I don't like towing with a trailer. I have an open trailer(budgetary constraints). I've looked at all the permutations and a truck with a trailer is the only solution other than flat towing(remember those MW free towing hubs, I love them). Maintenance on a box truck as a hauler is much more expensive. The gas and insurance and the local or state police looking for $omething($). They are easier to park and they are easier on the road since you don't have that trailer behind you and idiots all around you. And of course it is a dedicated vehicle. You can unhook a trailer and then pick up a washer or parts or whatever.

But the U hauls do not have flat floors, they have internal wheel wells, and they are IMO kinda of sissy trucks? Not sure what the real advantage is.

Linky -> Bill Jenkins car hauler box truck on bring a trailer in 2007

I believe this was also owned by Steve Snyder of Elkhart Indiana at one time and used to haul his 62 Pontiac Catalina.

Probably 24" from the ground and it drops another 10. The wheelwells are only 5" tall. Lower shorter ramps.

What is the disadvantage of just using a 4400# lift gate for the car and a walk through door on the side?

The further you have the deck out in-order to have your car sit on it the load on the hydraulics will exceed the lift capability.

I got my box truck/hauler home after a 1500 mile drive. It’s a little under powered with a 5.9 Cummins but some 75hp injectors will help. It drove like a dream and for $20k I couldn’t replace my enclosed trailer for the price. Hopefully now the lift gate will lift my car. It’s a 4400# lift gate but 1/2 the car will be on extended ramps!

A just drove a mid 70's 400 sbc enclosed car hauler. They are all stick and the ratio spread of the trans is horrible. Hard to get up to speed and 60 mph is the max. I've been in the $250 K haulers, 75 mph, and after that I never wanted to pull a trailer. Reality check...I don't have that kind of money. There has to be some kind of happy medium.

Yes,the Oleyniks built most of the haulers back in the day including the 77 S&M hauler now owned by a close friend.The 413 has been replaced with a Cummings out of a pickup along with the dash being grafted into the cab.The 2 speed rear is disconnected but I could not keep up to it with my 2010 Hino rollback.So maybe more boost or a gear change could help that issue.
One other thing,air brakes are an endorsement only on a CDL.......

I think you're going to be disappointed with that lift gate plan. Take a look at how the gate works on a stacker trailer as that's where you're going to end up I think.

The rest of the plan sounds good. If Texas won't let you register it as a motorhome after the required components are installed and I seriously doubt they won't, find a state that will.

What year is the truck? Those 75 hp injectors are usually a 12 Valve deal which is 98 and older. If it's got a common rail injected engine, 2003 or newer IIRC, more power is a Bullydog tuner or preferred brand away. No hardware changes unless you're planning to get silly. The 98.5 - 2002 24V with the VP44 pump doesn't have as much tuner support but 75-100 hp can be had with an Edge EZ box and no hardware changes.

What trans and rear axle ratio?

Kevin

This was $20k and I figured I may have another $15k in when I’m done with bathroom and kitchenette, insulation and AC.

It’s a 2000. There are a lot of injector choices out there and I still may go with a tuner. I may need to get creative with the lift gate .

Do be cautious with the liftgate idea. With all due respect, I'd suggest some professional advice to determine if it would be cost effective, if even safely possible.

Neat truck but, I think you are going to run into problems with your plan

What's the actual weight of your car? I think the liftgate issue is the weakest part of your plan. I work on a number of those things, and they're designed for load center much shorter(closer to the truck) than a car. Pallets and the like.

Is it air ride? I would look at ramps, as opposed to the liftgate unless your car is under 3000lbs or so, you're just asking for catastrophic fail otherwise. S/F....Ken M

Thanks for all the input. Worse case I have a line of a full lift gate made to lift car. We will see how it all goes... Maybe I should test it with my wife’s car when she is not home. Lol 😂

THERE'S an idea!!! Lol

Kevin

Does it have a Jake Brake on the truck now? If not I would add it for safely stopping it
I agree on not using that lift gate to support the car while traveling
I've owned and used a bunch of different car trailesr and car hauler trucks from one ton crew cabs with open beds and ramps to a early Dodge D500 with a flat head six and a two speed rear axle that ended up with a 392 Hemi in it, which helped that old rascal a bunch
I wrecked (totaled) a friends car on a borrowed open trailer that total the Hemi GTX NHRA stocker and hurt the trailer and my 1/2 ton Ford pickup due to not having enough stopping power to avoid a dog running out in front of the truck on the way to the races, the dog got hung up the right front wheel well and jerk the steering wheel out of my hand which resulted in jack knifing the car and trailer Multiple mistakes compounded and ruined our day
I've not towed anything with a 1/2 ton pickup since, that accident happened in 1973

JCC
you would just build ramps over the wheel wells. Saw that in a hauler that Mr. 4 Speed Herb McCandless had back in 72 for his Pro Stock Demon. The car was not hauled Flat, It was on a tilt like on an open Ramp Truck.

I will be putting a jake brake on it. It does have new brakes and drums all the way around and the brakes are air brakes. Safety will always be first. I will always own a newer 3/4 or 1 ton truck. I have a new 3500 dually with 1500 miles on it to tow if needed. I really bought the truck because I think it will be cool/convenient when done. To be honest with all my time being taken with businesses and with young kids I may not race for a few years anyways. It will be fun to tinker on and make just the way I want it when time allows.