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Old 12-13-2003, 06:33 PM   #1
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I just got back from my whirlwind truck conversion factory tour. I visited Showhauler, Haulmark and Renegade yesterday, spending about 2 1/2 hours at each location.

General Observations
Floor plans, configurations, equipment and options are pretty similar between the three. It seems everyone buys their windows, appliances, furniture, flooring and other products from the same place. When it comes to custom work, Showhauler is the most flexible. I got the impression Lonnie would build just about anything you could imagine. He was working on a motorhome/garage rig for a New Zealand owner which had right hand drive, requiring all curb and roadside construction to be reversed, European power, and a one of a kind bunk which extended a berth over the hood of the sprint car garage...very unique. Renegade will do a non standard floor plan, with a wide selection of finish materials, and Haulmark pretty much limits you to their standard plans and options due to their wall construction (more on that later).

Chassis
All three will build on your customer furnished chassis, or provide a new one for you. Showhauler seemed most willing to procure and work with a used chassis, with about a third of their current production on used, owner furnished chassis. I want an automatic, so used is just about ruled out for me. If you can deal with a manual or autoshift trans, used is the way to go, IMO. The FL Columbia is the most popular new chassis, comprising the majority of production unit's at all three facilities. Both HM and Renegade had units built on a Volvo chassis with 500hp Cummins and Meritor Freedom trans. Very sharp tractor, with the nicest cab I have seen yet. The price is supposedly a just a few thousand higher than the FL Columbia/MBE9000/Freedom combo. FL has another price increase coming in March, so it may be apples to apples soon.

Renegade and Showhauler order a slightly better equipped FL cab than Haulmark, with an extensive gauge package, trip computer and electronic information center. I checked with a Freightliner dealer and found this to be about a $300 upgrade. If you buy Haulmark, I would ask them to order the chassis with this. I am taking a chassis out of inventory to avoid the latest FL price increase, so it wasn't an option for me.

Floor frame
All three used a similar floor construction technique. HM and SH use 2x3 tube steel at 16" oc, Renegade uses 2x2. SH and HM build their floors in a jig; Renegade builds theirs on the chassis. All three are attached to the chassis similarly. All three are painted and undercoated. HM and Renegade employ a sandwich construction method, with insulation and wood sleepers sandwiched between a galvanized sheet and 3/4" plywood decking. I didn't have a chance to witness the floor construction at SH, but it appears similar. SH and HM extend a tube steel frame down from the floor to support the cargo bins, Renegade appears to bolt modular boxes to the bottom of the floor frame. All three appeared equally substantial. HM uses urethane insulation, which offers a higher R/inch than the EPS (expanded polystyrene or beadboard) used by SH and Renegade.

Walls and Roof
This is the single largest difference between the three. SH uses a heavy gauge hat channel wall framed at 16" oc and welded to the perimeter of the floor frame. The channel is 1" deep by about 2-1/2" wide. All openings are framed in 1x3 tube steel. The .065 (or something in that range) metal skin is fastened to the channel using VHB tape. As a personal preference, I don't care for the vertical seams, but the finished product is very straight, with no "oil canning" or waviness evident. Inside, foil bubble wrap insulation is installed in all of the wall cavities, and 7/16" OSB is screwed to the hat channel. Furring strips are applied to create wire raceways, and the finished wall panel is stapled to the channels. This "double wall" takes about 2" out of the interior width. SH offers an insulation option for the cavities; I would take it for noise reduction if nothing else. The roof is framed with tube steel at 16" oc (can't recall the size) and welded to the sidewalls. The roof doesn't actually bear on the walls; it is connected with the radius roof channel which runs the perimeter of the roof. It all looks very substantial.

Renegade uses a heavy gauge Z channel welded to the frame which the walls screw to. The walls are seamless, one piece 5/8" plywood panels with FRP applied to both sides, creating a mini "stress skin" panel. They paint all exposed edges at windows and cutouts with the same gel-coat the panel is faced with. This prevents water from entering the panel and causing delamination, the primary cause of failure in FRP walls. Attention to detail in this area was very good. Renegade screws the FRP to the channel with what looked like #12 or #14 self drilling screws spaced 6" oc. The wood studs are glued and stapled to the inside of the FRP at 16" oc to provide an insulation cavity and wire raceway. The cavities are insulated with bead-board polystyrene insulation, and the finished wall panel is stapled on. Unfortunately, I didn't get a good look at the roof construction as the only unit in that stage was being roofed.

