Brett_Murphy wrote: The question that hasn't been asked yet is: Why not just by an actual RV?
Most inexpensive RVs are spectacularly poorly built. Rot, crappy electrical and plumbing systems. Cheap fixtures, overloaded chassis, engines and transmissions.
Plus, where is the fun in just buying something. 
Sometimes the fun is in getting out there and doing things. Taking an actual RV platform and modifying it to your needs seems like the best way to get going. It may be boring, like Keith said, but it's also the way he himself decided to go.
Plus, it HAD to be asked. We have to cover all sides of the argument.
In reply to Ian F:
The check engine light is like having your own little campfire everywhere you go.
Buying an RV that was produced after about 1996 is the most expensive way to purchase recycled cardboard.
RVs these days seem to fall into two categories: Those engineered to be used three weekends a year and are made out of cardboard, and those designed for rich people who THINK they will use it more than three weekends a year but won't, and they're made out of premium cardboard. The first kind costs $20k. The second kind costs $40k.
As a long-time full-time RVer and a camper since birth, I have a lot of RV time under the belt. I'm trying to help mom and dad find a new camper to replace their absolutely abysmal 98 SunLine and everything new is just frightening.
I specifically sought out a 1992 Holiday Rambler Alumalite. IMO, its the last good trailer.
Plus, like they said, this is GRM. Buying an RV is boring 
I wish we had more access to military boxes. It seems like the stuff they use to build radio trucks, ambulances, and just general box trucks for the military are far better built than UHaul or most RVs.
That being said, UHaul boxes last for a long time considering the amount of abuse they get.
PHeller wrote: I wish we had more access to military boxes. It seems like the stuff they use to build radio trucks, ambulances, and just general box trucks for the military are far better built than UHaul or most RVs. That being said, UHaul boxes last for a long time considering the amount of abuse they get.
?? I've seen ambulances for sale on craigslist.
I'm talking military ambulances.
In general ambos' are usually overbuilt, but a small percentage are 4x4.
In reply to PHeller:
ah....
PHeller wrote: I'm talking military ambulances. In general ambos' are usually overbuilt, but a small percentage are 4x4.
I have seen quite a few 4x4 ambo's, usually from fire departments. They are not unicorns by any means. Military ambo's are a bit harder to find.
I think for the military stuff, you need to go to the source. Not CL.
My perfect go-anywhere camper build (which is obviously just fictional) would be based on a Land Rover 101 Forward Control Vampire. Or maybe an ambulance. They're very cool and surprisingly small. And slow. But cool! Check the Sprinter for sale.
If I was legitimately trying to build a camper, I'd modify a Transit or Sprinter.
I saw a retired extended E350 4x4 ambulance on a used car lot in western PA a few years ago. So they're definitely out there. It was a diesel too. Unfortunately, I did not have the cash to pursue it. Was pretty much right out of service with the lights and the interior, so it would have required a serious gutting to turn into a workable RV. If I stumbled across a similar van now I'd be in trouble, as I have a bit more liquidity... 
In reply to Keith Tanner:
Transit maybe - jury is still out on reliability and service cost.
Sprinter... I don't know... used ones scare me. I have seen and heard of so many broken ones with expensive repair bills. It hurts because they're big and I could definitely build the RV I want out of one, but only if I could buy one new - and then you're looking at almost $50K for a LWB EXT version (longest wheelbase, longest body, RV oriented factory options). More if the 4WD option box is checked. Then there's RV equipment. So if I'm dropping that sort of coin on a van, I'm not going to dick around with a shoe-string-budget RV build with used equipment - everything would have to be new - so by the time I was done the whole rig would probably be around six-figures. Then we're getting close to custom Super-C territory.
http://mohave.craigslist.org/rvs/5674031360.html
If you were handy a fixing an RV shell, this would make a cheap start. I'm half tempted to drive down to see it (about 2hrs away), except I'd have to no place to store it.
PHeller wrote: http://mohave.craigslist.org/rvs/5674031360.html If you were handy a fixing an RV shell, this would make a cheap start. I'm half tempted to drive down to see it (about 2hrs away), except I'd have to no place to store it.
That was awesome, until I got to the last 6 pics. I just dont have the time, but for some one that does, it will be a sweet ride again,
I should have never looked at expedition rigs.. now I want to turn one of those small "acorn" style trailers into an expedition camper
Ian F wrote: Transit maybe - jury is still out on reliability and service cost. Sprinter... I don't know... used ones scare me. I have seen and heard of so many broken ones with expensive repair bills. It hurts because they're big and I could definitely build the RV I want out of one, but only if I could buy one new - and then you're looking at almost $50K for a LWB EXT version (longest wheelbase, longest body, RV oriented factory options). More if the 4WD option box is checked. Then there's RV equipment. So if I'm dropping that sort of coin on a van, I'm not going to dick around with a shoe-string-budget RV build with used equipment - everything would have to be new - so by the time I was done the whole rig would probably be around six-figures. Then we're getting close to custom Super-C territory.
You're talking yourself into a six-figure bill when you're also considering used ambulances?
A coworker has a used Sprinter that would be great for an RV build, and he's not a guy with a lot of cash to drop in frivolity. He uses it like a truck most of the time. Throw in the kitchen from an old Westfalia, build an "attic" for the bed, you can do something pretty nice that's very stealth. We had a couple of Alaskans show up at our shop with one like that. Quite a bit different from the high-end Winnebagos, but a lot more solid than most RVs I've seen.
As for Transits, looks like most of the rental fleet in the western US consists of Transit vans now. Which means that there will be a lot of used ones in the market about...now.
In reply to Keith Tanner:
No. I wouldn't buy a used Sprinter. Only new, which is why it turns into a 6-figure build. A used Sprinter is a gamble I'm just not willing to take unless it has extremely well documented maintenance records.
Unlike a random 4x4 ambulance?
MB introduced a 4WD Sprinter for 2015. I don't know if it's made it to the states yet, but it's got possibilities for a off road camper.
I bet they are stupid expensive though.
In reply to Toyman01:
Yes, they are available. Yes, they are expensive. The last one I "built" online was well over $50K.
In reply to Keith:
Buy in is cheaper and parts to rebuild are cheaper. Even the 4WD conversion parts are generally readily available Dana 44/60 parts. I will also say the chances of actually finding an older 4x4 ambulance I'd be comfortable buying are slim. Unlike many of you guys, my track record for buying used project vehicles is marginal at best.
And again - I said a Sprinter would be a "cost no object" build. If I'm building on a budget, I would probably start with a run of the mill conversion van.
I want an AWD Astro done up like a Westy.
Slight thread jack, with advancements over the past near 40 years, I would love to see a modern version of the GMC Motorhome.
mad_machine wrote: I should have never looked at expedition rigs.. now I want to turn one of those small "acorn" style trailers into an expedition camper
What's stopping you? It would look good behind the Rover and can't be any harder to build than a small boat.
mostly a lack of space and too many projects. I already have my boat in the driveway, a trailer would be too much. It is a shame, I could a Scamp 13' for $2500 in pa too
I kinda can use Sketch-Up. Any suggestions for something cheap or free (some of this stuff is expensive) that I can use to draw out the design? Should I stick with Sketch-Up and properly learn that?
In reply to Mike:
Sketch-up is probably the cheapest/easiest. A guy I know who is about 3 years into a high-dollar custom RV build initially used Sketch-up to do the basic lay-out. Teaching people how to use software is his job, so if there was something out there significantly better he would have used it.
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