As in front wheel drive? sounds scary to me
As in front wheel drive? sounds scary to me
drainoil said:Was curious if anyone has, or ever had an old GMC motor home with the Toronado drivetrain? And if so, your thoughts on them.
One of the coolest-looking vehicles ever made, IMO. But badly under powered, under-suspended, and under-braked by today's standards. Then there's all the other stuff that can and will go wrong in a 45-year-old RV. I surely wouldn't try to tow much of anything with one. But for a project just to use as an RV, I think they are awesome.
As Ian F noted, slide in campers are neither cheap, nor easy to find used in good shape. Most of the ones I've seen on CL for under $10k are pretty rough. The current version of ours retails well over $40k, and we spent a little less than $20k for ours, which was 9 years old at the time, but looked brand new. You need to keep an eye on RV lots, and be ready to pounce.
A dually is pretty much a requirement for any larger camper, especially if you also plan to tow with the camper mounted.
As to generators, ours has a propane powered genset that can be turned on from inside. If you're going to have a generator, this is definitely the way to go.
Any old RV can be made reliable given enough time and money invested.
I wonder how hard it would be to make a shuttle bus into a track worthy camper
BoxheadCougarTim said:Great, I didn't really need to see this thread when I have a bit of cash burning in my pocket and no decent Miatas to buy...
My wife and I have been talking about getting a motorhome for a while now so this thread showed up at the exactly wrong time. But while I have your attention, would some of the more experienced RVers comment on the following selections?
Cheap Beaver - Diesel Pusher, no less. With the alleged low mileage I'm surprised the motor hasn't died of boredom yet.
Rather nice Wanderlodge - pity they didn't include the mileage but it looks clean.
Cheap Vixen - not quite what I had in mind and while it's the right size so my wife could theoretically drive it, it's a manual. Plus I don't think it has any towing capacity.
Even cheaper Beaver - make me wonder what's wrong with it other than age. Seems awfully cheap for a diesel pusher.
Anyway, I'm a little torn between looking at slightly smaller class As with gas engines that are potentially cheaper as the entry level drug to see if we make as much use of one as we're thinking, or if I throw caution into the wind and get one that will last a while.
The Vixen ad expired. Dern. Huge cult following. Prettymuch zero towing and no parts support. Beavers were very well built and I almost bought several before finding our Foretravel. Beaver is gone, they are orphans. You can get some parts through Monaco IIRC (another RV manuf that was out of business but is back up and running.. as of last year at least).
That Wanderlodge is one bad hoopty. Top notch. Bluebird doesn't make RV's but they are still in business and there is parts support. Running gear is available at every semi truck center. I didn't get one cuz I never found one in my price range, and they are *heavy*. And we spend a lot of our time in the mountains and an empty wanderlodge same size as our rv weighs more than ours at max gross weight with same drivetrain and less brakes. Tag axle will have this one track like a train but that is 2 more big spendy tires to stay on top of. And Wanderlodges are complex. Very very complex. A commitment, even. But you would not be disappointed and if you don't use it enough it's a safe bet ypu would be able to sell for what you paid. These and Foretravels, are about the only sub megabuck RV' that you can reasonably expect to survive a rollover. A Foretravel went down an embankment and rolled 4 times landed on its wheels and the occupants walked and the cleanup crew drove it out. Wanderlodge might even be technically repairable after such a shunt. A big new very spendy Tiffen recently went over on its side. That's it, it didn't hit anything, just went over and the cleanup crew picked up the pieces with dustpans and both occupants went to the hospital. It was a stark contrast...
OK I need to stay away from this thread and yak about rallykars and AMG's..
Does Moby the road condo have a spot you could make it have bunk beds easily?
Jaynen said:I wonder how hard it would be to make a shuttle bus into a track worthy camper
Not too hard, I'd think. Imagine the work required to fit out a house and go from there. It'll also depend a lot on how "nice" you want it to be as an RV and how many features you want. Some will be easier than others. RV fit-out components aren't horribly expensive, but it will add up. Depending on how much room you have to work with, a possible option would be to find a used Class A or C that has water damage, but everything works otherwise. Then take the parts you want out of it and scrap the rest. Again - it really depends on how many RV comforts you want.
