SoCalDesertRider wrote: Put some good traction tires on it and locking differential in the rear axle and you will be able to take it down most dirt roads that a large vehicle can fit on and get into and out of most camping sites without 4wd or a tow truck. The problem with motorhomes is they usually run highway tires with an open differential in the axle. Those two things together make for very poor traction in any situation except dry pavement.
That is an excellent alternative to 4x4. You would have to see about parts availability, specifically the limited slip for such a large truck differential.
Also would be fun to see if there is such a thing as an underdrive that could be added to give you extra gears lower than the ratio of the stock 1st gear of the tranny. So you could crawl better.
But, as SoCal said, better traction and limited slip would help tremendously!!!!
My 4runner is locked front a rear. And we do some very difficult rock crawling. I run in 2WD 95% of the time. Between lower gears, traction, and diff lockers, it is amazing the difference.
Good luck!
Jim and Deanna
Tiffin Allegro 35QBA 2007 Carson Trailer 22' Titan TH Trailer Toad
Me, Wife, Boy/10, Boy/7, Girl/5
Faith/Springer
1985 Toyota 4Runner
five quads, three kids, two motorcycles, one wife, one dog, one cat!
One issue with having a typical "American" style RV built on a medium/heavy duty 4X4 truck is the heigth of the truck. It's not unusual for a heavy duty chassis with 4X4 to be 12 inches higher (or more) than a 2 wheel drive chassis. This factor can hamper true off road ability because of overhead clearance problems. Additionally, the CG would be higher, thereby increasing the possibility of a rollover when off-camber or during an emergency highway manuever.
With that said, I still think it would be cool to have a full size 4X4 MH, especially if you could get a manufactuer to chop off about 8 inches of ceiling heigth to improve clearance and lower the CG. (can't get the spell check to work!)
2007 Jayco Seneca 33SS
2008 Jeep Wrangler 4 door 4X4 toad
Ready Brute/Ready Brake tow bar/brake combination
Igloo Ice Chest
As stated before the overhang is a hassle. Some shorter motorhomes arent't so bad. One must watch out for stuff that sticks out like sewer drains and tanks that hang low wihich are vulnerable.
Our family had a 1972 Chinook many years ago and I took it off road where no RV would sensibly go to camp. It had a limited slip diff, no low spots underneath and not much overhang. I did get it stuck once (sand) but that time I was pushing it and I did have assistance available to pull me out. I just drove carefully when off road.
Truck Conversions with twin screw rear axles (2 axles) have air lockers that will allow for all 8 tires to pull at slow speeds. However, a friend of mine crossed a grass parking lot in his Seneca after a rain out at a football game. He would have made it to the road if he didnt have to stop for traffic. Slung mud all over it like a 4x4. Was a terrible sight.
I know a fellow who special ordered a E450 chassis outfitted with an aftermarket 4x4 package, then having a Phoenix Cruiser 2350 built on it. Don Keller of www.eastacresrv.com was the dealer who is handling it.
Bought new in June 2007, Phoenix Cruiser-2350
Fits inside our garage.
Dingy towing a red Toyota MR2 Spyder
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All it takes is money, and you can get anything you want. Just go get a Dodge Ram 5500 long wheel base 4X4, with the Cummins engine and 6 speed manual tranny, and have a motorhome built on it.
I would imagine that Detroit Locker or somebody makes a limited slip or locker for a truck rear axle.
I know that there are auxiliary gearboxes available in two speed (under/direct or direct/over) and 3 speed (under/direct/over) versions.
If you want it, somebody out there is willing to build it for you.
It just takes money.
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, Std. cab, LB, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 273,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited
ron.dittmer wrote: I know a fellow who special ordered a E450 chassis outfitted with an aftermarket 4x4 package, then having a Phoenix Cruiser 2350 built on it. Don Keller of www.eastacresrv.com was the dealer who is handling it.
Where I work we have a Quigley 4x4 equipped E350 purchased new. Same setup as under the Chinook Baja.
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