Box Van/Box Truck setup

[jimt_yz400]

I hope you guys/gals can help me out here.

I'm in the process(brain storming or maybe just being stupid) about selling my 22ft motorhome, motorcycle trailer and my old ('93) pickup truck and attempt to combine most or all of the functions of the above into a box van/box truck. I'm looking at a 14ft -16ft box truck with a crawl through/cut away.
There are many reasons why I want to do this but basically it's really expensive to use the motorhome and it's even expensive to use the truck and trailer when going for a day, not to mention the insurance and up keep of the above.
So, if I want a reasonable livin space in the box truck, to sleep and eat/cook how much space would I need?
I'm thinking of about 7ft as a minimum having the bikes behind that in the truck (with a wall of some sort).
Is this enough space?
What about a toilet, so I need one? (My wife thinks that I do and I might want to if she would come along).

Let me know what you think!

Cheers!

 

[kelsorat]

I've always thought the box van setup is the way to go. Occasionally you will find custom used box vans for sale in Cycle News classifieds(15-20K). I have actually seen one in person during a visit to Glen Helen. It was a Ford E450 with the diesel engine. The interior was a minimal living area. The bed was above the cab, small walk-in shower/toilet combo, fold down dining table, and that was it. The rest of the interior was for bikes, a worshop bench and cabinets. I thought the coolest parts of the van were the outside storage areas for pressure washer, generator, and storage.
If you find any custom builders let me know. I am also interested in this box van approach.

 

[mdkuder]

A thought on the toilet what about those incenerator type toilets?

 

[jimt_yz400]

I was thinking of doing most of the work myself. There's a truck in Vegas that I am interested in and I might be driving there to take a look at it this weekend.
I haven't looked in Cycle News but usually, from what I have found the box trucks that are modified have a lot of miles on them and/or are very expensive.

It would be nice to find someone to modify it for me.

 

[Patman]

gasgasman built himself a slick setup. He didn't make it into seperate areas though. He has a small bathroom including a shower I believe on the drivers side and then uses the cabover space in his setup as a bunk. That way there is not set way he HAS to use his space. If he needs more bike room he has it if he needs more sleeping room it's there.

 

[gasgasman]

..........with pull out B-B-Q stand. :yeehaw:

If you have basic electrical and carpentry skills, you should not have any problems doing it your self.

The toughest part is mounting the holding tanks-the toilet has to dump straight into the black tank.

My box van has a 14ft box plus the cab over.
I can haul two bikes and sleep three people.
Basically you will need a 6'X4' section for the bath room and $1,500.

Shoot me an e-mail if you have any questions.
[email protected]

 

[Patman]

YES! I almost forgot about the pull out BBQ stand :confused: You may need to take some detailed pictures of that ;)

 

[EdLennon]

Here's a few links to spark some ideas:

http://ourworld.cs.com/syearic/myhomepage/sports.html

http://www.jeffgibsonracing.com/boxvan-1.jpg
http://www.jeffgibsonracing.com/boxvan-2.jpg
http://www.jeffgibsonracing.com/boxvan-4.jpg

There are also a few links for cabinets and such:

http://www.modulinecabinets.com/index.html
http://64.224.43.145/rbcomponents/index.cfm
http://www.pitpal.com/
http://www.blazinbelltech.com/ProductsHome/trailerhome.htm

GasGasMan helped spark some ideas for me as well. I'm planning on getting this stuff together and installed this winter.

GasGasMan: We're still waiting on seein' those pictures :)

HTH,
Ed Lennon

 

[gasgasman]

Originally posted by EdLennon

GasGasMan: We're still waiting on seein' those pictures :)

HTH,
Ed Lennon

OOOOPS..........
E-mail me your address. I don't have a digital camera, but I can mail you some 35mm shots.

 

[jimt_yz400]

Hey!!
Thx for all of the advice.
I actually have spent the last 3 weeks on it, though one of those weeks I was up in Canada, my dad passed on unexpectantly ;( .
So, anyways, I've completed it but I did have enough space for the bathroom. The cabover section is not large enough for a sleeping area since it's an arodynamic box so the cab over is slightly smaller than the standard cab over design. My truck has an Areocell (Unicell) box, on peice fiber glass pretty cool!
I have some interest in the design and I am contemplating possibley modifying box vans/ cutaways for atv/motorcycle/rv use.
My company was purchased by a larger firm and I may not have a job come January 1st.

Let me know if any of you are interested in having a conversion done for you.

 

[sigar]

Hey jimt,
I'm interested, can you post some pics on your box truck. What length box did you end up with? I'm thinking 16 feet would be perfect with the wall at 8 feet, but most of the ones I see for sale are 14 footers. I live in Stockton, do you ride at Club Moto? You can email me at [email protected]
Thanks.

 

[dave186]

we have a 26 foot box truck at work that we need to get rid of, ive thought up all sorts of ways to trick it out as a bike hauler. with 26 feet you got plenty of room, i wouldnt put up any walls, but it would have some cabinets and benches for a shop area maybe some fold down cots or something, no bathrooms, gotta have AC on the roof, its also got a lift gate, so no pushing bikes up ramps! I would also have to paint it black, tinted windows, kickin sound system and some alloy wheels. oh, and cant forget some 8" stacks to let that diesel breathe!

i need to stop dreaming up ways to blow money i dont have.

 

[jackdrinker]

a retired ambulance would make a good unit. it has a generator and 110v outlets. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2448272686&category=6729

 

[jimt_yz400]

Yes, I looked at those and I went with a 15 ft box (14ft useable space) and it's turning out very nice. Though I think with a 16ft box you would be able to better design a toilet/shower stall. It's a little difficult with only 14 ft of box, 7ft for the motorcycles and 7ft for the living area.