RobertRyan
Australia
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rebourke2003 wrote:Having lived in Hawaii for the past 4 decades we have always rented RVs when we travel on the "Mainland" US or in Europe. But now we are moving back to California and wish to purchase a B+ RV. In Europe several companies make very nice small (< 6m or ~19.5 ft)coach built RVs with a design that is not available in the US. (see for example the 5.99m Challenger: http://www.challenger-motorhomes.com/low-profiles/194#model or the Chausson 514: http://www.lemondeducampingcar.fr/guide-d-achat/chausson-514-ford.html, both of which are built with the Ford Transit chassis and engine). The units are very compact, but come with a raised bed in the rear which makes room for ample storage beneath that is accessible from the outside.
Has anyone ever been able to successfully import one of these small RVs back into the US? The Ford chassis and engine make overcoming the significant USEPA and USDOT import criteria possible, but I'm not so sure about the European wiring and plumbing standards meeting with import restrictions. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has seriously attempted or actually been successful importing an RV from Europe.
Mahalo! (thanks)
You will have a problem with diesel compliance and Vica versa being imported to Europe
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happycamper002
Santa Clarita
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Joined: 07/11/2016
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REBourke wrote:
Good to hear that the electric conversion will likely not be a problem, but at this point I'm not going to worry about either electric or plumbing issues until I can confirm that the chassis and motor are likely to meet the US import standards.
Please keep the suggestions and comments coming in and I'll update as progress is being made.
Aloha!
Bob
I'm not going to dampen your enthusiasm because you seem to be headstrong in getting what you want. I will not cover the other aspects in terms of what you will encounter in RV that is not mfg according to US standard.
The impression that you have that the electrical system in a US made RV compared to foreign built is an easy thing to convert. . . on the contrary it is not.
The 220 volt system is completely different than the usual 120/240 volt system. In areas like Australia/ New Zealand and the entire European Union operate on 220 volt system. Thus, appliances including RVs are wired for this system.
The 220 volt system is fed from distribution transformers whose connections are different configuratively. Most of these systems except in commercial or industrial applications don't have the neutral conductor because of the delta connected secondary winding which is derived from a 2200 volt primary voltage.
And because of the absence of potential between either hot wires to ground, some US appliances will not work properly. Not to mention different plug configuration.
There is more to it that meets the eye.
Another thing that is of great importance is: 220 volt wiring systems use wires that are smaller gauge that NEC allows in terms of residential application. The usual 14 gauge minimum requirement is not mandatory in 220 volt system, in fact it would be an overkill. Compared to 120 volt system, a 220 volt appliance would draw half the energy of a 120 volt system. (watts=volts x amps) Thus the smaller wires.
You can get by with 16 gauge building wire in 220 volt but not in 120 volt system per NEC. And also, due to absence of ground potential they don't require wire enclosures like pull boxes and junction boxes.
You will have to rip out all those interior wiring to replace them and it won't be easy.
I have driven rental (for hire caravans) when I was in Victoria, Australia. Not much grades to negotiate while driving in the wide open country (outback) compared to the High Sierras in Ca.
Don't let my 2 cents dissuade you from what you plan to do. You requested some input and this is my contribution.
Mahalo
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REBourke
California
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Joined: 02/16/2017
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WOW! EIGHT substantive replies! That's terrific! None of which have actually accomplished an import..... that's terrifying. Oh well, I didn't expect it to be easy. However, being the persistent type, and having the good fortune of being married to a wonderful French women, I'll keep pushing forward on this to see where it will go.
I've managed to get into contact with a lower level official at Ford who says that the Ford Transit chassis and motors are likely built in the US to US standards. I've just received a VIN# from a dealer near Paris & so will check this with Ford to confirm manufacture.
Good to hear that the electric conversion will likely not be a problem, but at this point I'm not going to worry about either electric or plumbing issues until I can confirm that the chassis and motor are likely to meet the US import standards.
I like the suggestion to purchase the Ford BEFORE it is transported (not exported permanently) to France as this may help with importation of the modified US vehicle back into the US.
