I have been looking for something along these lines, and I'd likely settle on one of three things:
One ton pickup with a TC Pros:
Easy to put the TC up for storage if there is a cement pad and use the truck for other things.
Some TCs can get spacious, such as the Chalet TS116 with three slides.
Cons:
Can't really drop the TC in a rural area.
A built in generator has to be LP gas, and there is no room for a portable genny.
Pretty much need as big a pickup as you can get.
A rugged 4x4 MH, something like a Tiger Motor Homes Siberian Tiger model Pros:
Goes anywhere the truck/TC combo can.
The generator can use gas or propane, sharing the tank with the MH.
You don't have to get out to use the bathroom or sleep.
You can tow with it, so if boondocking in one area for a while, you can bring a supply trailer with additional fuel, portable waste containers, and such.
Cons:
The vehicle can't really be used as a day to day driver unlike a pickup truck.
Pickup truck with a rugged toy hauler Pros:
Can leave the toy hauler on site and use the truck independantly.
A toy hauler most likely will have large water/grey/black tanks, as well as a fuel tank and a fuel station.
The generator can be gasoline powered, and on some models can easily run for a week straight on a tank of gas.
Cons:
Can't take it to as many places as the truck/TC combo, or the class C/B.
Were I forced to decide, I'd probably go with a 4x4 class C, perhaps one with enough space for a dedicated bedroom. Of all the ones I've seen, I like the Phoenix Cruiser with the 4x4 option. I especially like the 29 foot three slide floorplan -- long enough to be usable as an RV, but can get places where most RV-ers would never try going.
We've boondocked for 6 years in a 21' Toyota Sunrader that I gutted inside and rebuilt for mountain camping in national forests. It was a great success and I got that rig into many unlikely places, but many critical ingredients were lacking. Little ground clearance. Weak torque, especially upon initial acceleration. 2WD. Tire options. Not suitable for towing a boat.
My ideal rig didn't even seem to exist. I considered holding out for one of the handful of 18' 4x4 Sunraders that have been built, but that only would have solved some of the shortcomings while being surprisingly costly.
Then, I stumbled over this Baja-proven monster:
1979 GMC Vandura 3500 chassis with a 1998 Vortec 454. 4x4. Dana 60 hi-pinion Kingpin front with BW4470 transfer case and premium locking hubs. Dana 70 rear dually. 19.5" wheels with extremely durable real truck tires. Onboard Viair 100% duty cycle compressors with tank.
10K winch and bull bar, 12K hitch, dual 140 amp alternators, 4 x T105 battery bank, 5K/10K inverter, 42 gal gas, 25 gal water, 16 gal black tank with hard-plumbed macerator all insulated and above deck. "Kentucky bidet". Hitachi remote-controlled split system AC and heat pump, Fantastic Vent with all options.
EZ101 tankless water heater for long hot showers, Platinum Cat heater (the big 'un), ARB 50 quart fridge (amazing product) with neoprene jacket on sliders, composite translucent propane tank, killer Kenwood head unit with JBL mids and tweeters and infinity subwoofer. Carputer running the show with all angle video surveillance and motion/sound triggered digital video/audio recording, 17" flip monitor for rear, 10" touchscreen for front.
Staggeringly awesome urban camo (white, 2 grays, black) interior. Custom built benches on each side that pull out to meet in the middle and make a king size memory foam bed. Tons of gear storage both inside and underneath. Cages at rear undercarriage built for jerry cans. 280W solar with Morningstar Duo controller.
And that's just some of the story. It even has a standalone ice maker that kicks out a tray every 7 minutes.
I saw this thing last month while leisurely kicking around the internet, and 3 days later I was 1000 miles from home, driving the beast in the Arizona backcountry looking for a nice place to boondock on the Mogollon Rim. The trip back to Texas was a blast.
That's a 42 can cooler under it. The ground clearance issue, as well as all the others, has apparently been solved. I still almost keel over in shock when I step outside and see it in the driveway, and when all enhancements are complete, I'll have about 13K in it. It's real close to being exactly what I was looking for, and it seems to be one-of-a-kind.
A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.
Spungo -- I am faint with envy -- that is a major rig. A new ice tray every 7 minutes?? Man, you are set for some serious partying!
If I owned that lovely beast, the only thing I would change would be the tires -- something really knobby for snow, ice, and mud. Yes, you take a slight hit on highway mpg -- but there are times where I have really needed my BFG All Terrain tires on my SUV, especially on slushy forest roads in the Sierra.
Wow.
2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components) Our trips -- pix and text About our trailer
Spungo! That's one mean-looking boondocking machine. I LOVE IT! What would you classify it? A Class B? A Class C?
2011 Wolf Creek 850N/Polar Cub/240w Solar/2-6v Lifeline AGMs/Morningstar Sunsaver w/RM-1 & SureSine-300 Inverter 2011 Ford F-250/6.2L/3.73/Bilsteins/Air Bags/Torklift TD w/Fastguns 2004 Jeep Wrangler/4.0L/5-spd US Navy Ret.
mlts22 wrote: I have been looking for something along these lines, and I'd likely settle on one of three things:
One ton pickup with a TC Pros:
Easy to put the TC up for storage if there is a cement pad and use the truck for other things.
Some TCs can get spacious, such as the Chalet TS116 with three slides.
Cons:
Can't really drop the TC in a rural area.
A built in generator has to be LP gas, and there is no room for a portable genny.
Pretty much need as big a pickup as you can get.
A rugged 4x4 MH, something like a Tiger Motor Homes Siberian Tiger model Pros:
Goes anywhere the truck/TC combo can.
The generator can use gas or propane, sharing the tank with the MH.
You don't have to get out to use the bathroom or sleep.
You can tow with it, so if boondocking in one area for a while, you can bring a supply trailer with additional fuel, portable waste containers, and such.
Cons:
The vehicle can't really be used as a day to day driver unlike a pickup truck.
Pickup truck with a rugged toy hauler Pros:
Can leave the toy hauler on site and use the truck independantly.
A toy hauler most likely will have large water/grey/black tanks, as well as a fuel tank and a fuel station.
The generator can be gasoline powered, and on some models can easily run for a week straight on a tank of gas.
Cons:
Can't take it to as many places as the truck/TC combo, or the class C/B.
Were I forced to decide, I'd probably go with a 4x4 class C, perhaps one with enough space for a dedicated bedroom. Of all the ones I've seen, I like the Phoenix Cruiser with the 4x4 option. I especially like the 29 foot three slide floorplan -- long enough to be usable as an RV, but can get places where most RV-ers would never try going.
Great thoughts. No doubt about it. A small 4x4 Class C is a great, go anywhere boondocking RV. I do think a 29footer is a bit large. The largest I would go would be 24 ft.
Soungo..Love the gear description. That thing is well appointed. I'd be looking at tires too, and I bet you are. In fact..at 3rd glance...are those front tires too narrow for the load? Just a question, not picking.
Gary Haupt
I have a Blog..about stuff, some of which is RV'ing.
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