovetailed Steel Bed with 2 tool boxes, headache rack, multiple tie down points, stake pockets, custom LED lighting, Gooseneck Hitch, Air Safe Bumper Pull Hitch.
2. 4750 Watt Generator with Electric Start and Remote Control mounted under the truck bed, and a 12 gal external fuel tank.  (Will run all weekend non stop)
3. Jib Crane with air over hydraulic 8 ton ram, and 2500 lb electric winch with remote control.
4. On board air for airing up tires, running air tools, etc. originating from truck air system.
5. Air over Electric trailer brake controller.
6. Jackalopee Class 8 DOT to RV electronic converter.
7. Refrigerator/Freezer in sleeper
8. Microwave in sleeper
9. 32″ LED Flat Screen TV in the sleeper.
10. DVD player
11. Stereo System Upgrade: Pioneer Double DIN SPH-DA120 AppRadio with Apple Car Play (Hey Siri capable), hands free phone and messaging, Kenwood 12″ Sub Woofer, Pioneer 3 way speakers, Alpine 300 watt 4 channel amp, Power Acoustik Razor RZR1-2500D Sub Woofer Amp, back up-hitch camera, video play back, GPS Mapping from a Smart Phone.
12. This truck got new air ride seats by Seats Inc.  They are the Legacy Gold seats, and makes a very nice, smooth ride.  Recently I did an 800 mile 1 day ride, and the driver fatigue level was quite low.  Very nice option.  There are many seating options available.  Even one from Bose, yes the sound company!

Option Pictures

Jib Crane Option: 8 ton air over hydraulic ram, 2500# remote electric winch.  Why is this needed?  It isn’t fully needed, but it sure makes life easier!  I carry a game scale and gambrel for big game weighing. After weighing you can use the truck and crane for dressing, and skinning.  You can lay out clean plastic on the truck bed, mount a cutting board, hook up your meat grinder and you can process your big game right at camp!  Big Game Fisherman, yes, you can do the same with large fish!  Watch the website for more crane uses as time goes on!

4750 max watt gas generator with electric start with remote control.  12 gal fuel tank  This size is sufficient to operate a 30 amp RV, a 110 volt MIG welder, various tools, lighting, etc. Other sizes and various fuels are available.

One example of an on board air connection.

When going off road with Jeeps or other Off Road vehicles, it is usually a good idea to lower your air pressure in your tires to allow for better off road grip.  When finished, or time to head into town you always have air to air up your tires before hitting the pavement.  Again just another thing to make life easier!

This is the Air Safe air ride bumper pull hitch.  Make towing a breeze, and when you look back at the trailer while towing over rough road, the trailer is rock steady.  This saves your equipment from the shocks of the road, and transmits to a smoother ride.

Any questions?  Please give us a call, we will be happy to assist you!