Wondering what type of RV would be best for winter travel?

This or a truck with a camper? It seems bigger than a camper. But with a truck/camper you'd have a dual purpose vehicle. Rather than just an rv.

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2007-Host+Industries-Host+270-5025829194?cmp=email_rv_search-alert&fbclid=IwAR0gl6CB3EdR5k90_6xRydMO54grW046iEaApmZjeXFpGpGiZAyrDYlLso8

Quote from: Moab on April 16, 2023, 10:19:50 AMWondering what type of RV would be best for winter travel?

This or a truck with a camper? It seems bigger than a camper. But with a truck/camper you'd have a dual purpose vehicle. Rather than just an rv.

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2007-Host+Industries-Host+270-5025829194?cmp=email_rv_search-alert&fbclid=IwAR0gl6CB3EdR5k90_6xRydMO54grW046iEaApmZjeXFpGpGiZAyrDYlLso8

Unless you're skilled driving with a trailer in winter weather I think you're better off with a class A rig.  These class C rigs have their advantages but unless built right they tend to not last that long.  I'm noticing on this one that they're very carefully not saying which Ford chassis it's built on, and that makes me suspicious.  It's also quite evidently overloaded in the rear.  Look at it in the side view and you can see the front suspension is almost completely unloaded, which will seriously affect front traction/steering in nasty weather.  Now, it may just be that the pics were taken with full tanks (fresh/grey/black water + fuel) and a load of other crap aboard, but I'll bet it isn't and they put it on too light a frame.

We always went car camping with our estate car back when we had it. Just fold down the two back seats and throw in a double mattress and you're good to go.

Quote from: tirls on April 16, 2023, 02:27:47 PMWe always went car camping with our estate car back when we had it. Just fold down the two back seats and throw in a double mattress and you're good to go.

Yea but he is considering moving to Alaska


or Montana


To feed the

Well, probably not a Vauxhall Diesel then. 
But if you have a larger car using the trunk and backseat part still works. No trailer and overall lighter and it's easier to manoeuvre. Taking a shower might get a bit nippy. 

Now I want to build this:

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Out of this:

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I want to call that thing a Unimog, but it's a good bit larger than one.

Buffalo MRAP - it even comes with a deck on the back for your grill.

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on April 16, 2023, 06:18:16 PMI want to call that thing a Unimog, but it's a good bit larger than one.

It's an M1078. What little I know about them is that the US military uses them. They have a CAT deisel engine (or maybe even multi fuel.). Apparently there are CAT service centers across the US. I assume because they make so much heavy machinery too.

They are 6 wheel drive. And unlike most vehicles of this size, have a very small turning radius. They are basically the militaries large transport truck. But are also used for many different things. Gun trucks, troop transport, medical, etc. etc. There is also a version with only four wheels. But I don't know if that version is 4 wheel drive.

The gas mileage is similar or better than the Unimog. And they have other advantages over most of the transport vehicles of this size. One is the easy access to the engine bay. The entire cab fkips forward.

There is an Austrian transport truck made by Steyr. That gets better gas mileage. But it is impossible or very difficult to get in the US.

You can license these in MT and various other states to get around various driver license and emissions laws. You just need an LLC in that state.

There are many companies that do custom builds with these. But they are basically a flat bed. One owner used a truck camper on the back of his. Another a box off a big box truck that was insulated as a fridge unit. So as a shell it was ready to go. He built out the inside with wood and metal.

There was a hell of a deal on one these half finished a few years back on Expedition Portal. The guy wanted 35k. He had the transport truck and the camper box for the back. As well as most of the upgrades and wiring done. Many of these are sold at government auction. But some tend to sit or have been used for various parts that might be missing. He purchased his from a local municipality. That had purchased it from the government via the 1330(?) Program. So it was in almost new condition.

Food for thought. Might be a nice mobile home while developing a piece of land. 

Quote from: Moab on April 16, 2023, 08:47:13 PM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on April 16, 2023, 06:18:16 PMI want to call that thing a Unimog, but it's a good bit larger than one.

It's an M1078. What little I know about them is that the US military uses them. They have a CAT deisel engine (or maybe even multi fuel.). Apparently there are CAT service centers across the US. I assume because they make so much heavy machinery too.

They are 6 wheel drive. And unlike most vehicles of this size, have a very small turning radius. They are basically the militaries large transport truck. But are also used for many different things. Gun trucks, troop transport, medical, etc. etc. There is also a version with only four wheels. But I don't know if that version is 4 wheel drive.

The gas mileage is similar or better than the Unimog. And they have other advantages over most of the transport vehicles of this size. One is the easy access to the engine bay. The entire cab fkips forward.

There is an Austrian transport truck made by Steyr. That gets better gas mileage. But it is impossible or very difficult to get in the US.

You can license these in MT and various other states to get around various driver license and emissions laws. You just need an LLC in that state.

There are many companies that do custom builds with these. But they are basically a flat bed. One owner used a truck camper on the back of his. Another a box off a big box truck that was insulated as a fridge unit. So as a shell it was ready to go. He built out the inside with wood and metal.

There was a hell of a deal on one these half finished a few years back on Expedition Portal. The guy wanted 35k. He had the transport truck and the camper box for the back. As well as most of the upgrades and wiring done. Many of these are sold at government auction. But some tend to sit or have been used for various parts that might be missing. He purchased his from a local municipality. That had purchased it from the government via the 1330(?) Program. So it was in almost new condition.

Food for thought. Might be a nice mobile home while developing a piece of land.

I came very close to buying a US military Deuce and a half 5 ton truck back in 2015, but decided against it because I lived in an apartment at the time and parking was really limited.

So I didn't have the space to park a behemoth of a truck (nor did I have the money to pay for the fuel the damn thing would've used. ), so I didn't but it.

If I ever win the lotto, I may revisit that idea.

Quote from: NT2C on April 16, 2023, 02:13:55 PMLook at it in the side view and you can see the front suspension is almost completely unloaded, which will seriously affect front traction/steering in nasty weather. 

Look at it in the side view and you can see the front suspension is almost completely unloaded, which will seriously affect front traction/steering on a sunny summer day, but even more so in nasty weather. 

The key issue is winterization of the unit. Water tanks freeze, gray and black water freeze. The living space needs insulation.

In WY the preference tends toward the truck bed campers.  The pickup trucks have higher ground clearance. That is key off road and in snow.
The other preference is a dual heat source both propane and diesel. The small diesel heaters do need a power for the fan but can use the vehicle fuel.  


  
 

Quote from: wolf_from_wv on April 16, 2023, 09:44:41 PM

Quote from: NT2C on April 16, 2023, 02:13:55 PMLook at it in the side view and you can see the front suspension is almost completely unloaded, which will seriously affect front traction/steering in nasty weather.

Look at it in the side view and you can see the front suspension is almost completely unloaded, which will seriously affect front traction/steering on a sunny summer day, but even more so in nasty weather.

Another possibility is that it has an airbag rear suspension that leaks.