widebody van

[TMG51]

I think the B+ moniker lets people know that it is not a classic Class C.  A B+ is wider than a standard B, but a B+ is narrower than a Class C.  If I am talking to you and I say I have a Class C, you would automatically assume that I have a classic Class C.  If I say I have a Class B+, you have a pretty good idea that mine is a van with a little wider body on it.  Splitting hairs?  Yea, but it always gets the idea across of almost exactly what it is.

My $0.02 worth even with inflation.

I do agree that in common use, the term "Class B+" illicits different mental images than the term "Class C".

But because there's really no way to categorize the body style that is "y'know, expanded but not really totally big-ified...." I tend to default to the rigid definition that the only Class B is the one with stock body width.

Anyway I didn't come here to start that perpetual argument over again. The question was whether van bodies have been widened, and the answer is yes, they're called Class Cs!

 

[Konaexpress]

I know that I'm new to this but as a new person.....

A van with stuff in it is a camper van. A wide body van is a class B.

John

 

[highdesertranger]

oh boy here we go, class B, B+, C, C-. coke or pepsi. less filling or taste great. Ford or Chevy. .357 mag or .44 mag. I agree with TMG if I were to do this, I would do it to a 4x4 truck. highdesertranger

 

[B and C]

I wasn't trying to start anything :s  That is just my perception of how the B+ thingy came about.  I agree that anything on a cut-away chassis is a class C by definition.  Am I off the hook?

 

[Konaexpress]

oh boy here we go,  class B, B+, C, C-.  coke or pepsi.  less filling or taste great.  Ford or Chevy.  .357 mag or .44 mag.  I agree with TMG if I were to do this,  I would do it to a 4x4 truck.  highdesertranger

OK, now I know you are joking! You know dang good and well that a 45 acp is the best round and do I need to say it? COKE! And don't be a dork, Jeep is the winner hands down every time!

Looking at you with my best look of derision,
John

 

[Konaexpress]

  Am I off the hook?

Yes! Now do the walk of shame!

John

 

[highdesertranger]

it's all good. I do love a 1911. highdesertranger

 

[Konaexpress]

it's all good.  I do love a 1911.   highdesertranger

Though I love a good 1911, my buddy has a 357 I envy just a bit......not much mind you

I had no idea I was stepping on toes with this, I realize that you don't know what you don't know. Now I know.......to be very vague when I talk to people!

I love the wide body!
John

 

[highdesertranger]

like I said it's all good. I was just having fun. highdesertranger

 

[Konaexpress]

So to get back on topic, it would be really difficult to make a wide body, yes? Are there any companies that make a wide body cargo van?

John

 

[sephson]

Yes! Now do the walk of shame!

I'm afraid this calls for the hubcap of shame. :dodgy:

Wear it in penance. :angel:

It'll take a bit of time and research to find a company that'll make wide body van for you. Even then, how willing they'll be to do it will depend on how much money you're willing to throw at the project. I don't recall where, but I've seen photos of a build similar to what you're describing. Even doing all the work themselves, the builders spent upwards of 20 grand building their camper. This will not be an inexpensive project.

Strangely enough, I stumbled across a video tour of a custom built camper on an International chassis earlier today. It's a bit more elaborate than what you're describing, but should be somewhat informative for you.

[video=youtube]

 

[sephson]

About two minutes after my last post, I remembered something I'd seen recently that might be a reasonably close fit for what you're looking for .

It's a Unicell, Aerocell SRW van body.

Here's a link for the manufacturer:

http://www.unicell.com/UnicellVanBodies/AerocellSRW.aspx

I came across one on Craigslist recently:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/5454622566.html





http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/5454622566.html

 

[SoulRaven]

The difference between a B+ and a C is the C has the cabover bed.

From about the late 60's through the 90's, a company called Wide One made Dodge Wide One shuttles, camper vans, and ambulances. They came in two models, +12" and +18".

Unlike the wide body Chevy & GMC vans, made by Superior Coach Works, which only widened the body and not the chassis, the Dodge Wide One did it right and widened the chassis as well.

There are a lot of Wide One Dodges out there, and they are relatively easy to find for sale. Much easier to find than those made by Superior, because the Superiors were plagued with rollover problems and not nearly as many of them have survived.

 

[LeeRevell]

Jumping into the pool with both my Size Fifteens, I am another who does not regard the "B+" designation as valid.   And there are Class Bs - standard van bodies with hightops - with cab-over beds, so that point doesn't hold water.
Many terms used by the general public are simply marketing buzzwords with no real meaning, as they are vastly overused and incorrect......
Class B+
SUV
"Cross Over"   (from what to what....?)

Even "Class C" and "Class A" are sometimes used loosely.  But as irritating as this misuse of terms is, it usually conveys the essential meaning of what the speaker is trying to get across.

 

[masterplumber]

if you can afford it, Sportsmobile is now making a slightly wider Econoline using the cutaway chassis Ford is still producing. It's not a huge amount wider - actually looks like a standard Econoline to the casual observer. But it's said to boast 6'' extra width inside - enough for many more people to sleep crossways if that is what you're going for. They also offer it with they're 4x4 conversion. I'm not sure if they offer it as a stripped model that you could build your own interior in however.

 

[VJG1977]

If I only had the bucks!

http://www.mauck2.com/home.html 

 

[Mobilesport]

That's extended with a high top, not wide....

Nope , this is a totally custom van built by a conversion company.
It has a widebody , thats what I'm saying , you hardly can tell because it tapers out slowly , the extended part is also fiber glass .
 the rear after the cab is all fiberglass.

 

[LeeRevell]

if you can afford it, Sportsmobile is now making a slightly wider Econoline using the cutaway chassis Ford is still producing. It's not a huge amount wider - actually looks like a standard Econoline to the casual observer. But it's said to boast 6'' extra width inside - enough for many more people to sleep crossways if that is what you're going for. They also offer it with they're 4x4 conversion. I'm not sure if they offer it as a stripped model that you could build your own interior in however.

Sounds like a very good vehicle for those who can afford it.   

 

[Campor99]

Think I would buy a 1 ton 4x4 piickup and put box body, lots of room and go anywhere rig.

Good luck