Photo: New Jersey Outdoor Adventures | YouTube screenshot
Ladies and gentlemen, take a look at the images in the gallery and the video below; as long as that is the case, there is plenty to talk about. Once you do all that, you will realize that you may be looking at one of the most unique and smoothest conversions we have seen on our site. Oh, and because it is based on an International 4700 used by fire rescue teams, this can travel some roads not often explored by your average camper or caravan.
Now, this particular unit was actually used and was used in wildland firefighting in Apple Valley, California until it was purchased by Matt just a few years ago. Yet, Matt was on the hunt for a school bus, or as he likes to say, the “perfect frame, the perfect combination of engine and transmission,” when, lo and behold, this 13-ton machine winked at him from the corner of a parking lot. Interestingly, this particular version of the truck doesn't require a CDL to drive, assuming you know how to drive a stick shift.
Photo: New Jersey Outdoor Adventures | YouTube screenshot
Overall, the video below covers most of the exterior of this unit, mainly because there is so much to talk about; even the paint job is industrial, like that used on boats, cranes, and other heavy machinery. A highlight of the unit is the worn cabinet compartments all over the exterior.
If you’re familiar with these types of vehicles or why they were designed, then you know that the firefighter lifestyle involves a lot of gear; all those cabinets have been repurposed to house things like electrical, hot water, water filters, and an outdoor shower set with a built-in tent right outside the camper.
One major change Matt made to the standard truck was adding a set of RV steps to the back of the unit, but more importantly, he added not one but two internet systems, one of which is Starlink. Why? Mainly because Matt says he’s always on the road in some of America’s most remote locations, and Starlink is his go-to solution when he’s “miles away from a cell tower.” It’s also mounted on a telescoping pole to get above tree lines in case there’s any interference with the connection. Be sure to check out the 630W of solar panels on the roof.
Photo: New Jersey Outdoor Adventures | YouTube screenshot
While we could talk about the exterior until our last breath, if there's one space Matt has really brought to life, it's the interior. Matt also says he wanted prospective owners to feel like they were living in a “penthouse suite while in the mountains of Colorado.”
Well, that's definitely the feeling we get when we first step into the unit, and for that we have to thank a gorgeous blend of black and white tones with some green and plant-based touches. The only feature that doesn't seem to fit the color scheme are perhaps those gray chairs in the dinette; ugh. But the rest of the interior is absolutely immaculate.
One space I really enjoy exploring in these units is the kitchen, and one neat trick Matt has up his sleeve for us is the countertop. Initially, the builder went with a pine countertop with a live-edge look, but after a few trips on the road, he quickly realized that pine is a softer wood and breaks down pretty quickly. So, epoxy was the solution to encase the already lightweight pine in an indestructible barrier of goodness. Also, good old obsidian was the inspiration for the look.
Photo: New Jersey Outdoor Adventures | YouTube screenshot
Now, there is a huge benefit to using epoxy as a countertop, and as Matt also says, it's the ease with which you can freshen up a scratched and chipped countertop. All you have to do is sand it and buff it, and it's as good as new. This is a trick you might want to jot down for your RV.
The rest of the tour takes us through all the little details of the interior space, including countless storage solutions above and below ground level, the dinette with its reclining seats and seat belts, the removable refrigerator, the hidden toilet and a raised bed that will surely make you feel like a king when you wake up; I recommend you dedicate 26 minutes of your life to find the inspiration to start your own build.
What do you think of this build? Will you spend the $97,500 one lucky owner paid for it? Or are you just feeling inspired to start your own build? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.
