REAL Traveling - Dutch Style!

[GregWeld]

I know you guys all think you've got it going on…. LOL


Here's a guy - JJ - from The Netherlands (his buddy "MOABDUDE" is one of our own) that shipped over his "motorhome" so he could tour the USA in style!!


Think about that -- shipping a Semi from The Netherlands and back!!


Blake, Roger, Jay, and Anita (SpeedTech) and I took these guys out to dinner one night during Scottsdale GoodGuys show and had a blast with them.




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/Fun%20Fotos/file-52.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/Fun%20Fotos/file-52.jpg.html)

[Rick D]

WOW that's crazy, it would seem to be more cost effective to just rent a motor home for a month or so wouldn't it?? Do get me wrong very cool setup for sure but wow!!!

[GregWeld]

Rick - We talked about that - but he's here for more than 4 months -- and a similar rental with milage etc would be more than a grand a day… Forget the kool factor!


A class A motorhome rents for like 20K PER WEEK… down to 8K a week… so you can see that it wouldn't take long to add up to a bunch of dough for "rentals".



http://gossrv.com/motorhomerentals-classARV-showcase.php?sort=arrange&organize=ASC

[Che70velle]

Greg, do you have any info on that rig? Power train, torque numbers, does it meet US emissions, etc?
That thing is actually pretty cool.

[coolwelder62]

20K a week.Are those rental place's on CRACK.Hell I would have bought a motor home and sold it after I was ready to go home.

[GregWeld]

Greg, do you have any info on that rig? Power train, torque numbers, does it meet US emissions, etc?
That thing is actually pretty cool.



I sent a link to this thread to JJ === and I'm hoping he will pop in and add to the thread. Sorry - I don't have any details like that.

[GregWeld]

20K a week.Are those rental place's on CRACK.Hell I would have bought a motor home and sold it after I was ready to go home.



First you'd have to have the million bucks it takes to buy a coach like this - and if you did - you'd use your million to make money and you'd just ship your own and use it…

[Ketzer]

VERY cool story! Shame he doesn't have one of those "blog" thingys detailing the adventure.

Also surprised you can import something like that and it is legal to drive around (because of all the gray and black market import car stories I've heard).



Jeff-

[GregWeld]

Jeff -- He does have both a blog and a FaceBook page documenting his travels…

As long as you can read Dutch!


It was funny that when I was poking around just trying to figure out pictures etc (since I don't know ANY Dutch!) I found a picture of my "rig" parked at Scottsdale GG show! I got a good laugh out of that… but of course -- if you like these sorts of "rigs" then of course you'd be interested in what others are doing.

JJ has a truck show in The Netherlands -- he was showing me pictures of it on his phone at dinner…. "holy cow" -- there were a couple hundred killer trucks at his show (big trucks not pick ups!).


http://www.facebook.com/scania.in.amerika



http://www.scaniainamerika.nl/

[ironworks]

That's one way to do it.

[bret]

I saw that rig at Scottsdale...didn't know the story on it till now. Greg, you find ALL the cool kids!

[GregWeld]

I saw that rig at Scottsdale...didn't know the story on it till now. Greg, you find ALL the cool kids!


Bret,



Blake and Jay and Roger found them! I was just along for the ride!


I just thought the story was "interesting" and is certainly different from what most people would do! I'd certainly never think (nor would do it!) to ship my rig overseas! It's kool as hell! But I wouldn't do it…

JJ's wife is a teacher - so she's homeschooling the kids -- and you can only imagine that they're having the time of their little lives! DisneyWorld to DisneyLand and really seeing the USA! Man… that's good stuff!

[intocarss]

Very cool. Are the forward tires on the trailer up off the ground?

[GregWeld]

Very cool. Are the forward tires on the trailer up off the ground?




Oh man! You spot the details -----


So in Europe -- the trailers have "steering" -- and they can pick wheels up or put them down depending on need. He says the thing has a seriously tight turning radius - and if you've been in Europe you'd know they need that! The roads in some places are really narrow and winding…

My trailer tracks way over the centerline in a tight turn - his would just stay in his lane and track correctly… He explained it all to me -- 'cause I love info like that --- and it's a really simple system - no motors or anything involved. Very reliable he said.

