Oakland/Bigfoot 20' Class C 4x4
- Thread starter GNTY
- Start date
T.Low
Expedition Leader
Here's a couple new pictures. Went out up the road and check suspension travel and 4 Low, works great. I still need to get some interior shots.
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Wow. Absolutely perfect. Interior shots? Did you take it to Moab or was it not done in time?
I was in Mexico for a while and during that time my buds back home decided we were making an 11hr drive to explore Owyhee instead of the longer drive to Moab. If I get a Razor type, I'll be showing up in your truck mirrors on the way down next time.
Cheers
I've got my eye on a 4x4 chinook with a v10. Can someone compare the 2? I'm guessing some of the differences are:
v10 vs 360(?)
couch bed vs overhead bunk
"4season" bgfoot, but why is the chinook not a "4 season" rv?
any other comments are appreciated.. sounds like it's near impossible to find another 20' bigfoot though.
v10 vs 360(?)
couch bed vs overhead bunk
"4season" bgfoot, but why is the chinook not a "4 season" rv?
any other comments are appreciated.. sounds like it's near impossible to find another 20' bigfoot though.
There are currently 3 nook 4x4's available that I know of. Price range at the moment from $37k to $59k. There are no factory bigfoot 4x4's available (there may be but I just can't find them or don't know about them). One did sell last winter I believe in the $ 45k range. It was a 24 foot model with rear bath. I suppose I should have got off my rear and bought the thing but now I am leaning towards the Chinook. It was also a 2005 and had the 6.0 diesel which could be good or bad depending on who you talk to.
Depending on your space requirements, the Chinook, at 21 feet, is a much more compact package than the 24 foot model bigfoots. I am assuming you are not going to find a 20 foot model like the one above. I say that because this is the only one most of us on the forum have ever seen. There are other class C's and B's that may fit the 20 foot mark but for BF to Nook comparison I would assume 23/24 foot BF to 21 foot nook.
When comparing a BF and nook, on the nook there is no front over-hang that can be used as a bed so if you need to sleep 4 the nook is going to be very very tight. Shower is also smaller. From a gas mileage perspective, you can expect the v-10 in the nook to deliver 10 - 14 mpg. I corresponded with the person that had the red 4x4 baja nook for sale a while back and they claimed 10 mpg average. The way I drive that would mean 8 tops. My guess is the one you are looking at (which does not have all of the large "baja" racks and lights hanging off it) is going to get 10 mpg driving very conservatively. Realistically sub 10 mpg performance on a v-10 4x4. However, a V-10 gas model 24 foot BF is going to be in the same range so gas mileage IMHO is negligible.
The winter package on the BF typically means the tanks are heated. The tanks in the BF's are in an underfloor storage area so hence the need to heat them. Some rv manufacturers allow heat from the propane furnace to blow into the tank area on winter models. I don't know if that is the case on the BF's or not. For the nook, the water tank and many of the water-lines are inside the cab under the couch on the drivers side. There is no "heat" except I assume you would heat your living space which would effectively heat the water tank. Lines that run down the sides or to the shower on the nook and the BF are not specifically heated but depending on their layout may get some heat from the heated living space. The grey and black tanks are under the living space and exposed to the elements in the nook. You could add tank heaters and/or use the RV antifreeze as the water for the black system and add antifreeze to the grey tank through the sink to prevent freeze-up. I can't speak for the BF but I have been inside a nook with the heater on in the winter and it is very comfortable. They are reasonably well insulated as far as RV's go. There are other strategies for keeping things from freezing up but in the end, if you are not on top of it and maintain some form of temperature control constantly in cold months, my guess is both will experience frozen supply lines.
There are other class b and class manufacturers as well that may have a model or layout that suits your needs. You could then add 4x4 as with this Bigfoot 20. I don't want to fully hijack this thread but to me, in order to do a full model comparison you need to come up with your requirements first. I am trying to move from a high-top sportsmobile to a chinook so I am going larger. I know the Class C platform offers even more space but the chinook sizing meets my critera. If you or anyone else finds a reasonably priced 20 foot BF class C just buy the thing and then everyone here will fight over it. It really is a great "tweaner"
Depending on your space requirements, the Chinook, at 21 feet, is a much more compact package than the 24 foot model bigfoots. I am assuming you are not going to find a 20 foot model like the one above. I say that because this is the only one most of us on the forum have ever seen. There are other class C's and B's that may fit the 20 foot mark but for BF to Nook comparison I would assume 23/24 foot BF to 21 foot nook.
