Motorhome conversion

[LyosGeminiNorez]

Greetings all...

First of all... fair warning: I'm probably going to sound like an insane person before end of this post.



Now for a bit of background:
I am a contractor who travels a lot for IT related jobs in my state (Ohio).
I grow weary of hotels and no-tell motels, and thus I'm looking to make a change to a motorhome and/or travel trailer.

I've been looking for something in my price range... but I've noticed that TTs in my price range are far too small for my needs.

I have seen some nice older motorhomes with dead/frozen/damaged motors, and/or have been in a wreak that damaged the engine leaving the rest intact/in good shape, that fit both my price range and needs.

Seeing that these are not drivable (honestly, I wouldn't want to drive a motorhome anyway)... I'm considering obtaining one of these to modify.

I plan to rip out the motor/transmission/etc (leaving the empty compartment for additional storage), and weld a trailer hitch to the frame of the motorhome.

Now for my questions:

1.) is it possible to do this without removing the axle that's connected to the transmission?

2.) is it legal to pull such behind a truck/suv?

3.) if it's possible to keep all axles, does this make said trailer easier or harder to pull?

4.) has this been done before? are there pictures of said conversion?

5.) any further thoughts/advice?

Thanks!

--Lyos Gemini Norezel

[BarneyS]

Enough of this nonsense. Thread closed.

[gbopp]

I'm guessing the rig the OP is describing shouldn't be too difficult to locate.
It will probably be stopped on the berm, halfway up a hill, with the transmission smoking. :S

[portscanner]

LyosGeminiNorezel wrote:

I have a 1996 Ford Explorer XLT with a 4.0L V6.

portscanner wrote:
4. What is your budget?

Under $2000. Most of the mods will be done by my own hands.

portscanner wrote:
Although it is technically possible to tow an old motor home 4 down (i.e. on its own wheels), remove the engine and transmission, set up the drive axle to free wheel or replace it, rig up a tow bar and (VERY important) set up a braking system, you are going to need a heck of a truck to do it safely.

The weight itself shouldn't be an issues (except when braking)... why would I need such a large truck? Shouldn't a 4.0L V6 SUV be able to handle it?

Yes, the brakes on the trailer will be what stops the trailer. The truck is what it gets it going. In quick Google search it looks like the towing capacity of your Explorer is approximately 5K lbs. I dont know what the GCVWR is, but you need to seriously take that under consideration - if not for safety, then for not overloading your vehicle and burning out the engine, transmission, suspension, etc. 5K towing capacity really limits the size of your trailer.

Take a look at this: School Bus for $1200. This is just one, there are many more out there.

I am disappointed on your comment on LEO's, coming from a professional such as yourself. I have had run in's with LEO's who should not be on the street, but I know far many more who are honorable and in a time of need, would give you the shirt off their back.

[JaxDad]

Interesting, you can't see a reason NOT to flat-tow a 10k or 12k Motorhome with an SUV which when it was BRAND NEW was rated to tow a MAXIMUM 5k trailer.

I assume that your now EIGHTEEN year old SUV isn't exactly new anymore.

Ummmmm.…… uh yeah, ok.

[John___Angela]

JaxDad wrote:

LyosGeminiNorezel wrote:


I plan to rip out the motor/transmission/etc (leaving the empty compartment for additional storage), and weld a trailer hitch to the frame of the motorhome.



Thanks!

--Lyos Gemini Norezel

John & Angela wrote:
Well, can it be done, yepir. Here's our little C being towed behind our A.

While interesting, it doesn't seem even remotely what the OP asked.

He's talking about converting a Class C into a trailer, not pulling it 6 down.

All that aside from the fact the OP said a used TT was out of his price range, where's he going to get a DP A for less than a TT?

'Cause he sure ain't gonna flat-tow a 10k C with an F-150.

Well, I made some assumptions such as

poster is a contracter who probably has a substantial truck Otherwise why would he even consider this.

my impression is that he is thinking of doing exactly that, pulling an old A or C all wheels down. I probably misunderstood. either way, I wish him safe trails.

[RVUSA]

LyosGeminiNorezel wrote:
1.) mine will be bumper pull
and
2.) I intend to keep the front axle (provided it's possible).

so the plan is to tow a derelict camper around??

LOL good luck with that.

[RetSgt7114]

With that budget and such a small tow vehicle, you're looking at a fixer upper pop-up or tent camper.

[westend]

I had a pretty snappy response for the OP but I'll take a higher road.

Your Explorer will be able to tow only a smaller sized TT, at best.

Trying to restore a $900 MH is not a weekend project, more like a year.

