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That maybe should have been your first question instead of a side note? I know they tow some pretty big stackers with those rigs. Should be a data tag on the truck with the gcvw, and I would think the mfg would be able to tell you what they rate the hitch at. Good theory on the raised bumper...

State Farm didn't blink an eye at my C6500 Topkick at 26000gvw. They called it a box truck (built for pulling camper, not built on the unit) not an RV but didn't have any problem.

It's been done in a travel trailer. here is a video: Agree with above poster, the structure of a van body depends on the walls, floor and roof working together as a unit and get real flimsy real fast when you start cutting out large chunks. And screwing together 2x4's would not be the...

Assuming the valves aren't in the line of fire, nothing the tire can sling can damage that tank. However stone chips will quickly lead to really bad rust. Again, it will never actually rust out, but will look bad in short order. If you do coat it, make sure it is a flexible coating...

Whatever size you think you need, add 50% or you will be kicking yourself in 10 years. Or less.

I didn't see it open, but the rear door hinge was at the top, so I'm guessing pull out ramps, throttle, and balls.

more pictures

Customer pulled up to my shop in this rig this morning. At first glance I thought it was a Unimog, but it is a brand new Kenworth with a 4x4 conversion and full global expedition buildout. Guy was getting ready to hook it to his 35' boat and head for Baja California. Though I'd share. He was...

I used the same type of windows on an old project. I know it is late in the game in your project with the spray insulation, but I framed between the inner and outer walls with wood all the way around so it would be solid when the window clamped in and the walls could not squeeze together and...

I can only suspect the truck was built with the intention of towing a really heavy stacker race trailer.

Your math is a little off on the propane consumption. You are correct at 21600 btu per pound, which means your unit will burn about 2.8# of propane per hour. So a ten minute shower (if you had one) would use about a half pound of propane. Keep in mind that large a burner should really be on a...

The 8.1 (496) was an entirely new engine in 2001 to replace the 7.4 (454). Nothing interchanges, it is an entirely different engine. But it is already a multi-port fi, just need to rob the rails and injectors from a junkyard pickup/suburban/mdt.

I'm assuming you checked to see if the convertor is still in business. If not, try Monroe, they build similar trucks. Also I googled "fenderette" for that type of fender, bunches of things pop up, you may have to match up by width and radius.

I am interested of course in what you did with the truck after you got it. I've seen a bunch of nice and not-so-nice conversions with the old Schwann's trucks. Mine is somewhere in the middle. Added a box and fifth wheel bed to tote our race car trailer, and then our fifth wheel camper.

Welcome to the forum! I am assuming by your description that you have an ex Schwann's truck? I have one as well, it is a 6500 with the same 8.1. I bough mine specifically because it was propane powered, as our family business was propane for most of my life so it was an easy choice for me...

I agree those bags look far overextended. No way you should see the joint of the bag to the base sitting there at normal ride height (assuming the pic was taken at ride height). when it is stretched all the way out like that the rear has no down travel. In general terms, it should be midway...

Not to discourage you, not the point at all, for lots of folks the build is the fun in itself. But I think most on the forum that have done it will agree that whatever your estimate for time and money, triple the time and double the money. It's not the big ticket items like a fridge or a/c...

All I have is secondhand from a discussion on another forum, and one guy said his reel quit with the cord out, which apparently did not have a manual way to reel it up and left him stuck there and had to fix it to reel up the cord. From his context the bay the reel was in must not have had room...

go through the old threads on the forum, there already several going on titling and insurance issues.

I converted my GMC 6500 topkick a couple of years ago to tow my 40' race car trailer (now 36' toy hauler) and I really wish I would have started with an hdt instead. My chassis was cheap since it was a regular cab, but I should have started with a bigger truck. Time effort and money to do the...

The Walmart in Rapid City allows overnite camping (we saw folks that looked like they were settled in for the week during Rally) plus there are tons of campgrounds between there and sturgis that should be cheap and empty now that bike week is over. Be sure to check out Needles Highway in the toad.

Ken I'd be willing to bet your center of gravity is WAY higher than a factory built unit, so the top heavy feeling and sway makes sense. I followed your build along the way, and the quantity and quality of materials you used to build that box are far in excess of the average factory built unit...

Glad you are presumably moving in a good direction, sorry the truck and lifestyle have to go in the short term. I've followed your build, and wish I was in a position to buy it. I've been wanting to start a project to replace my mdt with an hdt like yours for a while now. Unfortunately I've...

I just saw your baby on racing junk! Somebody is going to get a steal. What happened?

The wording is wrong in the story, didn't go down the center, went outside the framerail. I don't know if the front engine would've helped. Looks like the pole entered on an angle just missing the bumper, then buzzed right down the outside of the framerail like a saw against a guide. I'm...