Haulmark uses an aluminum framed wall utilizing 1-1/2" x 3" welded tubular aluminum. There is no common spacing (i.e. 16" or 24"). The framing is laid out provide support anywhere a wall, cabinet or any other fixture attached. This is the reason HM is the most inflexible of the three when it comes to making floor plan changes. I got a look at the engineering drawings for a 30' unit, and there are areas where the spacing is 12", and areas that were over 2' (barely). The cavities are filled with urethane insulation. The exterior is a gel coated 5/16 plywood panel, the interior panel is the same industry standard finish wall panel the others use. The whole assembly is vacuum bonded, creating a true stress skin panel. The panels seemed very rigid as they were being moved around the plant. The lower tube is filled solid with plywood to prevent it from deforming when it is fastened. The panel rests on the Z channel and is screwed through the channel with what looked like #12 self drilling screws spaced 16" oc. I have requested that they space them at 6" on mine. The roof is another prefabricated panel, with welded tubular aluminum bows at 16" oc. The cavity is filled with a custom tapered urethane insulation which completely fills the cavity, and 1/4" luaun panels are vacuum bonded to each side. A continuous aluminum angle, welded to the roof rafters, runs the perimeter of the roof. It is screwed to the top of the wall frame at 16" oc. Again, I am requesting fasteners at 6" on mine.

I don't feel qualified to rate them structurally, but I'll give you my opinion. SH is the best built of the three. The materials were heavy duty, and the welds plentiful. It is also the heaviest, by about 2,000 pounds from what I heard. I know these are heavy duty trucks, but a ton is still a lot of weight. Renegade is the most unique. To hear it described, it sounds flimsy, but it is remarkably rigid. I test drove a three year old unit with 50k miles and it was quiet as a mouse on the road. The HM uses a more "RV like" construction. I am comfortable with the wall construction, but I think they are skimping on the fasteners, and should coat the exposed edges of the FRP panel for a more durable panel. I'm not hung up on framing spacing. Standard spacing of 12, 16, 19.2 and 24 came about as a way to provide maximum design flexibility and still accommodate modular panels. The wall will perform as required as long as static and dynamic loads are transferred or chased down to the floor frame regardless of the wall frame spacing. The exterior skin is a matter of preference between the three. All three are heavy duty, durable products, although delamination is never an issue with the aluminum. I prefer the smooth gel coat of the HM, although the patterned Renegade finish is growing on me.

The Cutout
The cab roof cutout is the single feature that swayed me to the HM over the Renegade. After viewing how it's done, I'm not sure how sound the waterproofing design is. It exposes the bulb seal to direct headwinds, and uses large amounts of silicone caulk to seal it. The rubber bulb doesn't like to bend at sharp angles, and the transition from vertical to horizontal requires large amounts of sealer to conform to the cab. It looks like the sealant might prevent the bulb from draining properly, which is how it removes water which defeats the seal. The traditional vertical cab cutout seems much more secure. Renegade is so concerned about their vertical cutout that they install a bumper beneath the cab to limit the movement of the cab air suspension. It is their opinion that even the standard rubber bulb flashed rear cutout can't withstand the differential movement of the cab and coach. Structurally, the roof cutout seems ok. The B pillar on the FL is massive, and I couldn't detect any movement or flex on a unit that had been cut out. Still, I have the option of not having the cutout, so I need to give it some thought.

Interior Components
MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) systems seemed similar between the three. Attention to detail was best on SH, followed by Renegade, then HM. Little things like brass vs. plastic valves, consistent fastening of piping and ducting, orthogonal piping and wiring layouts and user access add significantly to the quality of the SH. All three are in another league compared to MH builders, though. Had I not visited SH, I would have sworn HM or Renegade was as good as it gets.

