โJan-09-2018 07:07 PM
โJan-11-2018 05:21 PM
jrobe wrote:
I wouldn't call a Tiger RV a "poor mans" anything. You would probably pay $150,000 or more for one depending on the chassis you selected.
โJan-10-2018 11:09 PM
fugawi wrote:
To pnichols,
Wow, thank you so much for you thorough post above, especially for the benefits of the E450 chassis! You clearly thought through the offroadability details very well! This will help us think through it too.
Have there been any situations where you wish you would have had 4x4, or have things worked smoothly with your design considerations?
โJan-10-2018 04:39 PM
โJan-10-2018 04:24 PM
โJan-10-2018 04:09 PM
โJan-10-2018 04:03 PM
Photomike wrote:
You already got some great responses but here is what I have found.
I had a TCer on a GMC 2500HD 4x4 and I loved it but honestly the 4x4 was hardly used as it was just so heavy, and most of that was top heavy, so I was not comfortable going anyplace that was not almost perfectly level as I could feel the rig sway like it was going to tip. Plus with the weight of the unit no winch would get me out of a situation if I did get stuck, I would need something big to get me unstuck so I stayed in the front country with it.
I sold the TCer and got a small Class C (19') with the thought that I would be able to take it the same places that I could take the TCer and if it would go there I could do a 4x4 conversion if I wanted - boy was I wrong! The extra width of the Class C was insane, even on back roads I was hitting the mirror on trees on the side of the road so trails were out of the question. Add to that the creaking that the unit made on rough roads and I was afraid to take it any place rough. There is a road I like to drive on and even with my Dodge Journey it bounces and creaks the vehicle, with the Class C and the weight it was more than a creak I thought it was going to split in half and that was only on about 20' of the road so I turned back, I could not imagine a rough trail.
I have since bought a Ford Transit and added a bed, portable propane stove, porta potti, will add a 12V fridge and a heater and use this for the rougher stuff. The weight is low, not a lot of extra weight like cupboards and tables and it is narrower. May upgrade if / when I need a 4x4 but at this time happy with what I got.
I have looked at everything available new and used and could not justify the cost, weight and size to take it on trails.
โJan-10-2018 03:58 PM
skipro3 wrote:
I got a buddy who has a conversion and I've got to say I'm jealous of it. I don't know why manufacturers don't offer them brand new other than there just isn't enough of a market for them at a price they can build it for. Here's a link to photos of his rig. See if it's what you have in mind;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGx4byk9sIE
โJan-10-2018 03:14 PM
โJan-10-2018 12:41 PM
โJan-10-2018 11:31 AM
โJan-10-2018 11:28 AM
โJan-10-2018 10:06 AM
Jaxom wrote:
I wonder if a selectable locker in the rear axle would give him what he needs?
โJan-10-2018 09:39 AM
fugawi wrote:
We are based in Las Vegas and will travel mostly in the southwest US on short trips. There are some dirt roads that we would like to explore. Some, while pretty free from vegetation, do have decent grades and sometimes rutted surfaces that may be difficult for traction. In addition, a little extra clearance would be helpful.
Also, while we don't plan to travel in snow or rain, it would be nice to have a little extra traction in case we end up in that situation.
โJan-10-2018 09:27 AM
fugawi wrote:
We are based in Las Vegas and will travel mostly in the southwest US on short trips. There are some dirt roads that we would like to explore. Some, while pretty free from vegetation, do have decent grades and sometimes rutted surfaces that may be difficult for traction. In addition, a little extra clearance would be helpful.
Also, while we don't plan to travel in snow or rain, it would be nice to have a little extra traction in case we end up in that situation.
I like the idea of the Winnebago Revel, but we really want two decent-sized beds. I haven't seen a 4x4 Class B that pulls off the two beds, thus the corner bed and cabover bunk of a Class C.
I hope Winnebago or others push the 4x4 chassis to models with just a bit more room and sleeping capacity.