New Overland Build Questions Ford F-550 7.3 Gas engine

[Kobethecat]

I am in the process of building a 2026 Ford F550 7.3L Godzilla Gas engine Crewcab chassis to carry a 4500 lbs truck camper full-time off-road. The issues are the engines are all detuned to extend longevity. Taking the 450hp engine down to 325hp. What do people do to get back to the intended 450hp rating. The next issue is insurance coverage on a personally owned F550. Many insurance companies want to charge much higher commercial insurance rates. How do people go around this issue if you intend to convert the truck to a full-time RV Truck Camper. Thanks for your responses.

 

[topofpalomar]

Hi, Kobethecat. I can't comment on the de-tuning issue but as far as converting the truck from commercial to rv/auto registration to get cheaper insurance and registration rates I can tell you what I did.

After setting up my 2005 Chevy 2500 with a used utility bed and installing my camper I made an appointment with the DMV in San Marcos, CA and had it inspected to make sure it qualified to go from commercial to rv/auto. Worked out just fine. The DMV inspector did advise me to never take the camper off and drive it on the highway or I might get a ticket unless I re-registered it back to a commercial vehicle.

It saved me on registration and insurance. I sold the rig to my neighbour and told him to follow the DMV guy's advice. My neighbour still has it and it's still registered as a regular auto.

So, set up the rig with the camper and get down to the DMV for an inspection to convert it to rv/auto. After you get your new license plates contact your insurance company and let the know it's now a recreation vehicle. They will verify thru DMV that it's now an rv and you should see a substantial decrease in your insurance.

I hope that helps.

 

[Darwin]

You might consider how it might affect your warranty.