Since
@ScotsSkier put in a truck-based camper, I guess it's OK to add mine. I'd been casually looking on craigslist for a 4X4 RV for more than 5 years. The last one I took a ride in was a low mileage GMC truck with a 496 V-8 and a cab-over camper with basement for <$40K. But the gas mileage, height and knowing how overloaded the single rear wheels were scared me away.
I was home for a day from Whistler in late-April when I told my wife I think I found my camper. After dropping one dog at vet to get some teeth pulled and the rest cleaned, the other dog and I went to the Sunset district in SF where I bought a 2006 4WD Dodge diesel 1 ton (3500) single rear wheel with Rickson 19.5" wheels and Michelin M/S tires rated at 4,940 lbs each. The truck had under 36K miles. The camper is a Lance 1030 with winterization package (that I realize will not be sufficient for Jackson Hole or MT in winter) that includes removable storm windows and heater vent into compartment where black and grey dump valves are located. The previous owner used to keep it in Sierra foothills and drive it to Kirkwood for the weekend before Vail stopped that. Then he spent a winter or two of weekends behind independently owned 7800 until Kirkwood homeowners stopped that.
The camper has dry shower, gasoline 2.8K generator, three solar panels, wireless repeater/router, microwave and propane stove with oven and more. I think I paid close to blue book for truck, considering low mileage, under $30K, which means I basically got the camper for free.So far, I've changed oil and filter on truck and oil in generator and checked all the fluids. Today, I lubed the three joints with grease fittings in the front end. It has plenty of power to keep up with traffic going uphill, but does require caution/slower speeds going downhill or when windy.
I only have one trip in it so far. I stayed in it 9 nights in a row - eight at a lake in very low and warm Sierra foothills where friends have been going with their boats for 40 years and one night at Calaveras Big Trees State Park, about an hour further into Sierra, where some relatives were having their annual campout. My wife, 26 year-old son and three dogs joined me for the first Sat. night and my wife and our two dogs came for the second Sat. night. She probably would not have come without camper. With the camper (and my catering), she enjoyed it.
While I like the size, better mileage and stealthier profile of the newer/Euro converted vans, the cost, especially with 4WD is much more than I paid. And I like that my camper has a lot of features/storage and a real Queen-size bed that does require climbing over someone if one person wants or needs to get up. I also like the low floor and height on the FWD diesel RAM van - it's a climb to get into my camper, especially if you've raised the rear wheels to get it level - but wonder how the traction will be on slick roads (on FWD camper van) as more weight may be on rear due to camper conversion/gear load.