Community Forums

phrrent · 02-19-2010, 12:15 PM

would appreciate any input on DP motor homes that are good for getting to remote boondocking places. Not something to be used for overnighting at a wal-mart or the like. I would like some info pertaining to wheelbase, length, ground clearance, and overall ruggedness and ability to stand up to us on rough roads. There will be two people and a border collie using the MH we are experencied tent campers. Please all I want is input on motor homes. Not how to camp,where to camp or how to drive,we are both retired truck driver that grew up on family farms in th 50s and 60s we have all the rest well covered.

RustyJC · 02-19-2010, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phrrent

would appreciate any input on DP motor homes that are good for getting to remote boondocking places. Not something to be used for overnighting at a wal-mart or the like. I would like some info pertaining to wheelbase, length, ground clearance, and overall ruggedness and ability to stand up to us on rough roads.

Are you familiar with the EarthRoamer vehicles? Not DPs, but if you're going into seriously rough country......

Rusty

Elkhartjim · 02-20-2010, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phrrent

Please all I want is input on motor homes.

Thirty-four foot is about the "shortest" DP. Ground clearance would be a major concern and even at this length the twist and turns would be difficult. That's my input.

JayLodge · 02-20-2010, 06:45 AM

I think you'll find most of the typical 35 to 40 foot DP to be so similar in those features you mentioned that you'll need other criteria to make a selection, but this forum has an abundance of info on "boondocking" subjects such as power/battery consumption, locations, etc. Otherwise, you may need to pursue other vehicles as suggested by RustyJC. Keep us posted!

Korryp · 02-21-2010, 07:43 AM

Global Expedition Vehicles

Some nice rides

phrrent · 02-21-2010, 09:07 AM

Thanks for the replys, as for Earthroamer, or Expedition Vehicles, my MH will be for fulltiming not just for vacations and I have driven trucks with sleepers with more room than either of these vehicles. The price of these vehicles is not justified by their ability to really not be able to take you much further into the boonies, they do well on extremely rough roads,muddy or snow covered roads. But roads that I have found while 4 wheeling with a jeep are to narrow and lack suffecient overhead clearance for these trucks. Also what would you do when you're coming down a 8.5ft wide road with a 500ft drop off on one side and a steep mt. side going up on the other and you meet someone coming up the other way and they have the right of way? You're SOL. All I want is motorhome that will get me beyond the campgrounds to the less used areas of public lands, not somthing to be used for 4 wheeling, I will tow a jeep for that.

Ray,IN · 02-23-2010, 08:02 PM

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f93/boondocking-with-a-diesel-pusher-55599.html
is practically the same question. Perhaps you'll find useful information there.

jeepsrule · 02-24-2010, 06:08 AM

I think I would stick with the Jeep toad for the off-roading. The Global Expedition Vehicles are interesting though.
I think that if I could get a 35 ft 101" wide MH into a boondocking camping spot I could probably maneuver a 40ft, 101" wide MH in the same area. Will 4-6ft shorter and 2000lbs lighter really make much difference??

bruceh · 02-24-2010, 11:20 AM

One thing that hasn't been mentioned so far is water/gray capacity. There is signicant variation here. I do a lot of dry camping and water capacity was one of my deciding factors.

Seajay · 03-30-2010, 07:17 AM

WATER STOWAGE...... To me this is one of the most important items to consider when it comes to boon docking. Our coach will hold 75 gallons of fresh water. Our gray tank will hold 35 gallons and our black tank will hold 50 gallons. If we are careful we can live for about seven days without hook ups or dumping. Our coach is a 2000 model Pace Arrow 33 feet long. I can get in and out of tight places without much trouble and we have never been ''stuck'' but once and that was due to my stupidity and lack of planning. We got un stuck using the leveling jacks and some blocks of wood. (another story here) Our ''toad'' is a 04 Ford Ranger 4 w/d and it will go about anywhere ...... we have a 4kva generator for power and two 6 volt house batteries and a converter. Boondocking is fun, usually not crowded and cheap. If you boondock take the pledge to NEVER PUT ANYTHING ON THE GROUND EXCEPT FOOT PRINTS AND NEVER TAKE ANY THING EXCEPT GOOD MEMORIES AND PICTURES.....
Seajay the sailor man...

Jeff and Cheryl · 04-03-2010, 11:53 PM

The Alpine Coach is one to consider for boondocking. They are known for their large tanks. 100 gallons fresh, 100 gallons grey and 80 gallons black is typical. In addition, the Alpine Coach forum here has a number of very knowledgable folks that can help with coach specific issues that may come up.

toolman1 · 04-04-2010, 08:15 AM

Although I don't personally own a DP, we regularly go boondocking with others that own Fleetwood Expeditions, HR's and others. All of them will get you off the beaten path. It's just a matter of paying attention to the terrain, knowing what soft spots look like in various washes, and occasionally getting out and walking an unknown stretch of dirt road so as not to get into a situation where you might have to backup for a considerable distance.

Capacities are paramount in a DP decision, and if the coach already has a solar array, that is just icing on the cake.

Good luck in your decision.

Spikester · 04-04-2010, 03:17 PM

Along with Grey/Black/Fresh water capacities, if you are considering serious boondocking look at space availability for extra batteries and installation of Solar Panels, fuel tank capacity (if you plan to run generator a lot) and propane tank capacity for sure.

Spike