Ford E350 Uhaul to Race Hauler conversion - Low Budget Totter Home Build

[Pachanga_rick]

I have googled countless internet pages on "Uhaul to RV conversion" nad figured this would make a great hauler/RV camper for towing from race to race. If anyone has done such a project your input is very welcome or if your thinking about doing such a thing subscribe to this thread.

FIRST: This build will most likely take a few months, if not more. I only have 1 day a week to work on it.. lol

Now the donor Vehicle - (2K)
Ford 1999 E350 Uhaul (std. 200k)
Engine - V10 (runs strong, shifts strong)
Body - 14ft Box with 3ft "attic" and the body has no rust

I would like something that will sleep 3, have a small restroom (or closet) dinner and comfortable.
The back needs to have lots of storage and still have a wide enough floor space to hold a larger 4x4 ATV that will be used to tow the
boat around the pits and to a from the crane area.

[Pachanga_rick]

I want the "Hauler" to look like a RV, not a Uhaul or work truck. Once the conversion is finished I can register it as a RV, but I want it to look like a RV
and not a old Uhaul. Plus I dont want the Police messing with me, if your towing a race boat they say your a race team.. and the truck must be registered as
a commercial vehicle cost much more for plates $$

I have 4 basic color / graphic ideas. All are cheap, use standard vinyl and can be cut and installed at home.

First Black / White / Orange / Lite Org.


2# Black / Red / White


#3 Silver / Gun Metal / White


#4 Tan / Burgundy / White


#3 or 4 is what I'm leaning towards - Simple designs that look pretty cool.

[Pachanga_rick]

Looking down (van cab to the right) this is my finial design. It will allow sleeping for 3 if needed, a small restroom area can be added
at a later date if its deemed necessary, ample shop space and room for a ATV in back.



This is looking at the profile of the drivers side wall. I'll be using slide out stainless cabinets with locks
for the base, than capped in aluminum.

[David - WI]

Roof air/heat?

[Pachanga_rick]

I'll cut in windows on each side plus a roof fan for ventilation, but no AC is needed. Its summer, its hot I'm fine with it, plus I don't plan on sleeping in it much, maybe once in a while in rest areas during long road trips. Same with heat.. I wont be using this during winter months, but It will be insulated (mostly for sound) and a small electric heater will do a fine job if one is ever needed. The Halogen light heated up the small space just working on it this past weekend.

[Pachanga_rick]

step one was removing all the metal brackets in the cube..



than found some really thick and cool "coin" rubber flooring that was cut and placed over the whole floor.
I know Home Depot sells a diamond plate rubber floor, but I saw this is a NASCAR rig and liked the looks.




I than installed the ceiling in the lounge area with a 1/2" insulation board under the sheet of
shinny white plastic board. Than we build the rough wall in place bolted to the floor and
screwed to the walls and ceiling.

I used 2x3 for the walls thinking that extra 1" of room would help..each wall was bolted
to the floor, screwed to the walls and ceiling. I than tied the corners together
with truss locks to help reduce twisting.

[Pachanga_rick]

I used a thin 1/2" insulation board to bring the lounge walls out
flush with the upper and lower aluminum tracking. I than covered it
with 1/4 OSB. I was not sure if someone might lean into the wall panel
and push into the foam so the 1/4 OSB gave it a little more strength.

I personally think any insulation is not needed, but I needed to raise
the wall surface out 3/4 so its lighter than 3/4 plywood

I also started pre-wiring - I'll run a 220 to the back shop area and a few 110v lines up front.




The bathroom / closet
I used a mobile home shower board on the walls, if its ever used as a
shower the water wont damage it (much)

[Pachanga_rick]

For the passenger side rear I'm using wall mounted black garage cabinets
that are supposed to take the hot / cold weather change pretty good.

Most all stock ATV fit between a truck wheel well (4ft), I wanted a little
extra room in case we have a wider than stock ATV parked in the shop area.

So the 12" deep wall cabinets worked great.

[1BadAction]

Man this is f'n brilliant, why has no one thought of this until now? These trucks might have had the piss beat out of them but at the end of the day they're usually cheap and maintained pretty good. Interested in how it turns out for you.

