2004 RoadTrek 190 Versatile

Well after looking at costs to lift and hearing the stories about scraping I am going to pass on this unit. VERY sad as I have been looking for a long time and this one meets all my requirements with the exception that it is a little more than I wanted to spend but for the condition I was happy to spend the extra.

I still want a van as it will help with my work but I think I will keep my eyes open for a Sportsmobile or even a converted Astro (if it has low mileage) that I will have higher ground clearance with.

Back to the drawing board, or in this case the for sale ads.

Photomike wrote:
Thanks everyone, I did get to see some of the posts on lifting. Seems like a lot more of a hassle than it is worth as looks like brake lines may be an issue.

I really do not want it is high as my truck but it really worries me if people are bottoming out on paved roads that I may be in for some issues.

We were at a campground last year on a paved pad site. The pad was about two feet up from the road level on a slight angle up.Every time we pulled off that pad onto the road, I could hear something in the back bang bottoming out. I also had this problem coming out of a parking lot that was up about three feet from the road with a declining angle driveway - and bang in the rear as the front of the van got to the road. Luckily no damage done but I had my concerns.

jrobe wrote:
This is why you almost never see a used Provan Tiger RV. I am surprised no one else has gotten on this bandwagon.

That was my answer. A small 4x4 C with all needed conveniences, and most of the advantages of a B. It drives well, and has a real comfortable cab.

Jim, "Eat right, exercise, die anyway."

Around my neck of the woods this is a close to used as I have seen with the newer Tigers (have seen some really old ones but they need way too much work to fix up).

Tiger for sale

This is why you almost never see a used Provan Tiger RV. I am surprised no one else has gotten on this bandwagon.

Thanks everyone, I did get to see some of the posts on lifting. Seems like a lot more of a hassle than it is worth as looks like brake lines may be an issue.

I really do not want it is high as my truck but it really worries me if people are bottoming out on paved roads that I may be in for some issues.

My 2011 190 varies from 7 to 9" underneath. There is a lot hanging down there that can have a lot of expensive damage done - tanks, plumbing, genset. Of course, it can be driven on dirt and gravel roads - as most campgrounds are dirt and gravel but it is not an off-road vehicle and should not be driven as such. I would not go into deep snow and I would avoid seriously rutted, muddy, or potholed roads. I had concern when I had to drive through a deep puddle on a road that I could not go around or go back from.

For a while Roadtrek offered an option for AWD that was done aftermarket (not by Chevy). It was made clear that while it was AWD it still was not for off-roading. That option is no longer offered.

Yes, some have installed lifts including air cushion lifts but you don't really get off-roading clearance.

If you feel that your truck camper limits where you can drive, a Roadtrek is going to limit that even more.

Thanks, have done some searches and nothing but may not have searched far enough back. Will give that a try.

I took my '01/'02 Chevy RT 190P on some pretty rough FS dirt roads, but it was not an off-roader. It was unlifted. I think it helps a lot to know what's where underneath, so you can position it properly crossing bumps. Being a gearhead & tinkerer, I knew what was there.

Assuming it's on a Chevy, and not one of the last Dodge Ram Vans, RT started lifting the rear of the Chevy with blocks about then. If the one you're looking at doesn't have 2" or 3" blocks (don't recall which) between axle & springs, I'm pretty sure they can be installed. Not sure about the front, it may take new springs.

As PSW said, there's been a fair amount written here on lifting the Chevy B. I think it was about 5-6 years back. The diff housing is still the limit, but you can get the sewer pipe and Onan exhaust up, which would help.

Jim, "This beer tastes like I'm not going to work tomorrow."

You can search the archives and find a lot about lifting the Roadtrek a couple of inches. I have owned a 190 and a 210 and I take them down gravel and rough roads, but I would never take them down a lot of roads that a pickup could easily handle. Just too much stuff like the genset, tanks and sewer dump pipes hanging low.