Box truck conversion...ideas for now

[Treeview]

This might have gone into 'Non-Trad Designs' too. Oh well...here I go!

My goal is to have a standie on a pickup frame. Remove the box and build a flatbed then do a build on top of the flatbed. that way I would have two vehicles in one.

As I've worked my way through the mental design stage I realized that a smaller cube truck would work. They can be found in good shape with decent chassis.

This is what I'm looking at:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3802017/1 ... lux/page-3

Uhaul used them for years and they still have life in them.

Now...how to make the cube a tray top? This might prove to be a dead-end in my design. But...let me run it out.

The units generally have a solid 2" receiver hitch in the back. What if there were receivers mounted on the sides towards the front of the deck? Adding flat plates and bolting through the floor would make a solid lift point.

Now...the lift off.

Using square Bulldog jacks welded to tubing that would slip and pin into the three receivers.

Look at these:

http://www.bulldogproducts.net/content/ ... 540&part=0

When I want to slip the box off and have the flatbed I would attach the three jacks, unbolt the frame plates, jack up the cube and drive off. Slide on the flatbed, bolt it down and carry on.

Now...time for feedback?!

Tom

[Steve_Cox]

I like the Toyota base for a truckhouse

http://www.lspphoto.com/category/trucks/

[iSpy]

...... try not to make it too basic though ....

[Steve_Cox]

How about a matching trailer sauna to go with the camper? It would be a hit at the winter gatherings.

[Engineer Guy]

I've had a look at Truck Boxes; especially the Insulated type off a Produce or other Refrigerated Truck. Set one down on a compatible Trailer - modified a bit, if req'd - and get with the finish work. I've seen what appear to be 2 nice ones on Craig's List. 1 was $1k; another was $2k. They're typically all-Aluminum with solid floors. Compared to 'only' an Aluminum Flatbed or CT as the starting Platform, they're a relative steal IF they're a starting 'Platform' that floats a person's Boat. Me, I'd run exposed Conduit for a Loft-type feel, or hide all Plumbing/Wiring runs under 1 or 2 side Chases. The old Marketing 101 Joke was: 'If you can't hide it, feature it'.

Personally, I would do a 4 point corner lift on the Truck Box; not a 3 point lift w/Bulldogs. A pal's Neighbor was killed years ago in his own Driveway when his conventional Truck Bed Camper on even 4 Stands went over on him as he tried to secure it off-Truck in an infamous Boulder CO Windstorm at the base of the Rockies. Also, I rode 3 Wheel ATVs way back when. A Pal's Daughter broke her Leg under one on Oregon Beach Dunes when it went over on her during a modest turn. 3 point support doesn't cut it with me: Physics 101. Lots of Off Road folks utilize a small Tank of [pre]Compressed Air. You could lift off a Truck Body with Air Pistons or Electrical Servo Motors, I would think, IF you wanted to get automated.

You might have to double-up the 2 Cross Members the 4 Receiver Mounts weld onto. Proceed with care on this detail; double-checked by a 2nd knowledgeable Person, perhaps...

I had an old Milk Truck for Camping/hauling Sound Systems, and we had a blast in it. Parking backwards at the Drive-In Movies in the last row w/the Rear Door open [or not] makes for some memorable fun. I got a few Hitchhiking rides up Highway 1 in CA in my Youth, and was hooked on House Trucks from then on.

House Truck

Used Insulated Truck Bodies

Here's an inspiring Link to how The Big Boys 'steroid' their Camper Trucks. See a Box Truck ~1/2 down the Page, along with some damned inspiring Mods recycling some Commercial Trailer Bodies.

Mitsi Fuso Campers

More good ideas for Compact Living w/ or w/o Wheels:

Tiny House Blog

[Treeview]

EG,

Thanks...you're on the right track. My plan is a stealth tiny house.

It would take me much longer to build the shelter part than I can buy the truck. If I buy this former Uhaul i can outfit the inside or go camping as soon as the title is transferred.

3 or 4 legs? The big issue is center of gravity and tipping moment. I've looked underneath these units and they don't have to come up too far for the wheel wells to clear the tires. There are some pickups with jacked up suspensions then loaded with HUGE slidein units. I wonder why they don't just tip over in a light wind!

There are trailer mounted telescoping work platforms that have manual outriggers using Bulldog jacks for leveling.

A friend took the truck for a drive and look-over this morning. He just sent pics. The tires look like they need replacing but other than that, looks good.

Now, make the deal long distance. Shuffle some e-money and book a one-way to get the truck next month!

[Blotto Bros]

Steve:

I like the Toyota style truck base....but unless that truck is much different than the ones I have seen the cab tilts forward and off of the engine that's located under the seats.

I fear this guy may have permanently prevented engine repairs/maintenance!! Although the salesman at Toyota did tell me just to weld the hood shut my new truck would NEVER need repairs!!

[Treeview]

This is a body lift idea that looks really good!

http://www.bimobil.com/website/wechselv ... tart_d.php

Watch the video to see how it all comes together.

Tom

[chorizon]

Don't know if you've seen this, but I've always thought it was pretty cool.
Built from nidacore; it's even "foamie" approved!
http://thesupercamper.blogspot.com/2006/09/super-camper-inspiration-concept-and.html

[Treeview]

Yes...I read every bit of the SuperCamper build!

Reading about the accident was a rough one

I like the concept but I don't have the budget or time to work up something like that. My idea is low budget and a bit more stealth. My camping is one of two places...campgrounds or road access...or wilderness that is accessed by people power: feet and paddles.

Tom

[fireman281]

Treeview,
I took a Morgan van box and have been modifying it to a camper. I have a posting here on the forum, but haven't been able to work on it for quite a while. I started up again and will try to post pics ASAP. The concept you want would work great. These boxes are very well built and pretty easy to modify. I put two rv windows in and a rv door on the side with little issues overall. I'm putting in the black water tank in tomorrow and cutting in the drains for everything. I welded mine on a trailer but there is a posting on Craigslist in Houston that has done the jack system to unload the box off the trailer at the camp site. good luck with it and feel free to pm me with anything that I could help ya with in your progress on your build.

[Treeview]

About two weeks ago I flew from Austin to Tampa to get my '89 Toyota one ton/Uhaul box truck. Over the last couple of weeks I've gone up to Chattanooga then over to Charlotte and I'm heading south now...hope to get some coast time before back towards Austin.

The truck is a keeper! I'll pull off the aluminum bump ribs from inside the box so that the walls are flat. Insulation and wood paneling followed by a kayak rack inside and roof racks.

If there isn't enough square footage I'll add on 2' or so and build up the frame parts to support a proper trailer hitch.

I think that I'm going to get rid of the roll up door. Too heavy, noisy and I loose head room. One idea is to make a door that hinges at the top. Inside the full-width door there will be an access door.

[agressivebudhist]

Google Uhual toter to get some ideas..

Im in the midst of a similar conversion myself.