Interior cabinetry and woodwork goes to SH, but only by a hair. Renegade and HM were tied. All cabinets are solid oak, pocket screwed, with solid wood drawers and doors. SH makes their boxes and buys doors and drawer fronts, Renegade and HM both outsource their cabinets. All three use solid oak passage doors, jambs and trim. HM and Renegade trim the windows with shadow boxes, which keep the window shades in place when the MH is moving.

The last, and to me one of the most important things to look at, is the attitude of the workers that actually build the coach. In this category, I was most impressed with Renegade. There was a noticeable team attitude among the crews. They seemed glad to see me, yet anxious to get back to work after I was through looking. They work as teams, and receive bonuses for efficiency. Any warranty or rework costs are deducted from the bonuses, so incentives to produce quality are in place.

I didn't sense anything negative at SH, but it was a quiet bunch. Of course, I did visit at 8:00am, so maybe their coffee hadn't kicked in yet. At HM, I felt like I was intruding as I looked around. The relationship between the sales rep and the workers seemed distant, like you would expect at a large company. Lonnie at SH and Jack at Renegade seemed to have a great rapport with everyone on the floor, and seemed well respected. In my experience, this can be more important than design differences. An inferior process performed by a worker who cares is better than a superior process performed by a disgruntled worker.

In a nutshell, the SH seems to be the best built of the three. Not by a landslide, but undeniably better everywhere you look. It is also the most expensive. I didn't speak with a SH dealer to determine their bottom line as I did with Renegade and HM, and don't plan to as my mind is made up. Based on "ball park" conversations with Lonnie, I estimate SH to be more expensive by at least $20k if not more.

HM is the price leader, and Renegade provides the most bang for the buck. Had I visited the plants before buying, I would have gone Renegade. Because this is our first MH, I will probably replace it in 2-3 years when I have an idea of what I want based on experience. When I plan to buy a coach for the long haul, it will probably be SH, although I'll certainly talk to Renegade. For my present needs, the Haulmark works, so I'm going to stick with my order. Sorry to ramble so, but it was a loooooooong drive home.
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Old 12-13-2003, 07:32 PM   #2
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Excellent post. Thanks for taking the time to give us your opinions. Very helpful.
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Old 12-13-2003, 08:21 PM   #3
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mxracin -

Fantastic post! Really great information, you cleared alot up for me on Hallmarks construction. One item that would leave me a bit worried from your info is the lack of sealing on the FRP edges after cuts where made.

It sounds like you have made a good decision on your purchase based on your current needs. Your right in saying that so far most of the conversion manufacturers are building rigs that are substantially better than traditional RV's.

I have noticed many of the Hallmarks have the stainless on the lower 1/3 of the box. Are you going with this as well? This seems like it would be a maintenance nightmare.

Keeps us posted as your conversion nears completion and definitely post photos.

Bill

2003 28' Show Hauler Motorhome on a 1995 FL 120 www.showhauler.com
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Old 12-14-2003, 06:06 AM   #4
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I plan to ask them to seal the edges. We'll see how receptive they are. I did decide to go with the painted (powdercoated) storage doors. I started out prefrring the SS look, but the all-white has grown on me.

I'm going back two times in January. Once to see it framed, and once again when finishes are 75% complete. I plan to pick it up in February, take a short trip, and return to HM for any corrective work, then bring it home.

I'll take pictures as it happens.

Jeff
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Old 12-15-2003, 02:00 PM   #5
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How about NRC's?

On these others, how about utility hook up arrangement, storage box construction/finish, and typical power inverter/converter system design?
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Old 12-21-2003, 07:18 PM   #6
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Didn't get a chance to check out NRC. Utility hookups were all pretty similar, all on the road side and very well done. Storage box construction details differed between the three, but all were well weatherstripped and extremely heavy duty. Renegade and Haulmark use double latches on each door, Showhauler uses a single latch.

Haulmark has a 400W inverter that powers the TV and entertainment center. The inverter is an option on the Renegade. I didn't notice on Showhauler.
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Old 12-21-2003, 07:47 PM   #7
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Mxracing. Did you notice any of the companies building an enclosed compartment for the water tanks and dump valves?

