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Anyone serious about having a camping vehicle capable of traveling offroad is familiar with the the Earthroamer RV’s and Sportmobile camper vans. Here’s one that is pretty cool looking, but not as commonly known:
From 2000-2004, Chinook RV, a division of Trail Wagons Inc, offered a Baja 4×4 RV. The Baja was a Class C motor home based on the Ford Econoline with a Quigley 4×4 conversion.
According to Motorhome Magazine;
| “The words RV and Adventure are sometimes mistakenly seen as mutually exclusive. It’s true that RV adventure takes many forms, from simply heading across a county line to wandering the far-flung backwoods off the beaten track, and each person sees a different level of adventure as great fun. The Baja edition four-wheel-drive (4×4) Chinook Class C is one of those motorhomes that makes possible the wildest kinds of RV adventure imaginable. The Chinook RV division of Trail Wagons Inc., Yakima, Washington, has been building motorhomes for more than 40 years. Top-quality assembly and first-class amenities are hallmarks of the Chinook, which is referred to by the company as ‘the sports car of RVs.’ Compact size and a powerful drivetrain contribute to sports-car-like driving performance compared to a full-size motorhome, but the Chinook is also laden with the typical sports car’s reduced storage and human-space size constraints. Many sports cars aren’t cheap either, and a buyer has to want exactly what the Chinook Baja offers. Price aside, the Baja edition has a lot to offer the adventure-seeking RV enthusiast with an eye on a smaller motorhome. This is not a coach for sneaking around and keeping a low profile. Chinook motorhomes are stylish and eye-catching in standard two-wheel drive (2WD), and the cosmetic and functional extras that come with the Baja package make this a tough motorhome to miss as it trundles down the pike. But it’s not all looks. Chinook has used the Baja edition to compete in the grueling wintertime Alaska Highway rally with excellent results. The 4×4 conversion that includes a solid front axle, leaf springs and a manual-shift transfer case with low range is added by one of several Ford-approved aftermarket upfitters used by Chinook. Off pavement, the Chinook handled like any serious 4×4 vehicle should. Our test drive included a California state-maintained off-pavement vehicle recreation trail that’s fairly treacherous in spots. We growled our way up several slopes with loose rocks and rutted surfaces, and the Baja edition happily moved ahead over anything we were brave enough to tackle.”Sept. 14, 2002 Motorhome Magazine review |
Price:
$120,000 – $150,000 USD
The Chinook Baja 4×4 Standard Interior Features:
Comfort & Livability
- Front and side overhead storage space with interior lighting
- Expanded rear wardrobe with cedar lining
- Total interior/exterior storage space of 102 cubic feet
- Deluxe reclining driver and passenger captain chairs with lumbar support
- 6-way power driver/passenger seat base
- One-piece wall-to-wall carpet with high-density urethane pad (including driver compartment)
- Cab area privacy drape and rear door blackout curtain
- Day/night fabric shades
- Decorative hardwood valances with indirect lighting
- Electric fold-down sofa bed with under bed storage
- Deluxe hardwood cabinetry with raised-panel doors
- Overhead fluorescent lighting
Kitchen Features:
- 3-way (110/12V/LPG) double-door 6′ flush-mount refrigerator
- 3-burner propane cooktop with flush-mount Corian cover
- Recirculating power range-hood with light
- Larger Corian counter top with double-bowl poured Corian sinks
- Single handle Euro style Moen pull-out faucet with water filter
- Flush-mount Corian sink covers
- Corian cutting board with double slide-out silverware drawer
- Three hardwood drawers with deluxe roller slides
- Full-length pantry with three pull-out drawers and three storage drawers
- Glass mirror on pantry door
- Tip-out sink storage
- Hardwood spice rack
Bathroom:
- Fiberglass shower with molded seat
- Recessed medicine cabinet with Corian shelf
- Recessed sink with Corian top
- Marine-style china toilet
- Power roof vent with light
- Recessed, marine-style, covered toilet-paper holder
- Water-saver chrome shower head
- Shower curtain
- Carpeted floor mat
- Raised-panel hardwood bathroom door
- Two robe hooks on bathroom door
Convenience & Safety
- Cockpit warning light system which informs driver of open compartment doors, open entry doors, and TV antenna stored
- Lighted entrance grab-handle
- Entrance door with window, screen door, and deadbolt lock
- Fire extinguisher
- Smoke detector
- LP gas detector
- Hardwood magazine rack
- MagLite flashlight with brackets
- Coke bottle opener
- Towel racks with towel
- Three double coat hooks (one inside closet)
- Cedar clothes hangers
- Molded fiberglass overhead console with switch cluster
- Paper-towel holder
- Hardwood note pad holder
- 110V night light
Chinook Baja 4×4 Standard Exterior:
Chinook Baja 4×4 Heights, Weights, & Dimensions:
- Exterior length 22′
- Exterior width 7’7″
- Exterior height: 10′ 8 3/4″
- Interior height 6’5″
- Gross vehicle wt. 11,200
- Dry weight* 10,275
- Wet weight* 10,875
- Gross comb. Wt:
- Veh. & trlr.com 18,700
- Wheel base 138″
Bed Dimensions:
- Sofa Sleeper 72″ x 50″
- Dinette 70″ x 36″
- Sleeper/dinette combo 72″ x 84″
- Twin beds 72″ x 32″
*Weights listed are approximate and may vary by floor plan and equipment. Listed values include: XL package group, roof air & generator.
