Sprinter based 4x4 RV?

ron.dittmer wrote:
I personally don't understand the benefit of a 4x4 motor home unless the house is specifically designed to handle the punishment of "Off-Road". I suppose it would be nice to have a 4x4 for questionable muddy primitive roads, but for serious off-roading, I can't see a normal motor home doing it. I can envision everything ending up on the floor, maybe the cabinets and fridge too.

We had to put double latches on some of our doors to prevent just what you describe. Howevev, that might be a good idea for every Class C owner, anyway. We have experienced a major cabinet contents spill and breakage of contents when merely cutting a curb too close pulling out of a town parking lot.

We also have special woven foam material between all pots, pans, plates, bowls, glasses, etc.. All of our coach drawers came with gravity locks that stay closed better with the more weight you have in them ... none have ever come open when off-pavement.

I would be more concerned if we were to try and take any 5'er or TT off-pavement because one can't hear what's going on back there in the living quarters. We prefer to hear immediately any clanking or banging that might be happening back in the coach area so we can stop as soon as possible and correct the problem.

ron.dittmer wrote:
I personally don't understand the benefit of a 4x4 motor home unless the house is specifically designed to handle the punishment of "Off-Road". I suppose it would be nice to have a 4x4 for questionable muddy primitive roads, but for serious off-roading, I can't see a normal motor home doing it. I can envision everything ending up on the floor, maybe the cabinets and fridge too.

A 4 wheel drive motorhome would be good for that situations where a regular two wheel drive motorhome won't do or you wouldn't dare do. I don't think most people would want to take them rock crawling.

However a sprinter based vehicle jacked up would not be a good combo I would think. As narrow and tall as it already it. it would need some additional width. I would think it wouldn't be very stable in locations that you would need 4 wheel drive.

I personally don't understand the benefit of a 4x4 motor home unless the house is specifically designed to handle the punishment of "Off-Road". I suppose it would be nice to have a 4x4 for questionable muddy primitive roads, but for serious off-roading, I can't see a normal motor home doing it. I can envision everything ending up on the floor, maybe the cabinets and fridge too.

Advanced RV in Ohio I know is building as we speak class B's on the Sprinter 4x4 3500 dually van chassis. Believe they will be first on the street with one.
I don't think?? that MB is bringing in the cutaway version to the USA....might be wrong there.

Unless he's willing to spend 6 to 8k more over the already high Sprinter cost, I'd suggest he wait for the Quigley 4x4 Ford Transits to become available.
Otherwise it's probably going to have to be an E series based chassis

jefe 4x4 wrote:

In a class C version there is no body to remain rigid so the frame will twist and take the RV part with it, pulling it apart little by little.

Jeff,

If your son wasn't so set on a Sprinter chassis, some of the above issue can be minimized by looking for a small Class C special ordered on a 4X4 chassis "too heavy duty" for the Class C's overall weight.

I'm not sure about the Chevy 4500 cutaway van chassis versus the Chevy 3500 cutaway van chassis ... but per it's detailed specs for at least our chassis year, the Ford E450 cutaway van chassis actually has thicker steel used in it's frame than the Ford E350 cutaway van chassis.

That's one reason we bought our small Class C on the optional E450 chassis ... to get a stiffer frame versus it's coach weight so as to help keep the frame as much as possible a flat plane under the rigidly attached coach structure. We sometimes take our rig moderately off-pavement and wanted the additional stiffness on rutted dirt roads. BTW, it's of course a given that one doesn't want to take a Class C with slides on rough roads.

A main problem I see with using cutaway versions of the Sprinter and similar van chassis here in the U.S. to build Class Cs on is - their lack of offering a 14K to15K GVWR rated cutaway chassis. Much of the Class C U.S. market needs a bit heavier rated chassis than 10K to 12K. There is a large U.S. market segment that prefers 27 foot to 31 foot Class C rigs ... and those can't be built on a Sprinter 3500 dually. Also, not having a heavier GVWR rating option available for the Sprinter and similar cutaway van chassis versions prevents doing what we did going with the Ford E Series ... buying a small Class C coach but on the heavier rated chassis for extra off-pavemnet viability.

