Ujoint XPCamper V4

[Nimbl Vehicles]

Chris Steuber from Ujointoffroad( http://www.ujointoffroad.com/home.html) and I have joint forces and are in the process of building a Van pop up camper.
I am particular exited about this, as it demonstrates the versatility of the XPCamper on an awesome product created by Ujoint.

You can follow the build thread here:
http://www.ujointoffroad.com/ujorv4.html

This puppy will have lot's of goodies:

UJOR 6" conversion with modified fenders/flares to clear 37" tires
Dana 60 front axle, locker TBD
Sterling 10.5" rear, locker TBD
Full on board air system
On board welder
Winches of course
Interior setup for comfortable x-country trips
LED lighting
80-90 gallons of fuel capacity
UJOR dual shock system along with a few other new parts!

 

[Overland Hadley]

Holy ****!!

 

[EdoHart]

Exciting! I will follow the build.

 

[pods8]

What's the motivation/perk of starting with a van chassis rather than a truck? Shorter front end? I'm a tad confused about why not just start with a regular cab 4x4 truck but I'm sure I'm missing something.

 

[Nimbl Vehicles]

What's the motivation/perk of starting with a van chassis rather than a truck? Shorter front end? I'm a tad confused about why not just start with a regular cab 4x4 truck but I'm sure I'm missing something.


With the Van you get:
Larger cab than a regular cab
Shorter WB than most short bed trucks ( my dodge has the same at 139:, but my departure angle is a little compromised)
Better approach and departure angles
90 Gallon Fuel Tank ( not possible in my rig, but doable with a long bed truck at a larger WB expense)
11 ft Flatbed
2 spare tires stored in an optimal place for weight balance ( I can carry 2 spares at some storage expense, in the van you don’t give up storage)for better wheeling handling

This particular unit won’t have a pass through, but we are planning to incorporate that feature in future builds.
AND, AFAIK, it will be the 1st Van camper/combo where you can remove the cabin and have a flatbed at your disposal.

 

[Overland Hadley]

With the Van you get:


That is interesting, as I was wondering the same thing. The pass through would be worth it alone.

 

[pods8]

Right on, thanks for the follow up. With a pass through I wouldn't have even questioned why but since it seemed like a standard model it had me wondering. I understand the shorter front end. So it sounds like the rear axles are going to be farther back than on a reg cab truck then which is leading to the better departure angle and larger area for a fuel tank?

 

[ersatzknarf]

That's a tricky thing about carrying spare/s. Where they are now is a good location for weight distribution and keeping them out of the way, but I too am in favor of a pass through...

 

[Nimbl Vehicles]

That's a tricky thing about carrying spare/s. Where they are now is a good location for weight distribution and keeping them out of the way, but I too am in favor of a pass through...


Pass through means relocation of the spares.
That equals into loss of storage as they probably need to go under the flatbed some where.
Then you also loose some of you 75 Gallons H2O storage, as the water tank sits by the front wall

So, no pass through = more storage
This rig will go more places than my current Dodge will go.


Pass through is in the works though...

 

[dsw4x4]

Marc,
That van looks really sharp with your camper but I to sort of miss the point of using the van. What will that rig in the sketch up cost when it is all said and done?
Derek

 

[ersatzknarf]

http://www.examiner.com/rving-in-national/xpcamper-and-ujor-partner-to-build-new-v4-rv


this might help

 

[Ujoint]

Right on, thanks for the follow up. With a pass through I wouldn't have even questioned why but since it seemed like a standard model it had me wondering. I understand the shorter front end. So it sounds like the rear axles are going to be farther back than on a reg cab truck then which is leading to the better departure angle and larger area for a fuel tank?



My 1st post!!!! The E series cab/chassis has an aft axle fuel tank, so this opens up a ton of room where the standard E series has a tank. I have a lot of goodies to fit under it, so the final capacity of the aux tank will be somewhere between 25-32 gallons. The wheelbase will actually be 140", and the rear axle is in the stock location.

 

[Ujoint]

Marc,
That van looks really sharp with your camper but I to sort of miss the point of using the van. What will that rig in the sketch up cost when it is all said and done?
Derek



Derek--- You of all people should know the benefit of the E series packaging!

 

[home skillet]

I just (rapped my pants! That is a great setup. Anybody else thinking "walk through model"?

Home Skillet

 

[Nimbl Vehicles]

I just (rapped my pants! That is a great setup. Anybody else thinking "walk through model"?

Home Skillet

Yes We are!!!!

