Should I buy a 4X4 motorhome?

QUESTION

Hi John,

Following on from your recent excellent videos on the towing capabilities of utes and safe towing in general, I have a question regarding 4x4 motorhomes.

Given that a number of companies are converting vehicles like the Toyota Coaster to a 4x4 set up or even taking the Iveco Daily 4x4 and fitting them out as motorhomes, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the capabilities and safety of these vehicles.

I have a friend who is currently up around the Dampier Peninsular in such a vehicle and it looks like it would be a fun way to do such a journey around Australia.

Due to the fact that it’s both expensive and difficult to get one’s hands on these vehicles for a test drive, it would be great if you could do a video explaining some of the advantages and disadvantages of fitting out one of these units, including weight capacities, reliability and handling etc.

Regards,

Rowdy Rod

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ANSWER

Hey Rod,

I don’t have any experience with these vehicles (driving them) but if I was going to build a zombie apocalypse survival truck (and the thought has crossed my mind) it would be an Iveco Turbo 4X4. Instead of a motorhome back I’d probably just fit a couple of M2HBs on monopods - one for me and one for Tiffany. Carry lots of ammo.

There are an increasing number of options with this kind of vehicle these days, including a 4X4 Isuzu N-Series and a Hino equivalent as well. And there are companies which will bolt what is effectively a small caravan onto the back of your 4X4 truck. I would characterise these set-ups as far more tenable and dynamically safer than hauling a 3.5-tonne pig trailer behind a ute. Click the links below to understand the realities of that.

When you consider the cost of a LC300 Sahara Maximum Wank (or whatever they call the top spec) plus a 3.5-tonne acoustically transparent aluminium caravan, the Iveco option does start to look quite reasonable. And it’s got two low range gearsets - which is an argument stopper right there, for your average beard-stroking dickhead.

Not very convenient to drive to Coles though.

JC

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