Truck Conversions...

[JTHarley]

Hey Moderators, how about adding a section for truck conversions! Coaches like mine are not C's or super C's but class 8 truck conversions....it's bad enough we can't get into some of the class A only campgrounds but we don't even get our own forum?

These coaches are 250K-500K and up and are growing in popularity........how bout' it.

[HiTech]

I think I read somewhere that some manufacturers are calling them Class A's on the title on purpose, so it allows them to go into Class A only campgrounds.

Jim

[abradf2519]

I think these "Truck Conversions" are really super C's. Whether its a Class 8 or a Ford E350, class C's are all built the same way. You get a chassis with nothing on the back and a full cab on the front. The manufacturer just builds the coach. It really comes down to price.

You have the same problem with class A's. Some gassers can be bought for less than $100,000 and some cost over a million.

The problem is the owners. An owner of a RV that costs over $200,000 is a bit different than someone like me, who bought an old piece of junk for $3000.

[JTHarley]

HiTech wrote:
I'd go the other way. Once a cutaway is heavier duty than you would typically use to to create an ambulance (in the short wheel base version), I'd call it a truck conversion, then just specify what class truck as a sub category. The problem is all truck conversions I have seen are also cutaways, and as currently defined, any cutaway is a Class C. If you preserve the truck cab, you have a C.

The real problem is the snobbery used try and distinguish RV types and only allow certain ones. It is always going to let in some lower units and exclude some higher units.

Jim

Your point is well taken and hence lies the problem........the "definition" of a class C using the cutaway theory was fine UNTIL manufacturers started using over the road truck chassis to make motorhomes. In traditional terms class C's all had "van" style front ends....then they introduced the Kodiak chassis on the gulfstream endura years ago and called that a "Super C". Others followed.

The first thing we have to do is all start talking the same......over the last 2 years, more and more owners are using the term "truck conversion" or class 8 truck conversion" to better explain what they own. Like on the IRV2 forums they have a "truck conversion" forum though it doesn't have much activity at all. I believe RV.NET is a more vibrant community and would have more activity.

The funny thing is on my Dynamax Title it says CLASS A MOTORHOME....don't know if it is a typo or not but the interesting thing would be to show up at some of the "snob" resorts and try to gain entry......show title, says class A. They may have a bit of a legal issue if they didn't let me in but then again who the heck wants to be at a campground that everyone looks down their nose at you.

[HiTech]

I'd go the other way. Once a cutaway is heavier duty than you would typically use to to create an ambulance (in the short wheel base version), I'd call it a truck conversion, then just specify what class truck as a sub category. The problem is all truck conversions I have seen are also cutaways, and as currently defined, any cutaway is a Class C. If you preserve the truck cab, you have a C.

The real problem is the snobbery used try and distinguish RV types and only allow certain ones. It is always going to let in some lower units and exclude some higher units.

Jim

[Dune_Hauler]

Yes, it is hard to find a clear forum to lurk A or C. yes we need our own place to post.

Dave

[JTHarley]

HiTech wrote:
I think by the definition of a Class C, your vehicle would also be considered a class C. Truck conversions of any type (medium duty too) are unique and interesting. They seem worthy of a forum. Getting a new forum takes a lot of work.

Jim

In my opinion the Kodiak chassis is a super C....the Jayco embark built on the M2 chassis would be a truck conversion. The whole idea is that the CLASS 8 TRUCK CONVERSIONS are not C's or Super C's and hence warrants their own classification and forum. There has been some discussion from manufacturers of having the true truck conversions reclassified as CLASS A COACHES. That will take a lot of work. On a positive note, the Signature Resorts in Naples and in Bay Harbor Michigan ALLOW truck conversions in their class A only resorts. Nice Job!!! I've been in discussions with other class A only parks to consider amending the by-laws and bring them up to the current markets. When most of them where written, there was no such thing as a class 8 truck conversion in the marketplace. I'm waiting to hear back from Riverbend in Florida (a great rv resort) who is going to take up this question during the 2013 season and see if there is a willingness to ammend the by -laws. I spent 8 years going to riverbend in my old class A and loved it. My new Dynamax is every bit as luxurious and nice as most of the coaches there.

[HiTech]

I think by the definition of a Class C, your vehicle would also be considered a class C. Truck conversions of any type (medium duty too) are unique and interesting. They seem worthy of a forum. Getting a new forum takes a lot of work.

