Ski RV's, who's sleeping in parking lots?

[B6Fischer]

Update on out Ski RV adventure:
Dillon, CO: Has Overnight parking lots which alternate each day. Check the signs. Quiet Town and no issues sleeping there the one night
Grand Targhee: Still offers the $20 RV parking pass (no services)
Park City, UT: Outside of the Parking Districts, overnight street parking is allowed (we did 2 nights)
Jackson, WY: found a great little parking lot in Wilson (see pic...lol)

[skysos]

We recently had our first real ski camping trip to White Pass and Stevens Pass WA in our Escape 17B. It worked really great in temps down to 19F. Just kept the heat on and set to 60F while while travelling, and when we are camping we set it at a very comfortable 67F. Never froze anything but of course it wasn't that cold. This one has spray-foam insulation, extra wall insulation, and frameless thermal windows. The frameless windows reduce condensation, but it still gets really moist in there after 6 days with 2 people and a Husky. I keep the roof vent open but running the fan isn't really an option because it draws in so much cold air obviously.

The Honda Pilot tow vehicle works OK, but it's not great because of the really soft suspension. 14MPG with the skybox on, 15 without. I pretty much drive normal speeds though: 65-70 on the highway.

Stevens Pass RV lot ($40/night)

White Pass RV lot (FREE!)

[GPP33]

Well at least you have something. What's the ideal winter camping situation looking like in that dream?

Something vintage with a modern drivetrain, 4wd and air bags so i can drop it in the parking lot. I’d love to build off of a Mid 30s Diamond T or and old Mack. A rat rod of campers. More realistically just a slide in for my truck though.



An MXT would make for a fun base too but that’s more buy and less build. I probably couldn’t afford the truck, never mind a camper conversion for it.



I’m currently helping a guy convert an FMTV to a camper which would be fun in a “drive over anything in my way including the road closure gate” kinda way but not sure I’d want to drive it too far, comfort wasn’t high on the design priority list. I don’t have any pics of his on my phone and we don’t have the box on yet but here’s basically what we started with.

[spnce]

I just parked next to him at Targhee!

Why did the plow guys make you move & not me? That was fucked up

[snowaddict91]

Something vintage with a modern drivetrain, 4wd and air bags so i can drop it in the parking lot. I’d love to build off of a Mid 30s Diamond T or and old Mack. A rat rod of campers. More realistically just a slide in for my truck though.

I think the build thread is gone, but I always lusted after this one over on pirate

[Tryingtostaywarm]

Something vintage with a modern drivetrain, 4wd and air bags so i can drop it in the parking lot. I’d love to build off of a Mid 30s Diamond T or and old Mack. A rat rod of campers. More realistically just a slide in for my truck though.

An MXT would make for a fun base too but that’s more buy and less build. I probably couldn’t afford the truck, never mind a camper conversion for it.


I’m currently helping a guy convert an FMTV to a camper which would be fun in a “drive over anything in my way including the road closure gate” kinda way but not sure I’d want to drive it too far, comfort wasn’t high on the design priority list. I don’t have any pics of his on my phone and we don’t have the box on yet but here’s basically what we started with.

I drove enough FMTV's back in the day that I know they are crude, reliable for what they are, and definitely off-road capable. Comfortable they are not, noisy they are and huge. The MTX I feel like you could do on the cheaper side with a GMC Kodiak 4500 series. Then again, shit is going to be expensive and huge no matter how you skin it.

[GPP33]

I think the build thread is gone, but I always lusted after this one over on pirate

That’s the build that got me thinking about a rat rod camper.

[GPP33]

I drove enough FMTV's back in the day that I know they are crude, reliable for what they are, and definitely off-road capable. Comfortable they are not, noisy they are and huge. The MTX I feel like you could do on the cheaper side with a GMC Kodiak 4500 series. Then again, shit is going to be expensive and huge no matter how you skin it.

Yea, he’s putting a shit ton of insulation in it and some really nice seats but at the end of the day it’ll still be an FMTV. I just love the look and low slung stance of the MTX. It’s by far the lowest riding 4wd medium duty truck.

[beaterdit]

Aright which one of you dirtbags is this?


Seen in the 6200 S park n ride lot in Cottonwood Heights in UT. Roommate took the picture so I have no further information. Apparently lots of tape on the top LOL.

As for cold starting the 7.3 PSD, I don’t camp at snowy high altitude trailheads but at home it’s never had an issue with lows in the single digits. Dfinn never had an issue getting interlodged up Little Cottonwood multiple times with his. I tend to feel good maintenance and a fuel additive go a long way toward alleviating the problem. Then we don’t really get ‘real’ cold here in UT.

[Skidog]

Aright which one of you dirtbags is this?


Seen in the 6200 S park n ride lot in Cottonwood Heights in UT. Roommate took the picture so I have no further information. Apparently lots of tape on the top LOL.

