BajaNomad

6x6 Motorhome

edm1 - 9-15-2013 at 09:02 PM

Imagine lifting it 6 inches, putting a front axle, a double transfer case, a differential axle in place of the tag axle, and 37" tires. All for $30,000 including the 29 ft. motorhome itself.



[Edited on 9-16-2013 by edm1]

DocRey - 9-15-2013 at 09:26 PM

Nice. Looks good to me.

edm1 - 9-15-2013 at 09:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by whistler
I was mechanic in the service and was the wrecker operator.5 ton,10x10.That thing was slower than hell but would go anywhere.


This thing woud use OEM axle and differential gear ratios that would enable it to be driven like modern pickup trucks, say 80 mph in the freeways, in 2WD mode of course.

David K - 9-16-2013 at 09:24 AM

Oh Art... for off roading, bigger isn't better! :smug:

Only your first 4WD Motorhome/Van conversion could get to Mission Santa Maria and onto Shell Island's bottomless sand (two benchmarks in Baja)!

edm1 - 9-16-2013 at 01:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Oh Art... for off roading, bigger isn't better! :smug:

Only your first 4WD Motorhome/Van conversion could get to Mission Santa Maria and onto Shell Island's bottomless sand (two benchmarks in Baja)!


My current motorhome can handle Shell Island with ease ( unless muddy, I h8 mud!) and the 6x6 will handle Shell Island with ease too. MSM? Not for the bigger motorhomes, I'm tired of fixing things that get loose, and broken.

David, you're right my old Class B motorhome is the largest (22ft long, 94" wide) that I would dare bring to MSM.

[Edited on 9-16-2013 by edm1]

David K - 9-16-2013 at 06:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by edm1
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Oh Art... for off roading, bigger isn't better! :smug:

Only your first 4WD Motorhome/Van conversion could get to Mission Santa Maria and onto Shell Island's bottomless sand (two benchmarks in Baja)!


My current motorhome can handle Shell Island with ease ( unless muddy, I h8 mud!) and the 6x6 will handle Shell Island with ease too. MSM? Not for the bigger motorhomes, I'm tired of fixing things that get loose, and broken.

David, you're right my old Class B motorhome is the largest (22ft long, 94" wide) that I would dare bring to MSM.

[Edited on 9-16-2013 by edm1]


EPIC Nomad Group Adventure: 2010... Not only did edm1 climb back up the Widowmaker (<2 miles from Mission Santa Maria), but he pulled Neal Johns camper up it too!!!

Photos (some not before published) of edm1's amazing 4WD motorhome on the toughest road in Baja!









The day before...































MADE IT!

More of 4WD Motorhome at Mission Santa Maria, 2010

David K - 9-16-2013 at 06:11 PM









Ken Cooke - 9-16-2013 at 07:03 PM

Great photos!!:bounce:

edm1 - 9-16-2013 at 07:54 PM

Wow, those are some photos of my old motorhome that I haven't seen posted online before, though I recall they're in the CD that you gave me! Thank you David. You're making feel I miss that motorhome.


[Edited on 9-17-2013 by edm1]

Neal Johns - 9-16-2013 at 11:10 PM

DK, You are in deep trouble for highlighting my terrible shame again! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

David K - 9-17-2013 at 09:22 AM

LOL... Neal, that custom differential had to go sometime (with that huge load you carry)... So, aren't you glad it happened with friends along to help?

Now, there was one other time you were hard on your Tacoma... and thank God for your satellite phone... otherwise Marian would have had to walk a dozen miles to Hwy. 1!

David K - 9-17-2013 at 09:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by whistler
Thanks for the photos.Fat chance I will ever see that place in person(unless I am in your Tacoma).


It is a very beautiful and magic place Glenn... Because it is so difficult to get to, makes it that more special... I have been 4 times (1999, 2003, 2007, 2010) and am getting the urge to go back... as I do every 3-4 years!

