7 Hardy 4×4 Motorhomes To Get You Off-Grid
109 shares Part of the appeal of having an RV is to get away from modern life. However, while standard RVs allow you to explore…
Part of the appeal of having an RV is to get away from modern life. However, while standard RVs allow you to explore the road less traveled, what if you want to get off the road entirely?
In those instances, you need a rig that can handle more than just the pavement. A 4×4 motorhome ensures that you can reach new places with ease, even if they’re wild and untamed.
If you’re trying to go off-grid as much as possible, you’ll need a rugged and dependable 4×4 motorhome.
Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of the top 7 4×4 models for your convenience.
Table of Contents
1. Winnebago Revel
Dimensions: 19′ 7″ L, 10′ H
Black/Gray/Fresh Water: 5/21/21 gal
Amenities: Lift bed with gear garage, wet bath, induction cooktop, removable counter extension, removable pedestal table, swivel front seats, fold-down outside table
Typically, the name Winnebago doesn’t invoke images of off-roading adventures. However, the Revel is a good foray into 4×4 travel, thanks to its diesel engine and relatively compact size.
This 4×4 camper is a two-person rig since it just has one bed in the back. The bed is also the cover for a gear garage, meaning that you have plenty of space for all your adventure belongings.
The Revel maximizes its interior space with a counter extension, removable pedestal table, and swivel front seats. The rig also uses a wet bath, which doubles as a storage closet.
For the uninitiated, a wet bath is a bathroom that doubles as a full-size shower. Rather than separating the toilet and shower head, you can get everything wet inside, thanks to the drain on the floor. Most class B RVs use wet baths because they save valuable space.
2. Earthroamer LTi 4×4 Motorhome
Dimensions: 29′ L, 11′ 6″ H
Black/Gray/Fresh Water: 5/40/100 gal
Amenities: Wet bath, dual-rear lockers, cab-over bunk area, induction cooktop, solar power array, black water cassette, diesel HVAC system
Since 1998, the Earthroamer series has been designed for going totally off-grid. Everything about this RV is built to be as sustainable as possible, meaning that you can feel free to spend days or weeks away from civilization.”
The chassis is rugged and weatherproof, as are the internal systems. Earthroamer has developed state-of-the-art electrical and HVAC equipment that won’t freeze or overheat. Best of all, you don’t need a generator to run everything – the engine does it all.
As far as interior amenities, the Earthroamer LTi is pretty scaled back. Although this is a class C size RV, it feels more like a camper van.
There is a small kitchen, a cab-over bunk, and two couches. Overall, this 4×4 RV is designed as more of a home base for cooking and sleeping, not necessarily hanging out.
If you’re an adventurer who likes hiking, rock climbing, or any other outdoor sports, this rig will help you feel right at home.
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3. Thor Tranquility 19L 4×4 Campervan
Dimensions: 19′ 8″ L, 10′ 6″ H
Black/Gray/Fresh Water: 4.75/20/24 gal
Amenities: Swivel front chairs, removable front table, pull-out step, flip speaker, swivel-mounted TV, dual-burner gas cooktop
Typically, Thor Motorcoaches are massive, luxurious Class A models. However, the Tranquility 19L is much more subdued but without skimping on the amenities.
Like the Winnebago Revel, this small RV is a motorhome first and a 4×4 rig second. The stylish and comfortable interior comes with a swivel TV and flip-down speaker, meaning that you can potentially spend hours inside when the weather is rough outside.
Another element to point out is the compact size of black water tanks on 4×4 motorhomes. These tanks are designed to be removable, rather than having to hook up to a wastewater station.
Yes, tossing your black water waste by hand can be off-putting, but doing so allows you to stay off-grid for longer. After all, if you have to go back to town as soon as the tank’s full, that kind of defeats the purpose.
4. Global Expedition Vehicles UXV 4×4 Motorhome
Dimensions: 21′ 9″ L, 7′ 3″ H
Amenities: Dinette table, wet or dry bath available, king-size cab-over bed, exterior storage, rear awning, dual-burner stove
Like the Earthroamer, Global Expedition Vehicles is another brand that specializes in off-road survival RVs. As such, you can go virtually anywhere at any time of year, thanks to the UXV’s weatherproof design and materials.
This is another Class C style rig with a cab-over bed. However, this unit has a king-size bed, which offers more than enough room for two people to lay down and spread out.
