Few people know their way around the inside of luxury vehicles like Don Steinert.

The former Grants Pass High School shop teacher refinished Rolls-Royce interior woodwork for many years. Most western states dealers even sent damaged woodwork to Steinert’s shop in Provolt rather than back to the factory in England.

More recently, Steinert has developed a new concept, something he calls the RV-L!MO — a self-contained vehicle with loads of electronic bells and whistles, a bed and even a table that slides into the trailer hitch for meals.

Steinert’s 20-First Century Innovations is targeting baby boomers nearing retirement and plans to market his "land yacht" through the National Limousine Association’s bi- monthly Limo Digest.

"Instead of paying a lot of money for an RV and putting it in storage for 11 months, they could use this for a road car," Steinert says. "It’s actually economical to run, because the manufacturers modified the system (for the original buyers) and they get really good mileage."

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He unveiled his RV-L!MO over the weekend at the Rogue Valley Mall.

The prototype converted 1995 Lincoln Town Car is available for $45,000, including a four-year, bumper-to-bumper warranty. He can put together a Spartan version for between $30,000 and $35,000, while his top-end creation comes in under $50,000.

"You can own one of these for far less than a new SUV or RV," Steinert says. "When you’re in the driver’s seat, you’re not aware of anything but driving a Lincoln Town Car or Cadillac DeVille."

Steinert’s research shows that limousines rapidly lose value after manufacturers change body styles.

"Even if it is in excellent condition with relatively low miles, its value is very low," Steinert says. "I got to thinking ‘How could I give those limousines new life and take advantage of really great road cars available at really low prices."

The idea of turning a limo into an RV struck while he was flying to St. Louis, where he was going to check out a Lincoln limousine in July 2003. The dealer had taken the limo in trade and was willing to part for the amount he had given in trade.

"I had done my homework," he says. "I knew I couldn’t lose money if I handled it correctly."

Limousines come in various dimensions: Up to 60 inches is considered standard, 70 inches is stretch, and beyond that is super-stretch. A 200-inch stretch can handle 15 passengers. The "stretch" dimension refers to how much length is added to the model frame the limousine is based on. They’re built to run for 200,000 miles and get 20 miles per gallon.

RV-L!MO’s 70-inch stretch, which sleeps two and carries six passengers, suits Steinert’s needs, allowing for an inflated full-size mattress.

A pair of cabinet makers south of Louisville, Ky., hammered together platforms to support the mattress. Steinert rolled over to a nearby Wal-Mart, bought some fabric, foam and staple gun and upholstered the platforms in the parking lot.

He’s overnighted in the limo near the headwaters of the Colorado River in Rocky Mountain National Park, camped on the Grand Canyon’s rim and stayed in state parks.

"One of the options you can get, and what I use, is a high-quality propane cook stove that fits in the trunk."

One thing the RV-L!MO fails to deliver is a toilet and shower. But when full-size RV’s start around $100,000 a pop, some buyers may see them as a disposable option.

Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or e-mail business@mailtribune.com