Ford Chassis:
- 6.8 liter Triton V-10 fuel-injected engine
- 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive
- Power steering
- 4-wheel antilock brakes
- Dual rear wheels
- Tilt wheel with cruise control
- Power windows
- Power door locks
- Heavy duty, 130 amp alternator
- In-dash air conditioner
- 37 gallon fuel tank
- Driver and passenger side airbags
- Engine block heater
- 4.10 limited slip rear axle
- AM/FM, compact disc, cassette stereo
- 138″ wheel base (provides excellent driving)
- Full frame chassis
- Twin I-beam front suspension system
- 3-year/36,000 mile, bumper-to-bumper warranty
- 24-hour roadside assistance
Heating, Cooling, Power & Water Systems:
- 5-way systems monitoring panel
- 32 gallon fresh water tank
- Pressurized city water hookup
- 19 gallon LPG frame mount tank
- Pre-wired for roof air
- Two heavy duty, deep cycle auxiliary battery systems with 200 amperes of 12V power
- Deluxe slide-out battery tray
- 6 gallon hot water heater
- Exterior G.F.C.I. receptacle
- Power Fantastic Fan roof vent with thermostat and rain sensor
- 16,000 BTU furnace with auto ignition
- 23′ service cord
- Water pump
- Dual holding tanks: Gray – 35 gallon/Black – 15 gallon
- 120V/12V power center, 45 amp converter/charger with automatic transfer switch
- Auxiliary battery disconnect switch
- Bi-directional charging system
- Low-voltage disconnect with audible alarm
- Emergency start switch
Exterior Body:
- One-piece fiberglass body, fully reinforced
- Arctic foam insulation
- Double-laminated, fiberglass inner-roof liner with foam insulation
- Thermopane windows
- Swing-down spare tire carrier with continental kit
- Side and rear lockable outside storage compartments
- Exterior base coat, clear coat, and 2-color custom paint graphics
- Entrance door with window, screen door, and deadbolt lock
- Chrome rear step bumper
- Sewer hose storage compartment
- Roof rack and ladder
- Rear and side porch lights
- Lighted dump valve
- Insulated, solid floor laminated to body
- Limited, lifetime warranty on CHINOOK fiberglass body
- Exterior cable TV/ telephone jack
- Pre-wired for digital satellite system
- Powder-coated exterior brackets
- Stainless steel wheel covers
Base Off Road Package
- Seven LT235/85r16 all-terrain tires
- Four upgraded polished aluminum wheels (steel spare)
- Warn heavy duty front bumper
- Warn heavy duty self recovery winch
- Warn steel front grille guard with two, PIAA driving lights
- Warn heavy duty skid plate with diamond plate step tread
- Warn front bumper tow hooks
- Steel, powder-coated nerf bars with diamond plate step tread
- Front and rear Pro-Flap mud flaps with stainless weights
- Diamond plate protectors for fuel and black tanks
- Powder-coated, tubular rear taillight covers
- Banks muffler system
Chinook Baja 4×4 Options:
Available Options
- All leather interior
- Leather, heated front captain’s chairs
- Aftermarket 4-wheel drive
- 3-burner range with oven
- Microwave convection oven
- Luggage pod
- Digital satellite system
- Aluminum wheels upgrade
- Mor-Ryde suspension system
- Awning with crank
- 4.0 generator with remote start switches and hour meter
- 13,500 BTU roof air with heat pump
- Power stroke turbo diesel
- Rear camera with visor mount LCD display screen
- G.P.S. (global positioning system)
- Multi-disc CD changer
- 12 Volt heated holding tanks
Tubular Steel Package
- Tubular steel, powder-coated rear bumper
- Roof mount, powder-coated, tubular steel front light bar
- Four high-power PIAA driving lights (mounted on bar)
- Roof-mounted rear storage rack with grated floor
- Two rear facing PIAA driving lights
- Powder-coated, tubular steel, heavy duty ladder
Additional Options:
After market 4×4
- IPD suspension upgrade
- Upgraded base coat, clear coat, blended Baja paint scheme
- Banks, high-performance exhaust upgrade
- Warn winch accessories kit
- Rear receiver tow hook
- Picnic table with umbrella
- Tubular steel, powder-coated rear bumper
XL Package
- 13″ color TV with remote
- Video cassette player with remote
- Rear AM/FM, compact disc stereo with speakers
- Microwave oven
- Corian counter tops with back splash guards
- 12V vacuum fiberglass running boards with flares
- Stainless steel wheel liners
- Pro-Flap mud flaps
- Solar panel charger (50 watt)
- Trailer hitch with 5000 lb. towing capacity
- Front bumper step
- Remote, heated , deluxe side mirrors
- High-gloss, wood grain dash décor package
- Fresh H20 filter
- Outside shower
- 6-way power driver seat base
- Front bumper wrap with driving lights
- Adjustable amplified TV antenna with power booster
- Holding tank flush kit
- Coffee maker
Custom Rear Bumper/ Compressor Package
- Powder-coated, custom rear box bumper with step
- Bumper-mounted, Quick Air 2 compressor
- 2.5 gallon air tank with inflator and gauge
- Rear-mount, high lift jack
- Off-road gas can with tie down bracket
- Rear-mount shovel and bracket
- 120-piece, major-emergency medical kit
Luxury Package
- Deluxe, digital rear-view mirror with outside temperature and compass readout
- Hidden safe
- Chrome exhaust tips
- 3 Door keyless entry
Floor Plans:
More Photos:
The Demise Of The Baja 4×4:
By early 2005, Trail Wagons, Inc. had suspended production of its Baja 4×4 model as the company downsized. In 2006, the business would be foreclosed on and closed.
