Hello, first post and advice needed on liveaboard overlander..

[Telcobilly]

Hi everyone,
My first post, I'll tell you a little bit about myself and what my needs are. I'm a 53 yo empty nester working in the oilfield with on site housing. I'm on my own when I'm not at a rig. I lived in South Africa as a teenager and have lived all over the US when I was in tech, trucking and now back in the oilfield.

I want a capable, somewhat stealthy, go anywhere vehicle that I can live in between jobs. I get $675 pm for a truck allowance and work miles paid. I currently own a nice paid for 2004 Tacoma 2wd Xtracab. Great little truck, but too small to live in or tow anything .

I really don't want a big RV or big trailer, it forces me to deal with RV parks. The two vehicles I have in mind are vastly different, I'm leaning towards the first concept which would be a full sized 4x4 truck like a Ram or Tundra with a lighter rodeo camper like a Capri or M&M Custom. This rig could pull whatever I need it to and I'm guessing a diesel wouldn't get horrendous mileage.

Concept 2 would be much more costly, a '12 JKUR with a camper top like an Earth Roamer. I would lose the ability to tow the taco or a bigger trailer.

I'm not opposed to smaller spaces, but if I'm living in it part time and if some or all of it is being paid for, why suffer?

Thanks for any advice, Will

 

[RealJon]

Consider a E350 Van. Huge inside, parts are plentiful, 4wd conversion available through UJOR, and no issues hauling a trailer. Given your info I feel that would be what I would do!

 

[redthies]

For what you do, a fullsize diesel with a camper would be great. I wouldn't worry about the stealth of a shell type camper vs a bigger more comfortable real camper. Lots of people drive around with campers on their trucks, that are not sleeping in them. I think having a shower and toilet are a nice thing if you are going to be a week or more in it.

 

[Telcobilly]

Great suggestions, both of which I have considered.
On the E350, would it be worth trying to find a used Sportsmobile or Quigly with a diesel and can they be had in the $20k range?

On the full size truck, which truck/campers would you consider, older but solid are ok with me.

Thanks

 

[chilliwak]

First off I would like to say hello and welcome to the site Telcobilly. I would really need to know more about your needs, and also your ability to repair and fabricate. Do you want a turn key solution that never requires work, or do you want to buy an older vehicle and build it up over a period of time so that you get it just the way you want it? If you follow the link in my signature called `Build´ you can see how I took an old vehicle and built a canopy that matches my needs exactly. Give me a little more detail of your needs and price range and I am sure that myself and the others here on the site can help you out. Cheers, Chilli.

 

[Ponyracer]

Late 90's, early 00's f350 dually with a 7.3 and a cabover. Or a similar truck with the mighty cummins. Bigger truck=bigger camper, which will be MUCH better living it in full time. I wouldn't bother with a pop up either. Other possibility if you dont want a dually but can pull a trailer, 24' or so gooseneck and a srw dodge or ford. Mount a camper on the trailer and put the taco behind it.

 

[Rovertrader]

We once considered exactly what Ponyracer describes- a gooseneck with one of two options. A) Use a pop-up style removed from it's 'base(trailer/axle) and mount it on the top portion of the neck which reduces trailer length needed, or B)mount a typical truck camper with cabover section above the neck of the gooseneck(aka: move it as far forward as possible).
If you go the pickup slide in style camper, either on a truck or mounted on a trailer, I strongly suggest a model made for a flatbed as this nearly doubles your actual floor space as there is no allowance- or loss of room for- the wheel wells.
There are always pros and cons to each solution, so try to solve the most issues with your final design. To me, the trailer provides 'base camp' scenerio and allows you the most options, and the Taco for DD, wheeling and such.
Welcome aboard by the way!!
Cheers

 

[Photomike]

Lots of very good ideas. For me the choice comes down to the following:

- I love the van idea but for longer term living not having a dedicated bed is a pain. I like having a bed in my TC that serves as a bed and doesn't have to be folded up for sitting.

- A hard sided for long term living is a necessity for weather (cold and wet) and also for not having to always be putting up and down for stealth camping.

- The van idea does have a HUGE benefit in that you can go from the drivers seat to the back without going outside, something that can be a benefit when you are trying to stealth camp. Also great for cold/ wet weather as you are in your house and do not have to go out. If you wanted this in a unit similar to a TC you are limited to a couple builds but it is possible, only big issue is that you are limited to what you get in the first build (not able to upgrade the camper).

- With a TC you have a little more storage / floor space. If you go with a crew cab then you add more space that you can use for storage, nice for security and storage.

- With the TC you do need to climb into bed so may be an issue if you have leg or back problems. My TC has a bed that goes side to side and I love this as it is easy to get into over the front to back beds.

