OSHKOSH Expedition Class AWD Motorhome

Everything had to be right. If Torontow was going to take his wife into remote areas, nothing could break down, so everything was built to failsafe levels. "The labour was very intensive on some items," said Shahn.

"An example is the tiling in the bathroom and shower. We used a special technique for the installation that took ten days to complete.

The leather upholsery is intricate - obviously a work of love, every aspect of the vehicle shows immense craftsmanship, and no scrimping on the outcomes. For example the soundproof underlay beneath the flooring cost more than the finished flooring.

Stainless steel costs more than Formica laminant but the aim was to make a robust vehicle that would enable Ross to travel in comfort for as long as possible.

The base vehicle was an OSHKOSH M1000 ARFF (AIRPORT FIRE RESCUE) built by www.oshkoshtruck.com in 1979.

Shahn bought it as a cab and chassis after the airport decommissioned it, then began a complete overhaul. "The engine was unframed, the tranny rebuilt and both differentials had new gears put in, the suspension got a total off-frame rebuild and we added air and dual shocks added so we could keep the stock ride height and wheel and tire size of 445/65R22.5 (45" tall, 12" wide tires).

"Further the chassis is a diesel pusher Caterpillar 3406A turbo with an engine producing 335 horses and 1000lbft torque at 1400rpm. The transmission is a four speed Allison 740HT automatic and there's full time four wheel drive with air locking differentials and one-to-one transfer case. "

Draco has "air brakes and power steering, automatic air shutters and fan on the radiator and PTO off the transmission for the hydraulic outriggers and the 20,000lb winch with 300 feet of cable. "

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