TurboNova Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 Anyone on here ever make their own home made tow vehicle setup? I have seen a ton of e450 style box vans with the 7.3 diesel engines and the like for sale rather cheap. I have a nice newer 1/2 ton truck that pulls my open trailer around fine but recently got a 30 foot camper and been kicking around the idea of a 24-28' enclosed car trailer. Idea would be to get one of these said box vans, frame the roll up door section to make a complete enclosure, frame in a side rv style door and folding steps. Put in some type of laminate floor/carpet and cabinets with a bed and some lighting with a roof top ac. would be great for any over night car hauling needs. Proly have 6-8k in a sleep style diesel hauler... thoughts? I dont have deep enough pockets for a purpose built toter or storage for a large vehicle but a smaller setup like this could be pretty sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboNova Posted August 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 also considered converting one of the airport style shuttle buses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRTurbo04 Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 draco rocks a old ambulance...might be able to steal one of thise. what ever u do though ide get a small ac unit on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draco-REX Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3265/5720395482_c512691800_z.jpg It's awesome, but lacks power and needs a lot of work. I'm thinking of selling it at the end of the season. I made up a simple awning and screen for the rear door and it'd be cake to screen in the rest of the module. This past weekend I tossed a bunch of material off the side and set up an outdoor shower and a large cot sets up perfectly in the gurney space too. It's actually not a bad 1-person camper. And during the day it make a good hang-out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagner Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 Anyone on here ever make their own home made tow vehicle setup? I have seen a ton of e450 style box vans with the 7.3 diesel engines and the like for sale rather cheap. I have a nice newer 1/2 ton truck that pulls my open trailer around fine but recently got a 30 foot camper and been kicking around the idea of a 24-28' enclosed car trailer. Idea would be to get one of these said box vans, frame the roll up door section to make a complete enclosure, frame in a side rv style door and folding steps. Put in some type of laminate floor/carpet and cabinets with a bed and some lighting with a roof top ac. would be great for any over night car hauling needs. Proly have 6-8k in a sleep style diesel hauler... thoughts? I dont have deep enough pockets for a purpose built toter or storage for a large vehicle but a smaller setup like this could be pretty sweet. What? You don't want to take out a second mortgage for a toter and double stacker like some do? That is actually a really good idea, simple and full of function. If you go this route and need an extra set of hands to help build let me know, I would love to see how this comes together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 Why not just convert a school bus to do both. Seen it done many times down south. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboNova Posted August 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 Yeah its on the possible list, there really are a ton of options and a few build threads here and there ive seen. Im going for a smaller approach just due to parking options. but I have thought about shuttle bus, short bus, step van, ambulance chassis with a home build box, box van/truck. The only down side to van is maintenance, it seems stuff that you encounter like injectors on a diesel would require the engine to be pulled or body lifted. I just think all around a conversion like this is cheaper then either a living quarters trailer and buying a diesel truck or obviously some toter setup. pockets arent that deep for a toter and I know I would not travel enough to use it. My open trailer does just fine, but hate leaving it someplace with the car on it while I sleep not knowing what the morning would bring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linn1647545492 Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 http://www.racingjunk.com/Tow-vehicles/2711646/1988-Chevy-1-ton-dually-crew-cab-.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboNova Posted August 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2012 I would love to find one of these... id find a way to store it http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/1972nova/100_3921.jpg http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/1972nova/100_1289.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spankis Posted August 29, 2012 Report Share Posted August 29, 2012 (edited) I've seen guys take small trailers and popups, remove the axles, and mount them directly to the frame of 1ton+ trucks. Maybe not exactly what you're suggesting, but functional. Also, I knew you'd find your 1/2 ton ineffective at the towing you're doing! Find an old cummins. Or this would be a good starting point maybe: http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/misc-trucks-vehicles-sale/522935-03-gmc-c4500-top-kick-kodiak-hauler-nice.html http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k161/tooevl/photo1-29.jpg Edited August 29, 2012 by spankis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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