Well it has been over a month since I sold the truck and camper and the search has not gone very far. I admit that part of the problem is me and that I do not want to buy the wrong RV, but a lot of the problem is the RV industry and what they consider "Quality" RV's. I have found several makes and models that I was happy with the layout but the reviews are horrible either on the RV or the unit that the RV is built on. I am not saying that one or two people complained but tons of people on some of the units. I know that many times it is a bias that causes negative reviews, or positive reviews for that matter, but when so many people complain about the same thing it worries me.I have read about complaints in the TCer world for years but not close to what there are with other RV's, some of those builders would have been out of business years ago if they built TCers. Add to that the fact some builders seem to give no thought to the design and use of the unit and the selection is VERY limited. Good thing for me that my slow time for having an RV is the summer so it allows me to be picky and to check things out fully before I pull the trigger. I have even found myself looking longingly at another TCer on frustrating days but slap myself back to reality.Well it is back to the search!

I think the general guidance that some of us including probably you have said applies. There are good and bad of almost every brand since they are hand made and some individuals trash everything they touch! Like a house, there isn't a perfect one. In an RV, I'd focus on layout which is kind of hard to pick without work, and how solid the basic structure is. I'd almost count on needing to do some work, but the price should reflect that. After reading so many stories and knowing so many people who've had to take new rvs back to the dealer over and over. I'll take my chance on used RVs and do my best to inspect before buying them.Good luck in any case and make sure you don't filter your searches too much that you eliminate possible good units!

Good luck with the search I sold my lance and bought a AF 990 quality is day and night better. We wanted a slide that's why we did the swap. Some things I am not sure that I like with the AF but the slide and the much bigger bathroom is worth it to me.

Hi Mike,I forgot what are you looking at? You didn't like Earthroamer and such type price (who would??). Have you been looking more at class B, B+, trailer? Off-road tear-drop trailer, now that would be tiny!Convert a Ram Promaster over to 4wd? Anyway, would be interesting to hear your thought process!dave

Camp woof wrote:Hi Mike,I forgot what are you looking at? You didn't like Earthroamer and such type price (who would??). Have you been looking more at class B, B+, trailer? Off-road tear-drop trailer, now that would be tiny!Convert a Ram Promaster over to 4wd? Anyway, would be interesting to hear your thought process!daveI have some wants and some needs, some days they get mixed up :-)Needs:- Four season or at least a good solid build that I will convert- Able to move from drivers seat to back so I don't need to move my gear- Good ground clearance- Small (19' would be perfect, 21 or 22' I could live with)- Seating for 3 up front (3 bucket seats or 2 buckets and a table)Wants:- Bed that can stay made up (many of the B's or B+ the bed is also a coach). I am willing to live without the bed staying made up but sure would like it.- Generator (changes daily as most generators hang too low and kill the ground clearance)- Low price (I have thought about paying 80,000 or 100,000 and just cannot justify it), would like to be around $30,000 as ideal for a good unit- Speedometer in kilometers not miles (a personal reason more that anything)- Low Kilometers (this will be used partly for a daily driver and don't want to get one with high kilometers already)- Thermal Windows- Single rear wheels (will go with dual if going a little larger)- Would like a 4x4 but think I will pass on this to get the extra MPGMy dream unit was a Sprinter conversion by either Roadtrek or Pleasureway but so many horror stories about repair costs and the unreliable engines that I dropped that dream.I have looked at the other dream units (Turtle, Xplorer, Tiger, Earthroamer & Sportsmobile) but the cost is way more than I want to put out.I have also looked into building myself (Sprinter, Promaster, Transit - so far the Transit would be the one) but not sure I could do the build myself and to get someone to do it would put the costs out of this world!

Trying to replace the TCer | Good Sam Community

jefe_4x4
Explorer
Jul 18, 2016
O.k. I thought you said, up front, meaning the front row in the cab section.
ticki2
Explorer
Jul 18, 2016
All the small van type school buses around the NE are 4wd . I would think it is a reasonable conversion for a B camper .
Photomike
Explorer III
Jul 18, 2016
jefe 4x4 wrote:
photomike wrote:
"- Seating for 3 up front (3 bucket seats or 2 buckets and a table)."
I don't see that happening with any Van. You have a dilemma. There are only very expensive Overlander rigs that have all you want; but those are in the $150K U.S. and up category. 4WD Class B's are hard to find and the owners think they have a gold mine.
I saw a tall Ford 1 ton Transit Van in town last week that had 4WD and more clearance than usual. After hearing of all the M.B. Van woes, mostly to do with very costly maintenance, my son has decided not to get a Sprinter. The Ford being RWD is a natural for aftermarket 4WD. If you are not a hard core off-roader, this seems to be getting the most for the least. I'll bet we'll be seeing a lot more of these coming up, what with so many kids opting for a plain jane van down by the river instead of a rental home or purchasing a stick/brick house. Just select Van Home on You tube and get a eyeful of clever adaptations.
jefe

