I am only beginning my research of what type of 5th wheel and hauler to consider, but I like the RHL185 for no other reason then the nice little "garage" it has behind the cab that could house our Harley UltraClassic Lehman trike. (A conventional toy hauler sacrifices too much living space for our full-timing plans, and I don't want to pull a carrier behind the 5th wheel.)

Trouble is, that an MDT is probably not going to cut it if we go with the 37 to 40-footer 5th wheel we plan on (currently looking at Nu-Wa, New Horizons, Excel and Teton models with all the trimmings).

So I was wondering if there is an HDT that is equipped with the storage area like the RHL185's.

(Posting this in the HDT forum too.)

An MDT will pull any production 5er out there -so no worries on capability. Will it pull it as fast, or as smoothly as an HDT? Not always. There are virtues to both.

A big advantage to an HDT is that it can be custom configured to do just about anything. From carrying a car - to a trike, to dual MCs, drom boxes, garages, lots of side-box storage, etc. These are normal HDT things....

Take a look at both forums and a few of the private websites. You might start with mine and Mark Bruss's here.

For Freightliner specific info check out the Freightliner RV Haulers Club E-group. Wannabees and shoppers welcome: FRVHClub@yahoogroups.com

There are all sizes and configurations of Freightliners for towing heavy RV's and wide assortment of "toys".

E-group Description and Message Archive
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/FRVHClub/
Website: www.freightlinerrvclub.com

My webshots link will show you what you can do with an MDT to "custom" address your needs.
Having said that however, if asked would I do it this way if given a chance to re-visit my decisions of 5 years ago - - - NOPE!

HDT's reconfigured will provide you with a myriad of options at the outset that will not have to have factored in; the weight of the trailer, the weight of the toy you wish to haul on it (front axle loading would be the only "watch-for"), the fuel mileage expectations, the power to climb the hills you typically encounter in your travels, the comfort you travel in, the braking capabilities, well, you're probably getting the drift where I'm coming from.
Also, unless you are set on buying new, the cost differential is astounding between buying an MDT, even a fairly new, used one (the older ones will just not suffice for what you desire) and a comparable year used HDT.

You mentioned "full-timing". We started on the road in 2001 with a truck, trailer and Jeep Wrangler softtop. Didn't want to tow doubles so we each drove. The next year we bought a Chevy Tahoe (as the Jeep wasn't very safe for all the HWY driving we had been doing), still driving separately. The next year we went from a 30 ft fiver to a 40 ft fiver and decided to try one vehicle, sold the Tahoe. Your first year you will do a lot of moving around, everyone does. If you stay on the road after that you will start to slow down and explore more. Last year we bought a car again and drive separately. (we move every one or two months) Little did we know how fortuitous that purchase was with the price of fuel rising. We still have the convenience of two vehicles if we want to go to two different things at the same time. I like to drive but keep in mind whether MDT or HDT the longer the wheelbase the less maneuverable you will be. Depending how active you plan to be on the road:

1. What size truck do you want to be your daily driver?
2. How easy is it for you or your partner to get in and out of the cab?
3. Who will be driving it? Both of you should be able to in case of an emergency.
4. Automatic trans or stick? ie bad knees or short legs
5. Where do you want to travel? Will your truck fit there? A friend went from a MDT 4 door to a HDT Renegade conversion to pull his 45 ft fiver and tow a Jeep. The turning radius of his Renegade is very limited so he can only fit in pull thrus. One of the parks we traveled to in the past did not have pull thrus and he was not able to turn the Renegade tight enough to back in to it.

Thanks for the helpful insights and thought-provoking questions. My replies comments are as follows:

1. This is one of the things we need to give more thought too, as I realize an MDT would make a more practical daily-driver than an HDT. However, we also get along just fine (sightseeing and running errands) on the Harley trike (good trunk space), and using it accordingly as our daily driver is our current plan. May even rent a car from time to time when it's convenient to do so. (Our plan would be to not move around more than three or four times a year snowbirding, with "extended" (seasonal) stays in as many different regions of the country that we can in the coming years.)

2. We do not currently have any physical problems that might hinder us from getting in and out of any size cab (knock on wood).

3. I will be the primary driver (as my wife will want to follow along on the Harley most of the time), but we both will take driving lessons and be properly licensed as necessary for driving up to an HDT-size vehicle and towing the fiver.

4. No physical problems with operating a stick (which I prefer), however I am going to stay current regarding developments in automatic shifters as the technology seems to be improving all the time. A lot will depend on the specific truck we end up choosing. I'm also very interested in hearing people's opinions/experiences with automatics for hauling large (40-footer) fivers.