[mdprovee]

A really cool way to travel and see the USA.

[JanJaap Verweij]

Hello guys,

Thank you for the show tread Greg, here some information about the truck and travels..

The truck i bought new in 2000 for my work as an owner operator/truckdriver in the Netherlands and Europe,
After 7 years i started up another business in Busshelters and furniture on railway stations www.streetfurnituremontage.nl
The did not needed the truck anymore but kept it because i love'd it..
After a year and 3 years i had two sons so bought me an old trailer from 1993 and converted it to an RV behind the Scania, painted and ready to go after 1 year of sparetime..

The truck is a Scania 144L 460hp, 14liter V8 engine with a manual 14 speed gearbox, all built by the brand of the truck Scania.
It's actually the best way to go in Europe, especial with the V8 engine, after a few modifications it has 598hp on the rear wheels.
The milage over the last 4 weeks is 9.26 miles on a gallon diesel, we are 56.000 pounds with the car inside but drive between 55 and 60 miles an hour, not that fast.

We travel for almost 8 months from Halifax in Canada to Vancouver, from Vancouver to San Diego and from Phoenix to Miami.
From here we gonna ship in Norfolk Viginia.

http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww325/JJV8classic/EP1_2695.jpg (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/JJV8classic/media/EP1_2695.jpg.html)

http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww325/JJV8classic/EP1_2689.jpg (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/JJV8classic/media/EP1_2689.jpg.html)

This is how i bought it, it had one lifting axle and one hydraulic steering axle.
http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww325/JJV8classic/15juni7.jpg (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/JJV8classic/media/15juni7.jpg.html)

This is me with Jason Rushforth on Sema in 2009.
http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww325/JJV8classic/Sema095.jpg (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/JJV8classic/media/Sema095.jpg.html)

Thank you all for reading, you can follow us on www.facebook.com/scania.in.amerika or www.scaniainamerika.nl

JJ

[JanJaap Verweij]

You've seen that the last axle on the trailer steers, this is a very old system and i try to explain it;

There is a turning table on the 5th wheel hitch hooked with 2 hydraulic cylinders.
The cylinders are crossed connected to the 2 hydraulic cylinders on the turning table on the back with the axle under it.

So i steer left, the left cylinder up front go's in and on the back the right one go's out..
The front pushes the back.. no motors or hydraulic valves involved.
Very simple, can be done with cable's also but not with a different level like mine, front is higher then the back.
When the first axle is lifted, it still steers on the back, towards or reverse..

http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww325/JJV8classic/Facebook/Instagram%20Photos/1378724_436954303072838_808266262_n.jpg (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/JJV8classic/media/Facebook/Instagram%20Photos/1378724_436954303072838_808266262_n.jpg.html)

Now i wait for better wifi to show you some steering pictures..

[96z28ss]

Too bad we all hadn't know sooner you were in the states.
My GF dad would of loved to get a picture of the truck outside the Saab Dealership in Oregon.

[glassman]

I do believe that is the original "pro-touring" right there....great story.

[glassman]

Greg, on my desktop at work, google asked me if i'd like to translate the page of his blog. bingo, done. Good stuff. cant' find the pics though,....

[Blake Foster]

I can only IMAGINE the mountain of paperwork required to bring this truck to the US. I remember trying to bring a car to sema from Canada. and OMG it needed to meet EPA and DOT regulations, and then ............ wait IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AT ALL... we did any way but that is what the Customs and Border Protection paperwork said.
can't even imagine this rig in 2 country's
Good on you JJ good time at dinner and GG's hope to see you again some time but I would like to come there!!

[LS7 Z/28]

This is so cool. Thanks for Sharing Greg and JanJaap Verweij. JJ Good luck and safe travels.

[JanJaap Verweij]

Hi Blake, thanks!
The paperwork we needed was NOTHING in Canada and we just crossed the border to Washington State in Aldergrove, we did not ask and they did not ask.. We pass every scale and not one officer pulled us over..
It's an adventure that's true..

