Get A Van!
 

Get a Van!
by Joe Schembrie


Gary North recently wrote: "In every recession, there are permanent victims. The RV industry is the poster child as this recession's permanent victim. The industry is finished."

Yes – and so now is the best time to buy an RV.

In the next few years, an RV could be a vital part of your plan to survive the economic catastrophe which the Federal Reserve, Wall Street, and the federal government have unleashed. Whether the RV industry thrives or not, the RV itself is positioned to ride the economic storm.

True, with respect to the economics of recreation, an RV costs more than a lifetime of trips to Disney World. But the cost is typically an order of magnitude cheaper than a home, and that's how you should think about it: an RV is an emergency back-up home.

People who think they don't need an emergency back-up home don't realize how bad the current crisis is. We face economic collapse, and survival may soon depend on being prepared for a desperate world where food, clothing, and shelter are scarce commodities.

Many libertarians are aware of the danger of hyperinflation, and how money could become worthless, reducing society to barter and food riots. They respond by stockpiling staples. All well and good – but wouldn't you also rather be a moving target than a sitting duck?

That's why you need an RV, trailer, camper, or utility van. Consider the havoc of economic collapse. If rioters set your town on fire, will your neighborhood be spared? Will firefighters be on strike, will hydrants have pressure? When a wall of smoke approaches your street, a back-up home on wheels will seem like an investment in gold.

If the economy collapses, cities could turn unlivable. You'll need to move into the countryside. How will you transport all of the non-perishable food that you amassed? Do you intend to live in your car for the years it may take the economy to recover?

Living out of a car soon feels intolerable, but even a utility van can be accessorized for survival with style. For a few thousand dollars you can mount solar panels on the roof to provide electricity for heat, cooking, refrigeration, a computer and widescreen TV. Add a stuffed chair, and a lot of guys could happily live in there now.

Modified hybrid vehicles can be propelled on batteries charged from rooftop solar panels. The daily charge is only enough to drive a few miles, but that will seem like a lot when gasoline becomes unobtainable.

Some people will gasp at the thought of living for perhaps years with only a van as home. But consider the alternatives: to be caught in the crossfire of civil unrest, to painfully die of exposure. Economic Armageddon won't be pretty.

Even if society doesn't revert to savagery, a back-up home on wheels can make a big difference in tough times. Suppose you lose your job and miss the payments on your house and you're evicted. Suppose that having the foreclosure listed on your credit report prevents you from renting an apartment. What then? Sleeping in a mobile home beats a homeless shelter or tent city.

What if there are job openings in another region of the country? You can hop in your van and arrive while they're still hiring. If that job is only temporary, you can then drive somewhere else just as readily. Living in a van means you can immediately go wherever the jobs are.

Sure, you could establish a refuge in the wilderness, but federal forces have a proclivity toward confronting the "fortress mentality" – for example, with snipers at Ruby Ridge and troops at Waco. For Galt's Gulch, they'd probably call in air strikes. So let's leave the barricaded compounds to the cultists.

The feds won't hassle RV owners as much, because most people don't think of an RV as a sign of "survivalist nutterism." Stacking soup cans in your broom closet may arouse suspicion, but purchasing an RV usually makes people think only that you're going on vacation.

That the vacation may encompass the downfall of civilization is not necessary to mention to friends, neighbors, or government agents. When the time comes, just get in and drive away. And if the time doesn't come, make sure you bought the vehicle used so that it retains resale value.

Today, investing in the RV industry doesn't look wise. Investing in one vehicle, however, is a bargain as economic collapse insurance. A van may help you avoid becoming a permanent victim of the escalating economic crisis.

So get yourself a mobile survival machine – and keep the gas tank full.



March 25, 2009

Joe Schembrie [send him mail] is a writer who lives in Bellevue, Washington.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/schembrie/schembrie13.html

Re: Get A Van!
 

Oh, dude...I just saw that! Thanks.

I'd be on the lookout for an extended cab people van w/ 4WD. Pop in a few holes for necessities, strap down an H2O tank....some panelling.....carry 4x jack stands for long term parking and minimum 2 full spares.
I was in RV manufacturing for a while......I recommend a van, savvy?

Re: Get A Van!
 

The wife and I just picked up a late 1990s model 24' Trailer for less than $3,000.

