I was out test-driving the Jeep after last week’s repair when I caught this out of the corner of my eye parked in a side street, thankfully far enough away from my own neighborhood that I don’t need to worry about it coming to visit (hopefully). Looking like something Cousin Eddie might try, here we have a full size vintage motorhome (that someone else will surely be able to identify) that has been converted to be used as a flatbed trailer with the bonus of some dry storage at the front end.
Frightening doesn’t begin to describe this, especially as a bumper-towed rig with what I’m assuming are now rigidly fixed front wheels creating a massive scrub radius around turns. Or perhaps someone rides in the cab and steers in concert with the tow rig?
It is creative though, an RV is basically a long flat platform above a frame that has all the mechanicals attached to it underneath for most of the rear part of its length. The body just rides along on top and removing it would create a long flat area. If this was self-propelled instead of towed and left as a small cab with large flatbed on the back (like a cutaway with a rear wall) I’d perhaps be applauding the ingenuity and interesting re-use.
The new plywood panel sides seem to have fake windows painted in to perhaps give the illusion that everything is A-Okay, nothing to see here, officer, nothing at all. No, our state and country does not have mandatory safety inspections and the police seem to not care whatsoever about this kind of thing as long as you aren’t holding up traffic.
It’s considerate of the owner to have created warnings for those following that this is being towed by something else, as if anyone would willingly get close enough to read any of that. The load of…scrap metal, I think, appears to be tied down so that’s one plus point in the owner’s favor. The only plus point in the owner’s favor. I’m all for living and let live, however the second part of that may perhaps validly be questioned in this case. Someone’s gonna die.
Wow. I would not dare to drive behind this vehicle.
I would need to see this in operation to fully grasp it’s functionality.
I will admit to having doubt.
I am only impressed if there is a functioning bathroom/shower in the enclosed part. THAT would make for a truly self-contained scrapping life.
There’s probably a flap in the plywood somewhere. The shower is for whoever’s behind it. Here is Colorado we believe in recycling and water is scarce.
You’re painted on Windows clearly cover the letters FREE. Which I doubt you could give this thing away. If it had a 440 still sitting in it then yes.. But no in its present state
Blew up the pic and saw the “free”!
That’s still too much.
Maybe it was just the plywood that was free??? Someone’s extra that was left over from another project???
This belongs in a Cheech and Chong movie!
This belongs in a Mad Max movie.
Right now on nextdoor.com there’s a big yell fest about homeless living in their cars and leaving a mess and of course breakins and hassling the women .
A few who don’t have to deal with it keep saying “leave them alone !” .
I wish I could park this thing in front of their house and see what they say .
-Nate
Shades of the 1960’s in rural farming communities .
I bet the “FREE” was how they got the rig initially .
Better this than some one living in it on your block .
-Nate
Perfect example of the longer you look the worse it gets.
What’s up with the rear wheels? Looks like someone’s attempt at looking like a 70s Ford hubcap from 50 feet away.
https://www.macsautoparts.com/media/catalog/product/cache/e8278bb62b6191f0a2c63cf38a3ced70/6/4/64-46281.jpg
Considering the bumper is already bent, I wonder what will give first. The bumper, the brand new cheap tow bar, or whatever is pulling it, if it’s in similar condition.
More likely a way to mount a full wheel cover.
He probably picked it up in Eugene.
Looks like it’s a “glider” now. A lot of weight to be towed without trailer brakes. But who needs those?
It’s a good thing we don’t have mountains or anything like that in Colorado. I’m interested in seeing what tows it.
I was going to say that Jim must have seen it in Santa Cruz. Sadly, this isn’t too different than some local rigs. But I suppose he didn’t go for that long a test drive in the Jeep.
I’m in the desert Southwest right now, 950 miles yesterday…in the Jeep, 108 degrees outside the last couple of days, the repair is good! There are similar source-rigs down here as well…
He may qualify for FEMA aid.
Are those bungee cords holding the cab remnants on?
Just needs “Burning Man Salvage & Co.” painted on the sides.
Only in America. Even Canadians would give this an affirmative “WhatNoooWaaay!”
It was probably a dicey couple of minutes between cutting away the last of the side panels and sticking in the plywood to hold up the front of the “vehicle”.
The Cheech and Chong reference was perfect.
Whoaaaaa man….
It could always be worse. At least there isn’t anything attached the hitch on the rear.
Trailers over here must in theory be inspected, that would fail, I’m not sure I’d like to tow it.
Our next door neighbors in Austin had something quite similar parked along the street – . Theirs was the house with tires and toilets scattered about – the main reason we built there was because of the Old Austin vibe.
.
This was back before Austin became Disneyland – of course it’s no longer there. It made me smile, though, such a unique yard-art installation.
That’s different, I have seen Class C motorhomes cut down into flatbeds . Pretty simple since they are usually Econoline chassis so sealing the back of the cab and adding some decking does the job. I’ve also seen the occasional professionally built Econoline dually pickup. Railroads seemed to buy them with a pickup box or service body,