Hi all, first post here, although I belong to several forums and e-mail lists for my other hobbies. I'm starting on a toy hauler project to haul our trail Jeep Cherokee. I ended up with a 18' Chevy P30 bread truck left over after removing the Cummins 4 cyl. diesel for installation into my Dodge Durango. The P30 has been sitting since last fall but its time to do something with it. The basic idea is to be able to load the Jeep into the back of it, saving the problems associated with using a trailer (extra tolls, more tires/axles/etc. to have problems with) and use the 3 feet in front of the van for the larger basic utilities. Here is my plan:
-Open up the rear of the body and fab a pair of larger double doors.
-Just behind the driver's seat will be a fold-down twin size bed for passenger napping while moving. The rear part of the bed will be over the hood of the Jeep.
-Under the twin bed will be the combo sink and cooktop. No oven- just the basics.
-Under the sink/cooktop will be storage for kitchen items.
-Passenger side above the Jeep hood will be an RV fridge, accessible while the Jeep is loaded.
-In front of the Jeep will be a countertop and a storage cabinet at the ceiling level.
-Large storage area over the cab of the van. There is more than 2 feet of headroom above me, and I'm 6'4"
-When the Jeep is unloaded, 2 seating benches will fold down from the wall, and a tabletop will mount between them (all stored against the wall). In typical RV fashion the benches and tabletop will convert into the main bed for my wife and I. This will be custom built by me.
-More ceiling level storage will be mounted along each side of the van.
-The shower will be an outside handheld shower and hanging curtain.
-Windows will be purchased for each side of the van.
-Front seats will be updated, and a new dash fabbed up with modern instruments and controls.
-Power will be from my Cummins 5.9 from my retired '96 Dodge Ram, with 5-speed Spicer trans for reliability (Dodge has already burned through several automatics), and a 3-speed Spicer aux. transmission for Overdrive on the highway, and extra low gear during tight maneuvering.
I'm looking for a couple old campers to provide lots of small items for the buildup, and I already purchased the sink/stovetop, a faucet, and a few other items. There are some things I just don't want to reuse from an old camper! But I could use lots of electrical and some plumbing components, maybe some windows, and other items.
I basically have only about 3 feet between the front of the Jeep and the back of the front seats to install the larger items that can't be folded away.
If anyone would like to jump in with suggestions for how to set up this thing, I'd be very happy for the tips. I'm on a fairly tight budget, but I already have the basics- the truck which is in very good condition, especially the drivetrain; the engine, trans, and aux. trans; and I'm a professional mechanic and jack of all trades to be able to handle the plumbing and interior furnishings.
I changed the plan from using the folding bench/table as the main bed, to having a separate queen fold up bed. The biggest reason is because I couldn't find affordable cushions for a bench in queen size. This isn't a problem, though, because at least we won't have to disturb our bed to have a place to sit and eat. The bed will be at the very rear of the truck, the table toward the center, and the sink/fridge area at the front. My wife also convinced me to skip the fold-down twin bed, instead leaving just the reclining passenger seat for napping. Now I have room for a fold-down counter top for food prep.
Even if I do use a trailer for some trips, I want the van set up as a toy hauler so that we could fit our bikes in it for some trips. I have an old car trailer, but its in very poor condition. I would use it for some more local weekend trips, but not for distant vacations. I have a small utility trailer that can handle one of the bikes (or even both) without a problem, and could tow them behind and the Jeep inside if I wanted. But the main purpose is just for Jeep trail runs.
For those who have done remodeling, have you tried using the pre-covered panels from Home Depot or Lowe's in an RV? They seem like the perfect wall or ceiling covering for an RV, very similar to the factory RV wall panels. With 18 feet of walls and ceilings to cover, the stuff is economical and seems pretty durable.
Jim----I have---worked out fine----BUT, ya' gotta' seal the backside before you install it, and as soon as you get it installed, ya' gotta' seal the face, too---TWO COATS....I used the Min-Wax Satin Finish water-base sealer.....I brushed it on in two coats.....drys in a few minutes, and it's been there 3 years and still wipes down with a damp towel and never shows any splashes around my sink or vanity....and it doesn't absorb the dang humidity, either.
My only caution is....you NEED that two coats to seal the face; if you don't, heavy tape products MAY remove the covering----seems to be similar to wall paper. That said---I'm very happy with it.
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