Advice on Class C

Off Pavement wrote:
We love finding spots that are relatively unknown and not that far off the beaten path, but we enjoy our solitude ...

X2 on the above!

We've wound up doing some of what you describe due to us being rockhounds. I get the impression from these forums that very few Class C owners care or dare to use their rigs this way. Why should only TC owners have all the fun?

We have been fortunate over the years to have Class C and TT RV'ing companions who will join us with their rigs on some of these escapades. My biggest concern is getting way out there by ourselves and having a serious mechanical problem where a tow would be necessary (we don't tow another vehicle for backup). I even used to have special equipment on board to extend our cell phone reach.

P.S. I guess we owe Davion206 (the OP) an apology for dragging this thread off topic! ;)

pnichols wrote:
Brian,

I'm curious as to how "well off the beaten path" you are able to get with your great little 2WD Class C?

Pretty far... 40 miles of gravel is probably our furthest. We love finding spots that are relatively unknown and not that far off the beaten path, but we enjoy our solitude and have RV/Jeep, will travel!

Brian,

I'm curious as to how "well off the beaten path" you are able to get with your great little 2WD Class C?

I was part owner in a pretty wildly set up Jeep years ago, but now only own a 4X4 GMC pickup. I bought the GMC to do volunteer work in the rough backcountry of a large state park in the past, but now only use it for hauling stuff and our daughter uses it some to haul a horse trailer.

With our 24 foot E450 Class C we've boondocked in Death Valley, boondocked way out in the Oregon outback, explored some in Utah in the vicinity of Dubinky Well, and boondocked along the Salmon and Henry's Fork rivers in Idaho.

When off pavement, we go slow as necessary to not let the washboarding destroy things, and to insure that the E450's under-loaded stiff frame prevents any tendency for twisting of the coach's structure.

Isn't it great getting way out there and thumbing your nose at the grid while basking in complete comfort? There's nothing like doing it in a limited fashion without having spent the big bucks for an expedition vehicle!

pnichols wrote:


By the way - what does your handle "Off Pavement" mean?

I've owned a Jeep of one sort or another for over 40 years now and back country 4x4 exploring is my outdoor recreation passion. You will usually find our RVing destinations to be well off the beaten path (off pavement) too, and our way of exploring new and remote locations to go 4 wheeling. While the term "off road" is commonly used, I prefer off pavement since I always stick to established and open roads and trails.

BTW - Thanks for the kind words about the DIY project, and yes... 4x4 would be over the top but I bet I could get Quigley to do a conversion with enough cash.

The Phoenix Cruiser 2400 would be our pick.

Off Pavement wrote:
Can't help beyond what we did DIY in our 23 ft no slide...

A beautiful arrangement that you created there!! You especially hit my hot button by doing it in a compact 23 ft no slide Class C built on the over-kill heavy duty E450 chassis - way to go. There are probably lots of ways to get what you wound up with in a Class C with slides - the trick is to get it while staying small and without slides for maximum flexibility in one's RV adventures.

At times (bad weather, movie watching, recreational reading, etc.) we would love to have a couple of recliners in our 24 ft no slide E450 Class C ... but would hate to give up all the storage under our current two dinette seats. I've often thought of modifying our dinette table top so it could be folded up against the sidewall occasionally to allow room for one folding lounge chair to be set up in between the dinette seats for the DW in the evenings. I could at the same time maybe still use the stock swiveling lounge chair that is opposite the end of one of the dinette seats.

Your setup is pretty close to what I would classify as "the perfect two-person Class C for general use in North America". The only addition that would make it over the top dead-on is maybe addition of 4X4 capability.

By the way - what does your handle "Off Pavement" mean?

I have seen many people with Phoenix Cruisers, order their new ones (and some used ones too) replace the low back barrel chair with captain seats that match the ones up front. They are very sharp looking and also very comfortable. We replaced our single low-back seat with a 3rd matching captain seat some years into our ownership and we love the improvement....looks great and extremely comfortable.

I took out my jacknife and put in a powered leather double recliner from http://www.discountvantruck.com/discountrvaccessories/rvfurniture.htm

The Leprechaun 240 FS comes with the option of theater seats.

Like This One just scroll thru the pictures to see them.

The nice thing about the Coachman is that it can be ordered on a Ford or a Chevy Chassis

We looked for same thing but couldn't find what we wanted. Ended up with lazy daze 26.5 rear bath with 2 deep opposing couches. We use a bean bag foot stool in middle and find it more comfortable than chairs. Plus we still have a dinette and huge bath. No slides which we have always had and don't miss. We can have so many people in for conversation. But best part is HUGE windows ALL around. Hope you find one that makes you happy like we did. Safe travels all.