pezfallout
New member
So initially I posted in the big vehicles section because I was going to get an Isuzu NPR (or similar) to build my new rolling studio apartment. After mulling it over and researching quite a bit I decided that while the initial price is right, the limited options I had with it just made me scrap the idea. Too expensive to convert to 4WD, parts not as readily available and not easy to work on alone or without well prepared shop (vehicle weight was brutal, too!)
So then I figured out my barebone priorities:
1. Had to be 4WD
2. Had to be diesel
3. Had to be able to move the box from one chassis to another easily in the event of a catastrophe. (very little external plumbing, quick disconnects for everything) If this is going to be my home it needs to be able to move as I move.
So that boiled it down to the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks from 90-98 that were in my price range. I have no personal affinity for any domestic brand trucks (I'm a Toyota fan but they don't offer a diesel in the Tundras or else that's what I'd have gone with) so it boiled down to which engine I felt more comfortable working on and hauling my life around with.
1. The 6.2/6.5L Detroit in the Chevy/GMCs had decent mileage but weren't very powerful and had iffy reliability.
2. The 7.3L PS in the Fords had good reliability and power but the mileage seemed very inconsistent and not amazing in the least.
3. The 5.9L Cummins was a very heavy power plant but seemed to have the best track record and the best mileage. Also, being an inline 6, had fewer moving parts and easier access to vital components.
Even though Dodge is synonymous with "falling apart," this is the route I'm going to go. So with the vehicle out of the way... now the living space.
I would like to get a 10' of 14' U-Haul box (preferably the 14' for the cab over for the bed area) and mount it to the rails of a W250/350 or Ram 2500/3500. The interior of the box should be rather straightforward since all of the walls are straight with no funky angles. I can raid some motorhome junkyards and piecemeal it together and save the big money for the batteries, inverter/controller, and solar panels.
I know people have converted the U-Hauls as they came (2WD, F250) but has anyone moved the entire box onto another 3/4+ ton vehicle and what did they encounter? It should be an easy swap, possibly needing some risers but it shouldn't.
As far as inverters/controllers go, can I get some reviews of what you guys are using? Looking for intelligent ones with good metrics displays with dump circuits (for excess voltage), solar inputs and if it has hookups for 20/30a service.
I'm moving back to the states in 9 months and want to have my game plan laid out. I'll have 90+ days of leave and if I can get it livable I can work on it as I go after that. I will post up other plans as make firm decisions about where I'd like to go with the build.
I really appreciate this site! So much good info. With that being said, if it's already been answered just point me there! Thanks!
So then I figured out my barebone priorities:
1. Had to be 4WD
2. Had to be diesel
3. Had to be able to move the box from one chassis to another easily in the event of a catastrophe. (very little external plumbing, quick disconnects for everything) If this is going to be my home it needs to be able to move as I move.
So that boiled it down to the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks from 90-98 that were in my price range. I have no personal affinity for any domestic brand trucks (I'm a Toyota fan but they don't offer a diesel in the Tundras or else that's what I'd have gone with) so it boiled down to which engine I felt more comfortable working on and hauling my life around with.
1. The 6.2/6.5L Detroit in the Chevy/GMCs had decent mileage but weren't very powerful and had iffy reliability.
2. The 7.3L PS in the Fords had good reliability and power but the mileage seemed very inconsistent and not amazing in the least.
3. The 5.9L Cummins was a very heavy power plant but seemed to have the best track record and the best mileage. Also, being an inline 6, had fewer moving parts and easier access to vital components.
Even though Dodge is synonymous with "falling apart," this is the route I'm going to go. So with the vehicle out of the way... now the living space.
I would like to get a 10' of 14' U-Haul box (preferably the 14' for the cab over for the bed area) and mount it to the rails of a W250/350 or Ram 2500/3500. The interior of the box should be rather straightforward since all of the walls are straight with no funky angles. I can raid some motorhome junkyards and piecemeal it together and save the big money for the batteries, inverter/controller, and solar panels.
I know people have converted the U-Hauls as they came (2WD, F250) but has anyone moved the entire box onto another 3/4+ ton vehicle and what did they encounter? It should be an easy swap, possibly needing some risers but it shouldn't.
As far as inverters/controllers go, can I get some reviews of what you guys are using? Looking for intelligent ones with good metrics displays with dump circuits (for excess voltage), solar inputs and if it has hookups for 20/30a service.
I'm moving back to the states in 9 months and want to have my game plan laid out. I'll have 90+ days of leave and if I can get it livable I can work on it as I go after that. I will post up other plans as make firm decisions about where I'd like to go with the build.
I really appreciate this site! So much good info. With that being said, if it's already been answered just point me there! Thanks!