Medium Duty Truck/camper

[Dr. Cornwallis]

I'm in the very early stages of planning a 4x4 camper. I'm a firefighter so I make good money but not $500K a year money. I have a budget more around $100,000.

I work for a large department and we have several brush trucks based on the 4x4 international 4200 (VT365) and international 4x4 Workstar 7400 (Max Force) these trucks see very little use, in most cases around 1k or less per year. We usually keep the trucks for about ten to fifteen years max before they are retired.

Will a company like Unicat or GXV build just a camper box around a chassis that I provide? Will any of the Unicat boxes fit a RAM 5500 chassis too? And lastly would I be able to get into a box installed on a chassis for around $100.000?

I know the VT365 is to be avoided like the plague, so that's likely disqualifies the 4200 as a candidate as I don't want to mess around with an engine swap.

How are the Maxx Force diesels as far as reliability? I would really like to stick with a medium duty 4x4 for long term durability but if it's more budget appropriate I would consider going down to a Ram 5500.

Requirements for the camper box would be that it be very durable (Not flashy but easy to maintain) and be able to sleep four.

My options I'm looking at for the chassis are basically:

1. International 7400 Workstar with Maxxforce Diesel

2. International 4200 with VT365

3. Dodge 5500 with Cummins


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Healeyjet]

Dr, Check out our build thread below in my signature for our motorhome built on the RAM 5500.
ITB will give you a box to any stage of completion from a box with a door to a total camper. (in Canadian funds as well)

As well check out http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/143766-Flatbed-and-composite-panel-build-on-Dodge-2500 for what Mark is doing. I have heard talk that these may be available in various stages from Mark as well.

Ward

 

[Maninga]

Would be worth having a look at this thread too.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...-fiberglass-composite-panels-to-North-America

Andreas (Victorian) has panels for the home builder to your design

 

[back woods]

I have done something kind of similar but with an F700 and truck camper. The truck is 2wd though. Have thought about a 4x4 conversion in the past but there is a lot of sacrifice. Depends on how you plan on using it though. If you are going to hit the open road at all plan on a low top speed, high rpms and a rough ride. Which I am sure you already know. Traveling 100mi+ can get mind numbing in an MDT so comfort is something to consider. At any rate my F700 has an air locker that can get me just about anywhere while retaining a 75mph top speed.

 

[back woods]

One more thing to add. The F-series truck cabs can be converted to a Lariat interior by swapping F-series pickup parts. Also better motor options, 8.3, 5.9, 7.8, 6.6 better than most IH motor options.

 

[foxhunter]

I have seen some nice rigs from GXV with the work star and a 5500. check out their website for pictures. And double your budget, even if you supply the truck.

 

[NeverEnough]

I'm very pleased with my 7400 with the DT570. The Internationals aren't speedy over highway mountain passes, but they sure get the job done off road. No wonder they're such a popular choice for bush trucks.

 

[peneumbra]

I really like the 7400 with the Maxxforce 9 liter. Everybody builds Type 3 4x4 engines on them (also on the Freightliner M2 4x4) so there should be a ton of parts around. I'd much rather have the IH than a Dodge 5500, particularly if you're gonna build something you can live in for weeks at a time.

I'm thinking about having GXV build something on this Peterbilt 6x6 I just got. something like that, or what you're thinking about, is going to be Big Bucks. Start studying for that next Captain's test...