It has everything we will need to survive long weekends with the kids on our land. We are going to live in this part time as we build our home.

Dave

Re: Get A Van!
 

I want this one:

Re: Get A Van!
 

This dilemna occurred to me recently. Being a renter, my living arrangements are by no means permanent. I look at the amount of preps I've been able to amass... then I wonder what the hell I'm going to do with it all if I suddenly have to up and leave for whatever reason.

Wish I had the funds available for this:

Re: Get A Van!
 

Intriguing subject. I've been surprised to watch RVs dropping in price just as people are being ruined in droves and rendered foreclosees/tenants/homeless. But it's like gold I guess, "deleveraging", people liquidating everything not bolted down to raise cash for putting out current fires.

Re: Get A Van!
 

Welcome!

You can get incredible deals on RVs on Craigslist... They are always a ton listed but you have to move quickly and have cash in hand.

Dave

Re: Get A Van!
 

Has anybody investigated which are the best built?

Re: Get A Van!
 

Interesting thread because I have been thinking the same way, better to have a mobile home in the desert than a bunker in a hell hole suburb...

Here is a good deal I seriously thought about buying today.. Reading this thread is a reminder I need to move ahead of the herd to get the deals..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...%3AIT&viewitem=

Spend 5 ozs of gold and I have the basics for a single guy to live in...

Re: Get A Van!
 

Used travel trailers down here are selling at a premium. I need to go out of state to get one.

Re: Get A Van!
 

Re: Get A Van!
 

I thought you wanted a boat.

Re: Get A Van!
 

I never new these existed

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RARE-...1%7C240%3A1308




Is there anything special about those silver airstreams?

Re: Get A Van!
 

Pop-up campers we going for a big premium last summer....might have been the expensive gas....and people could tow a little trailer with a smaller vehicle....

Re: Get A Van!
 

I'm in the maket for an RV myself.

One important thing to me is that it has to be diesel. A diesel engine will run on a lot of different stuff.

A Nascar rig would be the ultimate though!

Re: Get A Van!
 

VERY nice!

Re: Get A Van!
 

Hey dude, didn't know u were payin attention.. :wink:

That was back when I planned on retiring at age 55 (3 more years), ummmm, now I realize we don't have that much time...

I expect complete collapse by end of year, early 2010. So now I am on plan B, get a van and go out west and prospect when/if the job ends..

I might change my mind again depending on how things progress, the key to survival is flexibility/rolling with the punches..

and I would sleep better at night with a 'bug out' van parked in the drive.

Sinclair says gold peaks in 2011, that's when I want to trade metals for a boat.. alot will happen before then...

Re: Get A Van!
 

I bought a "Toy Hauler" which I think would make
for a great BOV - "Bug Out Vehicle." :ok:

Plenty of storage room
3 big beds
Kitchen
Bathroom/Shower
100 Gallon Water Tank (plus my Water Containers)
30 Gallon Gas Tank
ONAN Generator

Looks kinda like this...

http://dickandjo.com/images/1st%20Toy%20Hauler.JPG

Re: Get A Van!
 

That looks like a sweet ride DB. A 4x4 with a camper on the back is the ideal SHTF vehicle. They are very affordable and dont take up the whole road like pulling a trailer or a 30 foot RV. With offroad capabilities can get most places others towing a trailer or RV cannot.

Can leave it behind someplace and use the truck to drive around and get supplies. As a renter could park it in a spot that is no bigger than any ordinary SUV.

http://www.wcmcampers.com/images/mt_...per_rental.jpg

http://www.alcancamper.com/alcan.jpg

Re: Get A Van!
 

It's heavy when loaded so you need a long-wheelbase rig.

We pull it with a Chevy Suburban 2500 6.0 Liter.

Our older Ford Excursion 7.3L Diesel pulled MUCH BETTER through
(wish I still had it.)

I'll probably get a Dodge Cummins Diesel soon for the SHTF that's coming.
The 1994-1998 12 Valve Cummins is BOMB-PROOF reliable and EMP-Proof.

Like this...

http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/n...0/DSC00025.jpg

Re: Get A Van!
 

When Class C RVs go for ~>5000 FRNs, that's when I'm buying. All I need is sleeping, toilet/bathing facilities for 2.

Re: Get A Van!
 

Something like this is exactly what I will be looking into... why didn't I think of that?? It's perfect.