'99: http://vivabaja.com/missionsm/
'03: http://vivabaja.com/403/
'07: http://vivabaja.com/msm/
'10: http://vivabaja.com/msm2010/

BajaRat - 9-17-2013 at 09:50 AM

Go with your bad self Art ! If you can do it go for it. :cool:

mtgoat666 - 9-17-2013 at 09:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by edm1
Imagine lifting it 6 inches, putting a front axle, a double transfer case, a differential axle in place of the tag axle, and 37" tires. All for $30,000 including the 29 ft. motorhome itself.


suggest you look at something designed for heavier duty, like a unimog or sportsmobile. the typical RV has light-duty cabinets/fixtures that will self-destruct on bumpy roads or if vehicle if repeatedly twisted on uneven roads.

sounds like you want low budget, so buy a fixer-upper.

edm1 - 9-17-2013 at 04:12 PM

With my experience offroad driving the 2 motorhomes in Baja as proving ground, I believe the 6x6 project vehicle would be a good Baja rig, on deep sand, washboards, and mild 4x4 trails. It won't be a turnkey conversion, all the mounts - drivetrain, suspension, cabinets, etc, - would have to be strenghtened, but the cost of the entire build will be just a small fraction, maybe 1/10, of building a similar "motorhome" based on conventional hardened expedition rigs such as Unimogs, MANs, etc. Which I think are all uncomfortable to drive due to their weight, size, shape, and limited highway speed limitations.

[Edited on 9-17-2013 by edm1]

David K - 9-17-2013 at 04:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by whistler
David,I'm just not into rock bouncing.Your photos are good enough but a video would be nice.
Over 20 years ago a friend took his Winnebago to Abreojos,towing an early Bronco with a car top boat on top of that.By the time we got there,yes the cabinets were all on the floor or just hanging by a screw or two.
Well,if anybody can design,engineer and build these two rigs,I am sure he can prevent it from happening.
Sure would of liked to seen photos of your build from start to finish,Edm1.


Going to Mission Santa Maria is not a fast. off road racing type of a trip... The less than 15 mile trip takes us 3 HOURS. It is nice, low speed cruise over rocks... so there is some slow speed bounces, but nothing like a run to Coco's Corner with washouts!

There are many You Tube videos of the road... and my naming of the one bad grade 'Widowmaker' has really caught on... even with Mexican national off roaders. Paul 'hbmurphy' made a few videos of our trip in 2010 on Your Tube, as well.

Here are Paul's video clips... sound on, ENJOY!

Going in:







Coming back (pulling Neal):





edm1 climbing up the Widowmaker!:

edm1 - 9-17-2013 at 05:05 PM

Wow, the euphoria - reliving/reloving it!

[Edited on 9-18-2013 by edm1]

edm1 - 9-17-2013 at 09:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by whistler
If I wanted to do something like that(which I don't)I would start with a deuce in a half.6x6,Rockwells, already lifted,no screwing around with custom fabricated parts etc.
I was in a signal unit .The deuce in a halfs had fiberglass shells that contained the radios and operators(air conditioned).You could build your own custom living quarters fairly easy.
David,it use to take me 3 hours from the highway to Campo Rene when towing my boat.Still tore stuff up.No thanks.


If the Rockwells could be fitted with freeway gears, without stressing the engine at insane rpms, threy'd be my choice for the axles. As for the deuce patform, it is not a comfortable motorhome platform. It'd be cheaper to buy a surplus deuce ($3000) and put a motorhome body on it; however, the primary goal is comfort and 4/6x driveability, toughness is secondary.

[Edited on 9-18-2013 by edm1]

J.P. - 9-19-2013 at 12:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by edm1
Imagine lifting it 6 inches, putting a front axle, a double transfer case, a differential axle in place of the tag axle, and 37" tires. All for $30,000 including the 29 ft. motorhome itself.



[Edited on 9-16-2013 by edm1]







You wouldn't need a double transferee case on most tandem axel setups one axel acts as a drag axel and is controlled as a in or out from the primary axel . so if your primary axel is in 4x4 mode the rear axel could be too . the best part its driven from a single drive shaft

edm1 - 9-19-2013 at 08:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by J.P.

You wouldn't need a double transferee case on most tandem axel setups one axel acts as a drag axel and is controlled as a in or out from the primary axel . so if your primary axel is in 4x4 mode the rear axel could be too . the best part its driven from a single drive shaft


I'm not aware of a transfer case or primary differential, with gears availabe in the 4.10 or 4.38 gears, to drive another axle. Could you please share which differential or transfer case has 2 output, and still be driven 75-80mph all day?

J.P. - 9-19-2013 at 08:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by edm1
Quote:
Originally posted by J.P.

You wouldn't need a double transferee case on most tandem axel setups one axel acts as a drag axel and is controlled as a in or out from the primary axel . so if your primary axel is in 4x4 mode the rear axel could be too . the best part its driven from a single drive shaft


I'm not aware of a transfer case or primary differential, with gears availabe in the 4.10 or 4.38 gears, to drive another axle. Could you please share which differential or transfer case has 2 output, and still be driven 75-80mph all day?





