Ski RV's, who's sleeping in parking lots?

[muted]

That is a nice setup. Looks a lot nicer than most sportsmobile type conversions I see. Price may be a bit high but the 4x4 van market is dumb and there aren't much for comparable rigs out there.

The V10 is a good motor, obviously mpgs aren't great. It would probably be my pick for a ski rig, as diesels can be quirky in cold temps. This issue has certainly been discussed in this thread before.

Thanks. I'm finding the sportsmobile forum is a trove of info for lotsa 4x4 vans but I've got a lot to learn. Wife approved the idea. Not a 'sure, whatever' deal but a 'hell yeah, but let's work out details first' as she is a true desert rat who would use this thing with or without me.

After the guy measures the height for me, to see if it fits in my work garage, I'm gonna call him and ask a bunch of dumb questions and sound like the clueless newb I am. Besides the obvious questions, like what hashtag has worked best for him, can anyone with a couple vans worth of experience tell me what to look out for?

[simple]

Pretty cool to see a GTRV converted to 4*4

Not many built with the V10 also. That will sell quickly.

[myles long]

Thanks. I'm finding the sportsmobile forum is a trove of info for lotsa 4x4 vans but I've got a lot to learn. Wife approved the idea. Not a 'sure, whatever' deal but a 'hell yeah, but let's work out details first' as she is a true desert rat who would use this thing with or without me.

After the guy measures the height for me, to see if it fits in my work garage, I'm gonna call him and ask a bunch of dumb questions and sound like the clueless newb I am. Besides the obvious questions, like what hashtag has worked best for him, can anyone with a couple vans worth of experience tell me what to look out for?

Sportsmobile is a great resource..The folks that work there are super helpful too.. they helped a ton on designing my rig...on our second rig couple things to think about:

Water - how do you carry and use it. When on the road for extended times the rv fill stations are great. Tanks that you can fill with it are even better, refillable jugs work too but take up space

Heat - best setup is a single fuel source. Plumbed off of deisiel is ideal. If its propane, gotta remember to keep it topped off. Second tank helps but sucks to swap in the middle of the night. If using for skiing, dry heat is the best, deisel or wood burning.

Food - refrigerator makes all the difference for us on extended trips. No need for ice refills for food. I use a yeti cooler for drinks so can go longer in between refills.

Cooking - had a full galley and switched fo a smaller galley, sink only and a inverter. Electric tea kettle for hot water to make coffee and a instant pot and crock pot cook a lot. Hot chili, stew, soup is a awesome lunch stop on ski days. Also carry a colemman stove to cook outside when we want to.

Audio - hooked the stereo to work off of the house battery when parked. Music works without draining chasis battery.

Storage- layout your storage and containers, try a few different organize options ...takes a few tries but you'll get your setup dialed.

Toilet - inside potty takes up space and can be gross to deal with. I went with a shovel option.

We travel as a family of 4 and struggle with trash management, no really great setup yet for packing it all out... tried trasharoo and a few others but still kinda pain.

There are others lighting, showers, charging devices, cooling, privacy...tons more details but thats a start.



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[muted]

Pretty cool to see a GTRV converted to 4*4

Not many built with the V10 also. That will sell quickly.

It's been for sale for a month though? Good to know they are rare thanks.

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What model Sprinter do you have can fit a back row for kids and have enough room to camp?

Thanks for all that other info! One obstacle with the van I linked is too little storage, possibly.

[detrusor]

We upgraded the sprinter to agile off roads RIP kit and wrangler dura-tracs all around. We’re 10k pounds. Dropped it to the axles in sand north of Zion last weekend. Tossed down the max tracks to get some momentum and it just bucked and shimmied it’s way out. I thought there was no way. Super capable


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[myles long]

What model Sprinter do you have can fit a back row for kids and have enough room to camp?

Thanks for all that other info! One obstacle with the van I linked is too little storage, possibly.

