The Beast project
Leaveil and Tracy walked into our shop May 2021 and over the course of 3 years James transformed this VIP party bus into a modern, luxurious home on wheels.
The Creative Process
This was a four person collaboration between two dream seekers, a builder and a budgeter
In a world where the open road beckons and the thirst for adventure runs deep, one man, James West, embarked on an extraordinary journey to create a modern custom-built RV for our clients in the music industry. Leaveil Degree is a member of the group The Whispers and Tracy Hazzard has been a back-up singer for 8 time Grammy winner, Ziggy Marley since 2003. What started as a humble Kenworth Toro VIP party bus would soon be transformed into a state-of-the-art Super C motorhome, a testament to James’ unwavering determination and unparalleled craftsmanship and Leaveil and Tracy’s love for modern luxury.
It was a chance encounter that set James on this path he envisioned a canvas upon which he could paint his vision of the perfect motorhome. Without hesitation, James designed this unique RV in his head with no actual drawings his mind already racing with ideas and plans. The task ahead was daunting, but his passion for the project fueled his determination. He knew that turning this behemoth into a modern, luxurious motorhome would require an immense amount of time, effort, and skill. We had many, many design meetings with our clients along the way as they were always with us during the process. The Beast project took on a life of it’s own.
THE TRANSFORMATION
The first step in spring of 2021 was to strip the bus down to its bare bones.
James meticulously removed every last trace of the party bus’s former life, from the basic decor of 8 vinyl luxury seats.
This was no easy feat, as the bus had been customized to cater to its previous partying purpose.
But James was undeterred, driven by the vision of what this vehicle could become. As the weeks turned into months, James poured his heart and soul into the project.
He spent countless hours designing this special super C motorhome thinking of the intricacies of custom fabrication and honing his skills in areas he had never explored before.
From electrical wiring to plumbing, James used his training of 18 trades of the RV industry determined to master every aspect of the transformation.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
The journey was not without its challenges, however. James encountered numerous roadblocks and setbacks that threatened to derail his ambitious plan. The sheer size of the Kenworth rig that is 7 x 20 feet that posed logistical hurdles, as he struggled to find lengthen the rear by 2 feet and build an entire slide-out out of steel. Additionally, the costs of the project quickly escalated, testing our clients financial resources and forcing him to get creative with his budgeting. But James refused to be deterred. He drew upon his unwavering determination and problem-solving skills to overcome each obstacle. When he encountered a problem he couldn’t solve on his own, he sought out the expertise of an electrical engineer specializing in RV customizations, forging valuable partnerships that helped him navigate the complexities of the transformation afterall, a team was not building this build, just James did everything from beginning to end.
THE STUNNING REVEAL
After two years of tireless work, the moment of truth had arrived.
James stood back and admired his creation, a true masterpiece of engineering and design.
The once-humble Kenworth VIP bus had been transformed into a stunning Super C motorhome, a testament to his vision and craftsmanship.
The exterior of the vehicle was a sleek and modern marvel, with a custom paint job that seamlessly blended the rugged Kenworth chassis with the elegant lines of a luxury motorhome.
The interior was a true feast for the senses, with high-end finishes, state-of-the-art appliances, and a layout that maximized both comfort and functionality.
The Final Reveal Video
Special Features
Interior
- Electric Qualitex reclining theater seating styled sofa with storage, USB ports, and 2
computer trays - 42” Samsung pop up TV on an electric lift
- Wally box satellite receivers and sound bar
- 32” exterior TV and independent dual dish network satellite to both TV’s
- Large electric mirrored fireplace with multi colored LED lighting
- Nu Heat infloor heating in main living area and kitchen hallway
- Commercial grade cushion vinyl flooring
- Built-in hidden electronic safe
- Solid built modern style wood cabinetry with high pressure laminate facing with soft close
- euro hinges and marine stainless push button latches
- Highend Italian Vitrifrigo fridge/freezer drawer combo with 12 volt/120 volt A/C power
source in stainless steel - Fogatti 2 burner electric induction stove top
- Pop-up electrical receptacles with USB ports in 2 dinette seats and kitchen countertop
- Equator stainless steel combo microwave oven
- Modern Wilson Art solid surface countertop with matching dinette table and exterior
kitchen countertop - 3D textured acrylic back splash
- 3 stage water I-Spring filtration system
- Stainless steel matching kitchen faucet, soap dispenser and filtered water dispenser
- Modern curved glass stainless steel range hood fan with lights
- Kitchen storage includes 3 drawers with 1 large, deep drawer for pots etc
- High end LED undermount cabinet accent lighting in hallway, toe kick and backsplash
- 20,000 BTU Dometic propane furnace
- Marine style 3 stage hydraulic dinette table lift
- Euroloft queen sized retractable bed with 6” memory foam mattress
- Furrion 2.4 gallon per minute tankless gas water heater with aquajet 3.4 GPM water pump
- 100 gallon fresh water tank and 70 gallon grey tank with 12 volt and 120 volt A/C tank heat
pads - Safety items include smoke detector, propane detector, and built in fire extinguisher
- Custom built curved French door styled sliding doors with frosted acrylic panels for
modern, luxury touch - Bathroom floor covered in removable real teak duck board panels for spa like feel
- Residential enclosed fiberglass round corner shower with glass doors, modern porcelin
tiled walls, multi-head rain shower/4 body wash unit with lights and digital temperature
read-out - Shower with authentic teak duck board and flip-down teak shelf and
- shampoo/conditioner dispensers
- 10 speed Maxxair reversable ceiling fan with built-in LED lights
- Acrylic domed round corner skylight
- Anti-fog lighted mirror over mini porcelain lavatory sink and storage
- Norwegian modern Cinderella incinerator toilet with propane hook-up
- Matching vinyl dinette seats on high quality foam that folds to a queen sized bed
- LED dimmable remote controlled ceiling lights
- Roof mount coleman mach 8 cub air-conditioner with Bluetooth compatibility
- Solid heavy duty custom-built slide-out on Dexter through-frame electric rack and pinion
system - King external built-in cell phone booster Walls and ceiling coated in kilmat sound deadner with non-alergetic, non-toxic Havelock sheeps wool insulation with 2 ½” wall thickness covered in white powder-coated aluminum
high gloss panels
Exterior
- Full body black metallic exterior paint
- 16 foot Dometic powered awning with LED lighting
- 6 Tern Overland acrylic windows with built-in integral privacy shade and screens with
multi-positioned tilted openings - Ridged security built-in spot lights
- Rearview Safety 4 security cameras with monitors covering views of all 4 sides
- Fingerprint touch pad main entry door lock
- Moryde tilt-out main entry steps with handle
- Dometic Slide topper over the slide-out
- Exterior shower with soap dispensers
- Exterior built-in pull out outdoor kitchen with Furrion outdoor grill hot/cold water sink
- Lippert ground control 4 point stabilizer jacks
- 6000 Watt Onan diesel generator
- 5000 pound hitch with 7 way trailer wiring plug
- Dual 30 pound propane cylinders with regulator
- Ridged brand high output LED clearance lights
- Custom built bumper with built-in spot lights
- High end large skylight over the bed for roof access and top-line heavy duty rear ladder
- for rooftop deck access
- Solid composite roof decking in teak color
- Overhead electric crane for the spare tire mounted over the front cab
- Three mono-crystaline 190 watt solar panels with Go Power bluetooth solar controller with
Go Power battery monitor - 3000 watt IC series inverter charger with 6 100 amp Battleborn lithium batteries
- 50 amp retractable shore power hose reel and 50 amp transfer hard wired switch
- Heavy duty insulated basement compartments lined in carpeted panels