It’s not just because a Beetle is in front of it; this van really is wiiiide. As you can see from the grille, and the spliced windshield, this van has been widened to probably the full legal eight foot width. These used to be fairly common, as para-transit buses, hotel shuttles and such. Take a Dodge van, cut it down the middle, and add a hunk. A new rear axle helps too. But it’s been a while since I’ve seen one. Anyone remember the maker?
Superior built Dodge vans that were widened 16 inches for ambulance duty. That one is from pretty close to the end of Dodge van production, so it might be an actual factory stretch. There is a story that Dodge was putting them into production for shuttle/ambulance/RV duty and then California made a law to ban them from the state, killing the project. Another story is that these late model ones were built in Mexico.
I actually managed and owned the wide one corp for many years . We built the widen dodge B 350 for 20 years in calif. The only reason we ever stopped building them was because economics. The vehicle was never built by dodge however Dodge did put their blessing on the conversion.
Vince Fabozzi
Vince, do you have any history on the RV / motor home version? I appearently have the only one in North America. A dozen or so were sent to Hawaii?
Ron
Is there anyway to find out what the specs are on the 1997 model of the wide one van. I recently bought one and am interested to find out what the fuel capacity is towing capacity and other things of that nature if you could help me out that would be very appreciated. Thanks
Wide One vans all have the stock fuel tank that came in them from Dodge. Towing capacity didn’t change either. These are the heavy duty version 1-Ton chassis. You can get the specs from a Google search.
do you know where the pickup is?????if so please email me.
Were they built in Long Beach California
Hi Cindy,
I believe I saw your Van on Bob’s site?
You’ve got a lucky find !!!
If you’re at the RTR this year,
I love to take a look at it! :o)
Thanks,
Bob Nelson
Never saw one of that generation. But Winnebago started it around 1973 with a Dodge chassis motorhome that they widened twelve inches. Don’t remember if it was a full van shell…now that I think of it, I believe it was, with a fiberglass raised roof.
It disappeared quickly, victim of the 1973 gas crisis.
But that example…if I remember correctly, it used a one-piece windshield made for Winnebago; and interestingly enough, the right-side wiper was the same distance from the left one. So either they added their foot far to the right of center; or they had their own cowl to go with their own windshield.
The Superior jobs always looked kind of scary as they didn’t widen the track along with it. The Wide One Corporation looks like the one that did a more stable conversion with a wider track.(From AllPar of course..)
I want one. 4×4 though of course, i know, good luck. Maybe use Duece and a half axles and………. never gonna happen.
2.5m is max width world wide it would make a great campervan and be incredibly stable to drive.
I don’t recall ever seeing one of these, but it does shake the memory of a satellite bus feeder service in St. Louis County in the mid-1970’s to draw riders to the main routes of the Bi-State bus system. The service was known as “Orbit”.
The vehicles they used were known as Argosy CB’s – basically a very short Airstream trailer with a cab!
That service died within a few years. Wish I had a photo to share!
Seems like a lot of trouble to split one down the middle to add width when other coach builders have been just using the front doors forward and their own (much wider) ass end for years.
I have never seen one of these in my life.
I’m glad I’m not alone. I’ve never seen anything like this before, and doubt I’ll ever see one in real life!
I remember occasionally seeing these widened vans as a kid growing up in the 1970s, some were ambulances but most of them were RVs. I can’t find it now (too far back in the memory bin) but I remember reading an excellent article on these widened vans and who was doing them (think there was more than one company). It may have been in a 1980s car/van/truck magazine.
The article specifically mentioned that dirt bike riders loved them because they could fit (I think) three bikes across due to the extra width.
I have one of these vans mine is a 1980 dodge made by Wide One Corp. and yes, like Redmondjp says motorcycle professionals back then loved these vans, mine former owner was Dany Macias ex speed record breaker, They were wide and tall but have good stability and drive great.
Mine looks different than the one picture here because it is older I appreciate any info on it because there isn’t much out there.
Are you interested to sale this van?
If so, please let me know
Kaz
kwintel@msn.com
360 398 1858
Hi Kaz
I do not want to sell it now, but If I ever do I will contact you
and thanks for your interest.
These are unusual vans. I am ‘on’ my second and have a third in storage. I have been driving Wide One vans for about 15 years. I also know where three others are. The cornering ability has to be experienced, to be believed. During the conversion the roll bars were removed and never replaced. It does not matter. Cornering is very flat. Travelling the mountain curves from Reno to Sacramento finds some very startled sports car drivers behind or in front of me when they see I do not(need to) slow for corners. Usually they will slow down before I have to. Very satisfying. I average right at 15 mpg and have a factory tow rating of 13,500 lbs. The width of the van allows a standard(I have a twin)size bed to be installed sideways. I have about 4 inches at head and foot each, so no ‘scrunching’ or otherwise uncomfortable sleep. This arrangement allows for the efficient use of space. I have room to move around. Sprawl space, if you will. This is important as I travel for work and use the vehicle for weeks/months. I am always comfortable, rested, ready for work. There is very little I do not know about this vehicle. Also, when stopped at a stop light, to watch a crosswalk pedestrian absentmindly walk past 10 feet and then ‘backpedal’ to stand right in front of me to stare at my van while the light is changing is hugely amusing.
