Why dont more Mudders RV?

[dtrain]

Nice set ups! dtrain did the airbags make a difference?

Thanks! We dig it. Just got back from Refugio north of Santa Barbara with the family for 6 days. No complaints!!

It was a 6 hr drive (for us ). Running heavies in the rear and they worked well even with a beat down sway bar setup. But... adding the air bags (w separate lines) made a huge difference in the stability w wind and bumps. Way better handling all the way around. Plus I didn't have to stress about weight distribution in the truck as much. Well worth the 80 bucks and few hours to install.

This weekend, just the wife and I are off to camp at Costanoa just north of Santa Cruz. I removed the rear away bar all together as a test run for this short trip (no front sway bar... Never had one on this truck). Airbags seemed to be doing all the work in the last trip anyway. Standard mountain and freeway driving w the rear sway bar out seems solid so worth a test.

 

[FJ40Jim]

We have gone from sleeping on the ground to a small trailer. It is nice having a furnace, fridge, stove, table and bed. No hot water system or AC or genny, 'cause that is a whole 'nother layer of weight/complexity I'm trying to avoid. It is unnoticeable behind the FJ60, but the car has been the preferred TV for long trips.

This is as offroad as it has gotten so far.

 

[jcardona1]

Why don't I RV? Simple. I don't like the idea of it. For me, being outdoors is about getting away from people and going without everyday luxuries for a few days. Unwind. Recharge. Have a bit of an adventure. Towing a house on wheels is not my idea of doing that. Besides, an RV won't go the places I wanna explore. I like challenging trails and sleeping in front of remote lakes.

I don't like the idea of setting up shop in an RV farm then going to explore in a separate rig. I like to have everything I need on the rig. It's a different style of doing the outdoors that's just not possible with an RV.

I'd rather sleep in front of this than inside an RV

The only RV I need

And going to places like this where an RV can only dream of going

 

[80t0ylc]

Why don't I RV? Simple. I don't like the idea of it. For me, being outdoors is about getting away from people and going without everyday luxuries for a few days. Unwind. Recharge. Have a bit of an adventure. Towing a house on wheels is not my idea of doing that. Besides, an RV won't go the places I wanna explore. I like challenging trails and sleeping in front of remote lakes.

I don't like the idea of setting up shop in an RV farm then going to explore in a separate rig. I like to have everything I need on the rig. It's a different style of doing the outdoors that's just not possible with an RV.

I'd rather sleep in front of this than inside an RV

You're short changing yourself. If you really want to experience "adventure" and "getting away from people and going with out luxuries for a few days" ditch your 80 and get a backpack. Yeah, your pics look nice and secluded and at the right time of year, you can find yourself alone at places like that. But, if you can drive to the lake, it is not remote, IMHO. You may be able to access a small number of "campsites" that an RV can't, but so what? Someone else with another vehicle will show up sooner or later. RV camping may not be your idea of adventure and that's fine. But if you're trying to say that your vehicle accessed camp sites are more adventurous or remote - yeah, right. For the adventure that you're talking about, get away from the roads and on to the 2 or 4 legged critter trails. But a word of warning - be sure that you are physically fit enough before you try it. A 60 lb. backpack trip including overnight & cooking gear is quite different than a knapsack day hike for physical demands, alone.

 

[jcardona1]

But if you're trying to say that your vehicle accessed camp sites are more adventurous or remote - yeah, right

Try to stay on topic here. We're talking RVs vs a regular motor vehicle. Bringing up survival camping with nothing but a backpack is an apples to duct tape comparison.

And that's exactly what I'm trying to say because it's the truth. I don't know where you live but here in the narrow, rocky trails of northern California, your RV will be sitting several miles away in a parking lot with all the others.

 

[TXLX100]

To each his own. One way isn't better than any other. I have camped in the back of my truck, in a pop-up, in a Prevost (that's not really camping), backpacked, slept in small boats, etc.... My point is, sometimes the best trips are on foot, or riding around in truck, or tent camping with your whole family. It just depends on what it is and what you are trying to do. If you are one person traveling through the mountains, it definitely makes sense to camp out of your truck.

 

[80t0ylc]

Try to stay on topic here. We're talking RVs vs a regular motor vehicle. Bringing up survival camping with nothing but a backpack is an apples to duct tape comparison.

And that's exactly what I'm trying to say because it's the truth. I don't know where you live but here in the narrow, rocky trails of northern California, your RV will be sitting several miles away in a parking lot with all the others.

The topic is: Why don't more Mudders RV. You gave your reasons why you don't, and that's fine. And they probably work for you. I just suggested backpacking, because from your post, you sounded like "getting away from it all" was your goal. And if it is, camping in or around any rig may or may not work. I know and go to places in my RV that can be as secluded as any in your pics. It depends on the season or time of year. I can sleep outside my RV if I so desire in these places. In case you weren't aware of it, most RVs are capable of "dry camping". This is camping with an RV without hookups. They are fully self contained and would leave as little or less of an impact on a camping spot than setting up a tent. This again depends on the people. If they're responsible and leave the place as they found it, RVs can be as eco-friendly as any other method of vehicle camping. I will say that in a lot of places, especially California, if you even park an RV outside of an RV park or campground, you can catch flak about illegal camping.

