box truck conversion

Had a friend that did the same to an old U-Haul Top Kick with a 24ft box. His source for parts was a wrecked TT from an insurance company. It was rear ended with structual and frame damage. Got it for $1500 if I remember right.

It turned out quit well and all said, $6800 invested. Can be done and have fun with it!

Do you want comments about your project out here on this Forum or on your blog pages?

This is a very ambitious project. My hat is off to you for taking it on and, when done, will certainly get you onto new and interesting adventures. FWIW, I started on a similar path but using step vans for the purpose. That was many moons ago and I'm still at it. You can read about my trailer rebuild in the thread in my signature line. There is some "hands on" information that may prove valuable.

Google is your friend, many have gone before you, search building a stealth rv, or converting a truck or bus into an rv, etc, here are some quick results: truck conversions build your own rv good luck and more importantly, HAVE FUN!!!!!

I appreciate all the feedback! I need all the help I can get!

I very rarely post on here due to the fact that your ideas will always be undermined by someone else. I applaud you for stepping out of the box (or into one...lol) and hope your project turns out to exactly what you are hoping for.

dodge guy wrote:
Funny! I looked at the site and I got away without giving any money!!! infact I didn`t see the link untill someone pointed it out! lot`s of PI`s here. keep up the great work! :R

I was thinking the same thing. Way too many people thinking there a moderator. I guess some have nothing better to do than police somebody else:E To the op, I wish you the very best of luck with your project.

boxtruckdreams wrote:
I am converting a 1999 Ford e350 7.3 box truck into my house, and have very little idea of what I'm doing. I joined rv.net today to see what advice is available to me, but I also wanted to share my blog:

thanks!

interesting project,
if youre planning to full time in winter I suggest puting in double pane windows and not very big ones at that.
best way to insulate it would be sprayed foam as that would make it air tight,which is what you need to prevent condensation.
if you use solar panels make them adjustable at least 45 degrees to get the most out of suns energy.
theres some good advice on how to do this on this site.
I have seen truck just like yours being converted into motorhome and thinks its great idea as it also very stealthy so you can park in many places without anyone knowing what it is,and not being bothered by nosy people.
a good site with plenty of advice on how to do things is also http://cheaprvliving.com/

bsinmich wrote:
Juxt keep in mind weight. There is more than one reason that RVs are built using light weight materials and 1X2 rrather than a 2X4. That weight will add up quickly.

I don't know what size truck you have, but I would definitely be checking into the GVWR of your it. It may not actually be enough to handle everything you want to put in it. Especially if you add large capacity storage tanks for black, fresh and gray. Keep in mind each gallon of "liquid" weighs roughly 8 lbs.

We rented a 26' Penske truck this spring to move our "farm" supplies from OK to MD. Things like a butt-load of 12'-16' steel pipe panels, some hay bales, rear-tine tiller, snow-blower, decorative antique wagon wheels, 100g stock tanks, rolls of field fence, etc. Basically everything that is required for running a farm that you can't fit into a cardboard box. Oh, and a freezer full salmon and another full of beef.

We pretty much maxed the darn things weight capacity out. I was amazed at how low the GVWR was. I guess I thought it would be 50% of what a 53' semi trailer can handle, when in reality it is much, much lower.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I already have my box truck, so finding a nice Class C to fix up probably won't happen. I feel pretty determined to make what I have very nice and workable! I've made a little progress but it's happening very very slowly, because I'm teaching myself how to do everything with very little previous experience.

As for "selling" anything. I am so very broke! (I did break the rules at first, very sorry. I didn't know but now I do.) is to get feedback and read about others' experiences. Thanks!

Juxt keep in mind weight. There is more than one reason that RVs are built using light weight materials and 1X2 rrather than a 2X4. That weight will add up quickly.