theburtseoni
Observer
I started out with a low mileage (14,700) 1971 Kaiser/Jeep 5-ton 6X6 model 820 powered by a very strong running 250hp Cummins 6-cylinder non-turbo with a 5-spd manual transmission and 2-spd transfer case. The truck had an expanding van box that was used by the military for an mobile repair shop for electronics. It was very tall and heavy so I had it removed and built the special low profile steel flat bed that measures 18 feet long. My whole mantra for this build was my version of KISS . . . . Keep It Simple & Stout.
I have owned a couple of x-military 2.5 ton 'deuce and a half' trucks that I was going to do an RV makeover to, but the trucks lacked power steering, and I wanted the extra carry capacity of the 5-ton 800 series trucks.
I originally planned on mounting a typical pickup truck style cab over camper and having room left over for a generator, extra water and fuel tanks, etc. But even with the lower bed, it was going to be touch and go on staying under the 14 foot max height under most US laws. Plus, with the very tall camper, it would make navigating tough trails with low hanging trees a challenge, so I began to look for a Hi-Lo camp trailer in the short version. It is easy to find Hi-Lo trailers in the 25 foot range, but that would not work due to the length of the wheelbase and the 18 foot flatbed I am working with.
After a while I gave up trying to find the correct length trailer and tried to sell the truck just as a flatbed. But after a few weeks of not getting any decent offers, I found the right length Hi-Lo trailer and bought it to mount on the flatbed.
I had to cut a couple of feet out of the tongue to shorten the trailer to a reasonable length, which then required that I mount the propane tanks on the flatbed in front of the trailer. I built in some tabs on either side underneath the flatbed in the front areas so a person can hang a generator, extra fuel or water tanks, or toolboxes on. There is room underneath the trailer on the flatbed for ladders, or extra gear, etc.
The last truck I built (my avatar) was bought by some folks who wanted to mount their own gen-set and solar panels, so I have not mounted any on this truck yet in case I sell it as a work in progress.
This truck has a top speed of 55 mph downhill with a tailwind, 50 is a comfortable cruising speed. I lowered the exhaust down under the passenger side step of the cab to lower the noise level, and to keep exhaust soot from getting on the side of the camper unit. The truck is rated to haul 20K lbs, and my total load is only 6K lbs currently including the flatbed. The truck can tow another 30K lbs as well, so I would envision a trailer towed behind with more gear, gen set, extra water, fuel, tires etc. The truck as it is currently configured would get about 6-8 mpg on the highway depending on terrain, wind, road conditions, etc.
I am an Oregon state resident, so the truck can be titled and licensed as a motorhome since it has permanently attached cooking and sleeping arrangements. The trailer/camper unit is fully self contained with bath and shower in the back corner, it will sleep two adults and four kids quite nicely. In the down position the total height is about 10.5 feet.
I'd thought I'd share this with the folks on the forum in case my build would help give ideas to others who are in the planning stages of a build. :smiley_drive:
I have owned a couple of x-military 2.5 ton 'deuce and a half' trucks that I was going to do an RV makeover to, but the trucks lacked power steering, and I wanted the extra carry capacity of the 5-ton 800 series trucks.
I originally planned on mounting a typical pickup truck style cab over camper and having room left over for a generator, extra water and fuel tanks, etc. But even with the lower bed, it was going to be touch and go on staying under the 14 foot max height under most US laws. Plus, with the very tall camper, it would make navigating tough trails with low hanging trees a challenge, so I began to look for a Hi-Lo camp trailer in the short version. It is easy to find Hi-Lo trailers in the 25 foot range, but that would not work due to the length of the wheelbase and the 18 foot flatbed I am working with.
After a while I gave up trying to find the correct length trailer and tried to sell the truck just as a flatbed. But after a few weeks of not getting any decent offers, I found the right length Hi-Lo trailer and bought it to mount on the flatbed.
I had to cut a couple of feet out of the tongue to shorten the trailer to a reasonable length, which then required that I mount the propane tanks on the flatbed in front of the trailer. I built in some tabs on either side underneath the flatbed in the front areas so a person can hang a generator, extra fuel or water tanks, or toolboxes on. There is room underneath the trailer on the flatbed for ladders, or extra gear, etc.
The last truck I built (my avatar) was bought by some folks who wanted to mount their own gen-set and solar panels, so I have not mounted any on this truck yet in case I sell it as a work in progress.
This truck has a top speed of 55 mph downhill with a tailwind, 50 is a comfortable cruising speed. I lowered the exhaust down under the passenger side step of the cab to lower the noise level, and to keep exhaust soot from getting on the side of the camper unit. The truck is rated to haul 20K lbs, and my total load is only 6K lbs currently including the flatbed. The truck can tow another 30K lbs as well, so I would envision a trailer towed behind with more gear, gen set, extra water, fuel, tires etc. The truck as it is currently configured would get about 6-8 mpg on the highway depending on terrain, wind, road conditions, etc.
I am an Oregon state resident, so the truck can be titled and licensed as a motorhome since it has permanently attached cooking and sleeping arrangements. The trailer/camper unit is fully self contained with bath and shower in the back corner, it will sleep two adults and four kids quite nicely. In the down position the total height is about 10.5 feet.
I'd thought I'd share this with the folks on the forum in case my build would help give ideas to others who are in the planning stages of a build. :smiley_drive:
