Hello All-
I have spent a great deal of time and research this past year looking at all the available options in the U.S. market for a suitable platform for a small and reasonably capable expedition camper with following features:
1. Reliability, ease of finding maintenance, and readily available replacement parts
2. Safety, driving comfort (no earplugs, handle highway speeds, automatic transmission), and some fuel economy (15 mpg +)
3. 4-wheel drive capability (not rock crawling but handle bad fire roads and snow) and under 18 feet long
4. Camper suitable for 1-2 people (6'2") with basic storage (no big toys) and necessities (fridge, portapotty, no kitchen, 5 gallon jerry can outdoor shower) with pass through and truly 4 season ready for anywhere in continental US. I plan to live in this full-time for the foreseeable future in everything from urban to rural areas.
5. Budget friendly (I'll pay for quality but not as much as a house!)
Here are some of the options I have looked at so far:
Truck Campers:
Pros:
-easy to install to existing vehicles
-easy to move between vehicles in the future
-pop ups allow for better aerodynamics and fuel economy
-good 4x4 options
Cons:
-limited stock small pickup payload capacity
-elimination of preferred regular cabs by many makers recently
-pass through either not available or expensive to modify
-styling is dated and materials quality seem questionable in many models (IMHO)
-noise and water insulation not good enough for soft side pop ups (IMHO)
Closest best fit segment option:
I do like the XPCamper V2 design, but I would really like a pass through and am less interested in having to buy a truck + flatbed + camper for expense.
Vans:
Pros:
-inherently good usable space
-obligatory pass through
-decent fuel economy
-a lot of aftermarket equipment and builders
-can be made somewhat "stealthy"
Cons:
-limited 4x4 options (Mercedes 4x4 Sprinter in deliberately short supply $54k ?!), quigley and other conversions limited capability for the money (IMHO).
-van image "reputation" (IMHO)
Closest best fit segment option:
Mercedes Sprinter 4x4 High Roof, but it is extremely expensive, expensive maintenance, and have heard too many horror stories about the diesel emissions malfunctions (did I say expensive)
"Vintage" 4x4 Trucks:
Pros:
-Some designs are extremely 4x4 capable (portal axle designs)
-Simpler mechanical designs (maintain yourself potentially on something that is still in good shape)
-Real deals to be had in some cases
-Some cool small footprints which are hard to find on modern vehicles
Cons:
-Limited service options and parts availability in many cases
-Many can run extremely "rough" by modern standards (noise, ride, etc.)
-Safety is a genuine concern in many cases (particularly cab overs)
-Automatic transmission is frequently not an option (or a very premium option)
Closest best fit segment options:
Pinzgauer but it very hard to find an automatic for a reasonable price, safety is a bit iffy, slow for extended highway driving, parts, etc.
Modern 4x4 Flatbed Trucks:
Pros:
-Very heavy duty designs (Fuso, etc.)
-Automatic transmissions available
-Availability of fleet maintenance options
-Availability of very nice basic camper shell options (https://totalcomposites.com/expedition-trucks-rvs/)
Cons:
-Expensive
-Large (over my desired 18ft)
-Cabover safety?
Closest best fit segment option:
Mitsubishi Fuso with a Total Composites Shell ,but is a bit expensive, longer, cabover, and I have heard of diesel emissions system malfunctions
I'd would appreciate it if you all have any other platform option recommendations that I might not have come across or to opine on some of my characterizations!
I have spent a great deal of time and research this past year looking at all the available options in the U.S. market for a suitable platform for a small and reasonably capable expedition camper with following features:
1. Reliability, ease of finding maintenance, and readily available replacement parts
2. Safety, driving comfort (no earplugs, handle highway speeds, automatic transmission), and some fuel economy (15 mpg +)
3. 4-wheel drive capability (not rock crawling but handle bad fire roads and snow) and under 18 feet long
4. Camper suitable for 1-2 people (6'2") with basic storage (no big toys) and necessities (fridge, portapotty, no kitchen, 5 gallon jerry can outdoor shower) with pass through and truly 4 season ready for anywhere in continental US. I plan to live in this full-time for the foreseeable future in everything from urban to rural areas.
5. Budget friendly (I'll pay for quality but not as much as a house!)
Here are some of the options I have looked at so far:
Truck Campers:
Pros:
-easy to install to existing vehicles
-easy to move between vehicles in the future
-pop ups allow for better aerodynamics and fuel economy
-good 4x4 options
Cons:
-limited stock small pickup payload capacity
-elimination of preferred regular cabs by many makers recently
-pass through either not available or expensive to modify
-styling is dated and materials quality seem questionable in many models (IMHO)
-noise and water insulation not good enough for soft side pop ups (IMHO)
Closest best fit segment option:
I do like the XPCamper V2 design, but I would really like a pass through and am less interested in having to buy a truck + flatbed + camper for expense.
Vans:
Pros:
-inherently good usable space
-obligatory pass through
-decent fuel economy
-a lot of aftermarket equipment and builders
-can be made somewhat "stealthy"
Cons:
-limited 4x4 options (Mercedes 4x4 Sprinter in deliberately short supply $54k ?!), quigley and other conversions limited capability for the money (IMHO).
-van image "reputation" (IMHO)
Closest best fit segment option:
Mercedes Sprinter 4x4 High Roof, but it is extremely expensive, expensive maintenance, and have heard too many horror stories about the diesel emissions malfunctions (did I say expensive)
"Vintage" 4x4 Trucks:
Pros:
-Some designs are extremely 4x4 capable (portal axle designs)
-Simpler mechanical designs (maintain yourself potentially on something that is still in good shape)
-Real deals to be had in some cases
-Some cool small footprints which are hard to find on modern vehicles
Cons:
-Limited service options and parts availability in many cases
-Many can run extremely "rough" by modern standards (noise, ride, etc.)
-Safety is a genuine concern in many cases (particularly cab overs)
-Automatic transmission is frequently not an option (or a very premium option)
Closest best fit segment options:
Pinzgauer but it very hard to find an automatic for a reasonable price, safety is a bit iffy, slow for extended highway driving, parts, etc.
Modern 4x4 Flatbed Trucks:
Pros:
-Very heavy duty designs (Fuso, etc.)
-Automatic transmissions available
-Availability of fleet maintenance options
-Availability of very nice basic camper shell options (https://totalcomposites.com/expedition-trucks-rvs/)
Cons:
-Expensive
-Large (over my desired 18ft)
-Cabover safety?
Closest best fit segment option:
Mitsubishi Fuso with a Total Composites Shell ,but is a bit expensive, longer, cabover, and I have heard of diesel emissions system malfunctions
I'd would appreciate it if you all have any other platform option recommendations that I might not have come across or to opine on some of my characterizations!