[dcarter]

I camp using a pop up camper and have the basics. I like pic 1 and 2 for the outside, but that's just me.

1) mentioned above was roof a/c and some type of heat (either indoors or heat lamps outside). I also have a fan (white noise for sleeping) to circulate air and a dehumidifier (Florida)
2) small one/two burner stove either mounted inside or portable. What about a propane tank (could do, cooking, heat and run your fridge while traveling)
3) wash sink for dishes or brushing teeth
4) I like interior lights on a dimmer switch so they are bright when you are working but dim at night when relaxing.
some type of outdoor lighting either hard mounted or portable for hooking up the trailer or loading/unloading after dark.
5) small fridge (possible 3 way powered) mounted waist high or higher. Mine is mounted on the floor and it gets old getting on your knees to get items in/out.
6) make a small tote of items you use everyday and keep it replenished and ready to throw in the camper (salt/pepper, utensils, silo cups, paper plates, trash bags, etc)
7) I use thermacell mosquito repellents. I have 3 that I place around the campsite at each corner. For about $20 I can run them all weekend.
8) What are you using for power? Electrical hookup at sights (you will need 30 amp or 50 amp plugs), generator or a couple 12 volt batteries? Maybe switch all lighting to LEDs if using battery power.
9) this may be over budget but how about retractable canopies for one side, two sides or even the back for shade?

I am sure there is more but that should get you thinking about more items for short stay weekends. Funny thing is when I started camping I brought everything imaginable with me. I also took a notepad and wrote items I used every trip. After abut 3-4 trips I cleansed my camper down to the items I needed and used religiously. It made my truck lighter and made room for other items I had forgotten.

[XstreamVking]

Been contemplating the same thing after looking for a reasonably priced simply equipped rv. They don't exist! I Like the ability to build and have just what I need, You don't want to cook or have a toilet inside the camper. 3 way Fridge, small water supply/sink and an ac/heat unit is good. Make a portable enclosure for the shower etc outside. Small generator for use when it is needed. Propane for cooking and fridge. LED lights all around....Get yours done so I can convince the wife that it will be nice to camp in. She is dead set on an fancy rv...I bet yours is gonna be ideal.....

[Pachanga_rick]

Thanks for the input:

Power - I'll have the van run off a small 55db Honda generator when needed. The only parts that run off plug in power will be the small Microwave and small TV.
The rig can also be plugged into a wall outlet and run like that. (This parts already finished and I'm running the tools off the van which is plugged into my garage)

Lights: The shop lights and Lounge lights are LED's and will be wired to a Marine battery inside one of the cabinets. This battery will have a on-off switch so it can be charged off the truck battery when needed.

Fan: I'll run 3 small fans to circulate the air. They are like the ones on my Sea Ray cruiser and run off D batteries.

AC/Heat: If its so warm at night that I would need a AC unit I would get a hotel room, as far as heat.. most races happen during warm weather months and even if its gets chilly (50 degrees) at night a small light heats this space up pretty quick I'm finding out while working. So a small Colman heater would work well (if needed)

The main usage will be a place to escape and relax during a long day at the races, sleeping or napping when tired on the road. Example would be we leave Friday after work for a race (6pm), we drive all night and make it to new jersey from Michigan at 4:00 am Saturday morning. We would sleep at the races that morning to save a Hotel room for that night, Than get a room Saturday.


Quick teaser picture of my trim around the toe-kick. My wife actually suggested that I weld, grind and finish each corner so its completely seamless.... way to OCD for me.

[99fxst99]

I had a small RV I used to tow a ModVP boat with. Took the toilet out, I never used it and no one else ever cleaned it.....just sayin.......

[Pachanga_rick]

I had a small RV I used to tow a ModVP boat with. Took the toilet out, I never used it and no one else ever cleaned it.....just sayin.......

Every race site I have been to over the years has had marina showers/bathrooms, plus if we need to sleep in a rest area those have bathrooms.. so I'm personally thinking it wont be needed either. .. but its set up just in case.

[XstreamVking]

Since the internet exposed the nastiness of some hotels my wife will sleep in the cab of the truck before staying in a hotel. Your gonna have a nice set up when it's done. Never let the wife get involved in any project, it tends to spiral out of control if they have any say at all.