Regarding the departure angle at the rear of a Class C -> this can of course be enhanced by using (non-stock) tires as tall as possible to gain ground clearance. We did this too on our Class C.

I wasn't very clear. My son Matt is thinking about moving into class C 4x4 for full-time accommodation. He has his eye on the recent release of the M.B. Sprinter 4x4, RV version. It looks to be well thought out and actually has a low range transfer case and traction control. I'm not sure any RV builders have put the M.B. Sprinter 4x4 and an RV body together as of yet. Although he has had many 4x4's in the past, moving into one of these full time might be a stretch. He's an I.T. guy and works from home via the internet, so exiting his current small lease lodging in Truckee, CA would not be much of drop in lifestyle.
It would be a change.
The photo shows my rig and it's what he is used to in terms of XTC-ing and RV travel.
No way does he have Goler Wash in Death Valley( as in the photo) as an objective.
He is aware of the big departure angle problem. It has plagued many off-road wanderers over time. His passions are mt. biking and skiing, something that would be a natural with a 4x4 Sprinter (or facsimile). The key is that he would be living in it alone most of the time. The Tiger 4x4 looks a bit cozy if costly. Also, I'm not sure if the Tiger has solved the twisting frame to 3-point attachment woe that the big Euro Campers have solved. In looking at the info on just the class B version of the Sprinter, the body does NOT flex and just lets the tires lift of the ground when the axles get twisted up. In a class C version there is no body to remain rigid so the frame will twist and take the RV part with it, pulling it apart little by little.
Our little Lance truck camper is one of the smallest made and it is JUST big enough for two consenting adults if you get your ballet slippers on and belly up when it looks like your darling is set to pass by. We've slept more than 200 nights in it from below sea level to close to 14K feet.
So far the Sprinter is the only platform in class that offers the 4 wheel drive feature.
Thanks ever so much for your wise input.
regards, as always, jefe

For Sprinter, Sportsmobile might have something or be willing to build something. Their factory is in Fresno.

The Sportsmobile site offers a link to the Sprinter Cargo Van site, which says models are available in 4x4 but says nothing about DRW.

Also, you said "My single son is on the hunt for a 4x4 Sprinter ( orDodge, or International, or Ford) that has dual rear wheels, 4x4, transfer case, diesel engine in an RV format." What about a Tiger? They are available on Dodge and Ford these days, in addition to their more usual Chevy. Some can be had with DRW. Regular cab, extended cab, crew cab. Gas or diesel.

http://www.tigervehicles.com/

If you are thinking about swapping your truck-camper for a C to use for the same sort of off-road adventures, I suspect you will have trouble finding one, particularly with DRW, that you can take to the same places.

C motorhomes are usually built with long rear overhangs, so as to make sure that dual wheel axle carries about 2/3 of the load, and this usually means problems with departure angles. We get hung up on gas station driveway approaches. At least the Sprinter won't be stretched in wheelbase, so the high-center limits will be defined by the longest wheelbase coming out of the factory.

The promise of a 4x4 Sprinter holds better for a B, particularly if you can build what house you need in the confines of a short wheelbase, non-extended model, and keep it low or medium top for lower CG.

ron.dittmer wrote:
CLICK HERE to see a 2009 Phoenix Cruiser 2350 4x4 for sale on Ebay going on right now.

That's on a Ford chassis. The OP was asking about 4x4 Sprinter.

Here's a quote from the Phoenix web page:

Phoenix Cruiser offers a 4x4 option on ALL models and floorplans. When added to our Factory-Direct price, Phoenix is one of the most affordable and reliable 4WD RV's on the market.

I don't know if this includes their Sprinter chassis models.