Pipe,
Where in the western U.S. do you live? This makes a difference about inspecting possible candidates. If you live in the northwest, then any camper built up there with 'Northern', or 'Fox', or' Snow' in its name would be a good choice. If you live farther south the pickin's get slimmer.
My perception about campers that will be lived in for prolonged periods is: the longer you are out, the bigger and more luxurious you want the white box. BKA on here is THE prime example of form follows function for long term truck camping in all seasons. I'm sure once he gets back from Timbuctoo he'll chime in. Another decision is, new or used? You may have to expand your search out to include multi western states. That's easy to do now-o-days, but the inspection is still the crucial factor. Take someone along with you that knows about RV's in general, and hopefully TC's in particular when on your TC inspection tour. You need to make the right decisions the first time out.
If you are not going to move very far each time for the job, consider a used Ford or Dodge 450/4500, V-10 gasser. They get awful mpg, but work well in cold weather and don't have to pay the $5K-10K diesel penalty.
Another option is the rig i saw a couple weeks ago. It was a Ford F-550 cab and chassis, 28 foot class C, with the 4WD option and a transfer case. Plenty of room in there and come winter or high water, and it would be a spacious place to live. That's the difference. We're not talking about a week-end romp in the old 8 foot TC.
jefe
