C5500 Mobile Command Family overlander

[Korey H]

Hi all. Thought I’d post a few updates on our truck. You likely saw it listed originally in the forum when it sold.

We’re a family of six with four kids 12 and under. We’re coming from a 17 4x 144 Sprinter Passenger. We’ve absolutely loved the sprinter (this is our second); but, are wanting some longer term travel accommodations and international. The kids are getting big and the sprinter is feeling tight.

Anyhow. The truck is an 08 C5500 which was a former mobile command unit for the city of Edmonton Canada. It has about 90k miles and came with the habitat built by International Truck Body. It’s full aluminum ribbed shell with aluminum skinned interior and a Webasto furnace. So I think a good platform for us.

Already been at it for a while so I’ll have to catch up. Seems to move slow but hoping to be doing a shake down run likely southwest by spring.

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[Korey H]

Original interior


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[Korey H]

Cleaned out and planning

Triple stack bunks on left, kitchen on the right, wet bath across the back (nearest out of sight), dinette front drivers side with lowering bunk for the adults, pantry front right, bunk above pantry for littlest squirt.


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[Fatboyz]

Are you in Canada or did you just buy it in Edm?

 

[Korey H]

Completely gutted the cab as I found the floor pad wet, had to sand / wire wheel out the front floorboard and coat. Added sound deadening throughout. Replaced all door seals (three were leaking as well as one running light), painted the headliner with Duplicolor (after this pic), repurposed some aluminum from the demo to replace the rear glass with plans for the pass through. Whew that all took forever.

Now have seat covers and heaters to install for the front air rides and just picked up Ford jump seats to put four across the back (folding for the pass through) otherwise would’ve used transit or sprinter seats.


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[Korey H]

Are you in Canada or did you just buy it in Edm?

A guy with an auction site in Iowa bought it to flip. He posted it oddly in a truck camper forum on FB and we got it from him and drove home to MO.

He said he had it shipped across the border.


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[Fatboyz]

Ah Just wondered, Im just down the road from Edmonton. Lots of snow and cold here right now! With the 30% exchange rate buying in Canada is a good deal for US folks.

 

[Korey H]

Of course had to do lots of wiring in the cab. Removed the console light controller box and repurposed a lot moving switches to the dash.

 

[Korey H]

Family affair.


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[Korey H]

First attack super singles and continentals via EBay from Colony Tire both very positive experiences. Continentals the least expensive I’ve found at about $400 per with current date codes.


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[Korey H]

Repurposed the directional light bar wiring and replaced the work and rear scenes with LEDs.


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[Korey H]

Can’t wait to put in the new awning style windows. Direct from Maygood via Alibaba. Great customer service.


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[Korey H]

Test fitting the shower pan and building out the garage on right.


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[Korey H]

We’re in MO, getting chilly here. At least it’s under roof and there’s a furnace for the interior build.

I had planned to paint it in fact bought Massey Ferguson grey from tractor supply but really we’ve run out of weather. As such we’re going to keep it white. A local RV shop quoted some $7k to paint and that’s just not in the budget right now especially since it’s not a need. White it is!


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[vintageracer]

You really should consider a wrap versus painting your truck.

A quality wrap will be much cheaper than your current paint quote, will be completed in a couple of days rather than weeks or months, no paint and drunkass bodyman to deal with, the only limitation to design is yourself and today's quality wraps last a longtime!

Attached is a pic of my old Featherlite trailer that was wrapped in 2003 and has sat outside everyday since wrapped and still looks good to this day!