Its a 2018 170 extended body, 3500 dually 4x4. There are 2 captains chairs behind the cockpit for the kids and a dinette in the back with seat belts...all in we can take 12 people with seat belts. The dinette folds into a king bed and there is a sliding deck above that pulls out into a queen. Tons of storage in the dinette and overhead cabinets. I also have a box and platform on the roof for skis and other gear.

Here are some better shots if the interior from the factory: https://www.instagram.com/p/B0XOvQZF...d=kai6yoesy8eu

I added a few things, bigger tires (ko2s), pedal box and a rear bike rack but not much else.


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[myles long]

We upgraded the sprinter to agile off roads RIP kit and wrangler dura-tracs all around. We’re 10k pounds. Dropped it to the axles in sand north of Zion last weekend. Tossed down the max tracks to get some momentum and it just bucked and shimmied it’s way out. I thought there was no way. Super capable


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I have been debating between a RIP and van compass...did you look at both? What made you decide on a rip kit?

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[365wp]

The Ford Transit Adventure Prep package looks interesting: https://media.ford.com/content/fordm...customers.html

[detrusor]

We had the sumo springs as a stop gap....actually broke one in front and one on back. That’s what lead us to agile. It’s the best money we’ve spent. Second is the pedal box.


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[myles long]

We had the sumo springs as a stop gap....actually broke one in front and one on back. That’s what lead us to agile. It’s the best money we’ve spent. Second is the pedal box.


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Nice....pedal box is a great mod. Need to get a rip next

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[shirk]

Any BC / AB skiers looking for a little pop up?

https://www.facebook.com/commerce/li...are_attachment

Not mine. I think with some insulation of the tent walls you'd help keep some heat in for weekend ski bummin.

[AdironRider]

Screw the 180k #vanlife 20 year mortgage on a camper. Where have all the ski bums gone?

Buy a 10k truck and 5k in materials and build yer own.

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/t...-build.209483/

I've preached this since day 1 but the administrators of the trust funds are apparently never sold on the idea.

[shirk]

I've preached this since day 1 but the administrators of the trust funds are apparently never sold on the idea.

All the bro points are achieved via Sprinter ownership.

[Ed el Loco]

Or just get a sub $15k van and sleep in it. Add a fancy $50 folding table and a nice cooler.


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[meter-man]

Just bought a 2006 Ford F-150 FX4 SuperCrew. It has a 5.5' bed, and a very limited payload: 1630 lbs. [Shirk, I paid $7,500 for the truck...but I ain't building my own camper! I know my limits... hehe]

Since the payload is so low, I'm think I'm limited to slide-in, pop-top campers since that seems to be about as much as this dainty 1/2 ton can handle. Am I wrong on that? Even the Lance 650 has a dry weight of 1700 lbs.

Needs to sleep 3 adults (really, 2 adults and 2 kiddos). Primarily will be used by me.

Main plan: have a homebase at the ski area where we can eat lunch, and dog can chill while we ski. I'll also use it on ski/riding road trips, and camping trips with the fam. We're a tent/backpack family, so any camper will feel like a big upgrade. Maybe a Sprinter will happen...in 15 years when my kids are out of college lol.

For the ski trips where I sleep in it, I'm sure I'll buy the after-market insulation to try and keep the heat in as best as possible despite the soft-sides/pop-top. I'm in Tahoe, so temps are not bonecrushing here.

Looking to spend $5-15k so looking at older models.

Looking at:
Four-Wheel Raven (if I can find one...doubt it!)
Northstar 650
Palomino 500

I'm a total newbie at this stuff, but would love any advice you can sling my way. I'm sure this has been covered in bits and pieces in this 265-page thread, but I did not read the whole thing even though I do follow it, mostly for lusting after insane Sprinter-porn I'll never buy.

What other models should I be looking at? Anyone have experience with similar campers or the above models? Thanks, yall.

