When you’re in the market for an off-road camper, the sheer variety of these campers can be confusing. Since these RVs look a lot like regular RVs (the ones meant for the roads), things can be even more confusing. What sets off-road RVs apart from their on-road counterparts is the fact that they’ve been modified in such a way that they can easily traverse dirt roads, desert paths, and brush. Also, these modifications allow the camper to take a lot of load as a result of undulations, potholes and ruts. Since there are so many different types of mods, it’s important to choose a camper that has the mods you need. Common modifications include increased ground clearance, reinforced chassis, off-road tires, and off-road suspension kits.
Full height is important
Full-height ATVs are much the same as their conventional counterparts in terms of features, liability, and size. When choosing a camper, there are a number of modifications and features to consider that contribute to its overall height:
- Galvanized chassis.
- Larger water tanks.
- Stronger cabinets that are mostly reinforced.
- Larger chassis members.
- Articulated coupling for towing.
- Off-road suspension, there are several types to choose from.
- Stud pattern and wheel size to fit both vehicles.
- Much better ground clearance.
- A slightly higher rear for a better angle.
- A stone guard that is designed to protect both the tow van and caravan from rocks.
- Heavy duty bumpers.
- Low consumption lights.
- tandem axles.
Many high-end caravan manufacturers use these inclusions as part of their standard features. That said, some ATV manufacturers only have a basic list of features and add-ons like heavy-duty bumpers, energy-efficient lights, etc. it will be necessary to add.
The downside usually associated with buying all-inclusive ATVs is that, despite being durable, they are big and heavy. Therefore, using a powerful trailer is very important. Some towing vehicles worth considering are the V8 Land Cruiser and the F250. Also, a diesel powered 4WD is much better compared to a gasoline powered trailer due to better torque.
The pop off top caravan
The detachable off-road caravan is extremely popular in humid climates because it allows for good ventilation and is not as heavy as normal off-road caravans. People don’t need an expensive and powerful towing vehicle to pull the camper, which can easily hold five people. The lower height of this camper makes it suitable for higher speeds and better fuel economy. Its smaller size allows it to slip into any garage or parking space. However, the downsides include not being able to go on all types of terrain. These should not be used on bush paths with low hanging branches. Also, there isn’t as much storage space as there is in regular heavy duty off-road RVs.
So as a general rule convertible caravans are much better suited to carpeted roads and desert environments, get one if you don’t have a powerful vehicle as its 1.5 ton weight isn’t much. However, opt for the fully loaded 2.5-tone off-roader if you want true versatility.
