I am new to this but had been working toward either a truck camper or travel trailer for mostly summer camping, up to 1 week at a time, with 2 adults and 2 kids.Now I also need to have a vehicle large enough to serve as a guest room for 1-2 weeks at a time. This vehicle will also be our camping vehicle. Thus, I think a truck camper is out (not practical for guest room as it's not big enough), which takes us back to travel trailers or a motorhome.So the needs are:- fits 2 for 1-2 week as a guest room;- fits 4 for up to 1 week as a camper;- summer camping;- light to moderate off road (bad dirt roads);- want, not need, it to be usable for a weekend in winter to go skiing. Not an absolute requirement, but would be nice. In this case it would need to be able to self-support for a night - no hookups available.If I get a trailer, I would want the tow vehicle to be an SUV, not a pickup. So that will limit size and length. Furthermore I want the travel trailer to be viable in mild off road conditions, so I had looked at a Nash that could be pulled by a Durango with 7200 towing capacity. I think GVWR and hitch weight would have been ok.Anyway... am I on the right track? Would you look at a (used) Class C motorhome to fit this bill? Or a travel trailer? I have plenty of space to park or shelter this vehicle year round adjacent to my house.thank you

The offroading part, IMO, eliminates most Class Cs and trailers. There just isn't enough ground clearance; although there ARE class Cs built on 4x4 truck chassis that might work?A thought: buy a big truck to pull a trailer/5th wheel trailer; and then find a cheap truck camper for those offroad travels? That's what we did - I needed something to camp at rustic campgrounds/boat ramps with my kayaking girlfriends - places where most RVs wouldn't fit.

Maybe I'm not following the guest room idea but a truck camper should work for that. You can always take it off the truck if you need to use the truck. Bigger issue would be 4 people for a camping trip but if they are small and you get a larger one, it could work.I think you need to define "off road" a little better. If it's just washboard roads, not much difference for any of them. If you don't go slow, you will beat any of them up. If you take it slow and easy most should be fine.

that's a hard one. your Durango is essentially the same as my jeep WJ. that towing capacity is more than you will ever need. the thing you run out of is the 1000 payload. not sure how big you are but a family of 4 in the vehicle with fuel, weight distributing hitch and sway control plus and some gear eats up tongue weitght FAST. I have an older prowler 19E. it could sleep 4 and will as my kids get bigger (me and the wife with a 2 year old and a baby coming this june) but I am very cautious with my load, I have pulled out the fresh water tank and pump and keep packing to a minimum. The Jeep handles it but its not a fun tow. I am at capacity for sure. Highly recommend going truck if you can. Or if your willing to give up the winter camping go pop up or htt. (if it weren't for the wife I would be pop up only. so much more bang for your buck they tow like there not even there with an suv and a 10 foot box gets room for 8 when setup plus they can handle offroad way better)

just do a quick google search for offroad pop up.

I would look at ToyHauler bumper pull type trailers.Find one that fits your needs and is 4000 to 5000lb gross weight.

multiple purposes, what kind of RV? | Good Sam Community

rvshrinker
Explorer III
Jan 28, 2017
Veebyes wrote:
Dreamer. Like the guy on a boating forum who wants all the comforts of a 40' trawler but wants to be under 25' & trailerable. Not gonna happen.

I've decided on a full ton SRW and whatever trailer or lightweight TC I can tow with that.
free_radical
Explorer
Jan 28, 2017
rvshrinker wrote:
I am new to this but had been working toward either a truck camper or travel trailer for mostly summer camping, up to 1 week at a time, with 2 adults and 2 kids.

Now I also need to have a vehicle large enough to serve as a guest room for 1-2 weeks at a time. This vehicle will also be our camping vehicle. Thus, I think a truck camper is out (not practical for guest room as it's not big enough), which takes us back to travel trailers or a motorhome.

So the needs are:
- fits 2 for 1-2 week as a guest room;
- fits 4 for up to 1 week as a camper;
- summer camping;
- light to moderate off road (bad dirt roads);
- want, not need, it to be usable for a weekend in winter to go skiing. Not an absolute requirement, but would be nice. In this case it would need to be able to self-support for a night - no hookups available.

If I get a trailer, I would want the tow vehicle to be an SUV, not a pickup. So that will limit size and length. Furthermore I want the travel trailer to be viable in mild off road conditions, so I had looked at a Nash that could be pulled by a Durango with 7200 towing capacity. I think GVWR and hitch weight would have been ok.

Anyway... am I on the right track? Would you look at a (used) Class C motorhome to fit this bill? Or a travel trailer?

I have plenty of space to park or shelter this vehicle year round adjacent to my house.

thank you

Plenty of room and off road capable,,you need something like this :)

https://youtu.be/xf0eGmEMtSg
Veebyes
Explorer II
Jan 28, 2017
Dreamer. Like the guy on a boating forum who wants all the comforts of a 40' trawler but wants to be under 25' & trailerable. Not gonna happen.
rvshrinker
Explorer III
Jan 27, 2017
deleted
NYCgrrl
Explorer
Apr 24, 2016
Veebyes wrote:
The trouble with anything multipurpose is that it does nothing well.

Not necessarily true as my kitchen equipment will attest to but I'm possibly digressing.

You have to nail your priorities and take it from there.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2016
The trouble with anything multipurpose is that it does nothing well.
ncrowley
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2016
Thanks for the information. Looking at the pictures, the clearance does not look too good and that long overhang could get you into trouble.
bikendan
Explorer
Apr 24, 2016
ncrowley wrote:
I cannot see a class C working for you.

Host Motorhomes have been making 4x4 class C's for many years:

http://www.hostcampers.com/subs/motorcoaches/motorcoach_270.html
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Apr 23, 2016
rvshrinker wrote:
guys/gals, now that is a really great idea. I think my kids are just a bit young to be in the camper overnight for weeks at a time (our property is not completely fenced) but we could perhaps set up some kind of alarm system or something and park it in visual sight of our bedroom. I like this idea. I'm sure the kids would love it as you say.

thank you!

You could also use a couple baby monitors in different areas of the RV to monitor noises and I think some now have screens.

A motion light at the door and a alarm would help.
ncrowley
Explorer II
Apr 23, 2016
Going off road is what limits you the most. I would go with a trailer that you can raise off the axles a little bit to give more clearance. You will really need to look at trailers, see how they are constructed and see what you can do. I cannot see a class C working for you.