Please keep the suggestions and comments coming in and I'll update as progress is being made.
Aloha!
Bob
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carringb
Corvallis, OR
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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Making it EPA compliant would be nearly impossible and very expensive. Even the the motors are the same, the fueling and aftertreatment systems are very different. Also under the skin is different structurally too, since FMVSS standards are different as well. Although, I believe the standards are much lower for cutaways, but you'd still have to crash test one first.
Probably a much easier path is to export a North America Transit to Europe for the camper build. You can send the Transit to Europe for 1-year under a carnet and avoid and import duties. I don't think the different interior systems are a deal breaker. They should have no problem installing 120-volt components, or leave those components out for install when you get the US.
2000 Ford E450 V10 VAN! 450,000+ miles
2014 ORV really big trailer
2015 Ford Focus ST
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Matt_Colie
Southeast Michigan
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Rebourke,
The electrics and plumbing will be easy to deal with when compared to CARB. Unless you can buy a vehicle that is certified to meet CARB standards, registering it in California will be a multi-year headache.
The 220V 52Hz will be easy to change, you will just have to throw some stuff away and buy new. The plumbing standards are different, and California does require IAPMO approval for a residence and they used to class all RVs as residence, but I do not know if that is still the case.
CARB=California Air Resources Board - people with the rule book that cannot be talked to about reason. They have the rules.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie
A sailor, his bride and their black dogs (one dear dog is waiting for us at the bridge) going to see some dry places that have Geocaches in a coach made the year we married.
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RoyB
King George, VA
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Joined: 04/13/2008
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Same goes for the Australia RV's... They produce some extreme serious OFF-ROAD RV units... I wish there was an easy way to get some of those here...
![[image]](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/imagegen/p/black/800/600/assets/traderspecs/2012/09/20/misc/14097.jpg)
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They too are geared for 220V power and drive on the other side of the road....
You can get away pretty easy by installing a step-up primary transformer but having all your doors and utilities on the other side would definitely be a hugh problem...
I remember all of the standards issues with automobils back in my 50s-60s days serving my country in Germany... The Russian made diesel engine where the worse of the lot back in those days... Best way out was to rig up an over-the-mtn crash and letting the insurance money get you an american made vehicle hehe... Just joking of course...
They was pushing buying a new American made car when you first got over there and having it paid off and picking up a brand new car in NJ when you got off your airplane coming home... Thats where my 63 all black 409 Impala SS Convertible came from haha... That puppy would bring the front wheels off the ground when popping the clutch...
I left NJ with a full tank of gas and just a few dollars in my pocket and made it all the way to the IN/ILL state line. Told my sad story to the gas station there and they filled me up because I was Military returning home from Europe. I was only 150Miles away from home so I went right back to pay them back in a couple of days and they would not take any money from me hehe... This was back in 1963...
Roy Ken
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
Roy - Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
K9PHT (Since 1957) 146.52M
2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
2008 Starcraft 14RT EU2000i GEN
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ksg5000
Oregon
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Joined: 06/30/2008
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I was under the impression that European RV's had the plumbing setup on the wrong side which would make it tough/impossible to use in typical American RV campground. Factory might be able to modify the electric and plumbing but I suspect that might be expensive - worth a phone call.
Kevin
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mikebreeze
Manassas, VA
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I just came across this article about a German manufacturer entering the class B+ category in the US:
http://www.motorhome.com/top-stories/getting-aktiv/?utm_source=exacttarget&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MHN17243_02162017
2006 Four Winds Majestic 23A
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MandKJohns
Florida
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You'll spend more time and money trying to get the thing to pass U.S regulations than you would if you just bought one from the U.S.
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DownTheAvenue
Sunny South
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Joined: 07/30/2014
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Not practical. As already mentioned, the entire electric system will not be compatible. The next hurdle is converting the vehicle part to U.S. standards. Just because it is a make and model also sold in the U.S. does not mean that it is built to U.S. standards. The vehicle will have to meet current U.S. standards for emissions, safety glass, air bags, crash worthiness, and headlights.
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