When comparing a BF and nook, on the nook there is no front over-hang that can be used as a bed so if you need to sleep 4 the nook is going to be very very tight. Shower is also smaller. From a gas mileage perspective, you can expect the v-10 in the nook to deliver 10 - 14 mpg. I corresponded with the person that had the red 4x4 baja nook for sale a while back and they claimed 10 mpg average. The way I drive that would mean 8 tops. My guess is the one you are looking at (which does not have all of the large "baja" racks and lights hanging off it) is going to get 10 mpg driving very conservatively. Realistically sub 10 mpg performance on a v-10 4x4. However, a V-10 gas model 24 foot BF is going to be in the same range so gas mileage IMHO is negligible.
The winter package on the BF typically means the tanks are heated. The tanks in the BF's are in an underfloor storage area so hence the need to heat them. Some rv manufacturers allow heat from the propane furnace to blow into the tank area on winter models. I don't know if that is the case on the BF's or not. For the nook, the water tank and many of the water-lines are inside the cab under the couch on the drivers side. There is no "heat" except I assume you would heat your living space which would effectively heat the water tank. Lines that run down the sides or to the shower on the nook and the BF are not specifically heated but depending on their layout may get some heat from the heated living space. The grey and black tanks are under the living space and exposed to the elements in the nook. You could add tank heaters and/or use the RV antifreeze as the water for the black system and add antifreeze to the grey tank through the sink to prevent freeze-up. I can't speak for the BF but I have been inside a nook with the heater on in the winter and it is very comfortable. They are reasonably well insulated as far as RV's go. There are other strategies for keeping things from freezing up but in the end, if you are not on top of it and maintain some form of temperature control constantly in cold months, my guess is both will experience frozen supply lines.
There are other class b and class manufacturers as well that may have a model or layout that suits your needs. You could then add 4x4 as with this Bigfoot 20. I don't want to fully hijack this thread but to me, in order to do a full model comparison you need to come up with your requirements first. I am trying to move from a high-top sportsmobile to a chinook so I am going larger. I know the Class C platform offers even more space but the chinook sizing meets my critera. If you or anyone else finds a reasonably priced 20 foot BF class C just buy the thing and then everyone here will fight over it. It really is a great "tweaner"
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If one gets desperate enough, there is always a bevy of 2WD Chinooks out there that would be great candidates for 4WD conversions. As Tony (catmandu) said, the Bajas are rare as white flies and even when found, they are Quiqley conversions. Again, not horrible, but why not source a 2WD 'Nook and do the 4WD conversion YOUR way? UJOR or home-brew, it's bound to have a better ride, travel and serviceability over the Q4x4.
The Chinooks are temping. If the timing was right, I'd buy Catmandu's awesome Sporty but my pending move makes that a bit difficult. I may wind up looking at Chinooks as they have a real bath & shower, dinette AND gaucho...just another option.
The Chinooks are temping. If the timing was right, I'd buy Catmandu's awesome Sporty but my pending move makes that a bit difficult. I may wind up looking at Chinooks as they have a real bath & shower, dinette AND gaucho...just another option.
GNTY
Adventurer
I was looking for you! I enjoyed watching that Astro of yours running through the canyon and up the pass last year
We had a great time. Ya i finished the rig about 3 weeks before we left for Moab and used that time for shake down purposes. If performed flawless and ran great. We loved the extra room while maintaining manoeuvrability, its really working well for us. Here's a picture of the convoy. And below that is a few quick pics of the interior all made up, i'll have to get some in the night positions. 
GNTY
Adventurer
Fantastic information Catmandu! You certainly know your stuff.
Manitou, When people talk about a 4 season motorhome, i think there are a few other models that have good insulation and good construction handle winter's low temps like the Chinooks and Born Free, just not using water or septic. Which most people don't use in winter anyway. I don't think there are many dump stations open up in the northern area in the winter and that would keep me from using the toilet, shower and sink. Your right, the Bigfoots have heated and sealed holding tanks and each compartment even the dump valve compartment is individually forced air ducted. There is no hanging or exposed plumbing or tanks when you look under a Bigfoot. The other features that gives these the 4 season classification is the foam injected Fibercore wall, roof and floor system, R12 walls roof and floor with R8 underbelly. There is even rigid foam insulation in the aluminum frame tubes. It works well, keeps the heat in when cold and keeps it cool when hot out. They came standard with double pane windows. This solid construction also helped when looking for a class C that could better take some minor offroad and flexing.
Another comparison that might be worth checking is the size of the holding tanks and furnace size between the BF and Chinook, for some people being able to stay out for an extra couple days could be the difference.