[altasnob]

I have an All Terrain Camper shell model (cheaper than Four Wheel Camper). Both are made in Sacramento. All Terrain Camper will let you custom design the interior and then build it for you. With your limited pay load I would just keep it a basic shell model to keep it light weight. I have a propane heater and second (house) battery in mine but no fridge (just cooler), no water or sink. You could get away with no heat and no house battery to save weight and just run the lights from the truck battery. Brand new shell is currently $9,925.

https://www.allterraincampers.com/Shell

[toast2266]

Just bought a 2006 Ford F-150 FX4 SuperCrew. It has a 5.5' bed, and a very limited payload: 1630 lbs. [Shirk, I paid $7,500 for the truck...but I ain't building my own camper! I know my limits... hehe]

Since the payload is so low, I'm think I'm limited to slide-in, pop-top campers since that seems to be about as much as this dainty 1/2 ton can handle. Am I wrong on that? Even the Lance 650 has a dry weight of 1700 lbs.

Needs to sleep 3 adults (really, 2 adults and 2 kiddos). Primarily will be used by me.

Main plan: have a homebase at the ski area where we can eat lunch, and dog can chill while we ski. I'll also use it on ski/riding road trips, and camping trips with the fam. We're a tent/backpack family, so any camper will feel like a big upgrade. Maybe a Sprinter will happen...in 15 years when my kids are out of college lol.

For the ski trips where I sleep in it, I'm sure I'll buy the after-market insulation to try and keep the heat in as best as possible despite the soft-sides/pop-top. I'm in Tahoe, so temps are not bonecrushing here.

Looking to spend $5-15k so looking at older models.

Looking at:
Four-Wheel Raven (if I can find one...doubt it!)
Northstar 650
Palomino 500

I'm a total newbie at this stuff, but would love any advice you can sling my way. I'm sure this has been covered in bits and pieces in this 265-page thread, but I did not read the whole thing even though I do follow it, mostly for lusting after insane Sprinter-porn I'll never buy.

What other models should I be looking at? Anyone have experience with similar campers or the above models? Thanks, yall.

I've seen some small hardsides that are down around 1000 lbs, but they're really small. Mostly built for solo people. If you're looking for any kind of space to move around, a pop up is probably the better bet. Especially since, once you factor in people and gear, your max camper weight is probably right around that 1000 lb mark, and maybe even a bit less.

[El Chupacabra]

X2 on the shell FWC. That just isn't enough payload to carry much more. You might look at the Capri camper, a small hardside that is pretty simple inside.

While people do all sorts of things to stiffen suspension, there's safe limits, realistically. I see Tacomas with FWC camper, roof box, bike rack, etc - way over capacity. Even if you add E load tires and stiffer springs (and/or airbags, Timbrens, whatever), the chassis, brakes, axles, cooling, transmission, are just not up to it.

[BobMc]

Vanlife with kid(s) doesn’t sound like a winning proposition. If you’re planning on camping with a wife and couple kids in a van I’m willing to bet you’ll find your number of camping trips dwindling.

[altasnob]

I have young kids and having a truck camper allows me to get out way more than if I didn't have one. Trailheads around Seattle hit capacity by by 9 am. I go out with the family the night before and camp in the parking lot, so no need to get up early and stress about finding a parking spot. I also take it for day trips to the mountain in winter. Wife and I split time skiing and hanging with the kids around the camper in the parking lot. There's a reason everyone in the US wants a van or truck camper these days. If I didn't have kids I think I might stick to tent camping but with kids, the truck camper has proven to be essential.

[GravityDT]

I have been debating between a RIP and van compass...did you look at both? What made you decide on a rip kit?

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Running the VanCompass Stage 4.3 kit on our ‘19 4x4 170. Hands down the Falcon Shocks sealed their deal over the Agile RIP. Far greater adjustment range than the Agile Fox shocks we had on the ‘18 144 4x4 and the Fronts are Adj Res shocks vs the non adjustable Fox 2.0 shocks. And as a bonus - Falcon is out of SLC.




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[meter-man]

The Mags deliver! Thanks y'all.

Vanlife with kid(s) doesn’t sound like a winning proposition. If you’re planning on camping with a wife and couple kids in a van I’m willing to bet you’ll find your number of camping trips dwindling.