 

[Nimbl Vehicles]

 

[lqhikers]

i always like it when people come up with new ideas.....but....
this is my 2 cents worth why i would pass on this unit.

now keep in mind i am talking about expedition type rigs,not extreme rock crawlers etc.

we loved our fwc on different trucks,factory 4wd always serviceable
any where if needed,...but...no pass thru,which i feel in this day and
age for travel safety i want to be able to have control of my truck with out
being exposed to the out side. so we gave up on that combination.

in the past we have had many vans they worked great and had the comfort of a pass thru
limited some what by not having 4x4 but almost always got us to where we wanted to go one way or the other.
the exception being our early vw vans (modified) which took us everywhere in baja that we have ever gone in our
4x4 rigs.

with ford going to stop production of vans you are going to be limited to used vans,so you will be dealing with
buying a full body van verses a cab and chassis as has been available in the past,then being a "expedition" rig
you will want a 4x4 conversion so this will have to be done.

living in the gov rules state of calif,the complete van will meet/not meet? the requirements to reg as motor home.
i know the rig we are now buying is a legal 50 state+canada ok vehicle,so this problem is solved .

it sounds to me like with the large fuel,water tanks,etc unless you build this on a 1 ton frame you will be over the
gvw (i have nothing to back this up just a gut feeling)

and i think a big problem is going to be the cost,most people spending the amount talked about up to $100,000
getting a loan might be hard as you are asking for a loan on a used van conversion (in the banks eye)

i hope the builders do not take my remarks the wrong way as i am just expressing my thoughts on a very neat idea
and wish them success in the future.

drive slow and enjoy "its the journey"
Les,lqhikers

 

[Ujoint]

i always like it when people come up with new ideas.....but....
this is my 2 cents worth why i would pass on this unit.

now keep in mind i am talking about expedition type rigs,not extreme rock crawlers etc.

we loved our fwc on different trucks,factory 4wd always serviceable
any where if needed,...but...no pass thru,which i feel in this day and
age for travel safety i want to be able to have control of my truck with out
being exposed to the out side. so we gave up on that combination.

in the past we have had many vans they worked great and had the comfort of a pass thru
limited some what by not having 4x4 but almost always got us to where we wanted to go one way or the other.
the exception being our early vw vans (modified) which took us everywhere in baja that we have ever gone in our
4x4 rigs.

with ford going to stop production of vans you are going to be limited to used vans,so you will be dealing with
buying a full body van verses a cab and chassis as has been available in the past,then being a "expedition" rig
you will want a 4x4 conversion so this will have to be done.

living in the gov rules state of calif,the complete van will meet/not meet? the requirements to reg as motor home.
i know the rig we are now buying is a legal 50 state+canada ok vehicle,so this problem is solved .

it sounds to me like with the large fuel,water tanks,etc unless you build this on a 1 ton frame you will be over the
gvw (i have nothing to back this up just a gut feeling)

and i think a big problem is going to be the cost,most people spending the amount talked about up to $100,000
getting a loan might be hard as you are asking for a loan on a used van conversion (in the banks eye)

i hope the builders do not take my remarks the wrong way as i am just expressing my thoughts on a very neat idea
and wish them success in the future.

drive slow and enjoy "its the journey"
Les,lqhikers



All good points! The pass thru is already on the table for the future even though this particular project will not have one. This van started life as an ambulance, so the chassis is more than up to the task as far as weight limits/capacity. I think it's a benefit that this can be built on a used chassis. There are plenty to choose from in many conditions. You CAN start with a full body van, but I doubt that many will start like that. A used chassis gives you the option of having a proven drivetrain (like the 7.3 diesel) and allows people to build at their own pace/budget. And the van cab chassis will be in production for at least a few more years if someone decides to go new. No diesel though

V4 was "rescued" from a scrap yard. It was running, nothing wrong with it. This tells me that there are plenty of good donors out there!

 

[craig333]

I've never quite understood the pass thru. You don't use it while traveling do you?

 

[lqhikers]

I've never quite understood the pass thru. You don't use it while traveling do you?

Craig:
use's of pass thru.
we travel with a four legged control freak (Bella the cat) pass thru lets the rear throne room stay
cool or warm depending,which then makes the travel time tolerable .
stopping in rain,snow,wind,it is nice to just step back to be able to take a break,snack,and yes porta-pott
if needed.
being real there are times that the wife or me do go to the rear while driving for what ever reason.
driving on dusty roads we also keep windows closed turn on air to build up pressure,this in turns
keeps much dust and dirt out of camper.
while traveling we have stopped to sleep/spend the night at walmart,truck stops,rest areas,etc,
and it is nice not to have to get out to just to get back in another door.
when camped and you are tucked in for the night it is nice to be able to move to the front for a comfortable chair to read,
use computer(not that i use computer while in the back country)or just for some quite time in your own space.
then there is always the safety issue you are able to drive away if needed with out exposing your self to
possible problem.

i could go on but will not!

drive slow and enjoy "its the journey"
Les,lqhikers