homemade running gears?

I am wondering if their is any interest in general for motorhome chassis's to make into heavy running gears, water wagons or whatever. When truck prices went down , maybe everyone went to big trucks? I am scrapping a 25 ft dodge class A chassis soon. I suppose odd size tire price is the main issue in building a wagon? too heavy already? cheaper ones pre made?

Tire price is a consideration also empty weight. Though as a chassis for a grain buggy it might be a good solution, especially if the brakes were kept functional.

Its not especially a new idea, there were kits in the 30s for converting Ford front axles to hay rack gear. I have one of those assemblies. Not heavy weight.

A few years ago, I tore apart a mostly plywood travel trailer that was rotting, and made a flat bed from the frame. I shortened the frame some and added angles welded to the tube frame where I ran trailer deck screws through the foundation grade 2x6 and 2x8 cross wise deck planks. Its 7 x 16' and weighs about a ton empty, but the deck hasn't opened up and has stood considerable abuse.

Gerald J.

that was one thought , but I keep seeing those low header? trailers overloaded?

Yah, you can buy a half million mile sleeper tractor with good tires for around $15K, cheaper than a used pickup sometimes. And with a 39' grain box can haul the legal limit of corn or beans, twice or three times what a straight truck will haul and faster than a tractor and wagon. Using only on the farm you might run up 5000 miles a year so the tires will rot off before it needs anything mechanical repaired.

Gerald J.

Jay, now that would be good, like the N.H. an open station self proplelled bale hauler ! Of course I already sold the motor and trans.

  Now I have a good '77 440 dodge 25' class A fully equipped plus generator ready to be converted to a bale hauler if that market is better !!!