Here some pictures of my Chevelle, when ready it fits backwards in the trailer.

http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww325/JJV8classic/Facebook/70%20Chevelle%20SS/549880_344972162271053_102689090_n.jpg (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/JJV8classic/media/Facebook/70%20Chevelle%20SS/549880_344972162271053_102689090_n.jpg.html)

http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww325/JJV8classic/Facebook/70%20Chevelle%20SS/395144_302451869856416_148360018_n.jpg (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/JJV8classic/media/Facebook/70%20Chevelle%20SS/395144_302451869856416_148360018_n.jpg.html)

http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww325/JJV8classic/Facebook/70%20Chevelle%20SS/322425_138524259582512_957190957_o.jpg (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/JJV8classic/media/Facebook/70%20Chevelle%20SS/322425_138524259582512_957190957_o.jpg.html)

http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww325/JJV8classic/Facebook/70%20Chevelle%20SS/338492_138523466249258_2066358788_o.jpg (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/JJV8classic/media/Facebook/70%20Chevelle%20SS/338492_138523466249258_2066358788_o.jpg.html)


Thanks!
JJ

[Che70velle]

This just keeps on getting better and better!
I love the stripes on this car!

[GregWeld]

This just keeps on getting better and better!
I love the stripes on this car!




You like ANYTHING --- as long as it's a Chevelle!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA



It just was too great of a story not to share here on Lat G! Glad everyone is loving it like I did.

[Che70velle]

You like ANYTHING --- as long as it's a Chevelle!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA



It just was too great of a story not to share here on Lat G! Glad everyone is loving it like I did.

Not true. There's a cool Torino on here I like also!:poke:

Yes sir, great story! Thanks for sharing with us!

[Mathi]

Nice story and so good to see your truck is safe in USA.
I'm from Belgium and we all know how difficult it is to import and export stuff... So thumps up it worked out...

Very cool Chevelle anyway, saw it also on a dutch forum.

Veel succes nog met je reis en geniet ervan! Vooral veel veilige kilometers gewenst! Hopelijk zie ik je Chevelle binnenkort eens op meeting.

Groeten/regards!

[WSSix]

That's a really cool story and great looking rig. Welcome, JJ and thanks for sharing your story.

[Moabdude]

Its amazing how JJ and his family went for the adventure to ship the truck to Canada and made the long trip through Canada and the USA.

Its so courageous from JJ to quit his job and chase his dream.
Anyone hiring? haha

I love the slogan on his truck "later is allang begonnen"
It means, don't wait till later, do it now!

It was a pleasure to hang around the cool cars together at SEMA and GG Scottsdale.
It was also a lot of fun to have dinner with the Speedtech crew and Greg Weld.
You guys are so nice. You guys are always welcome over here!

[TheJDMan]

You've seen that the last axle on the trailer steers, this is a very old system and i try to explain it;

There is a turning table on the 5th wheel hitch hooked with 2 hydraulic cylinders.
The cylinders are crossed connected to the 2 hydraulic cylinders on the turning table on the back with the axle under it.

So i steer left, the left cylinder up front go's in and on the back the right one go's out..
The front pushes the back.. no motors or hydraulic valves involved.
Very simple, can be done with cable's also but not with a different level like mine, front is higher then the back.
When the first axle is lifted, it still steers on the back, towards or reverse..

Now i wait for better wifi to show you some steering pictures..

There was a recent Volvo TV ad featuring Jean Claude Van Damme straddeling two Volvo trucks both were driving backwards. One was articulated and I was thinking that they must have filmed this driving forward and then run the film backwards in order to steer the trailer. But now I wonder if they were driving in reverse. JanJaap does this trailer steering setup allow you to back like that and is that trailer steering available on a tri-axle trailer?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn1F-lzoP08

As one former Owner/Operator to another, here are a couple of pics of my truck and trailer back in 1980 when I was hauling grain.

http://hayes-ent.com/steve/images/Camaro/TRUCK1.jpg

http://hayes-ent.com/steve/images/Camaro/TRUCK2.jpg

[GregWeld]

Okay now I want a European Volvo truck for my hauler!!