Most class A trucks can maintain those speeds I put over a Million miles on a 98 Peter built I owned running Coast to Coast.
Looks to me a rear air ride tandem would be a easy swap.
The physical size is the same as the axel configuration on the motor hone in the picture.
There are only three companies that make transmissions and rear end's in that size. it should pretty easy to re gear a military front axel to match the rear drive axels.

[Edited on 9-19-2013 by J.P.]

edm1 - 9-19-2013 at 09:10 AM

I'm gonna have to look into those air ride tandems. I hope they won't be too heavy for a 16000# rig. Class A or did you mean Class 8? Do those tandem drives come in lighter trucks?

[Edited on 9-19-2013 by edm1]

J.P. - 9-19-2013 at 10:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by edm1
I'm gonna have to look into those air ride tandems. I hope they won't be too heavy for a 16000# rig. Class A or did you mean Class 8? Do those tandem drives come in lighter trucks?

[Edited on 9-19-2013 by edm1]




Yes I meant class 8 I have seen tandem setups in smaller trucks the best thing would go to a truck Salvage yard and browse around There is a big one on the Transpensula just south of Ensenada. most of those air ride tandem setups are pretty much self contained with their own frame they just bolt on the frame rails of the truck my worry would be the frame of the motor home. some of the older motor homes were built on truck frames.

edm1 - 9-19-2013 at 10:16 AM

Most motorhomes are on either spartan, workhorse, freightliner, oshkosh, deere or gillig chassis, and a few others. The tandem axle/suspension should be able to be adapted to them. What do you think? My biggest concern would be the tandem axles unsprung weight.

MMc - 9-19-2013 at 01:50 PM

What is you want to do with this thing? Most motor homes will not stand but to the rigors of off road use. I have seen the insides of more then one trashed by Baja roads, a lift and a new drive line will not fix that. I think, I'm missing something here.

RnR - 9-19-2013 at 02:03 PM

Why not just convert the front axle and first rear axle to 4x4, (6x4? or 4x6?)?

Leave the tag axle alone. Let it just help support the weight of the RV as it is doing now. Use the other two axles for traction.

If you really need the third axle for traction, the terrain is probably too severe for the motorhome box/insides to survive.

Unless, you just want to do the project because it is different, unique, and a challenge .......

Good Luck.

David K - 9-19-2013 at 02:27 PM

If there is weight on an axle, and those tires are not driven, then that is additional drag on the driven axles and will reduce the advantage of having 4 wheel drive...

edm1 - 9-19-2013 at 05:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MMc
What is you want to do with this thing? Most motor homes will not stand but to the rigors of off road use. I have seen the insides of more then one trashed by Baja roads, a lift and a new drive line will not fix that. I think, I'm missing something here.


Yes u r missing something You have not personally seen MY motorhomes in action :-)

edm1 - 9-19-2013 at 05:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by RnR
Why not just convert the front axle and first rear axle to 4x4, (6x4? or 4x6?)?

Leave the tag axle alone. Let it just help support the weight of the RV as it is doing now. Use the other two axles for traction.

If you really need the third axle for traction, the terrain is probably too severe for the motorhome box/insides to survive.

Unless, you just want to do the project because it is different, unique, and a challenge .......

Good Luck.


Absolutely, I'm inspired to be in the same league as the $250,000 6x6 MB G63 and the custom 6x6 Brabus :-) LOL

David K - 9-19-2013 at 07:09 PM

Art (edm1) has talent in engineering and off road driving skill that makes his custom 4WD motorhomes get to where he wants to go!

MMc - 9-19-2013 at 07:15 PM

I'm sure you can lift the rig and do the 6X6. What I'm saying is the living part of those Mo Hos are not up to the ride you'll be giving it. What good is a the Motor home when the cabinets and the living area is a mess? That cabinetry is not well put together very well, mostly tacks and some glue it made to be light weight. The high end units are also well built interiors from birch ply, glue and screw. You're twisting flexing more then the manufacture even thought about. I predict that built-ins are not up to it.
It your money and time, who am I to say how you should spend it.

Baja Bucko - 9-19-2013 at 07:15 PM

I've seen first hand what this guy can do w a"motorhome" and on the road in to Sta Maria....I prefer mules myself but this guy has got quite the talent for gettin' there w not-the-run-of-the-mill 4WD....seriously.....:o:o:o

mulegemichael - 9-19-2013 at 07:17 PM

wow, wow, wow!!!...david, great shots, all...reminds me of our trip across the spine to san juanico after jimena from mulege....literally NO road at all....just scrambling across the rocks for 50 miles...took us 9 hours ...nothing like a 4 runner to make it happen!!

