Forum Discussion

cdoug1946's avatar
cdoug1946
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014

conversion of camper vans to 4 wheel

I love the Class B camper vans, especially Pleasure Way Ascent or Plateau, but I would like to take it to off road places....not necessarily 4 wheeling but have the ability to get over some rocks and get out of sand, etc. I have been looking at the conversion companies and I could do that but I have been told that could be a problem. I'm looking for information on the feasibility of this and if it is ok to do what should i look out for and where should I go to have it done. Thanks!
  • Based on the best of my knowledge, I think both of your choices are on the Sprinter. From dim memory a few years old, I think I recall that the 4x4 Sprinter conversions didn't work because the traction control & anti-lock (& maybe stability control) computers won't play nice with the 4WD hardware. Sportsmobile may or may not have a successful version.

    B's based on Fords and Chevys can easily be converted if you have the $$$, tho' it's easiest done on a new van. Sportsmobile makes 4x4 Fords, and Quigley used to do Roadtrek Chevys for RT; they may still do one-offs to order (?). I think I'd expect about a $15K upcharge.

    The next generation of Sprinter is supposed to come to the US with optional 4WD. I don't know how far in the future that will be, and I'd expect it'll be with a hefty price premium. How soon B's hit the market on that platform I have no guess. I'd caution that rumors of 4x4 Sprinters have seemed to be mostly made of vaporware.

    You should look at the Tiger Bengal CX & TX. I bought mine after 2 RT's, and still love it after 8+ years.

    On edit: Try this link from the C forum. IIRC from reading it a while back, there's no real mention of which chassis weight rating they're talking about. http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27619768.cfm

    Jim, "My typos, mistakes, and misspellings are intentional and copyrighted."
  • Another option would be to take a PreRunner approach to building up the van. More ground clearance and wheel travel plus increase torque and horsepower using bolt on products. Add a removable winch with mounts on front and rear for those times when you get stuck.
  • There used to be companies thst did that. As i remember it added about 10K to the base price of the van. I assume this is Ford based? So searching out front axle assembly, transfer case from a donoe truck should be doable. Just takes a lot of time to engineer mounts etc to connect everything. Lastmissue would probably be the computers. Getting them to understand the changes could bea daunting task.