Dodge Ram 5500 motorhome

[Healeyjet]

Elcoyote, we hope to have a blender so all should be good.
Ward

 

[xracer144]

Hey Ward,
things look like they are coming along real well. How did they insulate the floor?

 

[Healeyjet]

The underside is completely spray foamed from below then top coated with bed-liner I believe. Then from inside they use a composite board to line the floor under the lino.
Ward

 

[Scrapdaddy]

Great looking cabinets. Top shelve all the way!

 

[pappawheely]

Looks very off-road worthy!

 

[Healeyjet]

I hope so because there is this photographer that keeps getting wild pictures that I have to follow to some off-road racing events! LOL
Ward

 

[pappawheely]

You're welcome any time! I know where some good spots are.

 

[guidolyons]

EDITED

I initially had the rough cost here but realized it will be out of date very soon and this thread will be around for a while. I would suggest contacting the sales guys at ITB in Coaldale AB for an accurate quote.


Ward

*based on Ward's edit, I'll say this- it's a about 1/3 the cost of an EarthRoamer. A bit more than I was *hoping*, but really, that's not bad, considering the amount of labor and materials going into it. Each build will be slightly different depending on what you want done. It's nice to get an idea on how much this sort of things cost, whether it's a budget build or a full on, Earth Roamer, Unicat territory.

 

[Healeyjet]

Guido, I think a lot could be done with a used moving van like a U-haul or even an refurbished ITB box. Unfortunately our timeline with this build was to get it done ASAP so we had to outsource the whole unit. I think if a guy had some time he could retrofit a cargo box to a pretty darn nice camper. I know Sarconcepts built a very nice camper using one. The beauty of this type of build and any other cargo box build is that it is all done for a 34" frame so totally universal from one heavy duty truck to another.
Ward

 

[McCaskey]

The way the camper body is constructed, it will last a life time. You can jack the camper body off of the chassis and slide new trucks under it for years to come.

 

[Healeyjet]

Our thought as well McCaskey. Getting very excited to see it done.
We are going to do the pre-paint inspection next Friday so should have a lot more photos after that.
Ward

 

[guidolyons]

Guido, I think a lot could be done with a used moving van like a U-haul or even an refurbished ITB box. Unfortunately our timeline with this build was to get it done ASAP so we had to outsource the whole unit. I think if a guy had some time he could retrofit a cargo box to a pretty darn nice camper. I know Sarconcepts built a very nice camper using one. The beauty of this type of build and any other cargo box build is that it is all done for a 34" frame so totally universal from one heavy duty truck to another.
Ward

Yeah, Lipstick 6 is slowly coming around...convinced her that a stick and staple RV will fall apart and we need to look at something more robust. I want to convert an ambulance or U-Haul but that's too utilitarian for her, but we can't afford an EarthRoamer. We have Earth Roamer dreams on a U-haul budget. I'll have to show her Sarconcept's truck (I have it bookmarked), we don't really have room for a full on conversion, she's looking for turn-key. For now, I'll just live vicariously through you. :sombrero: and keep tabs on the Expo Portal For Sale section.

The way the camper body is constructed, it will last a life time. You can jack the camper body off of the chassis and slide new trucks under it for years to come.

Yeah, that ITB box will last a long time. Very nice.

 

[wild1]

Unless you have done a thorough budget it's sobering how expensive it is to do a top drawer camper. My hunting partner had ITB do a flatbed camper box for his Fuso Fg. He did some of the outfitting of the box and contracted a potion. In the end it cost about double what a standard Alaskan camper would cost or in the same ballpark as an XP camper. The upside for the ITB system is it should be good for the life of the owner.

 

[Healeyjet]

Some photo updates from last Friday.
Ward

I added this lower compartment when I realized there was a space for it. I think it will be home to a Partner Steel 2 burner stove on a slide and other cooking/camping gear.





Here are the DEF and Diesel fills relocated to one spot at the back of the camper. The fill shown is temporary and will be replaced by three locking fuel doors.




This will be the future home of the three house batteries.

 

[S2DM]

Unless you have done a thorough budget it's sobering how expensive it is to do a top drawer camper. My hunting partner had ITB do a flatbed camper box for his Fuso Fg. He did some of the outfitting of the box and contracted a potion. In the end it cost about double what a standard Alaskan camper would cost or in the same ballpark as an XP camper. The upside for the ITB system is it should be good for the life of the owner.

Agreed. The upside is you get exactly what you want, like in our case, surfboard lockers, a 6'10" interior height and a non standard mix of high end features along with many Spartan features.
But a one off build is almost never for budgetary reasons, you do it because you can, because you want to, because you really want certain features etc., or, you just really enjoy doing it. Our build has swung far north of what we could have bought a nice camper for. It sometimes rankles me I could have spent the last two years camping with a beer in hand instead of sanding fiberglass!
Ward, your camper really is looking great. So excited to see it mounted on the truck! Any feedback on the tires?