Your budget is way too low to have something comfortable and roadworthy.

FWIW, I've looked at MH's sold on the salvage market. Some of them looked repairable. Upon further investigation, they would all take considerable work and expense to make roadworthy. With your preliminary budget, I would abandon the idea. BTW, a replacement tire is in the neighborhood of $300.

[LyosGeminiNorez]

Bobbo wrote:
His budget to buy is under $2000 so a used TT is too expensive. How in heck does he think he will get a class A or good size C for under $2000? A TT is almost always cheaper than a MH.

I found an older, large, class A for $900 on CL. It doesn't run, and there is some minor water damage, all easily fixable even by the novice handyman.

Bobbo wrote:
I concur that his best bet is to buy a school bus and build from the ground up.

Where would I find a school bus that would fit my price range?

--Lyos Gemini Norezel

[Bobbo]

His budget to buy is under $2000 so a used TT is too expensive. How in heck does he think he will get a class A or good size C for under $2000? A TT is almost always cheaper than a MH.

I concur that his best bet is to buy a school bus and build from the ground up.

That is, if he is not a troll. However, most trolls don't come back with answers to questions.

[Grillmeister]

I'm expressly *NOT INTERESTED* in advice on which to buy.

You got it!

[LyosGeminiNorez]

portscanner wrote:
I am guessing why you dont want to drive a motorhome. I am guessing that as a consultant, you want/need something smaller when you go on site. I am in the same business.

Exactly.

portscanner wrote:
1. What are you going to use as a tow vehicle? (make/model/year/engine)

I have a 1996 Ford Explorer XLT with a 4.0L V6.

portscanner wrote:
2. What are you looking for in space/amenities/features on the RV, i.e. queen size bed, dry bath, must have space for a table and chair for work area, etc

A full size bed at minimum, preferably a full size fridge, living area/office space and room to move comfortably.

portscanner wrote:
3. What hookups will you have when you park, i.e. you would park at a campground with full hookups? will you be at your customer where you only have water? or only have electricity? This will determine what sort of holding tanks, fresh water tanks, generator etc you will need.

I was going to look into mobile home parks, to see if they'd let me park on a month-to-month basis.

portscanner wrote:
4. What is your budget?

Under $2000. Most of the mods will be done by my own hands.

portscanner wrote:
Although it is technically possible to tow an old motor home 4 down (i.e. on its own wheels), remove the engine and transmission, set up the drive axle to free wheel or replace it, rig up a tow bar and (VERY important) set up a braking system, you are going to need a heck of a truck to do it safely.

The weight itself shouldn't be an issues (except when braking)... why would I need such a large truck? Shouldn't a 4.0L V6 SUV be able to handle it?

portscanner wrote:
On top of that, I would expect (and this is not an insult to LEO's out there) lots of questions and stops by the highway patrol checking to see if your rig is safe.

portscanner wrote:
It sounds like you are a "hands on" sort of guy and looking to save a little bit of money. Let me suggest two different options:

1. Do some shopping for a used "U-Haul" truck or school bus with a good running drive train. Build living quarters in the back and tow your daily driver behind (either 4 down, dolly, or trailer) Do a little research on school bus conversions. Lots of good information out there on how to make your own motor home. You dont have to buy the biggest truck or school bus out there. Get one that fits your size.

I suppose that would work... if I can find a cheap enough box truck. U-hauls tend to be out of my price range though.

--Lyos Gemini Norezel

[hershey]

1. How will you back this contraption into a non-pullthru site? You can't back up over 5' with a toad.

2. It will look like Hogans goat. You'd be better served with a school bus conversion. Look at the 5th wheel type conversion...would any sane person want to be seen towing something like that?

3. The weight of the "now trailer" will be twice that of a conventional travel trailer.

4. How will you stop that creation?

If you ask 100 people what they think of your idea, you won't find over 5 that will give you an honest answer saying "go for it".

[JaxDad]

LyosGeminiNorezel wrote:


I plan to rip out the motor/transmission/etc (leaving the empty compartment for additional storage), and weld a trailer hitch to the frame of the motorhome.



Thanks!

--Lyos Gemini Norezel

John & Angela wrote:
Well, can it be done, yepir. Here's our little C being towed behind our A.

While interesting, it doesn't seem even remotely what the OP asked.

He's talking about converting a Class C into a trailer, not pulling it 6 down.

All that aside from the fact the OP said a used TT was out of his price range, where's he going to get a DP A for less than a TT?

'Cause he sure ain't gonna flat-tow a 10k C with an F-150.