NeverEnough
Adventurer
C5500 (now Int. 7400) 4x4 Crew Cab Build
New member here. This group has inspired me to start a custom build. After six years of trying to make a FourWinds 39C Funmover do things it was never meant to do, I found a good deal on a barely-used 2006 C5500 Topkick 4x4 Crew Cab chassis:
A typical journey for us is 200-300 miles on the highway, then 5-20 miles of dirt. I want something significantly shorter and lighter than the FunMover (33K lbs and 41 ft), as well as something that can deal with some rough roads in the west. Our primary needs are 1) good bathroom, 2) decent galley, 3) sleeping quarters for 2-10, 4) bomber. I've decided I'd rather hook up a trailer when I need extra gear/sleeping capacity than always have 40 ft. of vehicle around me. Here's one of my first sketches:
It's basically a 17x8x8 box with a 5' cabover. Having dealt with slide-outs in several RVs over the years, I'm thinking about having a simple "push-out" room that can be rolled out onto a liftgate like we have on the FunMover. One of the challenges to expanding/multi-function interior spaces is furniture and floor coverings, so I'd love to hear any ideas.
I was totally impressed by Jay Shapiro's build. This will be a much more modest venture, but I'd like to make a decent attempt at incorporating as much solar, wind, and bio-fuel into the project. I'm trying to get educated on PV, wind, batteries, etc. Has anyone on the board ever done solar thermal for radiant?
I've talked to several body builders and a couple of structural panel manufacturers. I'd love to hear about your experiences with structural panels for walls and floors, vs. more traditional tube/stud framing.
I'll post more design pics later, but feel free to chime in.
New member here. This group has inspired me to start a custom build. After six years of trying to make a FourWinds 39C Funmover do things it was never meant to do, I found a good deal on a barely-used 2006 C5500 Topkick 4x4 Crew Cab chassis:
A typical journey for us is 200-300 miles on the highway, then 5-20 miles of dirt. I want something significantly shorter and lighter than the FunMover (33K lbs and 41 ft), as well as something that can deal with some rough roads in the west. Our primary needs are 1) good bathroom, 2) decent galley, 3) sleeping quarters for 2-10, 4) bomber. I've decided I'd rather hook up a trailer when I need extra gear/sleeping capacity than always have 40 ft. of vehicle around me. Here's one of my first sketches:
It's basically a 17x8x8 box with a 5' cabover. Having dealt with slide-outs in several RVs over the years, I'm thinking about having a simple "push-out" room that can be rolled out onto a liftgate like we have on the FunMover. One of the challenges to expanding/multi-function interior spaces is furniture and floor coverings, so I'd love to hear any ideas.
I was totally impressed by Jay Shapiro's build. This will be a much more modest venture, but I'd like to make a decent attempt at incorporating as much solar, wind, and bio-fuel into the project. I'm trying to get educated on PV, wind, batteries, etc. Has anyone on the board ever done solar thermal for radiant?
I've talked to several body builders and a couple of structural panel manufacturers. I'd love to hear about your experiences with structural panels for walls and floors, vs. more traditional tube/stud framing.
I'll post more design pics later, but feel free to chime in.
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