Question about import all rv parts from china and assemble here in Canada

[ImMrz]

Hi all,

My girlfriend and I are planning to start our full-time RV life in a year or two, so we’ve been doing a lot of research recently. We would like to have a rig that has four-wheel drive, four-season capability, and can be self-sustained for at least a week while we explore nature. However, the more research we’ve done, the more we’re considering building our own. The rigs currently for sale in the market are either way too overpriced or don’t meet our needs.

We are immigrants from China, so we also did a lot of research on RVs there. I was quite surprised by how advanced Chinese RVs have become. China has strict rules on RV size based on a regular driver’s license, meaning rigs cannot exceed 6 meters (19.685 feet) in length. However, they’ve done a great job designing RVs with a 48V electrical system, massive solar (at least 1000W) on the roof, and over 50 gallons of fresh water and 20kWh of electricity in that tiny motorhome.

With all that said, our plan is to purchase and modify a chassis here (most likely an F550) and import everything else from China to assemble it here. Based on the information I have, it looks like insurance could be tricky, but what else might we face during this process? Any ideas or thoughts are appreciated!

 

[gregmchugh]

How much of everything else are you thinking of importing?

A major question is how will you construct the camper cabin and how will you attach it to the F550? For 4 season use a composite panel cabin will give the best insulation performance. Look at Total Composites in Canada and some of the camper companies that use their composite panels. You could get one of those companies to construct the composite box and correctly attach it to the F550 with the appropriate mounting system for the F550. You could then complete the interior of the cabin and source all the stuff you want from China for the electrical system. Not sure there would be much of an advantage to importing water/grey tanks, piping, water pump, etc. since the shipping cost might outweigh any cost savings from importing. Heat and hot water systems could be imported but look at what Total Composites sells for that to see if you like their options. Importing all the electrical stuff (batteries, solar, inverter, solar controller, etc, etc.) could net savings but robustness and reliability are issues with that stuff but you probably understand which suppliers from China are legit. Compare them to Victron (for example) to see if the significant savings still gets you a reliable and robust system.

Just some thoughts…


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[ImMrz]

How much of everything else are you thinking of importing?

A major question is how will you construct the camper cabin and how will you attach it to the F550? For 4 season use a composite panel cabin will give the best insulation performance. Look at Total Composites in Canada and some of the camper companies that use their composite panels. You could get one of those companies to construct the composite box and correctly attach it to the F550 with the appropriate mounting system for the F550. You could then complete the interior of the cabin and source all the stuff you want from China for the electrical system. Not sure there would be much of an advantage to importing water/grey tanks, piping, water pump, etc. since the shipping cost might outweigh any cost savings from importing. Heat and hot water systems could be imported but look at what Total Composites sells for that to see if you like their options. Importing all the electrical stuff (batteries, solar, inverter, solar controller, etc, etc.) could net savings but robustness and reliability are issues with that stuff but you probably understand which suppliers from China are legit. Compare them to Victron (for example) to see if the significant savings still gets you a reliable and robust system.

Just some thoughts…


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I might be wrong but long time ago when i first get to know RV, i remmber some forums mentioned the panels from total composites are from China too. Im thinking 50k to 60k CAD in total. And correct my previous comment, i would mainly import panels, structurals, electrical system and appliances, things like generator, water systems, heating system, I would prefer buy local, I know most high-end chinese rv company, they also import these things from Germany.