As for cold starting the 7.3 PSD, I don’t camp at snowy high altitude trailheads but at home it’s never had an issue with lows in the single digits. Dfinn never had an issue getting interlodged up Little Cottonwood multiple times with his. I tend to feel good maintenance and a fuel additive go a long way toward alleviating the problem. Then we don’t really get ‘real’ cold here in UT.

Constantly parked at the Smith's/24 hour fitness in Sandy on 1300e and sego lilly. Saw it just yesterday. I chuckle everytime I see it.

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[CelebratedSkier]

Killing the game!

#SedanLife

Paging DD

[El Chupacabra]

^^^ When you're going for Mystery Machine, but only have a mid-90s Accord as your platform.

[charlesj]

2000 9-5 with snows, a winter bag and some grub. It's kind of stealthy because it's not exactly a typical "camper"

[simple]

Damn son. You sleeping in that box? Props

[tmokes]

I got 2000 9-3. I definitely have slept in it, but the floor is not flat and I had hard time making it comfortable.


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[charlesj]

I got 2000 9-3. I definitely have slept in it, but the floor is not flat and I had hard time making it comfortable.


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I did level the surface but a wagon would work better and either way it only fits one. Comfort is relative. I've used it sparingly in camper mode, not more than two consecutive nights...yet.

[NBABUCKS1]

The Honda Pilot tow vehicle works OK, but it's not great because of the really soft suspension. 14MPG with the skybox on, 15 without. I pretty much drive normal speeds though: 65-70 on the highway.

I have an 06 Pilot and tow an RPOD. I put in the rear air bags (Firestone one's maybe ~$100). It was a pretty easy install and made a world of difference on the rear suspension. Do it.

[skysos]

I have an 06 Pilot and tow an RPOD. I put in the rear air bags (Firestone one's maybe ~$100). It was a pretty easy install and made a world of difference on the rear suspension. Do it.

Hmm ... good to know. I have never heard of putting airbags on a Pilot. That is probably the last trip with the Pilot though. Our new tow vehicle is a Colorado ZR2 Duramax. With front and rear locking diffs I don't think I would have had any issues!

[MakersTeleMark]

With front and rear locking diffs I don't think I would have had any issues!

What does that have to do with anything? Please enlighten.

[LightRanger]

What does that have to do with anything? Please enlighten.

x2. You're gonna be locking both diffs (or just one) while towing an Escape 17?

[irratator]

Probably got to have rear locked to engage front locker: Thats the way most oem lockers function.

[skysos]

What does that have to do with anything? Please enlighten.

Not sure I understand why you say that, but with just the rear locking diff engaged in the ZR2, I would have had power to 3 wheels which would have been enough to get me through the deep chewed-up snow. Locking the front is for rock crawling and I would not have done that because it probably would have just gone sideways doing that.

Note that locking diffs in snow often results in the vehicle going sideways on the locked axle, but with the trailer on the back I think it would have resisted that nicely.

Locking diffs on ice is not recommended, but it is beneficial in deep snow.

[GeezerSteve]

Got home last night from a 3200 mile trip (8 nights in camper) in our Tundra 5.7L/FWC Hawk/DIY wind fairing rig. Despite cold dense air, some windy conditions and lots of snow/ice-covered roads, we got 13.6 MPG using MPG enhancement techniques, e.g., driving speed limit or slower, some two lane roads w/lower speed limits, coasting into speed zones and to stops, gradual acceleration, ethanol-free fuel when available, etc. Using the same techniques, we can get 15MPG on long highway trips in summer, sometimes a bit better or worse. OTOH, our MPG numbers are in the 12s (winter) or 13s (summer) when in a hurry and not using MPG enhancement techniques.

[TAFKALVS]

Got home last night from a 3200 mile trip (8 nights in camper) in our Tundra 5.7L/FWC Hawk/DIY wind fairing rig. Despite cold dense air, some windy conditions and lots of snow/ice-covered roads, we got 13.6 MPG using MPG enhancement techniques, e.g., driving speed limit or slower, some two lane roads w/lower speed limits, coasting into speed zones and to stops, gradual acceleration, ethanol-free fuel when available, etc. Using the same techniques, we can get 15MPG on long highway trips in summer, sometimes a bit better or worse. OTOH, our MPG numbers are in the 12s (winter) or 13s (summer) when in a hurry and not using MPG enhancement techniques.

Hmm, I got 13 mpg in my Chevy 2500 with a 2500lb Bigfoot camper with my foot mashed to the floor.

[Ale_capone]

I have radomax envy now...

I had a 96 zr2, bought new in Detroit. I finally junked it last year. Least capable off road vehicle ever... I read an in depth review of the new zr2. Sounds like they made amends big time.

Stock rear and front difs?!? I'll take please.
Sticker price? Second mortgage..

My zr2 had 500k+ miles, second engine. Completely gutted, with a built 3.8.. headers, 4 brl Holley, mad distributor..etc..it was pretty fun to drive, and ripped Forrest roads like a prerunner.. rust was it's ultimate demise..

Took that truck cross.country many times. I'd say I slept in about 25 different ski hill lots with that thing.