A lot of people who drive commercial trucks have the dream of keeping the power they’re used to driving, but also adding comfort and the ability to see anywhere the road can take them in style, and stop and camp along the way, RV style.
This one, which belongs to Julie Greenwood and Ernie Buchanan, is just that – a Peterbilt-Lance 1181 RV power rig.
What is it? An idea they got after taking a trip in their previous RV: “We returned home from that trip and started looking for a Ford F-550 dually. Before taxes, a nicely equipped Ford F-550 was $80,000 CAD ($70,000 US), bloody expensive and way out of our budget. That’s when we looked at our old Peterbilt truck sitting in our backyard, doing nothing. I didn’t want to sell it because it wasn’t worth much. That’s when I started thinking about a Peterbilt-Lance rig and thought, “Why not?” Putting the Peterbilt together with the Lance eliminated the need to buy an expensive truck. We owned the Peterbilt, so we wouldn’t be making payments. It would also solve the payload and safety needs as well as the Ford F-550, only better. I have forty years of experience of driving big rig trucks, so it was an easy decision for us. It’s all about safety to me. When I put my foot on the Peterbilt’s brake pedal, I stop.
Their machine: A 1995 Peterbilt 379, 600 caterpillar engine, 18 speed transmission, diesel, single axle, locking differential – if one wheel spins, the other locks and engages, only the back would drive
Camper: 2007 Lance 1181
Tie-Downs/Turnbuckles: Two back turnbuckles and chains rear, two hand winch straps on each side in the front, capable of 4000 pounds each
Suspension: Completely air ride suspension, part of Peterbilt
Gear: See article for specifics on gear.
You can see our gallery for this one below. All the images on our website expand when you click them, so you can get a better look.
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