Any RV's in here?

[Rhode Trip]

context?

I have always considered Stephen Stewart to be one of the best gurus on the builing of overland campers. Read what he says here: www.xor.org.uk/silkroute/equipment/choosevan.htm

As you read down, scroll through the images and compare against the roads you expect to encounter. You can get a stretch limo to Timbuctu. The question is whether you would want to and how much would be there when you arrive.

For the record, his latest is a M.A.N. based Bimobil.

I'm pretty familiar with Steven Stewarts writing. What I admire most about him is his sense of humour and his sense of proportion. He doesn't mind showing you photos of his Unimog stuck in the mud...and needing a tow. The fact of the matter is on any overland journey you may well get stuck, and things are definitely going to break; dealing with the unforseen is part of the trip.
I don't think the OP was asking if an RV is capable of becoming the perfect overland vehicle. Could an old conversion van be a starting point? Sure. Can you have a great trip in one? Of course. What's admirable is making the most of the resources at hand, and giving it a shot. I don't think Steven Stewart is saying that without a M.A.N. based Bimobil, you should stay home...:coffeedrink:

 

[DiploStrat]

Stuck?

Not me!

Things break? Nope!

Unforseen? Hah!

You can get (almost) any vehicle (almost) anywhere. It is just a question of how much pain and agony you will accept. Saw a very nice rig in South America during the '70's. American Dodge van with a winch. Most South American roads are pretty good and even when they are not, 4x4 is not usually what is needed. And for the rest, well, they had a winch. Their opinon? Could have bought a lot of gas for the cost of the winch. Shocks might have lasted better too.

So yes, I agree, you can see a lot of the world in a van but there are other parts of the world where I would pray for dry weather. Of course, where I live, 4x4 is usually useless - nothing moves during the rains and you don't need 4x4 in the dry season.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

I've been looking at the older class C's lately, there seem to be a lot out there and fairly cheap also. And while I would like to have a go-anywhere machine (wouldn't we all?) but to be realistic, most of my trips within the next 5-10 years likely wouldn't be classified as an "expedition", more like car-camping.
I am mostly in the mindset of getting something that accelerates my ability to "get out there" and enjoy some trips and great scenery. I'm forced to start small and ease into longer camping trips due to limited vacation time anyway...

P.S. I have also noticed the lack of diesel engines in these. And my only other concern is seat belts for the young-in(s) and the ability to mount a child's car seat into one.

 

[Capt Sport]

Well with all this talk about RV's I'll through this out. My dad is selling his class C RV, its a 1988 that has lived it's whole life indoors (except trips of course), mom made covers for all the cushions so the things shows dam near as new inside and out. It's build on a Chevy van chassis It's in Michigan. If your interested drop me a PM and I'll get you a phone number for my dad. He's selling it cheap in my opinion.

 

[dhvsfan]

If you're not trying to build your own, look at www.hostcampers.com or www.xplorermotorhome.com. They have 4x4 RV's. The xplorer motorhome even has 6x6 option. Hostcamper's are expensive and I suspect so are the Xplorer models.

 

[GreenToys]

You can also check out Winnie's View or it's sister the Navion. These are Sprinter (MB) based Cs and are offered either gas or turbo diesel. It claim it has a 5k # drawbar. Here it is> http://www.winnebagoind.com/products/winnebago/2009/view/
And if you're after a good used ones, there is the Toyota based Sunrader. They also come in 4X4 form, but tough finding one. Engines are either 4 or V6 cyl...I know...anemic right! IMO
But you might luck out with something like a Lexus V8 repowered by the old owner.