- A truck camper allows you to upgrade easily while still keeping the truck (a major part of the purchase) so if you started out with a smaller unit and then decided to get a slide unit then you can do so.

- For the truck really consider if a diesel is what you want. Less payload and more costs generally do not offset the benefits, unless you are doing a lot of driving.

- If you do go with a TC then buy a larger truck than what you want for not only towing but for future upgrades in the size of the TC.

Good luck with the decision.

 

[darien]

Great suggestions, both of which I have considered.
On the E350, would it be worth trying to find a used Sportsmobile or Quigly with a diesel and can they be had in the $20k range?

On the full size truck, which truck/campers would you consider, older but solid are ok with me.

Thanks

You're almost certainly NOT going to find a SM or a Quigley for anything like $20K, but miracles do happen...? Get a solid but used E350 and have the front axle done on your own, and you'll get there cheaper.

For trucks, most will say Cummins. Or Duramax. Or 7.3 Powerstroke. So if you get one of those, you'll get what most people have, and what most people like. Lotsa threads on "which is best".

Campers - lots of options but Four Wheel is a great option if you can find a good used one. Check out Truck Camper Magazine - a big website loaded with truck camper info and links to all manufacturers' websites.

 

[Telcobilly]

Good info to digest here. My taco is a 2wd and I plan to put in an Eaton Trutrac to help out the traction dept. I already had a small lift installed (1.5" spacer lift in the front, 2" add a leaf in the rear). I'm toying with the idea of buying a utility body and having windows/vents installed.
This Durashell has an overhead storage area, I could build a plywood platform for sleeping with my supplies below, maybe a cooler/ microwave in the overhead or in the cab. I would then have a compact, paid off stealth rig until such time when I purchase a cabin or boat or RV or home.. I would be spending minimal time living in it as I have place to stay a few hours from where I have been working. Down the road I would like to take a road trip and this would save me hotel costs and like the turtle, my home would be with me. I spent 3 years living in a truck cab/sleeper, the last year in a cramped flat top truck.

This is my truck:

 

[1leglance]

There are a few interesting deals here on Expo

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...hevy-Express-Quigley-4x4-semi-camperized-6000

and someone had linked to a 4x4 small bus/van that looked like it had promise

 

[Photomike]

Love that Durashell, gives a lot of options. I would only go with one side window and a back window as well as a escape hatch on the roof. That would keep your "exposure" down for people being able to see in and keep your security up.

My concern would be about the insulation, if any. Would be easy enough to add a heater for cool nights but cold could be an issue with condensation.

Glue some carpet to the ceiling for a little warmth and to cut down the noise, as well as put some on the floor.

Here is a post from a unit close to the same size as the Durashell http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/45652-300GDN-Ambulance-conversion

 

[Telcobilly]

Awesome info! I'm getting paralysis by analysis now, lol.
Here's what I'm considering:
Option 1: buy the Durashell and set it up, no hurry, I have housing so I can take my time to insulate it, get windows and build a bed platform. Where to buy and how much would windows cost? The shell costs $4800 new before taxes.

Option 2: buy a used conversion van for $3k - $6k and be more comfortable , downside is two vehicles to maintain, insure and store. Upside is a lot of bang for the buck and the ability to stealth camp.

Not sure I would go with a full on overland conversion, would be pretty expensive.

 

[Photomike]

I saw a Sprinter the other day that was a cargo version converted to a RV. What was the difference? They did not put any windows in the back. Great for stealth camping and security. I had to look a couple times at the awning, furnace exhaust and the bikes on the back that gave it away as being converted. From the front you had to look hard to see in the back and I never did see much from looking as it was so dark. I would have at least put some windows in the back doors for light and driving, but I am sure they have what they want. Upside less expense, very stealth - fully customisable.

Another van around here is a full size panel van that is converted to a camper. Everyday they are parked at a local park for the day, then at night they leave to work. They have a nice roof rack and windows in the back but that is all to see from the outside.

A conversion van is usually done up pretty good. I have looked at a few and have been very impressed.

Like you say going with any van will add all the extra expenses of the second vehicle, a lot of money that could go into fixing up a unit for your truck and gas to enjoy it later.

For windows try any RV supply. The more expensive ones are plexi and are dual pane. Not sure if you need that if you are not insulating the camper, but they sure are nice.

 

[Telcobilly]

Thanks Photomike,
I get buyers remorse just thinking about another vehicle. You are right, the extra money spent on another vehicle would go a long way to upgrades on this unit, which could be moved to another truck in the future, if necessary. I'm thinking a rooftop vent and windows in the back only. Will keep it more commercial looking. With more privacy and light. Maybe a pass through window to the cab as well.
I already have better load capacity with the add a leafs in the rear. An Eaton LSD is coming next..