Winter Camping in Deep Snow in My Dynamax 4x4 | How Did My Mods Perform

In this video, I show our Dynamax 4x4 RV driving through snow in the mountains. There was heavy snowfall during our trip, and the RV performed relatively well driving, and camping in the snow and cold.
If you would rather watch camping/traveling type of videos:
My wife and kid's channel show the types of trips we do: / @rvlifefamily .

[@MegaRetr]

Awesome video😊 thanks a lot winter camping is amazing😊

[@rvlifediy]

Thank you. We really enjoyed winter camping.

[@rickc9873]

Now that’s winter camping !

[@rvlifediy]

Thanks Rick

[@MrRasctwa]

very nice, thanks for sharing

[@rvlifediy]

Thank you

[@Thesaltymedic36]

That’s some deep snow. I’m 4wd too but a way different set up. I agree that 4wd is able to get to more remote places but we ain’t rock crawling 😂. I’m short and lifted and so far it’s been a huge help. ✌🏼

[@rvlifediy]

Yeah that snow was crazy. I'm checking out your Phoenix Cruiser now. I always liked the Phoenix Cruiser but haven't seen one with a 4x4 conversion.

[@Thesaltymedic36]

Thanks. I really really love my Rv. It’s a rare find and I jumped on it when I found it.

[@user-el4mn4dm2d]

I use bubble wrap on my windows at home the ones that don't open, it works NZ. Else put foil wrapped form under blanket. Also use thermal blinds/curtains. Also put bubble wrap on front door over the whole door

[@rvlifediy]

Thanks for the info. It is good to get reassurance that it works.

[@westernsoutherner1]

Thats one heck of a rig

[@rvlifediy]

Once you work out all the bugs it's a good rig. They do need to improve their quality control and their slideouts though.

[@user-lx8nc6is7m]

Viewing from Detroit Michigan USA 🇺🇸 , ( 313 ) motor city .

[@rvlifediy]

Go Wings

[@lindamarie6574]

Nice camper

[@rvlifediy]

Thank you

[@user-uu2pl8nh8n]

From Winter camping to Video tour What a bluff

[@rvlifediy]

Yes kind of. This is more of a DIY channel. Once in a while I do a Vlog that shows some camping.

[@DeaDlyCorpsE528]

Put a diesel heater and a fireplace along with the solar so you have options. Also get some battery chargers for the just in case and make a trip to the artic

[@rvlifediy]

That would be an epic trip. Diesel heater for sure.

[@recordingmastering]

Isn't this supposed to be their "Xplorer" package ?...designed and built for exactly this purpose and you had water coming in through the exterior storage bays !?! and you had to remove light fixtures, seal/caulk all of them ?!? And, the front cab-over is so poorly insulated ? Wah...speechless :-(

[@rvlifediy]

Yes it is. Seems quality control or lack of got the best of them on this one. The correct design was there but poor execution.

[@yewlingchan465]

I start to think that EXPLORER meant you the explorer have to “explore all the problems and fix them first before you can go exploring.

[@shivamyadav-ek8ix]

❤❤

[@marquiseedwards2036]

My suggestion is getting a couple sleeping that are rated for 20 below and a couple heating blankets should be nice and toasty

[@rvlifediy]

Not a bad idea on the minus sleeping bags especially for emergency. I have a couple of heating sources in the RV so hopefully I don't have to use the bags.

[@marquiseedwards2036]

@@rvlifediy yeah my thoughts behind that with that type of of sleeping bag and a heated blanket shouldn’t draw to much power especially if you run the blankets on low should be pretty warm shouldn’t draw much power

[@jackstitt1395]

Did you have any propane issues? or is your propane tank and lines sufficiently insulated?

[@rvlifediy]

No propane issues. I started with a pretty full tank. It wasn't cold enough to worry about insulating the tank. If it was below zero, I would have concern, but the weather was all above 0F.

[@black300c69]

You are taking it very easy. I will be pissed off. I believe dynamax should be facing those problems, not you

[@rvlifediy]

I used to get worked up over issues but just learned to deal with them. I can only document the issues. The warranty on RVs are way too short and unfortunately most owners will continue to face problems after warranty.

