How 'bout a Class 8?

[dzzz]

I was thinking about how a family could go expe in a vehicle other than a traditional RV. I didn't know that there was a world of people who convert class 8 trucks into motorhomes.


http://www.transportdesigns.com/custom-motorhomes

[OS-Aussie]

I believe that they are still referred to as "C" class in the RV world. There are a lot of builders in this space. Some are ultra cool. Dynamax, Power House coach etc etc

[pcampbell]

Saw something like this the other day in town. It was built on a Old School Peterbuilt and was MASSIVE!! Very cool though.

[pcampbell]

It was like this, but I'm pretty sure it was a Peterbuilt...

http://www.freewebs.com/peterbiltsrule/a009_9.jpg

How 'bout one with a trailer :Wow1:

http://busesandmore.com/rvs/Sanders-Kingsley-Coach-RV.shtml

[Ironduff]

These are known informally in the RV world as "Super C's", tho' there's no official definition or recognition as a separate class from the RVIA. These are the upper / bigger / costier end of that group, which starts with the Kodiak chassis and goes up. They seem to be very popular with auto racers and others who need a live-in with higher-than-average towing capacity. Very neat & quite pricey, but kinda limited for Expo use.... ;)

Jim H.

[mhiscox]

They seem to be very popular with auto racers and others who need a live-in with higher-than-average towing capacity.
Very true. There are several manufacturers of "toterhomes," Class 8s with living quarters bhind the cab and a hitch for a big gooseneck trailer. If you weren't towing, though, I always thought that removing the hitch and using the area for dirt bikes, a RIB, etc. might be pretty trick.


Very neat & quite pricey, but kinda limited for Expo use.... ;)
Well, one of the advantages of the forum is that we're pretty loose on what counts as an "expedition," so the Class 8 conversion doesn't necessarily mean disqualification. Everybody seen this one already?

http://www.unicat.net/en/info/VXL16HD.html

[kerry]

I like this one.

[charlieaarons]

My choice for something even bigger than what I have (and still legal in the US) is a Western Star 4900SA military spec 6X6, with low geared Roadranger 9ALL 11spd (26:1 1st, 0.73:1 11th). And Detroit Diesel DD15. 505hp/1650 ft-lb
http://www.westernstartrucks.com/Trucks/SevereExtreme/Military/4900sa.asp
http://www.detroitdiesel.com/engines/DD15/
http://www.roadranger.com/ecm/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=318296

Charlie

I gave the wrong shortcut for the gearbox - I fixed it.
How much do they cost? A lot, I am sure. But still cheaper than a top end camper.

Charlie

[kerry]

My choice for something even bigger than what I have (and still legal in the US) is a Western Star 4900SA military spec 6X6, with low geared Roadranger 9ALL 11spd (26:1 1st, 0.73:1 11th). And Detroit Diesel DD15. 505hp/1650 ft-lb
http://www.westernstartrucks.com/Trucks/SevereExtreme/Military/4900sa.asp
http://www.detroitdiesel.com/engines/DD15/
http://www.roadranger.com/ecm/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=123666

Charlie

Hard to argue with that choice. I didn't see any prices on the website. Any idea how much they cost?

[Jnich77]

If I was going to spend six figures on a motor home, it would definitely be built on a class 8 chassis. You get a million mile service life out of the drive train, unmatched pulling power, and an insane amount of options when it comes to building it.



http://www.truckconversion.net/

[Jnich77]

My choice for something even bigger than what I have (and still legal in the US) is a Western Star 4900SA military spec 6X6, with low geared Roadranger 9ALL 11spd (26:1 1st, 0.73:1 11th). And Detroit Diesel DD15. 505hp/1650 ft-lb
http://www.westernstartrucks.com/Trucks/SevereExtreme/Military/4900sa.asp
http://www.detroitdiesel.com/engines/DD15/
http://www.roadranger.com/ecm/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=123666

Charlie

Sorry, i want some bling with my truck:

http://www.westernstartrucks.com/Trucks/SevereExtreme/TwinSteer/4900fa.asp

[astn]

Many of those trucks aren't legal, though, they just count on police/DOT apathy. It's a very gray area, but to be legal in all 50 states, your RV/straight truck should be less then 45' LOA, and even then in some states such as California, you may be restricted to certain roads. Truck-trailer combinations (i.e your RV towing a stacker trailer) should be less then 65' overall in order to comply with most states rules. That Saunders truck is just asking for a ticket (or to be impounded). This was an issue a couple years ago with some guys running big toterhomes for their race cars in Florida. I don't think any got impounded, but I recall that some of them had big fines.