David K - 9-19-2013 at 07:21 PM

:yes:

David K - 8-11-2018 at 09:16 AM

We don't hear from edm1 (Art) much... See his ability to get a motorhome into and out of Mission Santa María (and pulling Neal's camper up the Widowmaker, too) is most impressive!
It has been just over 8 years since that epic Nomad group trip!
www.vivabaja.com/msm2010

rich t - 8-11-2018 at 11:19 AM

I would skip the Rockwells, was on Fordyce Trail last week, a guy with a 1995 Chevy four door, tube frame behind cab, coilovers, 47 inch tires and rockwells broke an axle, he broke the axle next to the splines and it was not any bigger than a Dana 60 35 spline axle.

Ken Cooke - 8-12-2018 at 07:28 AM

Quote: Originally posted by rich t  
I would skip the Rockwells, was on Fordyce Trail last week, a guy with a 1995 Chevy four door, tube frame behind cab, coilovers, 47 inch tires and rockwells broke an axle, he broke the axle next to the splines and it was not any bigger than a Dana 60 35 spline axle.


I thought that Rockwells were indestructible.:?:

rich t - 8-12-2018 at 08:35 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Ken Cooke  
Quote: Originally posted by rich t  
I would skip the Rockwells, was on Fordyce Trail last week, a guy with a 1995 Chevy four door, tube frame behind cab, coilovers, 47 inch tires and rockwells broke an axle, he broke the axle next to the splines and it was not any bigger than a Dana 60 35 spline axle.


I thought that Rockwells were indestructible.:?:


You can upgrade to a 2 inch axle, but they cost almost as much as your Jeep.

gnukid - 8-12-2018 at 03:40 PM

I seen this for sale in La Paz

37811375_1910520469013492_4335227108251926528_n.jpg - 150kB 31729971_1799522466779960_903194135874240512_n.jpg - 41kB

David K - 8-12-2018 at 03:47 PM

With an overhang like that... not much off roading beyond beach driving could be possible!

Even the rear overhang on my Off Road 4x4 Tacoma is too long for the Mission Santa María road!



and Art's motorhome, too! ...



But, with a little body damage, we all made it!

bajatrailrider - 8-12-2018 at 10:04 PM

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid  
I seen this for sale in La Paz

Nothing like a Black Motorhome in Mexico where it does not get hot. Anyway love it.

ehall - 8-13-2018 at 06:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by rich t  
I would skip the Rockwells, was on Fordyce Trail last week, a guy with a 1995 Chevy four door, tube frame behind cab, coilovers, 47 inch tires and rockwells broke an axle, he broke the axle next to the splines and it was not any bigger than a Dana 60 35 spline axle.


Where you with Barry and Michelle?

rich t - 8-13-2018 at 11:24 AM

We do an annual trip to Fordyce every year, it is about 1 1/2 hours from our house to the meadow lake trail head. Are Barry and Michelle the ones with the Chevy pickup, if so we met them at the V rock, there was alot of carnage going on that day.

ehall - 8-13-2018 at 11:35 AM

Quote: Originally posted by rich t  
We do an annual trip to Fordyce every year, it is about 1 1/2 hours from our house to the meadow lake trail head. Are Barry and Michelle the ones with the Chevy pickup, if so we met them at the V rock, there was alot of carnage going on that day.


Red colored nice rock buggy and yellow colored pots homemade buggy

6x6 motorhome

pappy - 8-17-2018 at 10:42 AM

Edm1 that jimmy van motor home is kick ass! Who manufactured it! That would be a nice little rig to have...

advrider - 8-18-2018 at 08:35 AM

We rode our motos in there earlier this year and I must say it is much harder now then it was in those pictures! I would take my well built jeep in there but not much less, it was a rocky ride on the bikes... That is a very cool rig!

David K - 8-18-2018 at 08:44 AM

Quote: Originally posted by pappy  
Edm1 that jimmy van motor home is kick ass! Who manufactured it! That would be a nice little rig to have...

Art (edm1) hasn't posted here in over 1-1/2 years, but he is a mechanical genius! He built it in his backyard, as I recall the story. He added front and rear ARB lockers to the 4x4. The major shortcoming was the tires... he needed more meat, but, with the air pressure just right, he was pretty unstoppable!