Hx:
2003, we engineered our ExpeditionVehicle on a 1997 Ford CF8000 commercial truck.
Weight across the scale -- 14,000#.
GVWR -- 29,000#.
Cargo capacity -- about seven ton.
Prior to our conversion, it was rated as a Class 8.
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John,
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My response presumes stretching the frame between the axles.
I strongly recommend against adding extra length behind the rear axle.
EarthRoamer does that.
Used as intended, EarthRoamer frames break near the rear suspension.
Earthroamer engineered a weld-in reinforcement for that area.
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Earthroamer has a nice product, but their hysterically-comical rear overhang creates problems during turns and on steep humps.
Accordingly, operators tend to stay on well-tended popular roads, negating much of the benefit of a 4x4 off-grid 'go-anyplace' get-away-from-it-all rig.
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a)
Anything is possible with enough time and cash.
For your proposal, I am concerned about a reasonable turning radius.
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A camper usually indicates an interest in camping.
Some roads to ideal camp-sites might have steep humps to snag your under-pinnings.
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b)
Your potential truck/camper combination is probably within GVWR, and yet, I prefer tons of spare cargo capacity.
For the rig you envision, I anticipate adding tools and supplies and water and canned goods.
Edging GVWR is rarely good for handling and braking.
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Suggestion:
For cargo capacity, I would look at Class 6 and stouter.
You can order a new commercial truck with any cab-to-axle length you desire.
You benefit from factory engineers determining suspension and brakes, while assuming liability for their decisions.
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Resale value of a factory commercial truck will probably be significantly greater than a custom fabricated pick-up conversion.
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Another advantage is Commercial-Duty 22.5 tires and wheels.
Combine these with stouter frame and brakes, and you can travel with peace of mind .
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An aside:
We three adults and our dogs are at just over two decades full-time live-aboard in our ExpeditionVehicle.
Our interior is three paces across by seven paces long, 7.5' x 12.5', about 600cf.
"But but but LM!, how do you live in such a tiny space!"
We do not live in our rig.
We live out of it.
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Our introduction with plenty of portraits, plus our reasons for our decisions:
2003, my Very Significant Other got sick. . Immediately, we wrote our goals on a brown grocery bag. Pretty high on the list -- 'holding hands while we watch the sun rise'. . Naturally, we acquired a 1997 Ford commercial truck to convert to our concept of an ExpeditionVehicle. I quickly removed...
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