Building a 4x4 RV is it feasible?

I’m in the process of rebuilding a Winnebago LeSharo RV for my wife, family and I to vacation in. We would like to travel the “Old West” trails as shown in your articles. My question is looking at the Trails rated Class 3medium/moderate, would it be possible and if so I’d like some advice on ground clearance what would you recommend, I don’t want to go to high and loose the good over the road stability it is known for. Wheel base is 145” Coach is 20’ long / 87” wide 96” high (including the roof mounted air) & weighs in @ 5500 lbs. I’ve installed a Dana 70 rear (running single rims holding 235-60-16) and have a Dana 44 for the front if I decide to go 4x4. Power is a 360cdi (5.9) with a 4bbl and a Truck/RV cam for the low range torque producing 300hp connected to a 518 Dodge truck transmission & if I go 4x4 the transfer case to match. I’m installing a split drive shaft to keep from banging it on objects we go over even if I stay 2wd.
 The decision I make will be influenced by the replys i receve. I have everything except the 518 transmission (picking that up in February upgrading from a Dodge 727) and will get it with or without the transfer case depend on witch way I go, stay safe or go 4x4 and eventually add body armor & better bumpers.
 The LeSharo is one of the lowest profile RV out there and still has 6’+ headroom inside and is only 8’ tall with 10” of it being the roof air conditioner, planning on relocating it in the future, to end up with 7’2”, before the lift. The problem is 8” of ground clearance, it drags on a tall speed-bump. Switching from the 3”drop tag axel with 215-75-14 tires to the Dana 70 with 235-60-16 will gain 7” relocating the leaf springs will add another 4” lifting it  about 11” to give me 19” ground clearance from the lowest hanging point underneath. ---- the center of the front axel to bumper is 36”  .. Center Rear axel to bumper is 56” the rear bumper is about 8” higher than the rest of the vehicle.
  What would be needed for the medium to moderate trails? I don’t want to go to much higher, I don’t want to lose my stability over the road. Even with the lift the top is still 6” lower than my 1978 2wd Dodge Champion RV 18’  (it was on a 1 ton van frame and only had 5’ of head room) had it for 10 years and put 150k miles on it before the frame rusted out. Hoping to get the same usage out of this one, just get further off the main roads. Want to see Robbers Roost and some of the old Mining towns, and maybe tool around through MOAB Utah some. When I’m done how would I rate against, say a stock Jeep Grand Cherokee  

this sounds like an interesting project. I've seen a number of 4x4 RVs over the years, both production vehicles and home made versions. the biggest issue I always see is the center of gravity being too high to tackle larger obstacles and off-camber situations. the length of vehicle also creates approach and departure angle problems that can leave you high centered. it sounds like you've worked out some of this with your selection of vehicle but it will always be an issue, especially if you select a taller lift size. personally i think a converted 4x4 van is the way to go. or maybe a a 4x4 truck chassis and cab with a camper.

how difficult of a trail would I consider tackling in a 4x4 RV? not much over a graded fire road i think and nothing twisty. in my opinion the 4x4 system in a an RV is there so you can go a bit further off the road without worry of getting stuck in a mud hole or sand. anything more extreme and you are risky putting your RV on its lid. talk about a difficult recovery.

a number of companies have perfected the 4x4 RV to a great degree. i included some links below. hope this helps. 'wheel on.  

4x4 RVs: http://www.xplorermotorhome.com/index.html

4x4 vans: http://www.quigley4x4.com/

4x4 vans: http://www.sportsmobile.com

4x4 vans: http://www.ujointoffroad.com/home.html  

That is a little less what I was expecting but do you think I could push it a little and get on at least the main trails shown in a number your articles. Like Rollins Pass, Colorado -- Miner’s Run, Colorado or the trip to Browns Hole.
 How would I post a picture or 2 of what I’m starting out with, and maybe update it as I go along? I’ve rented garage time toward the end of next month to start bolting her together.
 How much difference in gas mileage will there be between the 4wd setup or everything the same but 2wd? Any Idea or comment? Educated guess even?  

Converting a coach into an off road RV would be a huge endeavor.  The biggest problem I see is basing it on a coach though.  That's not to say it can't be done. I would choose a different base truck and not have to reinvent the wheel so to speak.  There are what's referred to 'Expedition' vehicles.  These range from small to huge and they are very capable.  You would not want to get a big one stuck as chances are you won't get unstuck without a lot of help.






For the US, something like the Unicat would fit the bill.  Keep in mind that many of the trucks Unicat uses aren't DOT legal.  I believe they do make some on nternational 7400 CXT chassis's though.  http://www.unicat.net/al/en/index.html Something cheaper would be to use a M35 as the basis.  Then get a radio truck or ambulance box for the back.  Older Unimog would be a smaller option.