U-haul 26 foot truck conversion

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studebaker60

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Oct 3, 2009
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Has anyone every thought of or attempted to convert a 26foot Uhaul truck into a unique motorhome?  I bought one, and after using it for its intended purpose, I have pondered that it would make a great customized motorhome......tons of space (8ft vert, 7 1/2 ft wide, and 26 ft long, and a very low floor).  Comments anyone?????

Once again.....No, my name is not Jethro from the Beverly Hillbillies....lol.
 
It could be done with enough time, money and fabricating skills but why bother. It would still look like an ugly U Haul van and there are lots of used class C mh's around at reasonable prices. Sell it to a guy who needs to move frequently or wants a mobile shop.
 
Roy......thanks for your comments.  However, just think of the superb insulation/R-value I could achieve if I converted this 26 foot Uhaul myself.  This rig would truely be effecient in both hot and cold weather.  A fancy paint job when done, and a set of Cadillac shock absorbers to soften the large truck ride, and this would be one happy Jethro......grinning from ear to ear.
 
I know a guy who did that with an 18 wheeler thermoking trailer. He put marine windows and converted into a super heavy duty 5er. he pulls it with a midsize tractor and he can basically go anywhere even off road.
 
Sounds like fun! Go for it! If you have the time and money and can do most of the work yourself then it would be a fun hobby. It would be custom and therefore a unique centerpiece to enjoy and discuss. Why be like all the others out there, if you like to meet new people then it will be a guaranteed social magnet.
 
I've seen it done a lot in the 4x4 world. Room to haul the rig inside then convert to living quarters when you back the rig out ofter you reach your destination. Another one I have seen is a truckers sleeper behind the cab and flatbed behind that for sleeping quarters and a place to haul the rig.

Couple things to think about, Uhauls are as reliable as an anvil and just a little faster. You will need a new injector pump that is not governed to get much faster then 55mph. They have some trouble with the air ride system but it is usually due to lack of maintanace.

IF you are so inclined I think it would be a great project and you could build exactly what you want and not have to settle for what someone else thought was good enough.

good luck.
 
You might want to look into what some others have done in converting school buses to RVs.  A lot of the systems and conversion materials will be the same and you could get some good idea of what it would take to do it the way you want.
 
Thanks to all for their responses and opinions.  I do see great potential and originality in this conversion.  I have owned other motorhomes, and I actually like the driveability of this old Uhaul over my last motorhome.  I want to maximize R-value.....and with this Uhaul conversion, I could have 4 inch thick insulated outer walls, and even more in the cieling.  Also tossing around the idea of "doulble" RV windows......using one for the outside, and one directly on top, but on the inner walls of the box.  Perhaps use 2-3 layers of 1" thick blueboard under the floor.  I like the idea of heating/cooling very effeciently.

So, I am still in the thought/planning stages now....but see this as a fun project.  Wish me luck.
 
There is a truck dealer here in Tampa that sells trucks that look like what you want to do....they even have slide out rooms on them...
 
Dealer in Tampa that sells trucks similar to my Uhaul project......if you have a link, let me know.  I would like to see what they look like.

Thanks.
 
I have been really getting into the idea of building aTiny House on Wheels, but there are large part of the process that seem frivolousness. I have been thinking that building a house inside a box truck would make more sense, a U-haul would be a great inexpensive way to get the project off the ground. I like you love the idea of efficiency, but have had one issue: How the heck would one stud walls inside a Uhaul without compromising the protective qualities of the box? Also wouldn't the new walls have to have some give to them so they don't crack when hitting bumps and how could that be accomplished?
 
There are several such conversions out there.  In fact, there's a growing subculture of people that do stealth urban camping in conversions like that.  Nobody looks twice at a u-haul or commercial looking truck parked in the commercial district of a town.

Here's a few of the links to conversions that I've saved:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=691445
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=487272
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=480067

A forum dedicated to truck conversions:
http://truckhome.com/6/ubb.x?s=136607117&a=cfrm&cdra=Y

You might also poke around on the skoolie.net forum, many conversion enthusiasts there.

hope this helps,
jim
 
i did just that and it was a night mare dealing with the title! ins is a joke and let me tell you it was not cheap! by the time you buy all the tanks pump head sinks shower and then you still have not started the kitchen! as i said it was not cheap i could have bought a nice RV by the time i was done!
 
cntryboy95608 said:
i did just that and it was a night mare dealing with the title! ins is a joke and let me tell you it was not cheap! by the time you buy all the tanks pump head sinks shower and then you still have not started the kitchen! as i said it was not cheap i could have bought a nice RV by the time i was done!
Click to expand...

I would echo this thought.

I am an insurance agent and things like this can be a nightmare to insure.  Especially at a decent price.

Home built RVs are not insurable by many companies.  Even for the required Liability etc.  Not to mention if you invest enough that you want to insure it for Comp and Collosion.
 
New member here.  Funny to see a link to my previous build in an old thread here!

Just sold it and am now traveling in a 29' Class C.  The UHaul Toter was Absolutely worth it when I was heavily into the 4x4 scene.  Now that it's mountain bikes and kayaks, the C fits our needs better.

baadpuppy said:
There are several such conversions out there.  In fact, there's a growing subculture of people that do stealth urban camping in conversions like that.  Nobody looks twice at a u-haul or commercial looking truck parked in the commercial district of a town.

Here's a few of the links to conversions that I've saved:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=691445
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=487272
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=480067
Click to expand...
 
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