Many of the converted vans have 3 or even 4 buckets, some of the vans add a bench and a table to the mix. I have a couple leads on customizers (one in town here) that can add the extra bucket seat by the sliding door. Yes the Ford has potential, I like the rear wheel drive as well for traction as for towing as if I go that way I may pick up a small trailer for added space when the wife comes with.
jefe_4x4
Explorer
Jul 18, 2016
photomike wrote:
"- Seating for 3 up front (3 bucket seats or 2 buckets and a table)."
I don't see that happening with any Van. You have a dilemma. There are only very expensive Overlander rigs that have all you want; but those are in the $150K U.S. and up category. 4WD Class B's are hard to find and the owners think they have a gold mine.
I saw a tall Ford 1 ton Transit Van in town last week that had 4WD and more clearance than usual. After hearing of all the M.B. Van woes, mostly to do with very costly maintenance, my son has decided not to get a Sprinter. The Ford being RWD is a natural for aftermarket 4WD. If you are not a hard core off-roader, this seems to be getting the most for the least. I'll bet we'll be seeing a lot more of these coming up, what with so many kids opting for a plain jane van down by the river instead of a rental home or purchasing a stick/brick house. Just select Van Home on You tube and get a eyeful of clever adaptations.
jefe
Ranger_Tim
Explorer
Jul 18, 2016
Looks like the space station! Very sterile but I like the look.
Photomike
Explorer III
Jul 17, 2016
RobertRyan wrote:
There are 6-8 Manufacturers of Expedition Vehicles here. Isuzu pretty nimble Off Road for something that weighs as much as a mid range Diesel Class A.
Here is an interior shot. Glossy interior makes it easy to clean dirt from the " home" part.

I do like!!!! I wish the advancements that have been made in Australia were made here, and at a reasonable price :-)
RobertRyan
Explorer
Jul 17, 2016
There are 6-8 Manufacturers of Expedition Vehicles here. Isuzu pretty nimble Off Road for something that weighs as much as a mid range Diesel Class A.
Here is an interior shot. Glossy interior makes it easy to clean dirt from the " home" part.
Photomike
Explorer III
Jul 17, 2016
RobertRyan wrote:
Example 1 Builder has been all around the World in a Mitsubishi Canter (known as a Fuso) in the US. He now uses the IVECO Daily

Example 2 Isuzu MDT 40,000lb GVWR, Off Road Motorhome . Builder uses as well MAN, IVECO Eurocargo and Unimog Chassis, he also went around the world in a small Isuzu Truck chassis

Like the one without the pop top. I don't want a pop top as I use mine in -30C and like my heat :D

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
How about a cube/box van body on a cab/chassis truck?

It's like a class C motorhome, but not on a van chassis, so you can have crew cab, diesel, 4wd, high ground clearance and heavy towing capacity, like a truck camper, but you also have cab to camper direct access like you want.

A U-Haul/Ryder/etc delivery truck could easily be built into a nice RV inside the cargo box, if 4wd isn't important. Look for an ambulance truck from a northern state, if you want 4wd.

If you find a refrigerated delivery box truck, all the better, the box will be super insulated and have an awesome self-powered A/C unit already built in! You could take the box off the truck, if you don't like the truck, and put it on a cab/chassis truck you do like.

Here's another idea. Buy a cab/chassis truck that has the configuration you like (cab size, 4wd/2wd, diesel/gas, frame length), take whatever bed is on it off, find a small travel trailer, like a 13' Casita/Scamp/etc, remove the axle and tongue, and mount it to the truck chassis. The RV part is already built by using an existing camp trailer.

I think I have it narrowed down, there are a couple motor homes that locally are available (none at this time but are occasionally available) a BT cruiser and a Lexington both in the 23/24' size and as well a Majestic 19'. If I do not find one of these in the next while I will be buying a Ford Transit HR and starting a build myself (even with me being concerned about my skills I would like to try it).

There are suppose to be a few of the Majestics coming available after summer from a rental place a couple hours north. Price is fair and with the difference that I would save on buying a newer van and converting I could do a lot of repairs and upgrades on it.

I would love to do the van route / build but like I have said I have limited skills and it scares me. Many of the other ideas I have weighed or have been suggested do not allow me the movement from the front to back or the third seat I want. The great thing about a van is that it is all one unit and I would not have the same potential of leaks or the wind resistance of the cab over bed. Draw back is that the cab over bed is such a space saver for getting a full time bed!
RobertRyan
Explorer
Jul 17, 2016
SoCalDesertRider wrote:
How about a cube/box van body on a cab/chassis truck?

It's like a class C motorhome, but not on a van chassis, so you can have crew cab, diesel, 4wd, high ground clearance and heavy towing capacity, like a truck camper, but you also have cab to camper direct access like you want.

A U-Haul/Ryder/etc delivery truck could easily be built into a nice RV inside the cargo box, if 4wd isn't important. Look for an ambulance truck from a northern state, if you want 4wd.

If you find a refrigerated delivery box truck, all the better, the box will be super insulated and have an awesome self-powered A/C unit already built in! You could take the box off the truck, if you don't like the truck, and put it on a cab/chassis truck you do like.

Here's another idea. Buy a cab/chassis truck that has the configuration you like (cab size, 4wd/2wd, diesel/gas, frame length), take whatever bed is on it off, find a small travel trailer, like a 13' Casita/Scamp/etc, remove the axle and tongue, and mount it to the truck chassis. The RV part is already built by using an existing camp trailer.

Example 1 Builder has been all around the World in a Mitsubishi Canter (known as a Fuso) in the US. He now uses the IVECO Daily

Example 2 Isuzu MDT 40,000lb GVWR, Off Road Motorhome . Builder uses as well MAN, IVECO Eurocargo and Unimog Chassis, he also went around the world in a small Isuzu Truck chassis
RobertRyan
Explorer
Jul 17, 2016
jimh425 wrote:
Apparently Sprinter has a 4x4 option now. I have no idea if anyone has converted one to Class B yet.

Done here with several Motorhome builders,not totally hard core Off Road, but fairly good Off Road
Local builder and a Sprinter 4x4

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