How is your van altered for offroading?

[Bikersmurf]

Ambulance, 4.10 w/ lsd, 6000 lbs over rear axle, & a class V hitch to tow a capable 4x4

Philips H4 XULED bulbs in Hella E code housings & CAN bus adapter to make them work with the DRL module.

Overall, it’s no contest in these parts. The Ambulance is too big for anything more serious than a logging road in these parts. A suitably equipped Fj40 (even with open diffs), 33” tires, mild lift, rear air bags, onboard air, 4 bolt 350, 4 wheel discs, dual tanks, sliders, etc will run circles around full sized rigs with 37”+ tires and 10” of lift.

 

[mobydick 11]

I'll start
My van is a stock 2wd RV. It is 22 feet long and likely 11000 lbs or more loaded. The only advantage is dually rear tires.

I will be adding max tracks, compressor, tire repair kit, and shovel and extensive tool kit with limited knowledge of how to repair undercarriage if something were to go wrong.

My plan for navigation at least on my upcoming trip is to only venture onto recommended routes.

You mention that dually rear tires are an advantage . I know for load they are , but for mud or sand ?? I have a dually sprinter and have been debating on weather to convert it to singles . But I am not sure what one would work better . I know a unloaded two wheel drive dually pickup is useless in a bit of snow . Airing up or down with a dually is going to be a bear ! I have been looking for some type of hose kit that would bring the valves to the outside of the wheel . Interested in yours and others with experience thoughts .

 

[Photobug]

You mention that dually rear tires are an advantage . I know for load they are , but for mud or sand ?? Airing up or down with a dually is going to be a bear ! I have been looking for some type of hose kit that would bring the valves to the outside of the wheel . Interested in yours and others with experience thoughts .

What I know about dually comes from years and years of experience. I mean days and days, that means two days of driving it home. I will be running errands in it today so will be adding more experience soon and planning on a trip in it in about 10 days.

My expertise in duallys based on research say they will give you a ton more traction in all conditions requiring grip. The suggestion was chains will seldom be used.

One of the disadvantages was potential rocks getting imbedded between two tires that could lead to a double flat with only one spare. Yikes. There is a way to use a length of chain or tow strap to remove the rocks, but the key is to discover them before damaging anything.

Lots of RVers swear by TPMS tire pressure management systems i am not sure if they would help or hinder duallys in offroad use? I have never aired down as I have always had 4x4 and kept the trails within the limits of my vehicle. I believe I will be getting to know my new compressor well, pumping up 6 tires will be a slow process.

 

[Photobug]

Well my Transit is UNDER the factory GVW by 700lbs even built out like this....
Quadvan 4x4 conversion lets me go to any Ford dealer for warranty work.
33in tires, Eaton TruTrack lockers front and rear, the Ecoboost brings on the torque peak at 2600 RPM so this thing crawls well.

Interested to hear about the ecoboost engine. I was considering a new truck with one but opted for the class c instead.
What kind of highway mpg are you seeing?

 

[socceronly]

Lots of confusing contradictory info on DRW. It's hard to make sense of all the info because what people actually do with their vehicle varies so widely.

The crazy rigs, built by those who could build a space shuttle if they desired, mostly seem to go with super singles. Unless you are building something colossal, it seems the best path for us mortals is to stick in the 350/3500 range with single wheels. The conversion to super singles is not cheap.

EDIT: If you have a dually, I don't think there is any imperative to 'fix' it at all, or it being a problem for almost everything people normally do.

 

[Bikersmurf]

What I know about dually comes from years and years of experience. I mean days and days, that means two days of driving it home. I will be running errands in it today so will be adding more experience soon and planning on a trip in it in about 10 days.

My expertise in duallys based on research say they will give you a ton more traction in all conditions requiring grip. The suggestion was chains will seldom be used.

One of the disadvantages was potential rocks getting imbedded between two tires that could lead to a double flat with only one spare. Yikes. There is a way to use a length of chain or tow strap to remove the rocks, but the key is to discover them before damaging anything.

Lots of RVers swear by TPMS tire pressure management systems i am not sure if they would help or hinder duallys in offroad use? I have never aired down as I have always had 4x4 and kept the trails within the limits of my vehicle. I believe I will be getting to know my new compressor well, pumping up 6 tires will be a slow process.

With dual tires, the second tire is rated to handle the full load. So at least shorter term, it’s like having three spares. Although I’d not want to run long term on one of two duals, it’s safe to do so... especially if the goal is getting to a tire shop.

 

[mobydick 11]

Lots of confusing contradictory info on DRW. It's hard to make sense of all the info because what people actually do with their vehicle varies so widely.

The crazy rigs, built by those who could build a space shuttle if they desired, mostly seem to go with super singles. Unless you are building something colossal, it seems the best path for us mortals is to stick in the 350/3500 range with single wheels. The conversion to super singles is not cheap.

EDIT: If you have a dually, I don't think there is any imperative to 'fix' it at all, or it being a problem for almost everything people normally do.

On the bigger box campers I think they go super singles so the front and back tires will follow the same track or rut . Because the sprinters use wheel spacers I don't think it would be that hard to switch .I was going to talk to Agile ,they would know what to do or if it can be done .But you are right we need to try and see what the limits are and if it will work for us .

 

[Photobug]

With dual tires, the second tire is rated to handle the full load. So at least shorter term, it’s like having three spares. Although I’d not want to run long term on one of two duals, it’s safe to do so... especially if the goal is getting to a tire shop.

I figured as much but if you puncture two sidewalls the trip to the tire shop will get more expensive.

Can you run on either inner or outer tire with the other being flat?

 

[Chuck1]

With duals you have to watch for baseball sized rocks, if you drive through some get out and check that no rocks are stuck between them, if you don't one will go flat and you may or may not have to replace both tires

 

[socceronly]

With dual tires, the second tire is rated to handle the full load. So at least shorter term, it’s like having three spares. Although I’d not want to run long term on one of two duals, it’s safe to do so... especially if the goal is getting to a tire shop.

I get the rut thing, and similarly with snow. What I don't get is why they are worse on sand as some people claim.

 

[Regcabguy]

My van is a quigley 4x4. 135 wheelbase hightop. i built a bumper for the front and added a winch... The biggest problem I have is the height of my van and low hanging limbs..


View attachment 632611

I love the Chevy's.

 

[Regcabguy]

View attachment 632830

You can get pretty far with a stock 2wd rig. Not that snow tires are very good in the mud.

But you can also get ridiculously stuck if you pick the wrong line.

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The first thing I'd buy with a 2wd would be a stout winch and a Pull Pal.

 

[Photobug]

EDIT: If you have a dually, I don't think there is any imperative to 'fix' it at all, or it being a problem for almost everything people normally do.

Define what people normally do. I would say my lifestyle choices are beyond what is normally done and yet I look at photos and think why put yourself in this situation? Not that I don't get it but none of my vehicles are designed to push any envelope, except my truck which is pushing GVR.

 

[MT_Dave]

I've got an E250 with a Quigley 4x4 conversion that gets me to most of the places I would like to go. I mostly only use 4x4 in the snow or on steep descents. I will say that other than snow and ice, there are not that many roads I drive that really need 4x4. It sure is nice to have in the mud, ice and snow though. It has a little extra lift from air spring helpers in the front and air bump stops in the back, which give it an inch or two more clearance on powder days.

Sadly, it's not a dually, but I do what I can

 

[iggi]

I've found a set of tire chains to be the most useful but a winch and such is in the future.

The first thing I'd buy with a 2wd would be a stout winch and a Pull Pal.