Who has converted their Class C to 4X4

[buddyIam]

Another option I have considered is a 4X4 Class C.

The towing capacity seems to be my greatest concern. I believe 5000 lbs is about Max. That would seem to leave 4 on the ground towing of a toad the only option.

Has anyone towed a Baja Bug or 4 wheelers on a car hauler behind a 4x4 Class C. I believe that the GVWR is reduced by just under 500 lbs.

What are your concerns. What are your highlights.

[BurbMan]

coolbreeze01 wrote:
Can be done, here is an example rvtrader.com/listing/2008-Host-Class-C-Motorhome-330-4WD-QUAD-SLIDE-113395675

Man that's a nice rig! With the solar, upgraded capacities and satellite it's a dry camping dream!

[RobertRyan]

buddyIam wrote:
Ductape

I know a person who uses a four cylinder diesel Isuzu cab over for his landscaping business. He also thought it would work for hauling large objects to his cabin.

It seems the Isuzu is geared for city driving. No power at freeway speeds and horrible mileage on top of that.

I think it would be good to use for short trips for camping or driving about the desserts. But I can't see how these people take them to South America etc. Really rough ride at speed.

Understatement, they are basically delivery vehicles in a crowded Urban environment. Yes larger ISUZU/Hino etc work, but are not sold in North America. Largest I can see for Hino is a 33,000 GvWR Conventional Cab Truck, not really suitable for Off Road excursions.

[RobertRyan]

Ductape wrote:
Last trip I saw a really nice rig with a truck camper mounted on a cabover like the Izuzu NPR. He had toolboxes on the bed under the sides of the camper, so lots of storage. I have seen those kinds of trucks in 4x4.

Probably pretty good on fuel, but maybe underpowered for the typical driver that wants a lot of pep.

They the NQR version used here for Off Road. They are very good Off Road, negative would be the suspension, that needs to be modified. They use European MDT's like MAN, that have considerable towing and load capacities

[buddyIam]

Ductape

I know a person who uses a four cylinder diesel Isuzu cab over for his landscaping business. He also thought it would work for hauling large objects to his cabin.

It seems the Isuzu is geared for city driving. No power at freeway speeds and horrible mileage on top of that.

I think it would be good to use for short trips for camping or driving about the desserts. But I can't see how these people take them to South America etc. Really rough ride at speed.

[Ductape]

Last trip I saw a really nice rig with a truck camper mounted on a cabover like the Izuzu NPR. He had toolboxes on the bed under the sides of the camper, so lots of storage. I have seen those kinds of trucks in 4x4.

Probably pretty good on fuel, but maybe underpowered for the typical driver that wants a lot of pep.

[buddyIam]

Bedlam

Yea, I haven't even been to a lot to check on the Lance 922. Nobody sells Cab overs here. But with a 84 inch chassis the eight foot of floor plus 1 foot 11 overhang should put any drop down past the rear of the wheels making it possible to have a utility bed custom made. The camper may have to be set back a few inches. But that would leave room for spare tire storage and the like in between the front of the camper and the bed.

That's maybe a lot of expense just to get 4x4 manual diesel.

That's why I am also checking on the Class C's. I would only be looking for one in the 22 to 23 foot range. It appears a nice new one could be purchased for less than 70 grand. Quigley and Sports mobile will do the 4x4 for about 20 grand.

Most of my camping is 150 miles to the beach and less than that into the Sierras. Very occasionally I go into North Dakota to visit relatives or into the Yellowstone/ Teton area.

I am trying to weight the value of the fuel savings, of the diesel.

[buddyIam]

Dave,

That's what has me worried. But the law on the books now, is pretty clear.
And drop shipping a new vehicle to a custom utility bed manufacturer and having them permanently install the camper should be treated just like a Class C without question. No different than Host, Bigfoot and Provan RV's.