IN my experience, the tricky part is actually finding a used shuttle bus that isn't totally used up for a decent price. These tend to be driven hard and only sold when maintenance and repair costs get too high. If they still have value as a shuttle bus, the price is not likely to be cheap. They are often geared low for city use since they often never see sustained highway speeds. While ceiling heights have increased over the years, used ones are often rather low and can thus be tough to build into RV's, although it's not terribly difficult to to raise the roofs (which also give you the opportunity to remove some of the excess windows).
Depending on where you live, registration and insurance may be annoying since they are commercial vehicles - at least until you can get it re-titled as an RV.
If a slide in requires a 1 ton anyway, whats wrong with something like this 11footer with no slides? If the ones with the over dinette bunk are large enough for an adult human even better
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/1999-Shadow-Cruiser-Rv-11--Pick-Up-Camper-5002036208
Jaynen said:Does Moby the road condo have a spot you could make it have bunk beds easily?
There are bunkhouse Foretravels out there. If I wanted to sacrifice the hall closet, I could easily install a couple of bunks in it. Plenty long enough. Since typically there are only 3 of us, no bunks rly needed. We've slept 6 by using up all livingroom floorspace but that's a bit awkward.
When I started racing, we already had a 35' Class A motorhome, a Sunstream on a Chevy P30 chassis (454) so that became the tow vehicle / home base for around 10 years. It had no problem towing the open trailer (3500 Lbs loaded) with the Spitfire on it. We used it on vacation for years, flat towing Jeeps. 6 MPG with a good tail wind but easily slept 6 and with huge tanks for water, propane (and gas), we could stay anyplace for days at a clip. When the kids got older and it was just me and one other guy going to the track, it got tiresome maneuvering the 50' combination around.
I sold it, 20 years old with 85K miles on it it great shape and could only get $5K for it (became a hunting cabin).
Next up was a 17' Class B van conversion (Chevy with 350). No shower or hot water, no on board genny, dorm sized fridge, had to drop the dinette to make a bed and find someplace to stash the bedding during the day (usually front seat). Upside, 12 MPG, easy to maneuver, worked out fine for 3 days at a track for one or 2 people. Kept me dry, fed and warm. Bought it for $6K with 29K miles on it, sold it 3 years later with 44K for $5,000. It could have used more power but never left me stranded. Too small for any extend trips or vacations but OK as a weekender.
Currently I have a 1997 21 ft Class C 4 Winds Chateau. Looked on CL and online for two years while I had the Class B and most of the stuff I found in the low 20' range either sold within hours or were total junk. This one was an estate sale, 4 miles from my son's house. It was bought by an 80yr man who had large class A's for years but only needed something smaller after his wife passed. He took it on a few trips, racked up 21K miles and parked it indoors for 8 years. The only thing it needed were 6 new tires (+ spare), both batteries, a fuel pump and some cleaning. I did, as a precaution, all the hoses, belts, brake parts, filters and tranny flush. Picked it up for $5K. It's worked out great for us, last year of the 460 engine, multi port fuel injection, 10-12MPG while towing, up to 14MPG when not. Sleeps 5 adults. Small enough we can park in just about any parking lot (normally take up 2 spots so we don't get boxed in). I use it for about 8 race weekends a year towing the car. I also flag races so it gets another couple of non towing weekends plus an annual trip 2 week trip to Daytona from NY to flag the Rolex 24. Outside of that we go on a vacation or two, usually a week to 10 days in it.
Upsides: easy to drive and park, even when towing. It has everything we need.
Downsides: Rear kitchen model which is really great while stopped, plenty of room for every thing but in means no fixed bedroom. We sleep in the huge, Queen+ sized over the cab bed. It's OK now, I'm only 63 don't see it working out when I'm 70+ Small capacity tanks, 20 gallon water, 20 Grey, 5 black. Only good for a few showers.