 

[dtrain]

I dont see many folks talk about RVing, whether it be in a Class A, B, C or Travel Trailer. I see a lot of talk about RTTs and sleeping platforms on M416s, but really, that only works if its you and another person, maybe 1 kid.

The fact is, I used to tent camp, had a RTT, and had an off-road popup trailer (Starcraft 11RT), but as the family gets bigger/older, these are just not comfortable options anymore. And the , whom is very rough/tough when needed, would rather have an actual toilet than a porta potty if she had her druthers. I get that. I am sure I am not alone with these family "requirements".

Are there others who have RVs but just not talk about it? I'd like to hear/see some RV setups, why you chose your RV type vs another, as well as why you do/do not RV.

OP and how I took the "spirit of the thread"... but of course to each their own

 

[Mr Cimarron]

I have thought about buying an RV for family outings. Would make getting everyone out of the house a lot easier. I would much rather tent camp off the beaten path but when I'm the only person packing, unloading, setting up and breaking down camp it gets old quick. I would also keep the RV small so I wouldn't have to be stuck at those RV parking lot places.

 

[jcardona1]

I know and go to places in my RV that can be as secluded as any in your pics. It depends on the season or time of year. I can sleep outside my RV if I so desire in these places. In case you weren't aware of it, most RVs are capable of "dry camping". This is camping with an RV without hookups. They are fully self contained and would leave as little or less of an impact on a camping spot

It's not the hookups and dry camping that puts me off. It's the sheer size of them. The cumbersome inconvenience because of all the conveniences they offer. An RV will simply not fit down a most OHV/4x4 trails and forest roads.

In my case it's just my wife and I. We are more than capable of going away for a few days without AC, electricity, showers, TVs, microwaves, couches, curling irons and curtains. For me, IN MY OPINION, it goes against the whole point of trying to be in the outdoors. Those things are nice to have, but not needed to enjoy the outdoors.

So like the OP asked, those are my reasons for not RVing. Maybe when we're old and retire or hit the lotto and decide to drive cross-country for weeks or months, then yeah, an RV makes total sense.

RVing is to Offroading like cruising the harbor in a yacht is to white-water kayaking. Different strokes, different lifestyles.

 

[FJ40Jim]

My wife is the reason for our tiny "RV". I don't consider it a real RV, since it is smaller than a full size pickup truck. But it meets her requirements: dry, warm place to sit & read; porta-jon; fridge; flat bed (no rocks).

When we were young and still backpacked, we would start the weekend with a 45# pack (mine) and a 30# pack (hers). We would end up with a 50# pack (mine) and a 20# pack (hers). We stopped backpacking after a while.

She also expressed an interest in a motorsailor yacht.
And would probably veto his 'n hers kayaks.

You can see how this is evolving.

 

[TXLX100]

My wife is the reason for our tiny "RV". I don't consider it a real RV, since it is smaller than a full size pickup truck. But it meets her requirements: dry, warm place to sit & read; porta-jon; fridge; flat bed (no rocks).

When we were young and still backpacked, we would start the weekend with a 45# pack (mine) and a 30# pack (hers). We would end up with a 50# pack (mine) and a 20# pack (hers). We stopped backpacking after a while.

She also expressed an interest in a motorsailor yacht.
And would probably veto his 'n hers kayaks.

You can see how this is evolving.

Haha, that's my life. I was literally sleeping on the floor when I met my wife (although it was a pretty nice place). Needless to say, we got beds all over this MF'er now.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Why don't I RV? Simple. I don't like the idea of it. For me, being outdoors is about getting away from people and going without everyday luxuries for a few days. Unwind. Recharge. Have a bit of an adventure. Towing a house on wheels is not my idea of doing that. Besides, an RV won't go the places I wanna explore. I like challenging trails and sleeping in front of remote lakes.

I don't like the idea of setting up shop in an RV farm then going to explore in a separate rig. I like to have everything I need on the rig. It's a different style of doing the outdoors that's just not possible with an RV.

I'd rather sleep in front of this than inside an RV


The only RV I need

And going to places like this where an RV can only dream of going
......

I have no problem with your choice but I think you underestimate where you can go with an RV. I'd have no hesitation to pull my pop-up over the lost highway and camp at Usal Beach. Or take on a number of other narrow rocky trails in N Cali. If you read through the rest of the thread you will discover there are many reason to choose an RV for camping. I would almost guarantee I could camp right next to you with my trailer in the camp shown in that last picture.

We have been some pretty amazing places with our little trailer.

You should have seen the sunrise on those mountains the next morning.



This is probably further from pavement than any of the pictures you posted.



Bumper to bumper at the RV park.


