Quote:
Originally Posted by Jmac00
[edited for brevity]
...THOR XG32 MAGNITUDE/OMNI 4x4 diesel...test drive, very smooth, very quiet and powerful...in the wilderness...we also plan on changing...the toilet to a AIRHEAD composting toilet and combining [holding tanks]...a good size for full time, for us its not to small or to big, and has a good turn radius
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Thank you for mentioning that type rig.
Shiny!
A couple-three potential issues I see:
* height -- tree limbs could impact the front
* width -- branches and bushes might impact the sides (the 'pin-stripe' rite-of-passage on veteran overlanders).
I found a Thor Omni 4x4 sales-pitch video on YouTube.
Shiny!
The spokes-model was enthusiastic about the exclusive decal 'offerings' available only through his dealership.
Shiny!
Sure... fine.
It's all good.
*****
2003, after refining our Requirements Statement, we converted a 1997 Ford CF8000 commercial truck to our concept of an ExpeditionVehicle.
We chose this chassis for several reasons:
* ground-clearance -- we have sixteen inches before anything hits anything
* short wheel-base for quick turns
* height -- at less than eleven feet, we can usually dodge limbs
* width -- at seven feet, we minimize rite-of-passage 'pin-stripes' of our wider travel companions
* our interior is three paces across by seven paces long
This size works for us because we are outside most of the time.
On a factory RecreationVehicle such as your Thor, I would commit devout attention to the manufacturer GVWR.
Based solely on the first minute of the video (I quit at .58), I think its proclaimed ability to boondock more than a few days is... shall we say... unrealistic.
For our fresh water, we use retired five-gallon Pepsi© kegs.
This modular system offers:
* ability to add/subtract capacity depending on our agenda -- Do we need ten, do we need thirty?
* ability to isolate contamination
* ability to detach a keg or three to fill without moving the rig
* ability to detach a keg to carry to an outside camp-kitchen
For propane, we carry standard five-gallon bottles.
Similar to our water kegs, we can detach one from the rig to juice a camp-kitchen... or fill one or three at a propane station.
After nearly two decades full-time live-aboard in this version of our ExpeditionVehicle concept, we are constantly evolving.
We grow and learn, our needs change.
My suggestion:
* avoid thinking 'this rig is our forever rig'.
Is the Thor 4x4 available for rent to test *your family* doing the *activities you prefer*?
This eval is one step in your PoC (Proof of Concept).
One point on 4x4 (or 6x6!)...
After nearly two decades full-time live-aboard on remote forest tracks and isolated Baja beaches, we needed more than our rear-drive exactly... wait for it... TWICE:
* once was a blizzard around the Shasta volcano in north California,
* the second was a swamp in El Salvador.
Rear-wheel drive eliminates the weight and complexity of 4x4 (or 6x6!), and shortens turns.
We chose this particular 1997 Ford CF8000 4x2 because it has a factory air-locker in the drive-axle.
re:
4x4
During our escapades around Baja, we often see converted Euro-military 4x4 (and 6x6!) rigs, but they rarely go off-road.
If they stick the thing, they need the local military to drag it back to pavement.
I welcome your advice and suggestions for improvement!
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