[@John-hq6em]

Could you describe a bit more about how you enclosed/sealed the battery compartment? I’ve been considering a Dynamax DX3 but that crazy wide open battery tray is just asking for trouble (not to mention all the other quality issues). ** edit: sorry, I see I needed to watch the video to the end. I’ll look for the other video where you said you showed the battery compartment mod. ** I’m sure you’ve seen the Dynamax GM is active on their user forum. Great that he is out there interacting with customers, but raise a quality issue or question and his responses can be pretty disappointing.

[@rvlifediy]

The previous video had a small glimpse of the foam I used and the flex seal. I didnt do an in depth install video on it. The DX3 should be much easier to seal up. I don't participate in the forum at all. I did browse long time ago, but saw that some forum members deflected any problems from what I could tell. I'm sure the GMs job is tough dealing with items on a forum. Probably his passion but that can get clouded by covering Dynamax butt also. You can't fix a problem if you don't believe it exists. I think sometimes they forget that many RV owners have lots of experience with RVs and this isn't their first rodeo. Good luck whatever you decide. I'm hoping to make some positive videos giving Dynamax some feedback on areas for improvement. I doubt they will see it, but who knows.

[@yewlingchan465]

I can see you have done everything you can come up and think of to make your new rv winter usable. Rv manufacturers are sure not on top of their product quality at all. The inside roof trims on my Sunseeker MBS keep popping off because the installers set the air nailer too high and basically buries the nails too deep in the trim, my wife makes a comment that only the Mercedes front has quality, the rest are ---, I do not attempt to do serious or heavy duty mods to my rv anymore because of my age, will turn 70 soon. Raising the camper height will be a very expensive job not sure it will pay off, may be should look into a real off road 4x4 rv, but at least another double the cost again, we’ll never win in this rv lifestyle,😅😅😅😅

[@rvlifediy]

My trim is the same. The same goes for the screws they use in many places. They use an impact screwdriver and always overtorque and strip the screw. Definitely can't win on quality even jumping manufacturers. They can't fix problems until they admit they have a problem. Still love the RV Travels and just dealing with the issues. I think the problems shown on social media helps get the word out of all the issues there are.

[@WildBlueWanderers]

We live in Klamath county - Crater Lake is basically in our “backyard!” Like seeing how you addressed some of the winter issues you experienced. We have a 2020 Dynamax Force HD - before they did ANY winterization of the wet bay or added the secondary heater… (check out our video on this!) Thanks for the ideas of ways to improve our rig for winter

[@rvlifediy]

@WildBlueWanderers I watched your videos the last several days. I think your Force was built with better quality. Seems the Europa took over for the Force, but they definitely cheapened out on the Europa.

[@WildBlueWanderers]

Sorry, I responded to someone else’s comment! Oops! Thank you for watching us as well. We are very happy with our Force and definitely feel the Europa is not the same. Funny how you can spend a little or a lot on an RV - but regardless of money spent, modifications and improvements are still needed!

[@rvlifediy]

@WildBlueWanderers so true. I enjoy modifications but repairs to factory poor quality not so much.

[@thomaswilson8634]

New motorcoach i see have diesel heaters now instead of propne. They are hot too.

[@rvlifediy]

Yes some models have the diesel hydronic water and heat combo. Definitely a better set up.

[@thomaswilson8634]

@@rvlifediy i have the bunkheater in my kenworth. Even on the coldest night in a blizzard ( 20 below zero) I could only run the fan on low. It was hot. Lol. They work.

[@rvlifediy]

@@thomaswilson8634 The Kenworth cab area is much smaller to heat up. Not sure what brand diesel heater you have, but my experience with them is that they give you a generic thermostat (modern digital, but generic function). They don't like to shut off and the fan remains on low setting aka gets too hot. There is an option piece you can add onto the thermostat that turns the burner/fan on and off like a normal thermostat. I have an Espar on my other RV and I have the same problem. I never got around to adding the option piece.

[@thomaswilson8634]

@@rvlifediy gottcha. I will look

[@jamesbarry1673]

FYI....................Wait for summer next time

[@rvlifediy]

Will definitely visit in summer

[@MightyMoeBanker]

Great video brother, i owe an Entegra Esteem 31F, what you did in order to seal your compartment bays is genius! Looking forward for my next trip to the mountains as well! 🫵🏻🍺

[@rvlifediy]

Thank you. How do you like your entegra? I've been looking at the esteem line possibly for the future.

[@jasoncruz3506]

Do you have link to the glove holder in wet bay

[@rvlifediy]

I used these. amzn.to/49re0tz For the wet bay, it doesn't stick to the plastic. 1st one I installed on the sticker so it would stick, and the second one I sprayed some 3M spray glue onto the plastic first and then attached the clip. The clip adhesive is not strong on plastic.