:banghead:

It's tough being a borderline dumbass, I gotta tell ya...:biggrin:

Re: Get A Van!
 

anyone considered a Class B RV?

Re: Get A Van!
 

Just traded mine off plus a nice rifle. I never really liked the rifle or the thing.

I will be looking for new think to bug out in. Learned some things with owning the big thing.

Re: Get A Van!
 

We were thinking used surburban 2500 4x4 with our retrofitted 4-horse stock trailer, if it gets that bad, sure hope it doesn't.

Re: Get A Van!
 

Good info.

I have stated for years this is the way to go.

I would love to see one of those over loaded with junk bags:-)

Re: Get A Van!
 

Here is a clip from a family living in an RV. This is an older rig...newer Class A's are more like mobile cottages, with more amenities than the average house.

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7175986

Re: Get A Van!
 

WHEN I WATCH THIS....


I WANT ONE THING....


BLOODY REVENGE:36_1_28:

Re: Get A Van!
 

This is part of our planning.

One option is a school bus. Cheap, high ground clearance, and solid solid solid.

This is a good place for tons of skoolie info.

http://www.skoolie.net/

Re: Get A Van!
 

Not quite an accurate statement...a Class C gas rig might get better mileage than a gas Class A, but that is not a given. Most Class C's get 6-8 mpg, and so do most gas Class A's.

Diesel Class A's get much better mileage than either of them...but they are more expensive to purchase. My diesel Class A (Cummin's 5.9) gets 12 mpg at 62-65 mph...if I'm a towing a car, 10 mpg. Your biggest Class A's...40,000 lb rigs with 500 hp Cat diesels with quad slides and towing a car get better mileage than Class C's.

I rented a Class C (Winnebago) one time with a Chevy 427 and got 6 to 7 mpg. I've been RVing for many years...started out in a VW Westphalia poptop camper, than an 25' Airstream, and now a 33' Foretravel with a Cummin's and an Allison...they all have there advantages, but a quality diesel Class A is hard to beat...mine has a long range (90 gallon fuel tank), 100 gallons water, 60 grey and 40 black...and 60 gallon propane. Solid black walnut cabinetry, cedar lined closets, island queen bed, full bath with porcelain toilet, full kitchen with pantry, frig/freezer, 4 burner stove and oven, micro/convection oven, ice maker, double sink, ventilation, etc, living room, solar panels, inverter/charger. Just recently bought an 18' screen room to go under the awning to create a dry and bug free outdoor space.

I could live in it full time if it was up to me...literally millions of people fulltime... huge numbers of Canadian's and American's in the northern states head south for the winter...it is a whole other world.

The RV business is in free fall, especially the one's that had big debts and needed large sales and financing to keep the doors open. The window of opportunity to buy cheaper will not stay open long...the manufacturers that stay in business will only be building on order. The quality used market will tighten up quick when new production turns into a trickle. The days of a new wide selection of every RV configuration is over, they are not coming back....Country Coach is gone, Monaco is gone, Fleetwood is in bankruptcy liquidation, and the list goes on and on. My brand, Foretravel, made in Nacogdoches, Texas, is down to building only on order...cash upfront.

Now is a good time to buy.

Re: Get A Van!
 

Thrice divorced and living in a van down by the river... shite happens.

Here's a great imformational thread from another forum on living in a truck...

http://www.whenshtf.com/showthread.php?t=8419

This guy makes it look like a great adventure and it could be if you like the camping out lifestyle...

Re: Get A Van!
 

I'm looking for something to park on property I already own in the mountains. The place is under several feet of snow for 6 months of the year so I know I'd have to build a shelter to park it under. Some neighbors are doing that now with good results. I'm looking at trailers and I see a nice, large, class A motorhome that would fit my family nicely, plus it would be mobile. I don't know what I'd have to do to the engine to protect if from the cold though - any thoughts?

Re: Get A Van!
 

That VW looked wonderful, if small, till I checked the price. It comes out next year at 69k - 129k and that is at current exchange rates. I could get a 40 foot used low miles diesel motorhome for that, and have money left over for solar panels.

But PM has to go higher before I buy, though I may put a used cheap trailer on a friend's place as an emergency bug out shelter before then. Still considering. My area is pretty stable as to civic unrest. So I think we are pretty safe where we are. Well, it IS a crisis, but within reason safe.

