Military Issue - great starting point

[WillSucceed]

I ran across this and thought I would post it for anyone looking for a great starting point to a hard side camper project. They are made to fit a standard full size 8' box, and are definitely rugged. :Wow1: Not sure if anyone on here has used them before.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg9/wleach00/Misc/militarycamper.jpg

http://store.colemans.com/cart/shelter-communications-p-1693.html

[haven]

The store at the link above offers the communications shelter for $1500. Anyone know of a cheaper source?

[WillSucceed]

Since they are all used, no two will be identical in condition. I'm sure the listed $1500 price is "average", and that they would be willing to negotiate some.

[NH Moto Expo]

Since I was signal officer in the late 1980s I can say that yes I am familiar with them. They are heavy as hell and definitely capable of handling wear and tear. Hopefully they leave the heater inside because they are very warm with very little heat needed. Should be an interesting format for a build but I think I would want a 3/4 ton to haul it rather than a 1/2 ton.

Jim

[WillSucceed]

I think finding a nice truck like this and sliding in the comm shelter would make a great start to a solid low budget expo truck that you wouldn't mind using hard.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg9/wleach00/Misc/militarycucv.jpg

[charlieaarons]

I would research the insulation. I think it may be
Pretty poor.

Charlie

[haven]

The ad says insulated aluminum, no further details. The spec plate highlighted in the photo says gross weight is 2200 lbs, but it's unclear if that means when full of radio equipment, batteries and generator, as it would be in service.

[Photomike]

If that weight is empty it is VERY heavy. My fully loaded Northern Lite truck camper is only 1400lbs with all the extras (less water and fuel).

[desertrover]

I've driven a truck with one of those things on it, and they are HEAVY. Even empty, around 2000lbs wouldn't surprise me. The fact that HMMWV drivetrains are a bit anemic doesn't help much either though. The walls aren't too thick, but I can't really comment on insulation because everything gets hot in the desert. They are tough, well made shelters, but I would look elsewhere unless you're putting it on a one ton or heavier truck. The HMMWV's they are normally mounted on are rated at 4500lbs payload.
-CJ

[ersatzknarf]

It appears to be one of these : http://www.wenzlau.com/shelters_s250_specs.htm

According to the specs, they range in weight from 750 to 802 Lbs., depending on the option.

There are some more comments here :

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/62884-The-official-Abenteuer-and-AllRad-show-in-Bad-Kissengen-Ger.-Overland-largest-show!?p=913693#post913693

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/62884-The-official-Abenteuer-and-AllRad-show-in-Bad-Kissengen-Ger.-Overland-largest-show!?p=919373#post919373

Hope this helps.


I ran across this and thought I would post it for anyone looking for a great starting point to a hard side camper project. They are made to fit a standard full size 8' box, and are definitely rugged. :Wow1: Not sure if anyone on here has used them before.

[nk14zp]

I think they are too small inside for a camper.

[charlieaarons]

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&drKey=1445&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.expeditionportal.com%2Fforum% 2Fthreads%2F66813-Military-Issue-great-starting-point&v=1&libid=1318611340279&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wenzlau.com%2Fshelters_s250_s pecs.htm&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.expeditionportal.com%2Fforum% 2Fthreads%2F66813-Military-Issue-great-starting-point%3Fp%3D972882%23post972882&title=Military%20Issue%20-%20great%20starting%20point&txt=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wenzlau.com%2Fshelters_s250_s pecs.htm&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13186115926143

This military shelter has insulation of R2, far from the R13 of 55mm foam + fiberglass sides used by european expo camper mfgs/GXV (not sure about GXV)
It will require pretty costant heating in subfreezing weather. Probably not much different the the average American built RV but one could definitely do better in the insulation dept. Although as you say the price is right.

Charlie

[CAPTNDAVIE]

That is a S-250 communications shelter. A guy I know converted one into a camper. I am attaching a link to the write up he did on the conversion.

http://www.sanlee.com/jeep/S250camper/default.htm

[NothingClever]

That's pretty slick....if parking is tight at the campground, you can always slingload it in :sombrero: .