[@claytonkeyes7041]

Baaaaad azz truck

[@rvlifediy]

Thank you.

[@quaduong7963]

okay

[@rvlifediy]

👍

[@kartikvasava9903]

Wer are you from brother 😁

[@rvlifediy]

Have to leave a little mystery lol.

[@marquiseedwards2036]

Omg the leaks drive in the rain getting in that’s terrible

[@rvlifediy]

Yes terrible. It was just poor quality from the factory. I have it all fixed now.

[@marquiseedwards2036]

@@rvlifediy yeah I get that but for how much stuff is now a days and how much you paid for that thing it’s should have be well wether proofed then that and I know everything can’t be perfect but that can try to make it. That way

[@jamestopeka2236]

Airbags would help you

[@rvlifediy]

Yes I think it would help a little but I think I need much more than that. I need about 4 inch of lift. Maybe lift blocks and airbags.

[@jamestopeka2236]

@@rvlifediy yes

[@carolcityhuey]

My bad it's the company name lol

[@rvlifediy]

All good 👍

[@carolcityhuey]

That's a Ram not a duramax it's a Cummins

[@rvlifediy]

Yes it's a ram. The RV brand is Dynamax (not Duramax)

[@MangoKashInThePhilippines]

My 24ft c with diff lock 3 inch lift and tires does more then this I got 9000$ in it lol

[@rvlifediy]

I like the sound of the $9000 the most lol. As much as I like a 2x4 with a locker (pretty much can handle anything in dirt), I have not had much luck with a 2x4 in deep snow even with a locker. I'd take a 4x4 with open diff in the deeper snow over just a rear locker. But back to that 9000 lol. I like that thinking much better.

[@MangoKashInThePhilippines]

@@rvlifediy we on our way back from traveling Philippines for 2 years I have a 1997 Chevy suburban 2500 4x4 I’m going to set it up we heading to Alaska tired of 24/7 heat lol

[@rvlifediy]

@MangoKashInThePhilippines I had a 99 tahoe. Was my favorite vehicle and regret getting rid of it. Do you follow suboverland? They have some great set up ideas for a suburban.

[@MangoKashInThePhilippines]

@@rvlifediy yes I do some of his builds are great I got a few ideas from him for mine I don’t use mine except when we traveling it’s set up to slee in overnight but it mostly is used for gear I pull a 22ft travel trailer I had it lifted set of tires and a few skid guards welded under it i set it up for strictly off grid I drag it through anythijg suburban has the 7.4 can pull down a house lol I have some repairs to do when I get back my son told me a large tree branch fell on the roof but not to much damage I’ve traveled Central America all through South America with just the suburban but I’ve dreamed of trip to Alaska funny thing is I’ve started to go 3 times made it to Washington once but had to head back home my son got sick that time I was looking at a few small class c’s in Los Angeles area our flight back they all stop in LA I’m still deciding if I want to just buy a older hood shape class c there and lift it out some tires on it and head to Alaska from there instead of flying home to Louisiana getting my suburban and trailer I can get a 5000$ throwaway class c’s do a little work to it and go from LA to Alaska

[@rvlifediy]

​@MangoKashInThePhilippines I've thought about the throw away class C because we change RVs often. It would be much cheaper for sure. Not worried about the house repairs, but the risk of major drive train repairs while on the trip.

[@Bo-Fadeez]

This is not a snow camping video.

[@rvlifediy]

I'll try to show more camping next time

[@jamiereid40]

Battery compartment needs to be vented

[@rvlifediy]

Not for lithium iron phosphate batteries. Traditional flooded lead acid batteries need to be vented. Most RV manufactured enclose the battery bay these days with the lithium batteries.

[@michaelt2606]

Absolutely !

[@user-xz9us1zf6u]

Music Horribiable other OK

[@rvlifediy]

I thought the video was not that great, but the music was ok. I'm surprised anyone watched it lol.

[@ronkansa5626]

Horrible

[@hsurtiwa3097]

There is no Camping !

[@rvlifediy]

Next time.

[@Amthaus2600]

Where is the camping? CLICK BAIT!😢

[@rvlifediy]

Next time.

[@daveshomewatch1626]

This guy is BORING

[@rvlifediy]

Can't argue with that.