Int. S1654LP Retired UHAUL Build

bydesign how big is your box from front wall to rear door and from rear door to bulk head wall? thx. me-hauler
 
sorry for the lack of updates... life seems to get in the way... along with work. The leveling height adj. valve sh!t to bed... had the batteries stolen along with the radio/speakers and some tools... not a fun month. I have a new set of batteries inslalled along with a bigger stronger lock... new tunes goning in this weekend along with a viper something or other alarm...
 
spent the weekend up in Port St Lucie at mud jam... get to try out the new tires... and they are amazing! they make my boggers look like they belong on Barbie's pick Jeep...



 
EVERY toter has a 5th week deck.
I've got friends that tow their race cars with toters exactly like the ones pictures & theyre all registered rv.
 
toter vs motorhome

My understanding of a toter is that it is a truck conversion with a 5 th wheel. If it has no 5 th wheel it is a motorhome. Also they say none of the trailer weight or it load can be carried by the towing vehicle seems wrong. All trailer makers recommend 7 to 10 of the overall weight of the loaded trailer should be on the tongue. My home made motorhome is built on a 1982 Peterbilt (tractor) and the state of Oregon titled it as a 2013 assembled motorhome using the Pete vin and not showing Peterbilt as the maker. In my case I have a motorhome that most people call a toter because it is on a big truck. Good luck with your DMV adventures.
 

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I have heard that some states (like Florida) make a distinction between a fifth wheel and a ball hitch (gooseneck) which is why you see the vast majority of toterhome rigs using a gooseneck instead of a fifth wheel even though they are a pain in the ass and have a lower weight rating than a fifth wheel. I guess for all legal purposes a ball hitch is a ball hitch, regardless of the placement on the bed vs. the bumper.

And yes, the wording of that Florida statute above is ludicrous in the real world, ANY trailer has to carry some of the weight on the hitch. I'm sure the intent of the wording is a true semi trailer where the load is evenly distributed between the trailer axles and the tractor axles. But I am also sure the dumbass bureaucrat that wrote it never towed a trailer in his life.
 
these guys are PROFESSIONALS - if they weren't hauling freight, id call their toter a coach !
btw i like the idea TV in the cabinet over the door.

 
I am in the process of titling mine as a toter... If it has a fifth wheel in FL you can not get RV title... but for me that is not an issue... my cargo (jeep go) inside!

progress:

installed a solar panel and charge controler
re apholstered the couch
dropped the oil cooler and replaced the seals

One year later and over 1000 miles of fun!

next weekend I have a 600 mile round trip so I did an oil/filter and fuel filter change... checked all of the fluids and I think we are ready to go!
 
Basically one year of tottering... The build while challenging was a blast! I truly enjoyed the build... But getting out on the road and camping out wheeling. The sole purpose for my ride is to transport my jeep to wheeling events and provide a comfortable place to sleep off the ground and in air conditioned confort...

Last weekend we covered 600 miles round trip... Fantsatic weather and a great group of friends made wheeling up in Wiliston FL one of the best I have ever had.

I changed out the seals on the oil cooler and did and oil change prior to the trip and the old girls performed flawlessly.


http://instagram.com/p/uqPsyKnmnE/
 
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Bydesign,
Great build thread thanks for posting you conversion. I have an 1988 International stepvan that I will be doing the conversion on. I believe we share the same power train but I have 6 lug 22.5" wheels on the chassis.

I have the 7.3l IDI, with the Spicer ES42-5A 5spd, but my Dana 15,500# rear end has a ratio of 4.98. Do you know the rear end ratio or your u hauler, have you read the tag on the rear end? Does the Uhaul have a factory Tach? Thanks again for the build thread you have given me inspiration for mine :)
 
A 7.3 indeed... Not sure about the rear the motor was swapped out about 26K ago... I do not have the factor tach... But I have been looking for one... Best of luck with your build... Post tons of pics!
 

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