We actually stay in campgrounds on occasion, my 82 YO Mom was with us on this trip. The big coach in the back ground was the camp host, we never saw them. There were no other RV's in the park. We stop there because there are hot showers and it's always empty, not surprising because it's in the middle of BFE. Anyway it's a nice break from dry camping on week long trips.


Yup pretty much impossible to get to remote locations with an RV. This is about 25 miles north of the plya where they have burning man and about 5 miles from an improved road.


I wish I had taken some pictures of our deer hunting camp in Eastern Nevada this fall. We were twenty miles from pavement in a BLM campground. The little pop-up was very popular in the pre-dawn when temps were in the low teens and I had the heater going, one morning we had five guys crammed into it.

 

[arcteryx]

off track, but since I am the OP, I approve

I just want to say, I really enjoy living in Texas, but I do envy folks out west who can get out in the open on public land. Texas is mostly private so it makes it difficult to do so. Thanks for sharing the pics guys!

 

[rusty_tlc]

It's not the hookups and dry camping that puts me off. It's the sheer size of them. The cumbersome inconvenience because of all the conveniences they offer. An RV will simply not fit down a most OHV/4x4 trails and forest roads.

In my case it's just my wife and I. We are more than capable of going away for a few days without AC, electricity, showers, TVs, microwaves, couches, curling irons and curtains. For me, IN MY OPINION, it goes against the whole point of trying to be in the outdoors. Those things are nice to have, but not needed to enjoy the outdoors.

So like the OP asked, those are my reasons for not RVing. Maybe when we're old and retire or hit the lotto and decide to drive cross-country for weeks or months, then yeah, an RV makes total sense.

RVing is to Offroading like cruising the harbor in a yacht is to white-water kayaking. Different strokes, different lifestyles.

This is a statement made without knowledge of what RVing can be. It's just your impression of what RVing is.

You don't have to get old to want a few conveniences, wait until you have a couple of toddlers. Would you rather stay home because it's one hell of a lot of work to tent camp with kids in diapers or get a small pop-up and keep on camping?

Or like us you may want to spend weeks exploring remote areas where there are no paved roads, sleeping on the ground gets old fast. Or you may want the convenience of a rig that is packed and ready to go on a whim. Or you may want to extend your camping season, start earlier in the spring and camp later in the fall.

Our style of Rving sure isn't like cruising the harbor in a yacht, it may not be class 6 white water kayaking but it qualifies as class 2 or 3.

BTW you don't have to have an RV with color TV, microwave, and all the other BS. Our trailer is little more than a tent on wheels with a heater and a stove, oh yeah and a 5 gallon bucket with a liner, likes that especially at night.

 

[Muddy Bean]

Fwiw, we live in a class A coach fulltime. No house, no apartment, no drama. Ok some drama. Bus drama.





Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD while navigating gnarly trail. Typos are inherent.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I have thought about buying an RV for family outings. Would make getting everyone out of the house a lot easier. I would much rather tent camp off the beaten path but when I'm the only person packing, unloading, setting up and breaking down camp it gets old quick. I would also keep the RV small so I wouldn't have to be stuck at those RV parking lot places.

We had a 21' Arctic Fox that could handle most Forest Service roads, it was built as a SOA and had heated tanks, an enclosed underbelly etc. The guy who designed it was an Elk hunter and wanted trailers that could take back country roads. You just need to find the right RV if you want to get away from the Good Sam parks. I think I posted some pictures of that trailer in Death Valley earlier in this thread.

 

[jcardona1]

Our trailer is little more than a tent on wheels with a heater and a stove, oh yeah and a 5 gallon bucket with a liner, likes that especially at night.

Well yeah. I wouldn't even put that in the same category as some of the behemoths posted here. Those are on a whole different level. A tiny little pop up is not what most think about when they hear the word "RV". A little pop could be dragged along on most trails, unless of course they involve technical rock crawling.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Well yeah. I wouldn't even put that in the same category as some of the behemoths posted here. Those are on a whole different level. A tiny little pop up is not what most think about when they hear the word "RV". A little pop could be dragged along on most trails, unless of course they involve technical rock crawling.

So what about the Sportsmobile? RV or not RV? You can get one of those equipped with AC, microwave, fridge, and;

Advance Adapter Atlas II all gear driven transfer case Dynatrac Pro-Roc 60 front axle Dana 60 rear axle High Knuckle front end for extra tie rod clearance True horizontal drag link Spicer 1350 one-ton rated driveline components Reverse Shackle leaf spring design Your choice of open, limited slip, or locking differentials Partial military wrap springs designed specifically for a Sportsmobile conversion Front sway bar with quick disconnect system and custom shocks.

 

[Bogo]

So what about the Sportsmobile? RV or not RV? You can get one of those equipped with AC, microwave, fridge, and;

I was going to mention them. It is also possible to get 4WD conversions done on Sprinter vans. That way you get a diesel engine and good gas mileage. Without much lift a guy who had one done only lost 1MPG so he had an RV that did better than 20MPG and could go off road.