5. Yes, I've been reading on various RV forums where HDTs hauling larger fivers may encounter some restrictions on places that would accommodate such a set up , but I guess that's just something we will have to plan around and account for when we do finally hit the road. But through my early-stage reading, I am also starting to be convinced that going the HDT route may be the bet thing to do given the fact that our dream fiver is going to be at the upper end of the scale as far as length and weights go.

You may want to read this thread on fulltimers and rental cars:
MDT Insured as RV does NOT include Rental Car Coverage

Your trike coverage may extend to rental cars or have an option to add a rental car rider.

My comments on your points follow.

1) An MDT is not necessarily a more practical daily driver. It depends on the HDT you build, and your "requirements". If you "require" 4-doors then an MDT will be more practical, but other than that IMO - and I stress that it is only MY opinion - then a short wheelbase, mid-height tractor with a Freedomline fully automated transmission is just as practical as any MDT for daily driving.

4) These days the trans of choice in an HDT is a fully automated one. No clutch pedal at all. These transmissions work extremely well in the RV application, and can be had for very little, if any, premium over a manual. Freedomline is one brand of such transmission that you will see in ads. Second choice would be an autoshift, which does use a cluch pedal for starts (and stops,if you want).

5) Unless you build a toterhome like a Renegade, or frequent one of the rare RV parks that do not allow class 7/8 tractors then you should have no major maneuvering issues. This statement is more true if you build a shorter wb tractor, and choose a brand with a good wheelcut. Volvo's have set-back front axles and 50 degree wheelcuts. My 182" wb tractor will turn far better than ANY LDT CC dually pickup. If you buy a conventional tractor (long-nose) with a 40-45* wheelcut and no set-back axle then you will need more space - a LOT more space. A Pete 379 is a typical example of such a tractor.

Another advantage of an HDT over most MDTs is the location of the hitch. On an HDT the hitch is TYPICALLY located from 30"-48" behind axle centerline (on a singled tractor). This makes backing much easier, since the trailer responds far faster. On an MDT most hitches are mounted over the axle line. Another advantage of the rear-mounted hitch is more deck space for toys in a shorter wb.

Making the tradeoffs between an MDT and HDT is not that simple. The lines blend between them in many areas....you need to spend time determining WHICH HDT you would buy..only then can you reasonably compare to the MDT. JMO.

I don’t understand your problem. You seem to want the RHL185 and a HDT with plenty of horsepower. Why not order the RHL185 using the M2 112 chassis ? The standard engine is the MB 4000 with 450 HP and 1550 Lb-Ft or torque. That should handle any fifth wheel ? A friend of mine has a Sportchassis built on the M2 112 chassis with the MB 4000 engine. He easily tows his 22,000 lb fifth wheel.
http://www.freightlinertrucks.com/trucks/find-by-model/m2-112/
If you need a bigger engine than that it appears from the Freightliner site you can even order the M2 112 with the Detroit DD15 with 560 HP and 1,850 Lb-Ft of torque. That will definitely tow your fifth wheel.
http://www.detroitdiesel.com/engines/dd15/

Go to www.2Lcustomtrucks.com Click "Enter Site", click Freightliner "tab" , spend money. Most power you can buy in a factory crew cab configuration, with an Allison auto. Available ONLY at 2L..

Wayland, a real possibility that my hard-earned money might end up in you bank account someday.

Tnance, I like the SportChassis set up with the garage area. Thank you for pointing out that I may have the option for getting that arrangement on the more robust M2 112 and an even more powerful engine.

The focus of my continued research is how much more robust an HDT would be than an MDT (not just in horsepower for hauling a heavy fiver, but also stopping power, body/frame strength, ride comfort, towing and maneuverability, or whatever technical details tat are important but that I am not yet conversant in) for pulling a possibly 22K-plus, 40-plus-footer fiver (I have no particular model of fiver picked yet, but am now leaning towards New Horizons).

I still have a lot to learn, and you guys are helping me learn it. Thank you.

TMitch
I would be more than happy to email you pics of my new 384 series Pete that we have not officially launched yet. Crew cab style, big, big, power, auto, etc..We have not had one single customer hassled at the scales or ports of entrys in the new 112 or the New Pete. They resemble a MDT too much. I call them a "wolf in sheeps clothing"...I am working with a customer up north right now on a custom built garage unit on a 112..

Wayland, I tried PM'ing you my email address, but my browser is acting up and won't let me do it. If you PM me, I can respond back with it.

Thanks