It is the only one of its type in the world.
It’s not uncommon to see off-roaders dressed up for weekend getaways. You can even find some old Hummer H2s with roof tents and camping gear on the internet, but nothing like it. This is the only H2 Class A Hummer H2 Motorhome. The Chinook Baja H2 Special Edition, also known as the Chummer, is here!
This strange creation is not a Hummer H2. Chinook RV built it back in 2004 using a standard GM one ton chassis cab and a custom HummerH2 nose. The bones are from a standard-issue RV and the engine is a period correct 6.0-liter V8. The wheels are 19.5 inches in diameter and have beefy tires. They look great with the H2 nose. The engine access is made possible by the nose tilting forward, just like a Hummer.
This rig is not designed for rock climbing at Moab, but it’s well-equipped to travel off the beaten track. It’s obvious that the big Warn winch is on the front bumper. However, the RV conversion also saw an upgrade to the suspension of the Chummer. The RV is illuminated by two banks of offroad lights, one at the front and one at the rear. The RV’s interior has a good place to rest if things go sour.
A Hummer H2 is incomplete without luxury touches. It starts with a huge power-folding leather couch. The cabin is decorated with cherry wood trim. The interior includes a full kitchen and a wet bathroom, as well as a large TV and full-size appliances. It is powered by a 4,000-watt generator and has heated holding tanks. There is also a central vacuum system that allows for easy cleanup. This unique rig is truly exceptional.
We were so impressed by it that we reached out Mike Johnson, the Chummer’s current owner to find out more. Gary Lukehart, a former Chinook boss and an RV legend, came up with this idea in 2000. He built the model for display at the 2005 Louisville RV Show. Although he didn’t intend to sell it at all, the top Chinook dealership decided to buy it. It was quickly sold to an unnamed, very wealthy individual after the Chummer returned to Minnesota.
Johnson and Lukehart were good friends through the years. Johnson was in fact inspired by Lukehart to purchase the Chummer.
Johnson shared his thoughts with Motor1.com in an interview. “Gary and me were having lunch one day and I told them I was thinking of getting one of his Baja motorhomes.” He suggested that I try to find the Hummer Baja he made; I had forgotten about it. So I set out to find it.
It wasn’t an easy task. Johnson found a Minnesota business with the same name of the original owner. It was located in the area where the Chummer had been sold. An employee of the business knew the RV from a distant relative. The person wrote a note to the owner and it is still there after all these years.
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Johnson was eventually contacted by the owner. However, even after that, it proved difficult to get the stars aligned for a sale. Johnson booked a flight from Washington State, Minnesota and bought the vehicle on the spot. Johnson stayed with the car for five more months.
Johnson explained that Johnson had only driven the car 7,000 miles. Johnson said that the original plastic used for Elkhart’s show was still on the floor. The bathroom was never used.”
Johnson and his wife nearly doubled their mileage over the past three years. The Chummer now has approximately 14,000 miles. Although it doesn’t get much use, the Chummer draws all kinds attention when it does.
It had only been driven 7,000 miles. It still had the original plastic from Elkhart. Even the bathroom hadn’t been used.
Johnson said that Johnson and his RV spent a month in Arizona and California a few years ago. They stayed at various sites and visited friends. We stayed in a very exclusive RV club. There were two-million-dollar RVs everywhere. People were constantly coming over to film it when we parked. I would look through the curtains and see at least four to five people outside. Everywhere we went, people wanted it to be seen. That was a lot of fun.
According to Johnson, four-wheel-drive Chinook Bajas have become very rare and sought-after in the RV industry. Only 25 Ford-based models were built. Original plans called for more H2 Bajas. These are slightly longer and wider than the Ford models. However, Chinook was soon in financial trouble after the Chummer’s debut. Johnson has been enjoying Hummer RV heaven for a few years and is now considering putting the Chummer on the market again. It’s difficult to estimate its value since it is a one-of a kind build.
There are many four-wheel drive campers that sell at or above this price. Although the Chummer is 16-years-old, it has only 14,000 miles and still looks brand new. This Chinook Baja H2 is the only one of its type in the entire world. With so few RVs on the market, this could be a great deal.