4x4 Class C, what do you think?
I have an opportunity to buy a 1979 Chevy g30 Winnebago Itasca 20ft long. 400sbc/400th/205 transfer case. Dana 70HD rear axle and Dana 60 king pin front axle. Custom 4x4 conversion. 12000lb winch, 2.8...
Forum Discussion
FWIW:
A main probllem with a "lifted" 4X4 vehicle - including a Class C motorhome - is the raised center of gravity that results.
What a motorhome 4X4 setup especially requires is maintaining as LOW a center of gravity as possible but combined with high clearance of the underchassis stuff such as suspension components (including lower shock mounts), oil pan, transmission, tail pipe(s), gas tank, generator, plumbing components, entrance steps, etc..
There is only one way to get some of the above combination in a Class C - add 4X4 capability but DO NOT get a body lift if possible. Use taller tires instead of a body lift. This will raise all of the lower stuff on the motorhome while not raising the center of gravity any more than absolutely necessary.
However, some body lift may be necessary in order to fit the front differential in under the forward motor/suspension area.
We do take our 2WD 24 foot Class C off-highway in dry contitions VERY CAREFULLY. It came from Winnebago with about stock pickup truck clearance everywhere underneath, so we can manage washes and ruts with slow going ... along with angle cuts to help guard against rear end dragging. The stiffness of it's E450 frame under a small Class C helps keep frame twisting to a minimum if we choose our rut tracks well.
A main probllem with a "lifted" 4X4 vehicle - including a Class C motorhome - is the raised center of gravity that results.
What a motorhome 4X4 setup especially requires is maintaining as LOW a center of gravity as possible but combined with high clearance of the underchassis stuff such as suspension components (including lower shock mounts), oil pan, transmission, tail pipe(s), gas tank, generator, plumbing components, entrance steps, etc..
There is only one way to get some of the above combination in a Class C - add 4X4 capability but DO NOT get a body lift if possible. Use taller tires instead of a body lift. This will raise all of the lower stuff on the motorhome while not raising the center of gravity any more than absolutely necessary.
However, some body lift may be necessary in order to fit the front differential in under the forward motor/suspension area.
We do take our 2WD 24 foot Class C off-highway in dry contitions VERY CAREFULLY. It came from Winnebago with about stock pickup truck clearance everywhere underneath, so we can manage washes and ruts with slow going ... along with angle cuts to help guard against rear end dragging. The stiffness of it's E450 frame under a small Class C helps keep frame twisting to a minimum if we choose our rut tracks well.