I have look at several conversions and they all had waste tanks and the dump valves in a bottomless compartment. Besides the road grime getting in there it seemed there was no effort to heat this area for winter usage.

I assume it is the "racing heritage" of these type rigs. They must assume that they are only used in warmer weather and at race tracks. When I asked about enclosed, heated tanks one time a factory rep asked me why would you need that.
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Old 12-21-2003, 10:47 PM   #8
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.....There are ways of limiting the exposure to the cold without costing a bundle...one being a heat tape and another being a submersible tank heater like in a horse watering bucket but using a timer or another type of thermostat......then there is an electric toilet which uses no water and doesn't need a black water tank they are about $1500.00 currently on sale. Gray water tank can be reduced in size by using a small macerator pump and a water hose to carry away waste gray water. Potable water tanks can be inside of the coach/trailer and can have a heater as well. Where the most problems happen is in the water lines they freeze quickly so a heater tape will do or installation inside a heated coach-there used to be a instant hot water system that had a large supply line to the supply valve and a small return line back to the tank on the hot water side. We had one when I grew up but I can't remember the manufacture-but we had hot water as soon as the valve was opened. If you really stop to think about it--in winter camping you only need warm water anyway.....everyone I know drinks bottled water anyway these days.....geof
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Old 12-22-2003, 11:00 AM   #9
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cm,

All were open below. I got a similar response when I asked the question. I will probably fab something up my self. I can attach a flat plate with two legs to the side of the adjoining boxes and place a piece of foam insulation on the floor. I did get the heat tape in mine.

I've been told that when you drain the tanks, you need to dump about a gallon of RV antifreeze in each tank to keep the drain and valve from freezing, other than that the heat tape works fine.

Domestic water is all above the floor, so as long as the coach is heated you should be ok. Keep an eye on temps in the undercounter cabinets where much of the plumbing is. You may want to keep the door open a crack. There is usually a flex heat duct in there that blows out the side of the cabinet. I may put a tee and balancing damper in the cabinet to let a little air flow in. We'll see how it goes.
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Old 12-22-2003, 08:56 PM   #10
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mxracin. There are a couple of other ideas for heating the waste tanks. Definately enclose them and insulate the enclosure. Some motorhomes run a heat duct from the regular furnace.

Since it would be a diesel truck go with a Aquahot or Hydrohot system. They use a diesel burner and you can put multiple zone heaters in the cabin, and storage compartments or the waste tank compartment.

A propane based system I also thought of was have a smaller propane furnace directed to the storage, waste tank area. In Colorado in the winter if it is not to cold and the sun is out you don't always have to run the coach furnace because the sun warms the coach through the windows. But the enclosed areas may still be cold. Pickup slide in campers have small furnaces. So add a small furnace directly to the tank area. Will probably use less propane than the regular furnace.

While driving it is not a problem because small auxiliary furnaces, hooked to the engine coolant are esily available.
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Old 12-22-2003, 10:07 PM   #11
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Talked to Optima Coach- yesterday.....they can't build a coach like I want they just started production and only have two models....OH WELL! probably saved a hundred grand or so....geof
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Old 12-23-2003, 12:54 AM   #12
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i'm using aqua hot in mine and recommend it highly . i've also got electric [120] hot water heaters in both of my waste tanks. they're controled with a reostat and turned on and off with a regular wall switch. mine are set around 45-50 degrees. oh thanks for the info. does anybody have an opinion or thoughts on dynomax? mase
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Old 12-23-2003, 11:24 AM   #13
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I toured a Dynamax on the Columbia chassis at the RVIA show a few weeks ago and was not impressed. They seem to try to hard to make it look aerodynamic, and that takes away a lot of the interior space. I almost felt claustrophobic in their compared to my Show Hauler. The interior is very nice, but just like a pusher interior, thin walls, doors and trim. One thing I do like is the electrical system they use. They are all going to a smart system which monitors input current, will automatically shut down items that cannot be supported due to sags in power.

For the money you can get one decked out Show Hauler, Renegade or NRC and still have change left over for a stacker trailer and fuel to get you where you need to go for the year.

2003 28' Show Hauler Motorhome on a 1995 FL 120 www.showhauler.com
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