Hi Rodney, I have one that I bought off an auction site for Arvin City, south of Bakersfield. It has a wheelchair lift that comes out from the bottom! doyou know anything about these lifts? any and all help is appreciated!
Art in Stockton, ca.
Hello,
Is there anyone out there with some information about Wide One corp.?
Does the company still exist?
As Vince Fabozzi mentioned in his post of August 2013, The Wide One no longer exists. They made a great conversion out of the B350 Dodge van. I was in the leasing business back in the 80s and early 90s and my customers loved them. We also had a Paratransit company that used several of them. I had a feeling the process would not last as it was expensive and with Dodge eliminating the large van they had to fold I’m sure by the end of the century.
I have a camperized / RV / motor home version of the Wide One. It is extra long and extra wide with wide track wheel system. Appearently a dozen or so were made for a Hawaiian RV rental agency, but one was not delivered. I have the one! and am in the Portland, Oregon area. I am in the process of doing some paint work on it. It will be for sale soon. There is only 60K miles on it. Call if interested, Ron 503/789/5085. Sorry about the quality of the photo. RD
Nice to see some of these vans are still in service. My late father, Dale, was the designer / inventor / partner of Wide One Corp. He passed away last month. I inherited his big custom Wide One pickup, the one with the utility bed built on a cutaway camper chassis. I’m considering selling it. Only has 11K miles. Needs TLC but is still in good shape.
Tom did you sell the pickup if so do you remember who you sold it to. Would appreciate if you would let me know thanks.
Ron,
Have you sold your Wide One?
I have a few more photos of the Wide One RV that I am to sell. Call me for info.
Thanks Ron 503/789/5085
I have the Wide One utility bed truck everyone has been looking for. I inherited it from my Dad. He owned the company that made all the Wide One vans. I can be reached at 951 217-3491. San Bernardino, CA. I need to find a new home for it.
I have a 1975 dodge tradesman 300 wide body rv camper van with a split windshield and a wide stance . It was a factory built rv van not a ex-ambulance. I’m looking for someone that could tell me more about this rv van as I’ve been on the internet and as far as I can tell it’s the only one in existence . Papatom62@gmail.com
That was a picture of the interior dinette folded down to a bed.
Ron,
Do you have any idea where to get steering parts for a wide one van?
I have a 1997 wide one that I converted into a camper. I thought I had the only one because there is not much info about them out there. Mine is not for sale. Runs great but needs some front end work. Nicest riding van I have ever owned. The paint job is from its former service as a transit dial a ride bus in Phoenix Arizona.
My late dad owned Wide One Corp, the company that made these vans. I have his prototype pickup that he built on a motor home chassis. 6 passenger cab with a utility bed. 440 V8, 145” wheelbase. Only 11K miles. I’d like to find a new home for it.
We have a 1994 Wide One…we need to replace the windshields and we can not find the numbers on the windshields for the glass company to be able to acquire the correct windshields. Is there any information on these or where to acquire/install them, etc. We would appreciate any help you can give. Thank you…Judy Cashatt.
Judy what are you using your van for? I’m looking to find other Wide One van owners that use their vans as campers and maybe start an RVing group. Is that something of interest to you or any other Wide One owners? My contact is Gramkrackertravels@gmail.com follow me on YouTube “travelingwiththegramkracker”
I own a 1975 dodge tradesman 300 widebody rv camper van . It’s a 360 ci automatic . Split windshield . With a wide stance . I have been on the internet and I’ve made some phone calls with no luck on learning anything about this nonexisting van . This van looks to me as it is not a ex-ambulance or handy van but was a original rv . If anyone has any information on how many widebody rvs were built in 1975 I’d like to hear from you . My email is papatom62@gmail.com
I own a 2000 Xplorer wide body. The front is the width of a normal Dodge 3500, but it gradually gets wider as you move to the rear of the van. It has dual tires in the rear. As far as I know, the change in the rear was done at Frank Industries, the makers of the RV. Unfortunately, for those of us who are Xplorer lovers, they are no longer in business. It is the 3rd I have owned, buying the first in 1976.
I had a line on a 1984 Wide One RV but it got away from me. If anyone hears of one for sale I would appreciate a heads up.