New to site - 813 6X6 truck is now motorhome RV expedition vehicle

[theburtseoni]

I hope this is the correct place in the forum to post pics of my economy build 'mobil hunting and fishing lodge'. It is a 1970 Kaiser/Jeep model 813 w/w 5-ton 6X6 with 20K lb front pto winch. Power is the usual 855 Cummins 250 hp inline 6-cylinder diesel with a manual 5-spd trans and 2 spd transfer case. There are about 29K miles on the odometer, just barely broken in. While not as agile as a Tatra, Mann or some of the other more exotic big trucks out there, it can still get to some interesting places. It is rated to pack up to 10K lbs in the bed off road or 20K lbs highway so the weight of the camper, back porch, gen set and extra fuel and water tanks plus misc gear only weighs about 6K lbs. The only really questionable 'feature' is the fuel mileage- about 6 mpg. Ouch! But, this has been an otherwise relatively inexpensive build since I have to watch my budget closely! And- top speed is only about 52 mph on the highway without getting into the RPM 'danger zone', so one cannot be in a hurry when going in Big Green. The truck lacks many creature comforts, but does have a good heater!

I really enjoy this site- especially the Aussies with thier great Fuso based camper trucks and expedition vehicles. I have imagined that I was the only person in my neck of the woods, maby even the whole world who lusted after a 4X4 Fuso cab/chassis to build my dream expedition rig on, and now I find out there is a whole continent down under where many like minded folks abound!

 

[lcsodiver]

Nice looking rig! I'd love to have a big rig.... someone was selling a Oshkosh on here that I was lusting over.... http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...MTT-Expedition-Vehicle-w-Garage?highlight=8x8

but I'm happy with my Land Rover.... and it's paid for :smiley_drive:

Welcome to the site! it's a great group. There are trips that get over your way from the west side on occation too, perhaps we can meet up sometime!

 

[NorthernMexican]

Beautiful truck! I like the added artistic touch of the cowboy/elk scene. Do you use the winch for recovering large game? What year/make is the camper?

 

[k9lestat]

the mileage on the things is what scared me off. but i do love drooling over them. really nice rig.

 

[theburtseoni]

The winch works well for dragging those really big firewood logs up out of the draws that are down the side of the mountain. Or pulling yourself out of the mud etc. Or dragging up that monster bull elk that rolled down to the bottom of the canyon when you shot it.:elkgrin:

The camper is a 1996 Jayco, I chose it due to it's smooth sides, flat floor, and no A/C on top which would have put me over height! And it was priced in my budget too!
The floor is a double floor with the holding tanks sandwiched in between, so I did not have to contend with the usual holding tanks hanging down below the floor line in the back like most truck campers. The hard smooth sides made for easier painting too!
Anyone ever getting over to NE Oregon or SW Idaho just drop me a PM, I can outline lots of nice backroads or even roadless areas for you to explore.

 

[NJAdam]

It's not often I'm jealous of another man.

This is one of those times.

 

[Jet-Unit]

Wow, it's nice looking. Probably not a problem to find a camping place!!:sombrero:

 

[theburtseoni]

I have laughingly refered to this project just as 'Big Green' but one person called me from the east coast to talk to me about it and called it 'Big Green Ugly' in a complementary way! So maby it could 'scare' up the best camping spot if needed?:Wow1: