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Old 07-08-2019, 03:29 AM   #1
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Converting a Mobile Showroom into an RV

Hi all, I’m Vince and I currently live in Maine. Over the next 2 months I am going to attempt a rapid fire conversion of my new ride into a liveable Motorhome. I started out buying a former Mobile Concepts showroom vehicle that used to have Golfing as its main displays on shelving and racks. There was a small bench seat and a file cabinet too. Most of the shelving, the base for the bench seat, and file cabinets were solid maple. I recycled those for my house. It’s a bare canvas now. I will remove the industrial type carpet and lay a good floor. It’s already quite insulated with reflectix and yellow fiberglass. The body is a one piece fiberglass hull. One nice entry door and one simple window. It has some sort of heater/air conditioner type unit in the space above the cab have not figured it out yet. I may have to yank it and put in something better. I don’t have current pics but it’s had everything taken out and I found a part of a sectional couch that fits where the bench was. It’s much more comfy! This week I am going to the welding shop to have the frame reinforced for a hitch. The frame was extended and the regular hitch installers won’t touch it understandably. Once done, I will be able to tow a car hauler trailer ( my Subaru is an all wheel drive model unable to be flat towed or dolly towed ) I then will go get bulletproofing done on the Diesel engine out of town. Lots to do!
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Old 07-08-2019, 03:34 AM   #2
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The 3 biggest pluses of using this type of vehicle:

1) It already has a Motorhome VIN number, registration and insurance was easy

2) Solid fiberglass roof. Plan on 2 vents, but no other penetrations. Watertight!

3) It’s a Diesel! Great torque, mileage, and it sounds coooool...
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Old 07-08-2019, 03:50 AM   #3
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Plans for the interior:

New flooring ( no carpet )

On demand propane water heater. Have new water pump that’s capable.

Corner shower ( purchased )

All PEX plumbing ( already acquired )

New loveseat ( acquired to replace bench )

Bought a salvaged Travel trailer and took the following out:

Water tank and grey tanks

LED ceiling lights

Stainless microwave

Power panel and Progressive Dynamics converter

All wall receptacles, 2 are GFI

Outside grill and all Propane hoses

Bathroom medicine cabinet

Rear bumper with hose storage and spare tire holder.

Sold off the other parts and appliances along with the trailer itself for what I paid for the whole thing, so my parts cost me nothing.

Future purchases:

Seprette composting toilet

Dometic CFX compressor refrigerator that looks like a cooler.

Custom cabinets, under mount sink to go with the Corian countertop I have

Debating what type of AC to install, rooftop or custom. ideas?
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Old 07-08-2019, 05:25 AM   #4
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I like it.
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Old 10-01-2019, 07:45 PM   #5
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Great RV Platform

Hello Vince, Just now saw your post from July and wanted to say hello. My first "retirement project" in 2016 was to convert a Mobile Concepts vehicle much like yours. Mine is based on a 2007 Chev Express 3500 chassis with a Duramax LMM diesel. I was fortunate to find one in great shape with pretty low miles (60k). The conversion took about 9 months (off and on) and cost a lot more money than I thought it would, but what a solid (and water-tight) RV. We've been across the country and back once, as well as some shorter trips in eastern US. This year I decided to add a TOAD, so we now have a 24 year old Jeep (3000 lbs) that it can tow without too much stress. Wish you luck with your project.
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Old 10-01-2019, 10:31 PM   #6
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Nice job with your rig! Do you have any instructions or manuals for the heat and ac unit in the back? I didn’t get any, and I only get heat.

I never got off the ground with mine, so I just replaced the ceiling lights and gutted the stuff out. I replaced the bench with a nice loveseat and tossed in a queen mattress and a portapotty. Added a 10k hitch and brake controller and went for it. Works for me. Recently did a 2800 mile run towing my Jeep on a trailer. I stay at RV campgrounds that have showers and laundry facilities. Moving up to a bigger unit so mine is for sale on RV trader lol.
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Old 10-02-2019, 10:38 AM   #7
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Sorry to hear you won't be finishing this rig. Fully understand though - I gather you're working full time and traveling. I can't imagine how I could have done the project under those conditions. Could only be a fun project if you're not on a schedule. As to that coil unit in the back, my rig came with a simple toggle switch on the dash to switch it between heat and A/C. If you've been wondering about an unlabeled toggle switch somewhere, that's probably it. Or your switch may have gone bad or a connection may have fallen off. The unit itself is pretty simple - made in Indiana (see pix).
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