What would it really take to convert a cheap C class RV into a hauler

There was a 2011 GRM thread about school firetruck or bus based haulers, and I've seen some of those on the web.  Some of them awesome, some of them not so much.   But seriously, time wise, $$ supplies materials wise, skill wise,  how much would it take to really do this and come out with a good hauler?  I've not seen anything built and documented based on an RV..  I was thinking "ramptruck" type flatbed, but maybe the chassis are too high? Or load rating not enough..

Rv's could have a few advantages over buses.. Flimsier built so demo is easier, gearing is already highway friendly unlike a lot of firetrucks/buses, C stuff is production based for easy parts, and much cheaper and lower mileage examples are available.   Thoughts or comments?

A lot of the C class RVs had their frames cut and extended, sometimes with questionable work quality. So check underneath to see how it is done. Run from any with hack job frames. You could start with box trucks as well, they and RVs start out with the similar chassis.

Here is that older thread where it got into discussing firetrucks and buses:

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/converting-van-front-motorhome-to-car-hauler-anyon/35874/page1/

I think capping off the cabin would be harder to figure out than the bed.  I can't think of a good way to do it.  Maybe easiest is using a donor van body.

You could use the van body from a box/uhaul type truck, it would be capped already.

http://www.cabbacks.com/

The yellow Ford Transit pics on their site are my truck. I'm working on them for the focus.

http://www.cabbacks.com/files/QuickSiteImages/IMG_1708.JPG

Is that a ecoboost?

Good point about the box cab.  That would make it easier. 

RV chassis are almost always under rated for hauling a car, and they are generally quite high, which means long ramps, a workout climbing in and out all the time, and compromised handled when loaded. 

And RV walls are made of paper mache, spit, and hope.

oldopelguy said:

http://www.cabbacks.com/

 

The yellow Ford Transit pics on their site are my truck. I'm working on them for the focus.

Just out of curiosity, what are your plans for the Transit? 

In reply to CLynn85 :

It's my daily driver, or it will be after I get the box behind the cab modified to sit down about a foot and everything bolted back together.

In reply to 8valve :

RVs are flimsy compared things like school buses.  I just came back from a charter where I averaged 13 mpg carrying 70 school kids, two teachers, and a fat old bus driver

That was the 40 foot long 30,000 pound version. the little buses get better mileage.  Some even have the 6.0 Ls V8 

Buses in my state and many others have a 10 year limit unless the school district approved up to a max of 15 years.  Typically they get up to10,000 miles a school season.  After that they really have little more than scrap value.  

The mechanical bits can last up to 500,000 miles  but they are scrapped Or they are sold to third world countries where they continue to work for another 10-20 years 

I've converted two busses to haul cars and attempted one RV but bailed after looking at how E36 M3ty the frame and cabin were made. and where the water tanks were right in the way.

You'd be better off starting with a box truck a la the motoIQ article