Converting a school bus is a great idea for having something sturdy (which motorhomes likely are not). A van just won't hold enough to meet our bug out needs though it would be fine as living space. So we'd be stuck pulling a storage trailer if we went the van route.

Re: Get A Van!
 

Odd how these homeless people still manage to have enough money to stay obese...

Re: Get A Van!
 

My van was called the shaggin wagon.

Re: Get A Van!
 

"If this van's a rockin'"...

Re: Get A Van!
 

Being a roving Refugee in a nice shiny RV is just inviting victimization wherever you stop. America will not be one huge fun KOA campground. Get real.

Refugees are always the most vulnerable during social upheaval and that is exactly what you will be...a refugee on wheels. People are now scared about home invasion and a tin door on a tin house on wheels is gonna provide you a sense of security?

Get real.

:bear_rolleyes:

Re: Get A Van!
 

[QUOTE=Tome;1665445]

...a refugee on wheels. People are now scared about home invasion and a tin door on a tin house on wheels is gonna provide you a sense of security?

Get real.
[QUOTE]



True, but that being said, one wouldn't be safe in the great majority of houses.

And a tin roof is better than a cloth, newspaper roof, or no roof at all.

It would all be about where you put that box of tin...

That qoute,
 

The one about waking up a slave in the land your fathers gave you, comes to mind. Bloody vengeance.:36_1_28:

Re: Get A Van!
 

I agree with that but being on the move and just roving is a very bad strategy.

:smile:

Re: Get A Van!
 

Can anyone spot the keyboard warriors?
No number of guns, no quantity of ammuntition will stop them "prising the gun from your cold, dead, hands". Do you have a tank? RPGs? Claymores? An army?
No.
So just face the day, enjoy life while you can, and see what happens. Be the quiet man, not the loud TA type. You cannot and would not defend yourself against the powers you fear so much - die trying? - great way to go, eh?
Shot in the face as your obese body staggers out of your double-wide trailer, your grey matter blown all over the screen door. Hero.

Re: Get A Van!
 

My personal fav.

http://fourwheelcampers.com/

Light weight, they have models for small trucks. Only 10in above the cab when traveling. Have been watching for a used one. Havnt seen to many. Must mean that people that own them, hang on to them. I was thinking about just the shell model. No stove, furnace, etc. Still has a bed, table, counter. Can/ most likely would be doing most of the cooking outside anyway, and, new, about half the price of a fully decked out one. May want the propane heater, can add for 500$.

Re: Get A Van!
 

Where are you suppose to park this van? Down by the river?

Re: Get A Van!
 

Anyone? :wavey:

Re: Get A Van!
 

I would guess your neighbors in the mountains would be the one's to ask, if they're already doing that successfully.

Sounds like a TALL ORDER!!!

I doubt anyone here would have the experience to help you out... hope I'm wrong. Good luck, anyways! :wink:

Re: Get A Van!
 

This.

:smile:

Re: Get A Van!
 

Better get the "Peacekeeper" ballistic upgrade.....
http://armor-pdi.com/contents/tactical_page5.htm

http://www.texasarmoring.com/

Or this one:

http://forums.dieselstation.com/inde...showtopic=8376

Re: Get A Van!
 

You don't really need to protect the engine...as long as you have antifreeze in the cooling system. I would fill the fuel tank up to the top and add some fuel stabilizer also. You basically go though the normal winterizing procedures for the RV systems...draining and blowing out all water lines, non-toxic anti-freeze in the drains and toilet.

Google 'winterizing rv' and you will find pages of information.

Re: Get A Van!
 

All things considered refurbishing a school bus is probably a better idea. The furnishings in rv's are cheap. In a bus you can install things like a Wedgwood stove, and solid beds instead of that rickety cheap crap that comes in rv's. Half my bus would be kitchen.

Re: Get A Van!
 

I would say refurbishing a school bus is a possibility if you are very skilled in designing for small spaces, and are able build custom cabinets, wire 12 volt and 120 volt dual electrical systems, plumbing, HACV, and all the other things involved...not many people can do it.

RV furnishings are just like household furnishings, they range from cheap particle board crap to the best. Many of the RV builders do incredible work. The RV business is basically taking a chassis from one of the handfull of major truck chassis company's and building a house on it.

