Saw this vehicle and now... Thoughts please

[Redbearded]

I've been planning a cargo trailer conversion for a while now, but this got me to thinking (always a dangerous thing). Plus I could tow a trailer with something that gets good mileage like a prius or something, or just pull the prius up inside.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/rvs/d/2009-freightliner-argosy-one/6483804448.html

 

[Txjaybird]

Usually when I say "I've Been Thinking" anyone around that knows me will groan and/or comment NOT AGAIN!  :huh: 
Except for Queenie, my 4 legged companion,  I have seen her roll her eyes a few times 

Soooooooo do you plan to do any off roading?  Have you ever driven a rig that size?  If not there is a lot more to it than just starting, steering and stopping something that big.  If it suits your needs and with all things considered it's up to you whether or not you purchase it.

  It's sure not like buying, driving and maintaining a van/car/suv/pickup truck.

Jewellann

 

[John61CT]

just pull the prius up inside

Funny I've been noodling with just that.

Unfortunately my design restraints mean the car does not fit between the wheel/suspension, the wheel track needs to be at around 36" like a tall deckover.

Which with a low car like the Prius means killer long ramps, very heavy and expensive.

I'd love a lift gate,


out of range of my budget though.

RAV4 hybrid has a better angle, but still.

 

[speedhighway46]

Actually, that’s a good price. Argosy were one of the few “flat floor” cabovers and were highly regarded in the trucking industry. Check to see if the C-12 Cat is one turbo or two. Automatic transmission and a locking differential are also pluses.

This truck will require maintence; some of which you cannot do yourself. Labor rates at truck dealers are now at $110-120 an hour. Make sure you have the budget for this type of vehicle. An oil change will be $300 minimum.

But, it’s pretty cool. Someone thought this through and did a good job!

Just my opinion . . .

 

[tx2sturgis]

Cool! It's a neat rig...definitely will turn heads.

For a short time, I drove a flat floor cabover years ago. Weird, not having the normal doghouse there, the motor on ours was angled over at 45 degrees.

A few random thoughts: 

Climbing in and out of a cabover is not hard to do, of course, but if you are older, and/or physically limited, it could be a problem. Lots of on-the-job injuries of truck drivers were (and still are) caused just by exiting/entering the vehicle. I messed up a shoulder when I slipped one time...ouch that hurt! With this rig, you will be climbing in and out a lot, since there is no access (that I can see) between the tilt cab and the living quarters. If you have any problems like weak grip, bad hips, bad knees, arthritis, etc, it might become a chore. 

IIRC, some of the Argosys had a rotating stair that swung out to help you get in and out of the cab, but I think that was the model with the 'set-back' front axle, and the stairs were forward of the steer tires. 

Also, if you flat-tow a car behind that rig, get ready to have LOTS of stone damage to the front of the car, and maybe even some cracked windshields. Yes, you can add a stone guard like you see on the rear of large class A rigs, but this rig has a higher rear overhang and stuff happens. It would need a fairly long draw-bar, just to compensate for that long overhang negotiating bumps and around sharp turns. So trailering a car is the better option, but adds more expense, or just load the car in the back as it seems to be set up for that.

I'm going to guess that this rig gets about 6-8 mpg at around 65 mph, so fuel consumption might be a concern. 

And of course, getting into and out of some choice campgrounds and boondocking off skinny forest roads might be out of the question.

But hey, it looks good once you get there!