Ground clearance/choosing the right set up.

We started a topic under the name Dirt roads rough roads because we had many of the same questions

Install an aftermarket air bag overload system like airlift. Then you can raise your rig when you need to.

How rough are the roads you might want to take?

We had a Jayco Greyhawk 23rk. It had a lot of ground clearance...never had to worry about dragging the rear or high centering. Now we didn't go off road or looking for a challenge, but we could navigate some pretty rough terrain. The lowest point was the rear differential and at 8' 4" wide and +12ft tall you have to be very careful about vegetation that wants to attack you. Our set up was about 12000 lbs traveling weight and we had a 8.1 liter engine so power was not a problem as it could be for a larger less powerful unit.

IMHO the bigger problem is that when you head out over some jar your eye teeth out terrain the standard Class C or Class A was not built to tolerate that well. We often found screws that worked there way out and kept tightening things. You need to consider not only ground clearance but also the structure of the Motorhome. Some are better than others. The other consideration is weight. As previously stated a big heavy house on wheels can get in trouble much quicker than one on a diet. And when it does, its much more difficult to extricate.

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to your question. If you figure out how you will camp with it, it will help narrow down you choices. If you want to camp in NF, COE, State Parks, BLM CG's for a week at a time I would choose a small class A. Generally the A's have more room, larger water tanks, more ground clearance, and a stronger suspension. A mid to late 90's gas A would meet your price of $10,000. Just be prepared to spend an additional $5000 to upgrade, fix and modify to your liking. With a tow car with high ground clearance you could further explore these and more remote areas.

Redsky wrote:


For wilderness travel forget about a motorhome but try to get the shortest one you can live with while traveling. Lots more camping spaces available for sub 30 foot RV's and much easier negotiating back roads with a shorter wheelbase.

I agree about the short wheel base. With our Chevy 3500 we often have to work our way around turns on some of the one lane Mt. roads. Also the rear overhang on some like ours has an upsweep on the rear. We have never drug the rear. But I do not go to true 4wd country. Just back roads most dirt or gravel. A couple must carry things are shovel, pick, axe and chainsaw. Often need to make the road a bit better or clear limbs so we can pass. Also if like us you will leave it parked alone for a few days while walking into some place you want to go. Do not have a stand out rig. Just another older C class parked among the old pickups works best.

Being only 25 ft. overall we never worry about finding a spot to park. There is always some small spot for us.

Consider the rear overhang (amount to which the coach rear extends past the rear axle) as that varies widely with some Class A having more clearance than some Class C.

For wilderness travel forget about a motorhome but try to get the shortest one you can live with while traveling. Lots more camping spaces available for sub 30 foot RV's and much easier negotiating back roads with a shorter wheelbase.

All I can add from experience is a Class C can go more places than any A. It's not just ground clearance it has to do with how much they weigh.

I RV to sporting events and the RV parking is NEVER on solid pavement. Grass, sand, rocks, etc. etc.

A little bit of rain or a little bit of sand and each and EVERY Class A that pulls into the parking area........SINKS. AND you can't pull these out yourself, it is always big rig tow truck time and big $bucks$ to do it.

Every show I have been at has always had one or two A's sitting stuck before they ever go to their site.

I'll take the Class C anytime over a Class A if you even are thinking of not being on a 4 lane highway and paved CG resort. :W

We like being able to use small campsites and boondocking spots. We decided against a longer C because it wouldn't have been able to handle tight turns in some of our favourite spots. Our 20 footer is almost as manoeuverable as a van. Easy to level in rough campsites.
I was a little surprised to find it has all the room we need and is very comfortable.

Guysakar wrote:

westend wrote:
Another tactic might be to tow a small truck with cap behind the Class A. Use the coach as base camp and explore with the truck or use it for day trips. Anyway you go with a Class A is probably not going to be cheap. If you buy very used, you'll chew up dollars doing repair and maintenance.

If you're set on the room and amenities of the Class C, that is probably the way to go. It may limit you, somewhat, on exploring rugged back country but there are a lot of good wilderness roads out there. In my area, width of trail and overhangs are more the limits than condition of the road surface. Where are you located and where do you plan to go? There may be some members that could narrow your choices because they have intimate knowledge of the camping areas you plan to visit.

Going to west coast, mainly California and Colorado, and am going to live in it for maybe 6+ months (maybe semi permanently), mainly boondocking/dry camping.

I have been researching free/dry campsites here freecampsites.net/#!Colorado&query=region

...in Colorado, and it seems that most of the really good/scenic places say that the roads are not very rig friendly.

I can do my day job from the road, and I love the vagabond lifestyle, so that is basically my goal; to just live for free in an RV out in the wilderness. I will observe the 14 day max limit of most sites, and I like to explore, so the more off road capable a rig is, the more options available to me.

I will also have a dual sport motorcycle with me, on a hitch carrier (another reason I opted out of slide-ins, as you have to remove bike to access camper).

I just need a rig, under 20K, that is roomy enough to live in full time but will be somewhat off road worthy.





The height of the roof - that's another big question. The pull behind trailer or pop up is a great idea, but I really, really want to avoid pulling anything. I just love the idea of everything being contained in one unit. I have had a deep fascination with motor homes my entire life.

As someone else mentioned. Truck camper!

I pop-up is a good choice. There are some with extra ground clearance. You can also add clearance pretty easily. I did that with a pop-up I had and it worked out very well.