Suggestions wanted on "How much to pay for a used truck conversion."

BravestDog · 12-19-2008, 01:37 PM

I'm interested in buying a used Truck Conversion and don't know how much they cost new/used...so don't know how much to pay/offer the seller.

How does a buyer decide how much to pay for a used truck conversion?

Is there a blue book or authoritive source that describes what a used conversions is worth?

I guess one way would be to ask the seller to show any records of cost if they are the original owner, but sometimes the seller is the 2nd, 3rd...owner with no prior records.

So back to the question, how would a person who doesn't know much about the new cost, determine how much to pay for a used conversion?

Bob E · 12-19-2008, 08:27 PM

Suggest check www.racingjunk.com lots of truck conversions listed.
Since these things are a "somewhat" limited production RV, and also {mostly} custom built, they are difficult to evaluate.
Perhaps the best way to establish a value would be to compare to the house appraisal valuation method. See what comparables are selling for around the country.

Radman · 12-19-2008, 08:28 PM

Dog,
May I recommend a call to Jason Hawk at Hawk Engineering in Jackson MO?

http://www.hawkengineering.com/

He has a good 7 years experience at building this type of HDT conversion and he may be able to help you out with the conundrum.

I just finished my conversion with him and was a great experience. Not to mention I have exactly the truck we wanted. He has a 2003-5 vintage T2000 conversion underway in his shop that is for sale. It is probably about 70% complete; this is great if you like the basic direction he is going. You end up with a shorter lead-time and you still have the ability to have it your way. The value of ability to complete the coach with a fare amount of personalization is high.

The prices that are discussed by GEO are in-line with our experience or maybe a bit high for where we ended up.

Feel free to contact me if you want specifics of our project…

Jim

Bob E · 12-19-2008, 08:51 PM

I would also give Hawk Engineering a thumbs up.
He built the shell for my conversion, which is by far, a better design & better workmanship than I saw around Elkhart.

Wick · 12-21-2008, 08:22 AM

Check out Ebay. They now have a feature that can show you the selling price of similar items. That may give you an idea of how much things are worth.

Camping Dutchman · 12-21-2008, 05:56 PM

Racingjunk is a great resource. Rememebr if you have the money you are in the drivers seat now. There is not a huge demand for the units.

ebay is ok, but not real indicative of what it's worth, lots of lowballers there.

geofkaye · 12-21-2008, 08:37 PM

.....THIS IS A BUYERS MARKET AND NOW IS THE TIME TO GET WHAT YOU WANT AT THE PRICE THAT _YOU_ WANT TO PAY.....PUT IN STREET TERMS:....{ IT IS TIME TO STEAL IT} I HAVE GOT GUYS WITH MH PAYMENTS HIGHER THAN THEIR HOUSE PAYMENTS AND LITTLE OR NO JUICE IN THE RIG THAT ARE WHINING SO LOUD IT IS KEEPING ME UP AT NITE.....GET YOUR CASH AND START MAKING SOME CALLS AND WAIT ON THEM TO GET REAL HUNGRY........THEY WILL BEND OVER FOR A DEAL BEFORE CHRISTMAS........I personally have never seen it like this but, the money man says it will get better.....hope they don't start taking the leap out of the window like in the '30's. So I have been told!.....geofkaye

Doc Weaver · 12-22-2008, 07:18 AM

Geofkaye is absolutely right. When I started building my own (earlier this year), I started getting calls from manufacturers trying to sell to me directly. I bought windows, doors, wall treatments, and a generator dirt cheap. They are hungry alright! Play the game right and it'll pay off.

Doc Weaver

BravestDog · 12-23-2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wick:
Check out Ebay. They now have a feature that can show you the selling price of similar items. That may give you an idea of how much things are worth.

Wick

I am aware of ebay's completed items search where for a 30 day period you can see what sold for how much in the RV section.

That means you have to search through 10-20-30-40-50 times as many standard RV's to see the a Truck Conversions RV. I do that regularly but it takes an hour or so of internet speed searching type work.

I don't think many high end priced Truck Conversions sell on ebay. I think they use ebay for the advertisement and may complete the deal off ebay.

On RacingJunk.com, you can check for 90 days after the ad expires if you know the ad #, otherwise you cannot do a general search for sold Truck Conversions.