You're totally right. Guess I better sell my kids.

I have young kids and having a truck camper allows me to get out way more than if I didn't have one. Trailheads around Seattle hit capacity by by 9 am. I go out with the family the night before and camp in the parking lot, so no need to get up early and stress about finding a parking spot. I also take it for day trips to the mountain in winter. Wife and I split time skiing and hanging with the kids around the camper in the parking lot. There's a reason everyone in the US wants a van or truck camper these days. If I didn't have kids I think I might stick to tent camping but with kids, the truck camper has proven to be essential.

Exactamente, 'migo. This will make weekday "dad wants to sleep on top of a mountain, and now we have no more reason to say no" trips more of a reality. Plus, it'll be nice for me on roadtrips and BC skiing, esp in spring.

X2 on the shell FWC. That just isn't enough payload to carry much more. You might look at the Capri camper, a small hardside that is pretty simple inside.

While people do all sorts of things to stiffen suspension, there's safe limits, realistically. I see Tacomas with FWC camper, roof box, bike rack, etc - way over capacity. Even if you add E load tires and stiffer springs (and/or airbags, Timbrens, whatever), the chassis, brakes, axles, cooling, transmission, are just not up to it.

I've seen some small hardsides that are down around 1000 lbs, but they're really small. Mostly built for solo people. If you're looking for any kind of space to move around, a pop up is probably the better bet. Especially since, once you factor in people and gear, your max camper weight is probably right around that 1000 lb mark, and maybe even a bit less.

Gotcha - yep, looking more for space than amenities. Hardside sounds nice, but not with this truck. Hardside will go on my big burly, fully-electric truck in 2023. A guy can dream, right?

I have an All Terrain Camper shell model (cheaper than Four Wheel Camper). Both are made in Sacramento. All Terrain Camper will let you custom design the interior and then build it for you. With your limited pay load I would just keep it a basic shell model to keep it light weight. I have a propane heater and second (house) battery in mine but no fridge (just cooler), no water or sink. You could get away with no heat and no house battery to save weight and just run the lights from the truck battery. Brand new shell is currently $9,925.

https://www.allterraincampers.com/Shell

That's great beta altasnob. I'll be hitting you up for more info....sorry! hehe. Sounds like I need to make a call down to Sac tomorrow...

[myles long]

Running the VanCompass Stage 4.3 kit on our ‘19 4x4 170. Hands down the Falcon Shocks sealed their deal over the Agile RIP. Far greater adjustment range than the Agile Fox shocks we had on the ‘18 144 4x4 and the Fronts are Adj Res shocks vs the non adjustable Fox 2.0 shocks. And as a bonus - Falcon is out of SLC.




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Great info....didn't realize the falcon shocks had all that. Gotta wait a few more weeks/months on vancompass kit for a dually

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[Huskier]

X2 on the shell FWC. That just isn't enough payload to carry much more. You might look at the Capri camper, a small hardside that is pretty simple inside.

While people do all sorts of things to stiffen suspension, there's safe limits, realistically. I see Tacomas with FWC camper, roof box, bike rack, etc - way over capacity. Even if you add E load tires and stiffer springs (and/or airbags, Timbrens, whatever), the chassis, brakes, axles, cooling, transmission, are just not up to it.

Yup. I just got ride of my '16 Taco, essentially because almost all campers were wayyyy over payload. Really, the tranny and engine totally -are- up to it, as evidenced by the combo rating (Truck+trailer) of 10k+. What -isn't- are the wimpy drum brakes in the rear, 5 lug rear axle and anemic springs. In theory if you were able to swap outt for the rear axle from a Tundra and upgrade your springs. You'd probably boost payload closer to 1500-2000 but not over. At a point in comes down to the frame of the truck itself not being up to snuff..

[MakersTeleMark]

I'll come out and say 3 people in a 5'5" bed is fucking ridiculous, no matter what you stuff in the back.

Why didn't you buy a real pickup truck?