Jim

[GrumpyandGrandm]

Coalminer UG wrote:

JTHarley wrote:

Coalminer UG wrote:
Are not all Class Cs or as some say Class B+s not a truck conversion of some sort?

Technically it is the CLASS 8 truck conversions I am talking about. These are built around an over the road commercial truck chassis. (Comunbia, Cascadia, M2, M1, Peterbuilts ect...) Most class C's are built on "van" front ends or what some call super C's are built on a Kodiak style chassis.

Class 8 truck conversion companies include:

ShowHauler
Dynamax
Renegade
Optima
Haulmark
Powerhouse
Kingsley

and I'm sure there are more. We have our own, unique in some cases, issues and it would be nice to chat with other owners.....IRV2 has a truck conversion forum but it isn't very active.

Ok I am with you now. Good luck with your Quest getting your own forum.

You forgot JAYCO

[JTHarley]

yj bill wrote:
I would like to see this also even though mine is a Medium Duty Truck chassis.

The M1 or M2 chassis IS considered a truck conversion.......we would love to have you!!! All we need is a moderator or forum person to set us one up.

[yj_bill]

I would like to see this also even though mine is a Medium Duty Truck chassis.

[Gene_in_NE]

JTHarley - I have empathy for you. I always thought of ourselves as a small motorhome owner after we sold our relatively large Class A. Tried to fit in the Class B forum, but was frequently reminded that our RV is a Class C. The dealership that sold us our RV said we bought a B+ (21'-11") that had all the maneuverability of a Class B but just a tad taller and wider.

We, however, accepted our placement in the Class C forum. I wish that the forums could have originally been divided by size like SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE, EXTRA LARGE, TOY HAULERS. The problems or questions that the small Class C has are more in common with the Class B. The RV's like yours do not have much in common with our small called B+ even though both of ours were built on a cut-away chassis.

And furthermore, the classifying of the forums by Class really confuses owners. The majority of motorhomes are self-contained and have furnaces, stoves, water heaters, air conditioners, televisions, converter/inverters, showers, generators, awnings, fresh-gray-black tanks, and propane. The differences in the above are size and not by the Class of RV.

I would vote in your favor. 🙂

[Coalminer_UG]

JTHarley wrote:

Coalminer UG wrote:
Are not all Class Cs or as some say Class B+s not a truck conversion of some sort?

Technically it is the CLASS 8 truck conversions I am talking about. These are built around an over the road commercial truck chassis. (Comunbia, Cascadia, M2, M1, Peterbuilts ect...) Most class C's are built on "van" front ends or what some call super C's are built on a Kodiak style chassis.

Class 8 truck conversion companies include:

ShowHauler
Dynamax
Renegade
Optima
Haulmark
Powerhouse
Kingsley

and I'm sure there are more. We have our own, unique in some cases, issues and it would be nice to chat with other owners.....IRV2 has a truck conversion forum but it isn't very active.

Ok I am with you now. Good luck with your Quest getting your own forum.

[JTHarley]

Coalminer UG wrote:
Are not all Class Cs or as some say Class B+s not a truck conversion of some sort?

Technically it is the CLASS 8 truck conversions I am talking about. These are built around an over the road commercial truck chassis. (Comunbia, Cascadia, M2, M1, Peterbuilts ect...) Most class C's are built on "van" front ends or what some call super C's are built on a Kodiak style chassis.

Class 8 truck conversion companies include:

ShowHauler
Dynamax
Renegade
Optima
Haulmark
Powerhouse
Kingsley

and I'm sure there are more. We have our own, unique in some cases, issues and it would be nice to chat with other owners.....IRV2 has a truck conversion forum but it isn't very active.

[Don_McL]

JTHarley wrote:
Hey Moderators, how about adding a section for truck conversions! Coaches like mine are not C's or super C's but class 8 truck conversions....it's bad enough we can't get into some of the class A only campgrounds but we don't even get our own forum?

These coaches are 250K-500K and up and are growing in popularity........how bout' it.

X2,

and while your at it lets see what can be done to add class 8's to
good sam's and coach net's roadside assistance.

the tow truck they send to tow a class c isn't going to work for me.

don

[Coalminer_UG]

Are not all Class Cs or as some say Class B+s not a truck conversion of some sort?