If you’re not about the wet bath life, you can choose a dry bath floorplan for the UXV. If you want even more interior space and amenities, you can upgrade to the UXV-MAX, which is the ultimate 4×4 motorhome.
Overall, this 4×4 motorhome allows you to stay off-grid for as long as you want, provided that you have a way to get more freshwater. However, with so many storage options inside, you can bring extra water and fuel to help extend your adventure for a few more days or weeks.
5. Tourig XAV 4×4 Campervan
Amenities: Optional pop-up top, wet bath, performance suspension, customizable interior
The Extreme Adventure Vehicle is technically a style of 4×4 RV, not a specific model itself. Rather than buying something “off the shelf,” you get to pick your custom layout from Tourig.
There are 18 unique floorplans, so you can choose the one that offers the best amenities for what you’re planning. Some versions are better for sleeping more than two people, while others have extra storage for outdoor activities.
Because of the customization options, it’s hard to say which specs will come with your specific rig. Regardless of the one you choose, you’ll get a removable table, cassette toilet, roof rack, induction cooktop, and more.
6. Storyteller Overland Beast Mode 4×4 Campervan
Dimensions: 21′ L, 10′ 3″ H
Black/Gray/Fresh Water: 4.75/24/21 gal
Amenities: Exterior top headlights, convertible sofa bed, folding Murphy bed, outdoor shower, cassette toilet
With a name like Beast Mode, you know that this 4×4 motorhome is built to be as tough as possible.
Since this is a class B campervan, you don’t have as much interior space, but Storyteller Overland has provided all the essentials. This 4×4 camper has amenities both inside and outside to meet your various needs. An external shower ensures that you can keep your toilet dry and minimize cleanup.
This RV also has a row of front headlights to help illuminate your path. A series of internal switches allow you to add more or less light, depending on your needs. The high bottom clearance and performance suspension enable you to take on various terrain with ease.
7. Earthcruiser EXP 4×4 Motorhome
Dimensions: 21′ 4″ L, 10′ 5″ H
Amenities: Cassette toilet, convertible dinette set, sky bed, solar panel array
So far, the best 4×4 motorhomes are built for two travelers. Some models can sleep three or four, but the interior will still feel pretty cramped.
The Earthcruiser EXP is one of the largest and most spacious 4×4 RVs, making it ideal for families that want to go off-grid.
As far as amenities, this 4×4 camper doesn’t have many extras, but it feels roomy inside and has everything you need to stay out on your adventure for as long as possible. A massive 80-gallon freshwater tank ensures that you won’t need to return to civilization anytime soon.
How To Choose A 4×4 Motorhome
We’ve seen some incredible off-roading rigs on this list, but how can you compare them to make the right decision for your needs? Let’s break down the various components to pay attention to during your search.
RV Type
As we mentioned, most 4×4 motorhomes are class B campervans since they’re easier to maneuver on uneven terrain.
However, if you look at extreme adventure RV brands, you can find much larger class C and A models. These 4×4 motorhomes are more expensive, but they’re built to handle a wider array of environments and weather patterns.
If you buy a larger 4×4 motorhome, you have to plan accordingly. Since your vehicle is not as agile, you have more limitations over where you can go and stay overnight. Also, as we’ll discuss in the next section, the rig’s clearance can make a huge difference.
Clearance
When talking about a motorhome’s clearance, we’re referring to its overall height and wheel clearance.
The taller the wheels, the easier it is to go off-roading since you don’t have to worry about bottoming out.
Conversely, if the vehicle’s clearance isn’t that high, you’ll have to be more careful when traversing bumpy or rocky terrain.
Height clearance can also be an issue since you might be traveling in areas with lots of trees. If your 4×4 RV is too tall, you could wind up tearing branches off left and right, damaging your motorhome.
Also, when driving on roads and highways, you might have to worry about low bridges, particularly for class A size rigs.
4×4 Vs. Survival Motorhome
As we’ve seen, there are two primary types of 4×4 motorhomes: standard rigs with four-wheel drive and extreme adventure vehicles.
Before making your final decision, you need to determine what kind of adventure you plan to have. If you’re planning on driving on sand and flat terrain, a standard 4×4 RV will be more than sufficient.
However, if you want to explore and go deep into the wilderness, a survival RV is a much better choice. These rigs are built for extreme adventure, so they have better tires, motors, and amenities.
Overall, if you really want to go off-grid, a survival motorhome will be ideal. Otherwise, this type of rig might be a bit over-the-top.
Check out these other amazing off-road campers:
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