In my opinion, a person is better off finding an older quality built Class A that is ready to go. Most amateur bus conversions are pretty rough...it's not just putting furnishings in them, that is the easy part.

Re: Get A Van!
 

Here is a great search engine for anyone currently looking for an RV.

http://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=cprv

It is a site-mash that simualtaniously searches eBay and Craig's List for any currently For Sale RV's in any geographical area in the States.

As a previous poster mentioned, the prices are way down from a year ago and some areas have better deals than others, with some areas of the SW having the lowest prices of any place in the country.

Re: Get A Van!
 

Can you name a couple of the good ones. I might be interested.

Re: Get A Van!
 

Vans are the only way to go. Pickups are for yahoos.

Re: Get A Van!
 

A couple of builders that I would recommend that do really quality work are Country Coach and Foretravel. Tiffen is another. Use the search engine that Keef posted (thanks for that Keef) or Oodle Country Coach, Oodle Foretravel, etc.

I used Keef's search it it brought up all kinds of good deals for some quality coaches.

There are some builders that do high end bus conversion that are very expensive and expensive to maintain...Newell, Prevost, and Marathon. Country Coach is in bankruptcy reorganization and it is apparently going to reconstitute as a smaller custom order RV builder, but their RV's are top of the line for RV chassis's (bus conversions are the top), and so are Foretravels. These top of the line RV's are generally very well cared for and maintained, unlike some of the entry level RV's.

I was browsing and saw many RV's that were $150,000 to $300,000 when new that are selling for 10 to 20 cents on the dollar, and have low miles and are new like.

Re: Get A Van!
 

You'll need somewhere to sleep on the road, it's a long way to GIM Gulch.

Re: Get A Van!
 

It's funny this thread should come up now because I've been seriously looking recently.

The thing is while I've had pickups, I've never had an RV.

And since I need a pickup AND a camper, well the two will probably have to go together. I am either getting a pickup or I am getting a pickup with a camper.

So, about pickup campers....

1. About those Jacks, I know they can lift the camper and you can drive out leaving it on the jacks. My question is can you leave it on the Jacks and still live in it? Or do you need some sort of structure to make it safe?

2. What about people riding in the camper? Yes I know it can never be as safe as a shoulder harness in the cab but it can never be as safe as an easy chair in your living room and a five point harness either. What does law, common practice, and your opinion have to say about the practice?

3. I see some ads saying "generator ready." Is there generally a cabinet accessible outside where you can put a generator or do you have to keep it on the floor of the camper 'til you get to the site?

4. What are things to consider or inspect when looking at used campers. Brand, length, equipment, etc.. Anything to avoid?

Thanks in advance.

s

Re: Get A Van!
 

I've owned 1 tag-a-long trailer, 3 fifth wheels, and 2 truck campers. (not all at the same time) Last year we decided to sell our big fifth wheel but couldn't find a buyer, so we offered it for sale or trade for a truck camper. We did find someone who would trade, but we got a very good trade. 11 foot truck camper, complete with electric jacks, and propane generator. (separate compartment in the overhang on the back of the camper for the generator)

Observations; The first trailer didn't work out to good for me even though I bought it cheap, nothing worked right and after actually hooking it to my truck and taking it out for a test, I soon decided we didn't want it. It sold for about what I paid for it.

Then we bought our first truck camper. It was the best for just backing under and taking off for the hills. We camped it in all over out west and up from Maine to Florida. It got too small for a family of three once our son got big. That is the major draw back to a truck camper. It was only what is called an 8 foot even though there was a bunk over the cab which extended its actually overall length. so we sold it.

Next came the fifth wheel campers. These are the way to go if you are not going to travel fast and far. As I said, we had three and loved them, we just didn't take them like we did the truck camper. So, we sold them, each one for a larger one, until we decided we didn't use them enough to warrant keeping them. Alas, we went back to the truck camper last fall and never used it. Sold it this spring when the weather broke. It was just a little more weight than what we wanted for fast and far tripping.

We've looked at smaller truck campers & conversion vans, but haven't bought anything yet. We may settle on a mini-van - fast and far, minimum baggage, pack a tent and have a mattress in the van, the tent for a kitchen. Pop a canopy shelter over the picnic table if it is available.