How would a bank make a loan to a person for a Truck Conversion? What authoritive source would it rely on to determine it's value, or insurance companies...?

BravestDog · 12-23-2008, 05:13 PM

Bob

Could you give some examples of why you feel that you received a better design and better workmanship with Hawk Engineering than others in Elkhart? And who would the others be? Would that be Showhauler, Haulmark...??? I live near the Pacific Ocean near San Francicsco and it's kind of a long drive to go looking.

Did you finish your shell yourself?

Do you have pictures of comments on your conversion you want to share?

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob E:
I would also give Hawk Engineering a thumbs up.
He built the shell for my conversion, which is by far, a better design & better workmanship than I saw around Elkhart.

BravestDog · 12-23-2008, 05:16 PM

Radman,

Any pictures or comments on your conversion you want to share?

Quote:

Originally posted by Radman:
Dog,
May I recommend a call to Jason Hawk at Hawk Engineering in Jackson MO?

http://www.hawkengineering.com/

He has a good 7 years experience at building this type of HDT conversion and he may be able to help you out with the conundrum.

I just finished my conversion with him and was a great experience. Not to mention I have exactly the truck we wanted. He has a 2003-5 vintage T2000 conversion underway in his shop that is for sale. It is probably about 70% complete; this is great if you like the basic direction he is going. You end up with a shorter lead-time and you still have the ability to have it your way. The value of ability to complete the coach with a fare amount of personalization is high.

The prices that are discussed by GEO are in-line with our experience or maybe a bit high for where we ended up.

Feel free to contact me if you want specifics of our project…

Jim

geofkaye · 12-25-2008, 12:06 AM

.....I always suggest custom building a large RV....cookie cutters are very expensive and it is a kinda "one size fits all" and that is just not true-'specially now in this economy. First make a list of what you want in an Rv and then make a list of what you really need.....it is a grand task and takes time....but reveals what the bottom line is and is a cheaper method than what the mass produced market has to offer....I couldn't live in your RV very long and you might not be at all comfortable in mine.....custom building is cheaper and will end up fitting the individuals a lot better than you would think......I can write more details later on about fitting the RV to the customer......good Holiday season to you all...geofkaye

Bob E · 12-25-2008, 10:18 PM

Dog,...I visited with all of the truck conversion manufacturers in Elkhart (and Optima in Ga) and toured their facilities.
I didn't like FRP construction (Renegade & others) use. There isn't any structure other than the plywood. Also, repairability would appear to be a nightmare if any major damage were to occure to a side panel - the whole side would need to be replaced. Then, there is always the delamination problem if water were to get into the FRP.
With Aluminum on sq tube construction, a 4' section can be replaced one at a time.
Showhauler (& others) use 1" sq tubing for walls, which doesn't leave much space for insulation and (obviously) isn't as stout as 1.5" sq tubing. As I recall, one of the manufacturers layed out the wall & ceiling structure on 24" centers instead of 16" as Hawk does. (and - Hawk puts 3" of foam under the floor). Insulation is another area that several of the manufacturers don't address very well.
Hawk also came up with 100 gallon (each) waste water tanks that fit cross ways, therefore only take up one storage bay. Our intended use is to be able to dry camp for extended periods so large water & waste water capacity was a priority.
As for workmanship, Jason Hawk is very skilled, he did the layout design with CAD, does a good bit of the complicated construction himself, and kept overall dimensional tolerances to 1/4" or less. He has a small crew & also supervises their work very closely.
If you are serious about a truck conversion, it would be most beneficial for you to spend 2 or 3 days around Elkhart "visiting" before committing to anything.
Yes, I am doing the interior myself. Hawk built the shell to my spec's, installed the propane tank, leveling jack system, generator, etc.
I have built a couple (fairly high end) bus conversions over the preceding 25 years so figured I might be able to do this without repeating previous mistakes. (of course, there are always new mistakes to be made)
I haven't posted any photos as of yet, however Hawk has several on his web page under the motorhome tab. Mine is the 43 foot all white rig with twin screw rear.
I'm still working on the interior, hope to have it finished (maybe) by next fall.
Hope this answers some of your questions

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