Current setup
Next model- 25' class C with a rear bed and one slide.
gotta go full racecar
Yeah I could do that if I am willing to get divorced and live in it :P Pros/Cons
If the Cab Over Bed in most C' class is actually comfortable enough for two adults (my wife and I) then almost any Class C would work since we could put the two girls to bed in the back. Its just annoying with our little ones having to essentially go to bed the same time they do we have the same issue in hotel rooms because of no separation.
I would prefer bunk house just because then the kids have their own beds and the are little rottiserie in bed so it keeps them from kicking eachother.
I am very much over having to setup beds when I stop based on my hybrid trailer ownership so I want the dinette/sofa to be an extra rare occurence with whatever we do
Found this image that ramp doesn't look too bad and its a 5th wheel so it has more living space in the front, of course you won't be finding one short of a giant living quarters car hauler you can put 2 cars in.
There also is a company called "aluminum toy haulers" which seems to make some nice stuff
Jaynen said:If a slide in requires a 1 ton anyway, whats wrong with something like this 11footer with no slides? If the ones with the over dinette bunk are large enough for an adult human even better
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/1999-Shadow-Cruiser-Rv-11--Pick-Up-Camper-5002036208
Wow. $3495 is a good price for that unit. Note it is already sold. One downside is the lack of awnings for dry/shaded outside lounging. While it would be fine for basic sleeping requirements for four with a dinette bunk, a family might go a bit stir-crazy getting stuck inside during a day of rain. That would be my main concern for the situations you've mentioned.
I'll reiterate - try to get to an RV show - just so you can get a sense of what these pictures and layout plans actually feel like when you're inside. While I like the idea of a slide-in truck camper, when I was able to get into one at the show, I realized just how small they can feel.
Slide in would just be for me and a buddy at the race track while we towed our race cars with an enclosed sort of like Rodan's setup. EZ UP handles outside lounging easy enough might be desired for putting over the cars anyway. During the summer you would want to hide in the air conditioning likely
Anyone tried any of these "Super C" on the cheaper end?
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2007-Gulf-Stream-6341-Bunkhouse-5001318371
I like that its gas probably not get a big enough difference in mpg at that point, its the 8.1/allison combo and has a10k tow rating
In reply to Jaynen :
Depends who you are and how you like to travel. My favorite was a GMC eleganza motor home. Towed the trailer nicely. Could really pound down the highway. Wife could get up go to the bathroom make herself a cup of coffee and come back and relieve me without stopping.
We had the switch drivers move down and when it came time we check there was no traffic around no curves etc coming. And then set the cruise, slide the seat back and I’d step over still steering while she got in the seat. A little scary the first few times but eventually we could do it smoothly and quickly without ever have any issues.
In reply to Jaynen :
That looks like a nice coach
wae said:In reply to Jaynen :
That looks like a nice coach
Agreed. Nice and for a decent price. If there is one potential downside is with a two-car trailer it might exceed the overall length limit in some states (does GA still have this?).
I have a 76 GMC Eleganza and used it to flat tow the 924 many times. Had more than enough power, and the brakes sucked whether or not I was pulling something. But they can be upgraded to disc in the rear wheels, which improves the braking alot. Many people tow with these, they are anything but underpowered. I have done 90 on the highway, and backed off at that point.
There is a great forum for these, and applied GMC in California is the best source for parts and free advice. While they are 40 years old there are many out there that have had a fortune in upgrades for sale at very good prices. Parts availability is excellent and they look way cool.
Wife veto'd mega toy haulers, the truck bed camper, and a bus.
I think something C class is likely going to be my best shot which should be able to open trailer a miata but not fulfill my 10k towing a 28ft enclosed with 2 miata dreams.
A trailer toad seems like it would help support the frame etc but probably not help increase GCWR which I think is what you are legally bound by right?
Yes, the GCWR is legally binding, so the toad won't change that. Honestly a 2-car enclosed trailer is going to require a more serious tow rig.
Jaynen said:
This layout makes the most sense to my brain... Pull the car out, swing the bunks out, drive the pickup to the restaurant. No 2 ton load in your bed hanging two feet over. No motor/trans bolted to your living quarters.
Shame about the ramp angle and that there are not many options in these.
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