Skevike, I don't know if that helps, but for sure if you don't go too large with a truck camper it's hard to go wrong. Any camper dealer will be more that happy to answer all the questions you might have, even if you don't buy from him. We just decided we could go minimum and stay in motels for less money than to own a big or expensive way to travel about. Plus, with a van, I could also pull a small boat or popup camper. I own the boat, but do not have any plan for the camper right now. If I did it would be a 9 - 9&1/2 foot truck camper. AND, still be able to pull the boat.

I'm not thinking "TEOTWAWKI" just being as practical as I know how. Look at new ones, buy a used one off an individual once you understand what to look for. Like I said, a dealer will be happy to educate you, in the end you're pretty much on your own anyway.

Re: Get A Van!
 

I've been thinking about getting a trailer or camper for a while now. I think they are a great idea for those of us who don't live at our bug out destinations. You don't necessarily have to use them for camping out at some remote location, although that is an option.

Nice to have a significant amount of preps loaded and ready to go. Since I have a couple of different bug out locations with family I can pick the most suitable one and go. Bringing a ton of preps and being able to stay with them without being a burden. Sounds a whole lot better then scrambling to load a fraction of your preps into the back of a pickup if you need to bug out.

If you do need to camp out it is going to be way more comfortable and less stressful then trying to live out of a tent.

Re: Get A Van!
 

Thanks, Eltee.

That was helpful.

s

Re: Get A Van!
 

I want a house truck. I've always been fascinated by them. I used to love wandering around the truck house campsites at Rainbow Gatherings. Some hippies really manage to live the nomadic life in grand style! Unfortunately, house trucks take a lot more skill and work space than I have.

http://www.mrsharkey.com/busbarn/sharkey/sharkey.htm

http://www.mrsharkey.com/busbarn/glen/glen.htm

http://www.mrsharkey.com/busbarn/roger/roger.htm

This one is about the size I'd like. :biggrin: It was built on an old snorkel truck.
http://www.mrsharkey.com/busbarn/damien/damien.htm

Re: Get A Van!
 

Shirley, How bout some pics, would love to what you have. Seems beautiful!!!!

Re: Get A Van!
 

I've actually been thinking about buying an OLDER van (one that has no electronic circuitry to fail in the even of an EMP attack/exposure) that would also double as a bug-out vehicle to carry additional stuff.

Re: Get A Van!
 

When I was in college there was a guy who wanted to put an Airstream on a flatbed truck and run it off propane I believe it was. Sounded interesting.

Somebody in Ohio may want to check this $3k Dodge cabover out: http://www.trulyvintagetrailers.city...e_Cabover.html

Re: Get A Van!
 

Here a few interior pics I have on hand of my rig....

Re: Get A Van!
 

Awesomeness! How much will something like this cost me? I was thinking about moving back to the US, once my powder is in order, and buying one with storage, plus a parcel of land, and just park the damn think on the parcel of land until, kinda like a cheap house, until I can do better. Build a big garden, compost toilet, some chickens and etc. Gotta think it through a little more, don't know what I would do for income. Thanks for the pics!!!!! it makes all the difference in the world to a novice buyer like me. Any outside shots, or is that TMI? Thanks again so much.

Re: Get A Van!
 

How much will it cost you....how much do you have? :biggrin: Just kidding, mine is not for sale, I got it for cruising the country and as a back up bug out place. We will be taking off in June for a month...diesel is about half the price from last summer, so it will be much less stressful at the pump.

Your idea is a good one and many people have done it just like you are describing. By have a functional shelter with the amenities to keep you rested and organized, you have a much better chance of putting the pieces together without burning out and giving up before you get very far on the plan.

The pictures are with it closed up and stored, when the windows are open and the awnings are out it is much more spacious feeling...indoor/outdoor living. I'll take some good pics this summer with the whole camping setup, including my new screened room that goes under the main awning.

Re: Get A Van!
 

Thanks sooo much! really appreciate it. I'm busy trying to figure all these thing out. i think we still have time before it all falls in the crapper. At any rate, i didn't want to buy yours,unless of course you're selling, which you're not, i think lol! i just wanted a ball park figure on something similar to yours, so I can put some money a side this year for a class A diesel like you describe. GOOD LUCK BROTHER!!! pulling for ya! And thanks agin for those beautiful pics, that's exactly what I would need.