Here is the start of my project. My goal is to have an inexpensive camper and dirtbike hauler.
Some of the vehicles/campers considered were:
Fourwheel popup. I really like the pop top and light weight. I actually had an 86 grandby last year that needed some work that I picked up for $100 and was planning to buy a cheap truck to put it on but that never happened so I sold it. I eventually ruled out the popup because I wanted to be able to put the dirtbike in the back.
Four wheel drive van with popup or bubbletop. These are very cool rigs but are hard to find in the configuation I wanted for the money I wanted to spend.
Cutaway box van with a 10' box and single rear axle. $2,000-3,000 would only get me an old 2wd w/gas engine.
I finally decided on a 3/4 ton 4wd pickup with either a cab over camper or a very large utility shell. I ruled out th older cab overs, too big, not the layout I wanted, build quality,unable to put bike in the back.
In the end I decided it was going to be a big camper shell/box.
I saw the truck on craigslist, 1993 ford f250,4wd,diesel,5 speed,decent condition,new tires,$2,000. I went to look at it and after checking it out I handed over $1,800 and brought it home.
About a week later I was deciding on what to to do for a camper box.My starting budget for the project was $5,000 so any new custom camper shell was out of the budget. I then made some rough drawings and and figued out a materials list to build my own. I went to the local aluminum sales/ rv parts shop and nearly fainted, the aluminum skin alone would be $800-1,000. Add in the frame materials, trim,labor,parts, etc. and it was back to the drawing board.
A used pre made box was next on the list. I took the tape measure and went looking for the right one. Too big, too small, too expensive, too ugly, until I saw it!.... The box on the back of a Toyota Uhaul ! After measuring, remeasuring, second guessing myself and mulling it over I decided I must have one. Finding one was harder than I thought it would be. I Was obsessed for two weeks looking for one, Uhaul had running trucks for around $2,000, ones with blown motors or trannys were $1,000-1,500. They wouldn't sell just the box. I found a complete truck with a blown motor on craislist for $1,000. I called and the sellers had just sold it to a wrecking yard, there was hope. I got the # of the wrecking yard and a deal was made for $450 for the box.
The plan was set in motion, take friday off from work, drive 145 miles to get box, drive home and figure out how to make it work.
And that is how the start of UHAULER began.
Will post pics soon.
Sean
Some of the vehicles/campers considered were:
Fourwheel popup. I really like the pop top and light weight. I actually had an 86 grandby last year that needed some work that I picked up for $100 and was planning to buy a cheap truck to put it on but that never happened so I sold it. I eventually ruled out the popup because I wanted to be able to put the dirtbike in the back.
Four wheel drive van with popup or bubbletop. These are very cool rigs but are hard to find in the configuation I wanted for the money I wanted to spend.
Cutaway box van with a 10' box and single rear axle. $2,000-3,000 would only get me an old 2wd w/gas engine.
I finally decided on a 3/4 ton 4wd pickup with either a cab over camper or a very large utility shell. I ruled out th older cab overs, too big, not the layout I wanted, build quality,unable to put bike in the back.
In the end I decided it was going to be a big camper shell/box.
I saw the truck on craigslist, 1993 ford f250,4wd,diesel,5 speed,decent condition,new tires,$2,000. I went to look at it and after checking it out I handed over $1,800 and brought it home.
About a week later I was deciding on what to to do for a camper box.My starting budget for the project was $5,000 so any new custom camper shell was out of the budget. I then made some rough drawings and and figued out a materials list to build my own. I went to the local aluminum sales/ rv parts shop and nearly fainted, the aluminum skin alone would be $800-1,000. Add in the frame materials, trim,labor,parts, etc. and it was back to the drawing board.
A used pre made box was next on the list. I took the tape measure and went looking for the right one. Too big, too small, too expensive, too ugly, until I saw it!.... The box on the back of a Toyota Uhaul ! After measuring, remeasuring, second guessing myself and mulling it over I decided I must have one. Finding one was harder than I thought it would be. I Was obsessed for two weeks looking for one, Uhaul had running trucks for around $2,000, ones with blown motors or trannys were $1,000-1,500. They wouldn't sell just the box. I found a complete truck with a blown motor on craislist for $1,000. I called and the sellers had just sold it to a wrecking yard, there was hope. I got the # of the wrecking yard and a deal was made for $450 for the box.
The plan was set in motion, take friday off from work, drive 145 miles to get box, drive home and figure out how to make it work.
And that is how the start of UHAULER began.
Will post pics soon.
Sean
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