Results 3,151 to 3,175 of 12727
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12-05-2017, 04:59 PM #3151
For summer use, I fully agree. Clearance and breakover will limit access far before 2WD becomes an issue. Also even if you deck it out, who wants to wheel in their fancy house on wheels?
Winter I'm not so sure. Some say no problem, some say death trap. I pursued the AWD van because I tow sleds, and getting stuck in the snow with trailers really sucks.
If the choice is everybody else buying more van than they need or getting stuck behind a RWD E350 while it spins its tires on the approach to Eisenhower, put me down for "everybody else buy more van than they need." Personally I think the AWD is worth it for the extra margin for error for what I use primarily as a winter vehicle. I can and have driven a RWD vehicle in snow/ice for many miles, and while I know it can be done, the added stress ain't worth it for me.
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12-05-2017, 05:02 PM #3152
Probably true for most.
In our case, where we live, two wheel drive wont cut it once the snow flies (Nov ~ May).
Whatever the market will bear.
Though I some how doubt that the market will be "flooded", certainly not by Provan rigs anyway, their production numbers are smaller and their customer profile doesn't really fit the #vanlife set IMO.
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12-05-2017, 05:20 PM #3153
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12-05-2017, 05:23 PM #3154
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12-05-2017, 05:24 PM #3155
haven't been stuck in a ditch since I quit buying 2(actually only one) wheel drives 20 yrs ago
embrace the gape
and believe
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12-05-2017, 05:25 PM #3156
and yes I live up a hill in snow country
embrace the gape
and believe
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12-05-2017, 05:27 PM #3157
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12-05-2017, 05:32 PM #3158
Same goes for Sportsmobiles. While larger production numbers than Provan there are not many out there so they will always command a premium, especially if it has all the goodies and is well maintained.
Sprinter 4x4 used prices will come down once supply meets demand. For now that isn't happening. I know folks fixing and flipping Sportsmobiles and Sprinter 4x4 and they are making decent money and learning how to make even more money on each one.
So dream all you want Eastern Sierra dude but until the housing market crashes (again) people are looking at living in a van full time more and more these days. It doesn't show any signs of stopping any time soon.
BTW I had a RWD Sportsmobile with winter tires. It sucked so I sold it and got a proper 4WD version. Worlds better.
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12-05-2017, 05:33 PM #3159
always training
embrace the gape
and believe
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12-05-2017, 05:51 PM #3160Registered User
- Join Date
- Oct 2007
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- 12,662
FWIW pro masters are front wheel drive. I’d be good with that and snow tires any day.
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12-05-2017, 08:39 PM #3161
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12-06-2017, 01:11 AM #3162
More big money vans...or same?
https://blog.caranddriver.com/this-1...ate-tiny-home/
...Remember, those who think Global Warming is Fake, also think that Adam & Eve were Real...
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12-06-2017, 09:55 AM #3163
Lol...
From the comments:
Indeed, it sounds like they are channeling Elon Musk. Give me your money, and wait for years till I make your vehicle. What a waste of money. You could buy yourself a wonderfully equipped RV (standalone or towed), a wonderfully equipped 4x4 truck to tow the RV, a wonderfully equipped 4x4 jeep or offroading vehicle, a nice luxury car, and still have money left over. And the best part is, you won't have to wait 2 years to get all that.
Again, what a waste. Now, the Action Mobil RV's look very cool, and very capable if you are looking to drop serious cash for something like this. But these Earthcrap ones just look like someone stuck a portable RV on top, and called it done. Nothing special. You could do the same yourself by buying a 4x4, and having a decent custom auto shop make it for you.
So, not really sure what your point was here?
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12-06-2017, 10:29 AM #3164
I think the Tiger is the way to go! I haven't been in one but I can't stand up in anyone's camper. Tigers look tall
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12-06-2017, 02:00 PM #3165
Tiger looks cool but you could build something way sicker for half the price
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12-06-2017, 02:08 PM #3166
I've seen ACH's and it looks pretty rad.
I was in Idaho this summer and saw a 4x4 motorhome. It looked like a 1ton ford diesel on 35's with a motorhome built on it. I had to talk with the guy while assembling my Coleman tent. He's a Mt. Hood skier, and praised the ability to just camp and not get up early. The rig looked expensive so I'm assuming it was. Possibly a Bigfoot, but not sure.
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12-06-2017, 02:28 PM #3167
It's nice that there are lots of winter RV/camper options. We use our truck as a (nearly) daily driver and hauling, so a slide-in is the practical option for us, and our lightweight FWC pop-up is all the luxury we need. The other benefit of a slide-in is that you can buy another truck if you have persistent lemony mechanical issues vs. being married to your engine/drivetrain with a dedicated RV. When both of us fully retire (a few years away) we'll likely get a bigger dedicated RV per plans to live in it 1/2 time or so.
I hearya, although we've spent lots of sub-zeroF nights in the interior west in our FWC without firing the generator. Note that we usually prefer to not run the furnace at night, relying on -10F-rated high quality (FF) sleeping bags, then fire up furnace in the morning. Our coldest night was around -15F outside, got down to -8F in the cabin (Loup Loup). We were plenty comfy in our winter bags without running furnace. We've also spent sub-0F nights in N ID and MT. Also note that I'm always the one to get up first, turn on the furnace and make coffee while Honey is snug in the sleeping bag. When we did run the furnace at night we didn't like the on/off furnace cycle and resultant warm/cool/warm/cool/etc. cycle. We also think no furnace at night is more camping and less glamping.Last edited by OldSteve; 12-07-2017 at 12:31 AM.
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12-06-2017, 02:34 PM #3168Registered User
- Join Date
- Oct 2007
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- 12,662
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12-06-2017, 02:37 PM #3169
I just installed a "garage" t-stat in our Alaskan so that I can set the temp as low as 35°F. That should decrease the frequency and variability of the warm/cool cycle and allow us to make the most of our Kelty 32° queen size bag. I find that sleeping bags are the most comfortable slightly above their advertised rating. A -10° bag at 28°F would be a torture device for me. The Mrs usually augments any bag I'm comfortable in with an additional down quilt. She's pretty much always one layer above my comfort level.
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12-06-2017, 05:11 PM #3170
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12-06-2017, 05:21 PM #3171
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12-06-2017, 08:08 PM #3172Banned
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- Apr 2012
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- Golden
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- 3,379
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12-07-2017, 12:30 AM #3173
Chaining up is stressful. I’ll stick with 4wd trucks.
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12-07-2017, 12:34 AM #3174
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12-07-2017, 10:20 AM #3175
Hey, good on you (and everyone else here that has commented likewise) if that works and fits how you roll.
Not having 4x4/AWD as a purchasing requirement drops your level of ($) commitment and opens up a range of possibilities.
Given the frequency that I would be chaining-up/un-chaining it's non starter.
Also there have been plenty of road way conditions that have come up over the years where having 4x4 was a definite advantage and safety consideration, where chains would have been impractical.
We do this a lot.
Also, from your previous post.
We roll pretty much the same, run the heater till bed time, then shut it down and crawl into the bags/comforters.
It doesn't hurt that we have two bed-hog-dogs that are perfectly good heat generators.
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