brown eyes
CA
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Joined: 04/30/2008
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My boyfriend and I are looking at purchasing an RV. But we want a 4x4 so we can hit the rough and tough roads. With some investigating we found the Sportsvans - ect. are just too small. So we have desided to go with the class B. We have located a place that does 4x4 conversions on RVs but we want to know how rough we can get. We have read up on the 4x4 Tioga class B RV, but (the 4x4 conversions that were installed on those were for steep boat ramps, bad weather and small pot holes. Not recommended for rough mountain roads. Does anyone have first hands on with a factory 4x4 RV or an RV with which they had a a 4x4 conversion kit installed?
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Joined: 12/30/2001
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Moved from Forum Technical Support.
2002 Adventurer 32V - Workhorse chassis
1998 CRV toad - manual transmission
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rushin roulette
Beautiful *cough* Bakersfield
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Joined: 02/16/2007
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Sounds like a Tiger would be right up your alley. It's kind of a B or so.
http://www.tigermotorhomes.com/
Roadtrek also has a 4X4 conversion offered on their 190 model. It's mostly meant for on-road gooey stuff.
http://www.roadtrek.com/default.aspx
Busted a U-joint at the crossroads of life.
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Sir Buffalo
Long Island, NY
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Joined: 03/23/2007
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go to www.sportsmobile.com
Sir Buffalo!
2006 Zinger by Crossroads 27BHS
2007 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 5.7
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bananadanna
Cambridge, MA
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Joined: 11/30/2005
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Class B's make pretty bad off road vehicles because their wheelbases are simply too long. And IMHO standard rv inside designs are just not rugged enough to withstand bad jeep trails. You're better off putting everything inside into containers that can be strapped securely to the floor. Weight is also an issue as many conversions are near the GVWR and nothing is harder on the suspensions than off-road driving.
So a serious off-road vehicle won't look much like a B. You'd be better off starting with an off road capable chassis and adding a minimal box. Even better a tent.
Four wheel drive on a B would be nice for winter conditions or for muddy unpaved roads. Really, we spend many miles in remote places in a RWD Sprinter. I have a come-along as my poor-man's 4WD. A real winch, a high lift jack, planks and inflation system, would go a long way to solving many off road problems.
I've gone a few miles on humongously rutted and tilted "roads" and everything in the vehicle gets tossed and bounced and flexed. Not a problem if you don't need plumbing, a fridge, dishes, etc... But 98% of what I would call dirt roads are quite manageable with just rwd in reasonable weather. Maybe 90% in inclement conditions... It'd be a different thing if I had to travel them 365 days of the year.
Dan
02 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 long tall home brew conversion
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mockturtle
Northwest
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Joined: 05/31/2005
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If you need something bigger than the Tiger CX, here's one: Xplorer
Husband: Derek
Dog: Bucky
RV: 2000 Aerolite 19RB TT
TV: 1996 Chevrolet Blazer 6 cyl. 4WD
This car used to be our toad, now is our TV!
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OllieBe
Minnesota
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Joined: 07/01/2006
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For a B to be an back road vehicle it would need less weight, shorter wheel base, and more clearance. 4WD would then also help. 2WD with high clearance is better than 4Wd drive with too much weight, too long wheel base and tanks, etc underneath. IMHO
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Gene in NE
Omaha
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Joined: 09/15/2003
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It all depends on what type of roads you wish to climb. Here is an interesting vehicle that will go almost anywhere Classic Unimogs & 4x4s . Here is another with a little bigger chassis Unicat . And then there is the pricey one EarthRomer . Happy shopping.
2002 Trail-Lite Model 211-S w/5.7 Chevy
Gene
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Braddah007
Ca USA
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Joined: 05/25/2002
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you can also try chinook baja, look at quigley site for sportsmobile type vans going rock climbing in moab, its incredible.
markus
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Rodger
Tucson, AZ.
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Joined: 03/20/2002
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Water tanks, water lines, appliances like refrigerators, and most cabinets in Class B's are not going to take the pounding of off roading. I suggest you look at Sportsmobile for a 4X4, and something with components built to take a pounding.
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