Low Budget RV/Totter Home Build - How to build a boat hauler for under 5K

[2TR]

Looking for something to tow the race boat from state to state, have room for tools, a space to rest out of the weather and possible sleep in at rest areas if we are so tired that we cant drive on safely.

The choice is simple.. 2001 Ford E-350 with a 14ft box and 3ft attic. Power is a V10 making GREAT Torque but is a little thirsty.
Driving her home I averaged 12mpg on the hwy at 70mph.

PRICE 2K (I did have new rotors, brakes and front sway bar installed) +350.00





Simple blue prints... I wanted to keep the back shop area at least 4ft 6" wide so I could put a 4x4 ATV in back.










I really liked the coin style rubber floor, it looked trick and was pretty cheap (100.00)
( Total so far 2450.00)


Next was to install a finished ceiling.
2sheets of white hardboard, 1 sheet of OSB, 15 2x3x8 (50.00)
( Total so far 2500.00)

[2TR]

Once the wall were roughed in the electrical was run. I also bolted the walls togther and used garage trust nailers to keep them ridged.






The lounge area was insulated and sheeted with 1/4 OSB (6 sheets) 50.00
( Total so far 2550.00)



I built a small closet that can double as a bathroom with a porta-pottie if needed.
(2 sheets of bathroom wall board, trim and 2 24" doors = 200)
( Total so far 2750.00)






Once the back was roughed in I started on the shop area.. this is the expensive part.
Passenger side cabinets, aluminum counter, aluminum trim... etc 500.00

( Total so far 3250.00)

I used the left over rubber flooring on the walls to help with scuffing
and it looked cool...





Aluminum channel was used as trim to give it that trick factory look.

[2TR]

I bought a couple tool boxes on sale for my work bench base. This offers TONS of storage and locks up if needed.
2 Boxes 300.00
( Total so far 3550.00)



I had a couple sheets of thin aluminum cut to shape as counters. The base is nothing more than some OSB with glue attaching the aluminum.
(2 counters = 200.00)

( Total so far 3750.00)






This gave me a nice clean work area. Also all corners are trimmed in aluminum channel.
I did get a sheet of fiberglass bumpy board that MCdonalds and other fast food places use.
Its shinny white and wears like iron. + 20.00
( Total so far 3570.00)









Plastic bins are used in the tool boxes to keep all stainless hardware organized along with electrical parts, pumps, go pros and what ever we might need.

[2TR]

Once the back was finished I cut a walk way from the cab to the lounge are.




RV panel is used inside the lounge and extra OSB is used up top with carpet wrapped.

5 sheets of panel, trim and glue = 150.00
12 x 18 roll of carpet (*blem) 80.00

( Total so far 3800.00)


The carpeted crown I did around top is in 4ft pcs. and screwed into wood that I attached to the box. This allows me to un-screw it and run lights
stereo speakers or just hide money from my wife.

Small kitchen area will go under this cabinet












Now I just need the furniture and counter top and the inside is done.. Under 4k. I did install LED lights in back that pulse to the music and do a cool strobe light effect.. lol

But I'm at 4100.00 (or close) so far.. Just need to wait for the weather to break to start the outside..

Simple, lots of power, comfortable, small enough to back a trailer into the water but big enough to escape in.. the 5K totter home.

[Blue Oval]

A friend in town has this for sale.

[Blue Oval]

Did a cool job with it, but what a monster pig. Good thing fuel is cheap right now.

[Ratickle]

What frame is that built on Bob????


And really nice job Rick. Maybe you should quit your day job?

[Ratickle]

And what's the overall length Bob?

[old377guy]

I'm inspired; what a great project.

[2TR]

A friend in town has this for sale.

THAT IS A BEAST! What engine? I would have guessed a diesel and fuel consumption would not be that bad. I do like the back set up.. but mines a little short for a ceiling fan.. lol

[Ryan Beckley]

AWESOME JOB RICK!

[2TR]

Thanks Ryan - Have any cool designs laying around for the wrap? lol

It was a nice Febuary weekend for Michigan so I spent a few hours
finishing up the back of the van.

I finished up the end cap on the drivers side boxes along with finishing
the aluminum trim around the boxes. I also mounted a dry erase board
on the wall for race times, lane assignments and general info.





Also finished up the floor trim with that "plastic" molding and found a great
(REALLY GREAT) Deal and a Flexsteel leather RV couch that folds out into a
bed. I wanted something with more brown, but I could not pass on this..
and the wife likes it so I'm happy



Now my one negative.. I removed some wrap material over a bump in the
outside. I knew it was damaged, just did not know to what extent.
The FRP was cracked and never sealed allowing water into the wood rotting
it out. I just cut the fiberglass layer back to dry wood and will dig out the
rot, much like a transom in a boat.. should be pretty simple, but will add some
time onto the project.

*The white patch was done by U Haul, not the best but I can work with it.

[Ratickle]

Just have Ryan make a large duplicate of your avatar pic and put it over the minute-man dude......

[Ryan Beckley]

The shop part is really exceptional and looks as good in pictures as any featherlight "nascar" semi. The use of all the aluminum angle really finishes AND protects everything very well.

[Bobcat]

Well done .

[2TR]

Just have Ryan make a large duplicate of your avatar pic and put it over the minute-man dude......

Mater-Shake Racing?

[Ratickle]

Perfect.

But you should probably repaint the orange to match the green on the floatie......

[Blue Oval]

The monster home was built on a wood hauler (log truck)frame. Super cool, not a large need for it. Think it is a Frieghtliner. Don't think AJ has much of a chance to get his money out of it. Maybe I can get him to bring it down for BT street show. He just built a rock climber also.

[Blue Oval]

In his free time he chases us in the boat with his ultralight.

[Ratickle]

We need to know more about the power and size Bob if we're gonna help you sell that beast