[skysix]

My choice for something even bigger than what I have (and still legal in the US) is a Western Star 4900SA military spec 6X6, with low geared Roadranger 9ALL 11spd (26:1 1st, 0.73:1 11th). And Detroit Diesel DD15. 505hp/1650 ft-lb
http://www.westernstartrucks.com/Trucks/SevereExtreme/Military/4900sa.asp
http://www.detroitdiesel.com/engines/DD15/
http://www.roadranger.com/ecm/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=318296
Charlie

I stil like the Tatra 815 / 816 (built in the US by ATC) and even the more affordable 813, also the MAN actros 8x8's as well as the Finnish SISU/Renault 8x8.

All do well in the European Truck Trials so would make an off-road RV that could keep up to most 4x4's...

[charlieaarons]

ATC = American Truck Company? Seems to have disappeared from the Internet. MAN - nice, but...
I kind of like trucks that are 1) obtainable 2) legal in the country I reside.

Charlie

[mhiscox]

but . . . I kind of like trucks that are 1) obtainable 2) legal in the country I reside.

Charlie
Details, details . . . :sombrero:

[GlobalMonkey]

ATC = American Truck Company? Seems to have disappeared from the Internet. MAN - nice, but...
I kind of like trucks that are 1) obtainable 2) legal in the country I reside.

Charlie

This is just a part of article on Tatra's website:
"TATRA, a.s., the heavy-duty truck manufacturer located in Koprivnice, Czech Republic, today announced the signing of an agreement with global military truck producer, Navistar Defense, LLC of the United States.
The agreement calls for TATRA and Navistar Defense, the military arm of global truck company Navistar, Inc. to jointly develop and market new Class 8 off-road trucks using Navistar engines and components on TATRA’s unique and proven chassis and suspension systems. The trucks will be marketed in conjunction with Navistar Defense in all markets of North America, including all United States military and all Foreign Military Sales financed by the United States government worldwide...."

The entire article is here: http://www.tatra.cz/web_en/zajimavosti/navistar_en.htm

[ntsqd]

So they're going to put a radiator in a Tatra?
I think that might qualify as blasphemy.....

[skysix]

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs043.snc3/13068_1289677157633_1101353000_30925863_3145163_n. jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs043.snc3/13068_1289677037630_1101353000_30925861_3218021_n. jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs043.snc3/13068_1289677117632_1101353000_30925862_2319590_n. jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs063.snc3/13068_1289677197634_1101353000_30925864_2753219_n. jpg

[Jnich77]

So they're going to put a radiator in a Tatra?
I think that might qualify as blasphemy.....

hey Harley did it...lol

[Jnich77]

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs043.snc3/13068_1289677157633_1101353000_30925863_3145163_n. jpg


Yes please :Wow1:

[Joaquin Suave]

I like the front end on the truck that was quoted in the last post (behind the bush guard). Kind of like a bow on a ship

[VicHanson]

I had seen this site before but couldn't remember what the URL was, just found it now on the Uhauler thread.

http://www.truckconversion.net/

It's all about big truck conversions, including class 8.


Their home page:

What is a Truck Conversion?


Truck Conversions are built on a commercial truck chassis. This can be a business class or class 8 truck. They include motorhomes, motorhomes w/ garage, toterhomes, MDT’s and HDT's.

What types are there?


Motorhome - many have a class c style (bunk over the cab) and range from traditional motorhome interior styling to extravagant custom marble and wood interiors.

Motorhome with Garage - front half to two thirds is living space and the back area is designed to haul your toys.

Toterhome - contains a good size living area behind the cab with a fifth wheel hitch to tow large trailers

MDT - medium duty or business class trucks converted for hauling 5th wheel RV trailers.

HDT - semi tractor trucks (Class 8) converted for hauling 5th wheel RV trailers.

Why would I need One?


Truck Conversions are not for everyone, but as our hobbies grow so must our vehicles. Safety is one of the primary reasons you should consider a conversion. Commercial truck chassis’s and motors where designed to carry heavy commercial loads hundreds of thousands of miles. Class A gas motorhome manufacturers are having to pushing the limits of chassis and motor, driven by buyers demand for more space. Many of the Heavy Duty pickup trucks although have diesel motors which are capable of pulling the load do not have the braking systems or the weight to stop the load. In a conversion you gain weight carrying capacity, stability, excellent driving characteristics and strength.

Aren’t Conversions overkill?


Any time you need to alter the motor or suspension to improve, eliminate, maintain, or just get by with the motorhome or tow vehicle you own presently, you need to consider a conversion. Better to error on the side of excess than be at the breaking point of your vehicle and comprise the safety of your family.35805 35806 35807

[charlieaarons]

Re the Kenworths - I wonder who did the conversions?
The first one with the sand tires looks like it has planetaries but the 2nd one with the XZLs doesn't. Is there something hanging down very low from the 2nd one's front rear diff?

Charlie