Ours has the 460 with 4:10 gears and its fantastic! Loaded running on the I-15 the best i got was 11.5 mpg, and out of overdrive she'll maintain and even increase speed on large hills. I recently bought a complete, very low mile 7.3 Powerstoke diesel motor with the thoughts of just maybe doing a swap but i'm really re-thinking the idea because of how well the 460 runs.
The 20-21' whether, nook or BF are so nimble, i do not feel like i'm in a class c when driving it, so far i go and park in the same areas i did with my Sportmobile.
I really like the Chinooks and the sleeping arrangements was really the only major factor in passing on it, they other features of the BF are great and make a fantastic built RV but were not the end all be all.
Fall of last year there was one of these BF 20' for sale in Revelstoke BC, it had very low miles but the exterior looked liked it had sat outside most of its life. She wanted a lot of $ for it at the time, i know that it didn't sell and was put back into storage. But this is the only other one I have ever seen listed.
Manitou, When people talk about a 4 season motorhome, i think there are a few other models that have good insulation and good construction handle winter's low temps like the Chinooks and Born Free, just not using water or septic. Which most people don't use in winter anyway. I don't think there are many dump stations open up in the northern area in the winter and that would keep me from using the toilet, shower and sink. Your right, the Bigfoots have heated and sealed holding tanks and each compartment even the dump valve compartment is individually forced air ducted. There is no hanging or exposed plumbing or tanks when you look under a Bigfoot. The other features that gives these the 4 season classification is the foam injected Fibercore wall, roof and floor system, R12 walls roof and floor with R8 underbelly. There is even rigid foam insulation in the aluminum frame tubes. It works well, keeps the heat in when cold and keeps it cool when hot out. They came standard with double pane windows. This solid construction also helped when looking for a class C that could better take some minor offroad and flexing.
Another comparison that might be worth checking is the size of the holding tanks and furnace size between the BF and Chinook, for some people being able to stay out for an extra couple days could be the difference.
Ours has the 460 with 4:10 gears and its fantastic! Loaded running on the I-15 the best i got was 11.5 mpg, and out of overdrive she'll maintain and even increase speed on large hills. I recently bought a complete, very low mile 7.3 Powerstoke diesel motor with the thoughts of just maybe doing a swap but i'm really re-thinking the idea because of how well the 460 runs.
The 20-21' whether, nook or BF are so nimble, i do not feel like i'm in a class c when driving it, so far i go and park in the same areas i did with my Sportmobile.
I really like the Chinooks and the sleeping arrangements was really the only major factor in passing on it, they other features of the BF are great and make a fantastic built RV but were not the end all be all.
Fall of last year there was one of these BF 20' for sale in Revelstoke BC, it had very low miles but the exterior looked liked it had sat outside most of its life. She wanted a lot of $ for it at the time, i know that it didn't sell and was put back into storage. But this is the only other one I have ever seen listed.
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Steamboater
New member
That is just the perfect setup - congrats!
jbob
Observer
Concur. The interior is very similar to my 24' -- looks like most of the difference in overall length is realized in the kitchen and bathroom. I'd trade some interior space for less rear overhang (and less weight on my rear axle) in a heartbeat.
highlandercj-7
Explorer
Nice! Looks like it's a lot more affordable than a nook.
The Nook Baja is the bee's knees. I was out wheelin in WV and ran across one of the first 3 baja's produced. It was one of the 3 that raced from CA or WA to AK. They are a wicked all season camper.
Also for anyone questioning Quigley, they produce a beefy quality product. I was a fleet mechanic for a health care provider that has 10 Quigley E250's and E350's in their fleet of vans. The drivers beat on those trucks all the time and they held up great. The control arms were 2x2 and 2x3 1/4" wall, the bracketry was 3/8" and 1/2" plate. We had some with 150k plus miles with no issues.
The Nook Baja is the bee's knees. I was out wheelin in WV and ran across one of the first 3 baja's produced. It was one of the 3 that raced from CA or WA to AK. They are a wicked all season camper.
Also for anyone questioning Quigley, they produce a beefy quality product. I was a fleet mechanic for a health care provider that has 10 Quigley E250's and E350's in their fleet of vans. The drivers beat on those trucks all the time and they held up great. The control arms were 2x2 and 2x3 1/4" wall, the bracketry was 3/8" and 1/2" plate. We had some with 150k plus miles with no issues.
Ha.. I was thinking the same thing. I'll most likely go after a nook, but would prefer the overhead bed. It's just me and maybe 1 or 2 others from time to time, but mainly just have to worry about my own sleeping and a "desk" to work from.
(surfing, snowboarding, visiting family is the desire for an RV and 4x4)
GNTY
Adventurer
I went through my email and found our correspondence from last Oct, I just sent an email to find out if she still has it.