Jud Landis sent me this picture and a short note about it:
I was in Montpelier, Vermont today and spotted this ‘50-‘57 Diamond T custom camper rig with California plates rolling through downtown. I caught a shot after I found it parked on a side street. Didn’t see the driver around so can only speculate that the mechanicals have been updated to do modern cross-country driving. Engine sounded like a relatively quiet, modern turbo diesel of some sort. Could definitely hear the turbo whine.That yellow tank had a fuel filler pipe. I was glad to see it wasn’t propane hanging out there.Sincerely,Jud Landis
In 1969, After the merger of Diamond T & Reo, they did offer a factory camper unit on the Trend chassis, called the Country Wagon. https://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/forum/your-studebaker-forum/stove-huggers-the-non-studebaker-forum/53592-orphan-of-the-day-06-25-1969-diamond-reo-country-wagon#post822514
Apparently this has a Cat 3406B and an Allison 6 speed auto. Low air leaf suspension and air front disc brakes.
Just curious, how is all that apparent to you?
I question that. Doesn’t look like enough “tin” to house a 3406.
Is LH exhaust pipe a dummy?
Is RH large enough alone for 3406?
What’s with the lightweight 8-bolt hub?
Apparently, I misidentified it!
This is probably the only time I will ever refer to a motorhome as “mean”!
I could enjoy wheeling this beast into an rv park.
That is super cool! The camper unit is shaped like a livestock water trough or maybe a giant ice chest. I would speculate that not only is the engine modern but the chassis as well.
I can only imagine the look of horror on his face as Dennis Weaver lounges at his favorite campground when he sees this rig pull in.
That camper and truck is badassed.
No need to stop at a diner when you’re carrying your own.
I found a build thread for this beast on Garage Journal. There’s no final pics of it though.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/project-52-diamondt-towrig-rv.249841/
On your recommendation I read the Garage Journal link that you posted. I’m glad that this guy is on our side. Pure brilliance!
What a great build, thanks for finding and posting it.
That “good luck” painted on the front bumper almost looks like something you’d see in India.
Cool and interesting but does not compute. More questions than answers.
Check out the build thread linked above.
The builder is a master fabricator, and exceptionally creative.
According to the build thread, the cab is from Diamond T retired fire truck, the chassis is an International from a retired UHaul box truck, and the camper contains repurposed elements of an old travel trailer.
It has a gasoline engine and hydraulic brakes, and is not classified as a commercial vehicle.
The build thread ended in 2010, so the current version may differ from the original.