Comments on: I Have a Dream: The Ultimate Boondocking Machine

By: John Lefcourte

John Lefcourte — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:32:46 +0000

(With the trailer I’m limited in where I can go)

By: John Lefcourte

John Lefcourte — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:31:49 +0000

I do have a blue, wheeled waste container, for extended landsailing stays, but w/o the trailer I’m limited in how long I can stay by water, waste and fuel. Oh well, life is a compromise.

By: Bob Difley

Bob Difley — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:41:33 +0000

John – Sounds like a nice compact rig. The utility trailer allows you to carry extras–like your 20 gal. of water–that don’t fit in the motorhome. You might consider also carrying a “blue boy” waste water container-on-wheels as the gray water tank size is also a limiting factor. Also, West Marine carries collapsible rubber water containers for boats (they squeeze into and fill odd-shaped bilges) for extra potable water and use a simple pump to pump it into your water tank. I like the compact size that you have, and will probably downsize myself with my next rig purchase. Every factor of downsizing can be easily handled, mostly having to do with the “things” you bring along, but the potable water and gray water waste are the biggest problems.

By: John Lefcourte

John Lefcourte — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:24:16 +0000

I have a 1999 3500 Chevy 4wd dually with a positraction rearend that I bought from an individual who built his own 21′ motorhome on it. He did a beautiful job, all himself. I added solar panels. The only drawbacks are 24 gal of fresh water and similarly small black and grey. I landsail on dry lakes and pull a small utility trailer with the landsailers and equipment so carry an additional 20 gallons of water.

Water and fuel capacity, and the consequent weight, are definitely the limiting factors.

By: Boondocking on Water, Sort Of

Boondocking on Water, Sort Of — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:01:38 +0000

[...] really didn’t intend to get off on dream vehicles when I wrote about the extreme Unicat in a previous blog. The blog was thinly disguised as a discussion of boondocking, and the Unicat—and others similar [...]

By: Gary L Bloomfield

Gary L Bloomfield — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:37:50 +0000

Another alternative is a vehicle modified by Quigley Motors, located near York, PA. We have a 2003 Dutchman 26Q motorhome that was converted to four (six?)wheel drive. You have a lot more choices as to what size and kind of vehicle that fits your needs and then check into whether they can do the conversion. It rose our camper up four full inches for a total of five using taller tires. Although not really designed for “off road use” per se we do spend a lot of time driving on the beach and many other places one would not normally consider taking a a normal RV into.

By: Bob Difley

Bob Difley — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:38:15 +0000

Chris – I actually did consider a 4WD pick-up with camper. Haven’t ruled it out yet. One fear that I do have with these Unimogs and their clones is that their abilities will get people driving off across the desert rather than following the jeep trails and dirt roads. I have seen too manyexamples where ORVs and off-road bikes have torn up the desert beyond a healing point. And one of the reasons given for the endangered species ranking of the desert tortoise is that their demise was partly because of off road vehicles running over them. They do not move quick enough to get out of the way. But for forested land, these vehicles would have to follow existing roads. They don’t–yet–have the ability to mow down trees.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:18:16 +0000

I want one too.

But I’ll probably have to find a used chassis (Because of the cost, maybe 4WD Ford or Chevy, instead a Unimog.) and build the camper on top myself. But to be truthful, I probably won’t have enough time to do this, between retirement, and old age catching up to me.

I’ve seen similar Unimog rigs driving around Moab, Utah. I salivated at the thought of being able to camp in the far backcountry where few vehicles can go. (Of course, anywhere within fifty or so miles of Moab now days, you’re likely to be joined by a dozen rowdy mountain bikers, so it might not be a true wilderness experience.)

However, I do know that, at least the older Mogs can’t maintain interstate speed, and are noisy and rough-riding on the highway. I’m not sure about their mileage either. Maybe the newer ones have improved highway capabilities.

A more practical alternative for us mere mortals might be a 4WD pickup with a small camper on the back. The 4WD would want to be fitted out so it had good ground clearance, high-flotation tires, appropriate suspension, full-locking differentials, etc. It would want ot be small enough to travel the jeep trails. (The Mog is really pretty large.) Some of the smaller camper manufacturers will make a custom rig for you. It would want to be small and light, but have just enough room and accessories to be livable.

By: John Hilley

John Hilley — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 17:45:40 +0000

We traveled in Europe last May in a rented motorhome. In northern Italy and Austria we saw several similar Unimog based vehicles. They all had tracks for sand strapped to them and large snorkels for intake air and exhaust.