My wife and I are starting to narrow down or search for living on the road part-time. Our plan is to fly to single events more than 10 hours from home. For back to back weekends or longer, or very long trips we will drive. I'm looking for something that can tow either a fifth wheel or a travel trailer, as well as carry a car on its back. Something like a ramp truck, car hauler, or converted School bus. Bonus points for having a small living or sitting space as well. Here are a couple examples of what I mean. Budget is $20,000.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/796365571948962/?mibextid=dXMIcH
https://www.truckpaper.com/listing/for-sale/219023955/1992-freightliner-fld120-car-hauler-trucks
Go!!!
In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :
Man I am glad you asked, I have been coveting this thing since I saw it listed:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/223701340636163/?ref=category_feed&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post
Nothing local at the moment but I will keep an eye out.
Have you considered a Class A motorhome with a car trailer? They might be easier to find in your price range.
dps214
SuperDork
10/4/23 9:55 a.m.
Join a few FB trailer/tow vehicle for sale groups. I'm in one and it seems like the dirt track season just ended and everyone is selling their stuff to prepare for whatever upgrade they're getting over the winter.
Thanks! NY Nick, that truck is awesome but unfortunately it can't carry a car on its back. Toyman!, yes we've talked long and hard about our options and a class A just isn't quite the right fit.
914Driver said:
Diesel Bluebird with a stick. NMNA
This one's been around a while, still cool.
Yes!!! Exactly what I'm looking for!! Can you check the link to that second one that carries a car inside of it? The link you posted is for a picture of the first bus.
Buy this rig. Sell the trailer and add a camper of your choice. That will let you haul 3 cars on the truck and have as much living space as you want.
Marketplace link.
Here's the link for the GMC Savanna car hauler. I actually know the seller of this. He's been trying to get rid of it for some time.
hobiercr said:
Here's the link for the GMC Savanna car hauler. I actually know the seller of this. He's been trying to get rid of it for some time.
Is it a good truck? I wonder how much an engine swap would cost. I don't have time or skill to do it myself and would want to get it done quickly. That's exactly the type of thing I'm looking for.
So that diesel Bluebird above is perfect, except the bad area is about 3 ft too short. I'm not a welder, how hard or expensive would it be to have somebody weld a sturdy metal plate with reinforcement so the bed was long enough? The bed is currently 8 ft, and I need about 11 or 12.
This one has been on the market for a little while near me, it's pretty rad and might suit you. They're asking $20k.
If you clean out the left side you have a double bed.
2002 Chevy Suburban 2500
SV reX
MegaDork
10/5/23 8:18 a.m.
AMiataCalledSteve said:
This one has been on the market for a little while near me, it's pretty rad and might suit you. They're asking $20k.
Wow, that thing has an enormous rear overhang. Not sure I'd want to add a hitch. Looks like loading a car inside would lift the front wheels!
Good luck! With that sort of load carrying/pulling, distances expected to go and price cap you better have an awesome roadside assistance plan. And be comfortable driving something with a tired worn out suspension/steering system that is terrifying at 55 mph.
SV reX
MegaDork
10/5/23 9:00 a.m.
In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :
I think porschenut just addressed the elephant in the room.
Are you sure you want to drive a Bluebird that far, and haul 2 cars with you? I know you and your wife have talked about it, but have you done it?
Sounds like an awful way to travel.
NMNA. And you've got $15k left for a nice interior. =~ )
I have a short bus that's built on same vintage GM van chassis as that Savannah car hauler. Mine has a TBI 5.7 and it's seen GPS verified 90mph with the wind at its back going downhill. It's pleasant enough to drive IF you treat like you're flying a Cessna 172. It's going to be slow and noisy. And much like flying a C172, a headset improves things immensely. I drove ours from VA to SC and found my stints at the wheel to be be most bearable when I had Bose noise-canceling headphones on with my own soundtrack playing.
Some other things I have learned:
-Mine doesn't have AC up front from the factory, just fan and heat. It does have a rear AC added by Bluebird in the upfit, but that does little for the driver given the heat load imparted by having the engine basically centered on your right leg. So, definitely make sure it has "front" AC, whatever you get.
-Insurance was a little tough to come by for ours. Your mileage may vary.
-Note sure of actual towing capacity, regardless of hitch. Mine has frame rail extensions for like last two feet of the frame that were clearly added after it left GM factory. I added a hitch, but mainly for using a hitch hauler for a dirt bike/dual sport, not for actual towing.
-Mine has the sealed beam headlights and they're borderline dangerous. Low has no throw, high has no spread. Neither are bright enough. Ended up adding one of those light bars I hate so much for use in the mountains because otherwise switchback style roads were a 15mph affair at night.
porschenut said:
Good luck! With that sort of load carrying/pulling, distances expected to go and price cap you better have an awesome roadside assistance plan. And be comfortable driving something with a tired worn out suspension/steering system that is terrifying at 55 mph.
To clarify a little, my $20,000 budget is just for the tow pig. The RV is completely separate, as are any other cars.
It looks like that gray bus a few posts up is going to be the winner. We talked about it, and our plan is as follows. A large travel RV will be home base and stay in Georgia. For any event less than 10 hours away, we will bring the bus. We will either tow a small car on a dolly behind us, or nothing at all. For the fun of it, we are considering getting a Smart and loading it on the back. If we did that, we wouldn't tow a car behind us.
Yes, I have driven school buses. Life is an adventure, and my wife and I are having the time of our lives!
If the bus falls through I might have just what you want. Depends on the car size that you plan to haul. 7.3 diesel with 5 speed and ac and onboard air. 
In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :
I have inside pictures when I bought it. I can get new ones. It has air bags on the rear that deflate to load.I do not have the car ramps just a center one like uhaul. I used it to haul bikes.New tires all around. It has disc brakes all around. $7000. FIRM. Where are you located?
I tried to send you a message. I am in atlanta, but don't mind doing a fly and drive. If you didn't get my email, you can email me at skjss0307@gmail.com or text me at six 1 0 two 1 3 eight 1 95
