Possible platform for a LARGE Expo Rig

[jgolden]

I'd like some feedback from the "Heavy Truck Experts" :coffeedrink:

Would this make a good platform for Family Expo Rig?
Already has Super Singles, Full Lockers, A/C.
Maybe you can sell the water tank, pumps, etc to offset the purchase price.

http://www.globaltrucksales.net/truckwater6x6/truckwater04/water tr2.jpg
http://www.globaltrucksales.net/truckwater6x6/truckwater04/water tr3.jpg

Aside from large size and price, what are the downsides?

2003 INTL 5600i 6X6 4,000 gallon water truck
ISM Cummings @ 385 hp, Allison HD4560P automatic transmission, Fabco transfer case model 170, air activated single speed, gear ratio 5:38, 21K fronts 46k rears, dual power steering, double framed,full lockers, AC, 100 gallon aluminum fuel tank, flotation 425/65R22.5tires with Alcoas @ 90%,16k miles, United Tanks 4,000 gallon water system,Berkley 4X3 pump 750 gpm, 65 psi, SN/1305002, water cannon controlled in cab with joy stick, water hose, 6 independent air activated sprayers.
Sale Price $69,900.

 

[apexcamper]

well...not an expert by any means, but it seems to me like a lot of the price is in the "water cannon controlled in cab with joy stick" and "Berkley 4X3 pump 750 gpm, 65 psi"

Since you would be getting rid of all that, you could probably save yourself a significant portion of that purchase price by finding a similar truck already stripped to the frame. (just as an example 2001 AUTOCAR ACL64B or this OSHKOSH HIGHLAND they may only need tires)

$5k on tires and suspension and a very thorough engine and drive train tuning and you are still $15K (more with that OSHKOSH) shy of that other truck's purchase price. $15k buys a lot of extras
That water truck is very clean and probably in great shape, but if you are going to strip it to the frame anyway, no need to pay for some high tech extras. Unless you have your own shop with crane, you are going to end up paying to remove that large tank.

My two cents...good luck, I would love to watch the build if you start on a truck that sized

 

[Saiyan66]

Yeah that is a VERY heavy duty chassis, even for a large expo rig. When you look at Internationals, the one thing to remember is this: the drivetrains are GREAT and the cabs are CRAP! They are considered an economical large truck and the money savings is definitely in the cab. You can always count on having to spend some time adding sound deadening material, improving door seals, tracing down wind whistles, fixing the A/C, etc.

 

[bajajoaquin]

If you're in California, why don't you check out Mayer Equipment? They don't have any 6X6 (or even any medium-duty 4X4) trucks available right now, but they usually do. They seem to resell a lot of utility company equipment, and have International trucks with utility bodies and lifts in the $20K-$30K range pretty frequently. Sometimes less.

 

[TRegasaurus]

Just my opinion, but it seems a bit long to be a good expo rig. Someone will pipe up I'm sure if I'm wrong about this.

 

[westyss]

This just seems obvious, but where is the family going to sit? Maybe you are needing a crew cab/extended cab type truck? or is your family only three people? To me it does seem a bit large for an expo truck, will it be a NA expo truck or do you plan on departing the North American continent?

 

[shortbus4x4]

I think that truck would be a little heavy for expo use. Water weighs alot so that truck has been built with super heavy duty components which means its heavy. 4000 gallons of water would be about 32000 lbs, campers weigh alot less. Heavy gets stuck easy compared to light, even all wheel drive stuff. Meyer would be a good place to start looking for a cab and chassis 4x4 medium duty rig which could be had for alot less than that water truck. Unless you are building something heavy go with a 4x4 versus a 6x6, better mileage and cheaper to maintain.

 

[shachagra]

I love the truck, but then I am biased, having had success with an International 7500. Loved the idea of a 6X6 but the cost and harsher suspension it came with tipped us to buy the 4X6. It is a big truck, but with our ton of batteries and 400 gallons of water we went bigger and safer. It is amazing how much you can load these up without realizing it. Our family of 5 tried, but still can't get anywhere near the 52K the truck can handle. With the 6X6 you may be looking for more of a true off road vehicle than we were.

 

[RoosterBooster]

jgolden
i`m not really an "expert" but i build some bigrig truck conversions before so i may add a couple things that jump into my mind;
as others pointed out water is heavy so water trucks are usually spec`d with HD suspension = rides very rough without a (or light of a) load.
usually some sort of a "walking beam/rubber puck" suspension gets used
a walking beam by itself offers great axle articulation but usually the beam to frame suspension is very stiff (except if it is a air ride walking beam like the attached pic of a Hendrickson AR2)
combine that harsh suspension with a very rigid double frame and you will end up with poor offroad capability.
i personally would not want any of that in a (relative) "lightweight" expo rig .... independent air suspended axles makes a huge difference in riding comfort (and does not beat your kidneys, your camper box and everything in it to pieces)


one other thing i noticed is the rims;
it appears that the front duplex rims (also known as super singles/wide base) do not match the rears.
the fronts look to be "standard offset" wheels (4.75"inset, 5.87" outset) where the rears seem to be "zero offset" wheels (.56" inset/outset)
the "zero offsets" are great for high axle load configurations (center of rim is at the center of the wheelbearings) but it makes the rig narrow in the rear (iirc ~ 88" outside tires)
that narrow rear track is not something that i would like on a high profile offroad rig ... and the front wheels are not interchangeable with the rears/spare.
i personally would prefer standard offset rims in all positions .... this makes the front and rear track the same (~ 96" outside tires)

IMHO you are better off converting a truck by yourself to the specs you need/like then buying a (overspeced for your application) water truck.

(in my opinion) depending on where you want to go with the truck you most likely are better off with a lighter, lower, better suspended, flexible framed 4X6 (with fully locked rears) then with a tall and stiff suspended, rigid framed 6x6

stephan

 

[jgolden]

Thanks for everyones feedback. All the points make very good sense.
I'm researching a build for a family of 5 to travel and live-in for 14 months.
The trip is not for another 4+ years, but I'd like to own and use the camper for at least 1 year in USA before we leave for Europe and ???
I think this would be a better platform - Let me know what you think. http://www.racingjunk.com/Tow-vehicles/2403780/2007-International-7500-4X4-Sporthauler.html
I'm challenged with size vs. offroad use vs. comfort etc.
I might be better off to live and travel in a traditional RV and use a different vehicle for offroad use - But that's not as fun.

 

[shortbus4x4]

Wow, your new choice is much better I think and I am drooling over the thought of seeing you build it up.:drool::drool:

 

[78Bronco]

The first IH has the drawbacks mentioned by others. The second vehicle is better but I don't think it has the wheelbase you need for 5 people galavanting across the globe.

 

[jgolden]

Yeah, that rig is pretty sweet. Looks like someone built-up their dream tow rig for local deserts. And it's Pre ULSD!!!
I know of the top Expo Camper companies in USA (Unicat, Earthroamer, GXV) But what other choices are out there for a Camper Conversion that are not as expensive???
I've followed the DIY guys that have built their own, but are there any known companies that are middle of the road on price and quality?
thanks

 

[jgolden]

The first IH has the drawbacks mentioned by others. The second vehicle is better but I don't think it has the wheelbase you need for 5 people galavanting across the globe.

I assumed the frame could be extended. (but not sure, maybe I'm wrong)

 

[shortbus4x4]

I assumed the frame could be extended. (but not sure, maybe I'm wrong)

Yes. On medium/heavy duty trucks you can usually shorten/lengthen the frame/wheelbase. Usually the framerails are straight pieces of channel. Any truck shop would be able to do that no problem.