i go up to tahoe, pismo, and just generally camp out alot. i need something that can pull a trailer with a few dirtbikes or quads, sleep at least 4 or more and a dog, and make it to any of these places(especially tahoe) in pretty bad conditions. i've been looking at older smog exempt chevy/gmc van based smaller rv's and also the toyota based RV's and converting them to 4x4. i have a few questions regarding this though. how hard would a project like this be? would it be better to just pay someone? i REALLY dont want to spend $20k for a conversion van. id rather try and get one and do it myself.
also with the way gas is i would like to have a goal of a vehicle that can get up to 20mpg on the highway. i know its a far shot but maybe possible. im not against going diesel but id rather not.

any ideas or help where to begin would be very welcomed.

thank you!!

no one??

def look at some of the older short class c rv's......

I'd forget about 4x4 and just make sure it has a locker......

those toyota rv's are small, have you looked in one? and then to have it tow you would go SLOW up the hills.....


It almost sounds like a cab over on a 4x4 1ton is what you need if the 4x4 is important

the 4x4 is the most important part to me. i dont think a cab over would work as we have a dog and a couple people who go up with us to the snow so the room in a camper would be even tighter than in an rv i would think. why would the 4x4 conversion be so hard? shouldnt it be like converting a 2wd to a 4wd?

Everything you need http://www.unicat.net/en/info/GMD45-UnimogU1550L37.html

go visit the tow rig section and search.

There are a couple problems with a class C motorhome and towing

they are built on standard length van chassis that has a frame extension built on to the rear of the van and are not rated to tow squat Due to the fact that you're running 1-1.25 ton suspension the leverage from the tongue weight of the trailer on the suspension is magnified.


your smoking crack thinking that you're going to get 20mpg out of any sort of RV, well the bmw equipped diesels would get close but only on a long highway cruise.


What you're asking for does not exist in the budget that you've implied (less than 20k)

unimog is WAY too much(atleast the site you posted is).

demonranger: i know i more than likely wont get 20mpg but its good to have a goal right? im not too concered with towing capacity because the most i would tow with it would be a small trailer with a couple quads on it MAYBE. more than likely i will just use my xterra to tow those with. my main goal is to have a comfortable vehicle that can make it up to the snow in ****y conditions and have myself, a buddy and my dog have enough room to move around in. thats why i didnt think the camper would work so well.

if this doesnt seem likely, i was thinking of just getting one of those hardside a frame pop ups and taking that up there behind my xterra.

I've toyed with the idea of buying a one ton chevy(2wd or 4wd) truck, completely removing the bed and building my own living quarters/RV. Get the long bed/frame version for the most room. If you get a 4wd, that part is done. Now your faced with the task of building the rear living area. It can be done. How much free time you have?

I too, think that a cab-over on a 4x4 truck would be a good choice for what you need. The new Lance cab-over campers have plenty of room, although pricey. http://www.lancecamper.com/2009models/992.html

If you want to just go ahead and use your Nissan to tow with, maybe you can go with one of those off road tent trailers with gear decks. I don't know what a Xterra will tow, but I'm sure you can keep the trailer under 5000#
http://www.fleetwoodcampingtrailers.com/series.aspx?id=3&sn=Evolution This might be the cheapest way to go.

I've seen hard-sided trailers like the tent trailer in the above link, if I can come across a link to one, I'll post it later.

i like the idea of the camper after looking at that site, but damn!!! lance campers are expensive!!! i would have to get rid of the xterra or 4runner i have(well the x is the girlfriends) and get a truck. so no one thinks the idea of picking up a 70's rv and putting 4x4 goods on it would do it? the towing and mileage thing arent a HUGE deal to me, but still matter. any other suggestions?

also the trailers i have been looking at are aliner and chalet trailers.

what about getting like a 80s chevy suburban and rigging up some kinda tent to connect to the barn doors?

what about getting like a 80s chevy suburban and rigging up some kinda tent to connect to the barn doors?

That would be a problem in the snow though which is pretty much the whole purpose of the truck. in blizzards(which i would be staying in) tents dont hold up or keep warm too well.

Dodge van camper (http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/846880942.html)

is it just you and your buddy & dog or do you need to sleep 4 people that's a big difference in the size.

Buy one of the 1 ton truck based uhaul trucks. Convert it to 4wd and build out your living quarters in the back. Visit the tow rig sections for plenty of toterhome buildups you just don't need the toterpart so you'll get the 14' or 16' trucks.

There is a guy selling a 4x4 gas school bus that was converted to rv duty. Sound perfect for you. Some where in the classifieds.

i never thought of the uhaul thing. that might work...the link you posted is basically what i am asking about. one of the smaller van/1 ton based RV's and converting it to 4wd. it would be me, my buddy, my girlfriend, maybe his wife and my dog most of the time. thats why i need more than one of the normal ford van conversions.

ill look for that school bus as well. that might work. depends on price haha.