The law doesn't actually require the purchase of a new vehicle and using a utility bed manufacturer. It only requires the camper be permanently attached to the truck. But in that case you as an individual must bring the argument. Having someone else do it, can show their intent as a manufacturer.

But I hear the same stories that your recite. It just seems inconceivable that the state would require Class C's to re register as a commercial vehicle.

Once the camper is permanently attached to the vehicle it is now a House Car not a pickup or truck. It is used to transport people. Not property.

From California DMV:

A "commercial vehicle" is a vehicle which is used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property (for example, trucks and pickups).

[Bedlam]

I considered the longer chassis cab but most of the TC's have things hanging bellow deck level at the 8' mark. This means modifying the camper or deck to make them mesh without adding more height. My short bed version of the Actic Fox 811 has a 9' floor but only 7.5' was able to go on the deck due to bumper supports, generator exhaust, and the dump, fresh and low level drains. Right now this works well since the spare is mounted on the headache rack. Removing the jacks and skirting the bottom of the TC would make one of these look like a custom RV. Just add some matching decals to the cab.

[DaveF-250SD]

buddyIam wrote:
Bedlam,

If I can indeed get the RV plates for a 5500 truck I think I would go that way. I read one thing but then hear horror stories. So I am a little reluctant. The idea of non commercial plates on a pickup is so controversial I am not sure I could even get the right answer from the DMV. :>)

I have a friend that works at the Ca. DMV. She said all the pickups that do not currently have commercial plates will be required to obtain them the next time they renew registration. the loophole is gone for folks who have camper shells and slide in campers that they never remove from the truck. A 4x4 V-10 Econoline class C would be a dream come true for class C lovers who venture off the beaten path. :C

[buddyIam]

Bedlam,

If I can indeed get the RV plates for a 5500 truck I think I would go that way. I read one thing but then hear horror stories. So I am a little reluctant. The idea of non commercial plates on a pickup is so controversial I am not sure I could even get the right answer from the DMV. :>)

[buddyIam]

Carringb

I saw that on some of the C's I looked at. I thought it was a typo.

The long rear overhang is a concern of mine also. But that is also why I was thinking of a 84 inch Cab and Chassis. Nothing really interests me smaller than the Lance 992. That's 10 foot of floor on a 8 foot bed. Close to 5 feet of back overhang. So that compromises towing to some extent.

I love the mountains. The kids love the beach. Trying to find a compromise vehicle does just that. Compromise the vehicle. LOL

Wish I could find a 22 or 23 foot Class C on a 10' Cab to axle e 450. v10 and convert it to a 4x4. I don't understand why they put the 22/23 footers on a short wheelbase e350 and then give it such a long rear overhang.. And most of those don't have a v10. Oh well, for about 180 grand I could probably find one. :>)

[Bedlam]

The standard Class C usually has a RV extension off the rear of the vehicle chassis. This is what is limiting you to 5000 lb towing in most cases. If you want factory rated towing higher than this, you have to look into the Super C's which have a stronger structure. There are companies that will beef up the underside of a Class C with a sub frame to give you heavier hauling ability, but your RV frame warranty will most likely be void if that sub frame fails and causes damage.

Only a few of the Class C's and Super C's are 4wd and the price to have high towing capacity plus 4wd gets high very fast. This was an option we considered before going to the truck camper until we saw the prices. A new truck and camper will still cost less than a new Super C, but you can find new Class C's almost the same price as just a new truck...

[carringb]

http://www.quadvan.com does Ford-approved 4x4 RV conversions.

Also, the newest Class Cs from Forest River include a 7500# receiver, and Thor is including an 8,000# receiver. GCWR of the E450 is 22,000 so as long as tongue weight doesn't overload the rear axle, you can use the full tow capacity.

[RobertRyan]

coolbreeze01 wrote:
Can be done, here is an example rvtrader.com/listing/2008-Host-Class-C-Motorhome-330-4WD-QUAD-SLIDE-113395675

He would not be going too far Off Road, that overhang would kill even of thinking doing that