We are not new to RV net as we had a Casita Trailer we drove from coast to coast in the US and into Mexico, and we had a truck and camper we drove all over the US and Canada, but we abandoned this way of travel when we bought our house in Baja. After a few great years, we have sold that house and are ready to try something new --- a small Class B. We don't know if we will go new or used, but small is what we want, and we love to head out dirt roads and boondock. We are not looking to do boulder and creek hoping, but want something that handles dirt roads well; slow but well. I did a search and seemed to find answers that said we need to buy a truck and camper again, that that is not what we want. Please, I want to hear experiences of driving Class Bs out dirt roads. Thanks --- we have always found this forum to be very informative!

Last summer we drove our PW Excel up to Yukon and NWT and went thru BC on the way. Travelled on many miles of gravel road with no problems, just have good tires and be prepared for windshield chips from passing motorists. We were lucky and had no damage except the small trailer we were pulling suffered a bent coupler. We just took our time and fortunately the roads were reasonably well maintained and we didn't have to back up to find a turnout or widespot when meeting some other vehicle on a narrow roadway. And the roads were not too dusty so we didn't suffer that way. Saw some beautiful country that the guys in big Class A's never could because of their RV size. Just take it easy and make sure your outfit is in good shape.

Buy anything you want, then take it here.4x4. Conversion

We've carefully taken our B down many dirt/rough roads in Newfoundland and the American Southwest - around Moab...Cajon (outlying ruins grouped with Hovenweep National Monument)...Chaco Canyon. Some of those roads will shake the fillings out of your teeth, but the van emerged unscathed.Of course, conversions have stuff hanging beneath you don't want to damage. Our ground clearance is 8.5" at the lowest point (sewer pipe) and 12" at the back.If I were planning to do extensive rough road travel, I'd look at a Tiger. Pricier than many of the Bs, though.

I drove my stock '01/'02 Chevy Roadtrek 190 on quite a few Forest Service dirt roads during the roughly two years I had it. A lot of such roads around here are quite steep, and a few were pretty badly rutted. Being a gear head, I knew quite well where the lowest point under it was (generator exhaust) to avoid dragging it. I only did it in dry weather. Keep in mind that the early Chevy Express Roadtrek has very little ground clearance, even compared to other B's.In looking for a better mobility in a similar size, I found the Tiger CX. It's a B-sized C. It's much the same size as a small truck camper, at 19' on a standard cab, but has the B/C virtue of cab-to-coach access. More ground clearance & larger tanks than most B's, OEM four wheel drive, and choice of engines, chassis brand, and cab trim level. Definitely short on stealth, tho'. www.tigervehicles.comJim, "Mo' coffee!"

Tiger owners are nothing if not proud of their beasts. Because of my work, I have driven dirt for most of my life and our Tiger, Ndeke Luka, handles wonderfully on dirt. Ndeke LukaIf you stick with a 4x2, then I like the following:-- Mild lift to get the underpinnings out of the way and improve angles of attack and departure. Something like this: Lift Kit-- The largest tires you can get away with for ground clearance and cushioning.-- The softest springs that will handle the weight of you truck, to absorb shock and vibration without passing it through to the frame and passengers.-- The longest wheel travel you can get to avoid bottoming. (Much the same reason.)-- The biggest, stiffest shocks you can mount to limit fading and control sway.-- Limited slip or locking differential for the soft stuff.You may find that the folk who post here will have information to share: Vans at EXPO Portal ForumSafe travels!

Able to handle dirt roads other than a Sportsmobile.

jdtrotter
Explorer
Sep 03, 2014
Once again, thanks for the input. We have not completely eliminated the idea of a truck and camper.

For dirt roads, we are used to our Subaru with an 8 1/2 clearance which is MOST of the time okay. Decisions, decisions, and all the input just helps us along.
arm
Explorer
Sep 03, 2014
I agree with MickD. Have traveled on some roads I shouldn't have and washboard is the worst, but I still have most of the fillings in my teeth. A good gravel road has never been an issue, but ruts with a high centre is where the damage can occur because the centre is your lowest spot. Have repaired the sewer dump pipe twice, (high centre roads) and microwave bracket with a thicker one, from washboard roads. Going SLOW is the name of the game.

The "B" has been great for boondocking and semi rough roads not too far off the beaten track.

The more I go exploring, the more I think of going back to my 4x4 truck and camper.

Good luck!
Kimbopolo
Explorer
Sep 03, 2014
Well, you've touched on the only issue that would make me reluctant to purchase another Roadtrek. :(

I have about a 5" clearance and break into a sweat just thinking about taking her off-road. I haven't really tried it yet and fortunately haven't had to, but I don't think it would go well.

Even driving on a gravel road can be problematic when I get up to speed back on blacktop. The gravel releases from the tire tread and pings all around the undercarriage like a pinball machine. It's unsettling and potentially harmful to the soft underbelly, I imagine.

OTOH, I consider my RT to be extremely well-insulated. This was rather a surprise to me until I realized that RTs are made in Canada.
MickD
Explorer
Sep 01, 2014
I have taken our older Class B over roads and to places I probably shouldn't have but with care and sometimes getting out and walking ahead to scout the road you can take it to a lot of places. The key even on relative nice roads is "GO SLOW". A washboard road will shake the RV to pieces.
rockymtnb
Explorer
Sep 01, 2014
I would second the recommendation for a 2015 4x4 short wheelbase Sprinter if you want to stick with a Class B van camper. We often travel and camp in remote BLM and USFS areas where long stretches of washboard road and high clearance traverses of washouts are common. Our current short wheelbase Sportsmobile Sprinter is actually better for backroad travel than our previous AWD Provan Tiger XL (as pictured earlier in this thread) in all ways except the occasional desire for 4wd.

The constant pounding and dirt infiltration of extended unpaved travel really does a number on traditional RV components such as externally vented water heaters, furnaces, LP refrigerators, under vehicle tanks, running boards and generators. That's why expedition van converters like Outside Van, Sportsmobile, and Van Specialities generally use internal tankage, cassette toilets, sealed combustion diesel or electric appliances, compressor refrigerators, and large AGM sealed batteries with solar charging. Anything that involves cutting holes in the side of the van or hanging below the chassis is avoided if possible.

I've noticed newer Tiger Malayan units now have sealed combustion Propex furnaces, cassette toilets, compression refrigerators and big solar packs, so they appear to have addressed the off pavement shortcomings of our older Tiger XL in a similar manner.

Of course it's a trade-off, the characteristics that make a good off-pavement vehicle run counter to the facilities expected in road cruiser with comfortable step-up running boards and full RV hookups. And the units discussed above are NOT for Jeep trails, for that you'd need the full-on Sportsmobile 4WD conversion with high articulation suspension, 33 inch wheels, pneumatic diff lockers, and similar goodies.
RobertRyan
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
Davydd wrote:
The 4x4 Sprinter will be 3.1" higher in the back and 4" higher in the front.

Video of a 4x4 Sprinter through DesertHorizon Motorhomes 4x4 Sprinter
jdtrotter
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
Davydd wrote:
The 4x4 Sprinter will be 3.1" higher in the back and 4" higher in the front.

That will make a big difference --- I imagine the price is going to be quite high.
Sebtown
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
That should make a huge improvement when it comes to back roads even if you don't use the 4x4 function. Of course if they decided to go AWD it would be the bomb.
Davydd
Explorer
Aug 30, 2014
The 4x4 Sprinter will be 3.1" higher in the back and 4" higher in the front.
jdtrotter
Explorer
Aug 30, 2014
Thanks for the continued replies. We will be looking at several options. All information and feedback is very APPRECIATED.