Newly converted...

VA-Apraisr wrote:
Saw an Earthroamer in New York last month! Grossly overkill for urban life and I just didn't see much interior space. Impressive for the African safari adventure in the middle of no man lands....even if I had the $$ just not my type of expenditure. The 4x4 conversion on my standard rig was a bargain at $10k years ago and currently comes in close to $20k at Quigley 4x4. I pray everyday nothing happens to my rig cause replacement would be close to $90k and I'd like to stop working someday!! And, I don't have slides on mine and very thankful for it....I do think the movement on rough terrain could cause some seal/slide issues.

That's resembles how I feel about our good old 24 ft 2005 slide-less Itasca in the photo above. It's got a lot of things "right about it" and can't be duplicated today new at any price (Ford E450 chassis plus it's specific floor plan, coach structure, and overall quality).

It only has one thing kindof "wrong" with it ... it's only 2WD ... so we have to make sure any off-highway travel/camping is in dry weather. ;)

Saw an Earthroamer in New York last month! Grossly overkill for urban life and I just didn't see much interior space. Impressive for the African safari adventure in the middle of no man lands....even if I had the $$ just not my type of expenditure. The 4x4 conversion on my standard rig was a bargain at $10k years ago and currently comes in close to $20k at Quigley 4x4. I pray everyday nothing happens to my rig cause replacement would be close to $90k and I'd like to stop working someday!! And, I don't have slides on mine and very thankful for it....I do think the movement on rough terrain could cause some seal/slide issues.

time2roll wrote:
Earthroamer seems a bit much on features to me. I don't need an overland vehicle as much as something that can go a bit off pavement or keep going in bad weather. I would probably drag some type of Jeep vehicle to explore a bit further.

I agree 100% with that. ;)

This discussion reminded me ... the DW informed me that in 2-3 weeks she'd like to check out the Dubinky Wells area again in our Class C ... nice!!

Here's some of our off pavement RV roads from the past:

Sometimes people are able to find a diesel powered ambulance that is being sold and has four wheel drive. They are pretty short but make an awesome rig to build on.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/vancouver/2005-ford-e-450-super-duty-ambulance-dually-4-wheel-drive-diesel/1450922897?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

https://www.firetruckmall.com/AvailableTruck/12421/2000-Lifeline-Ford-4x4-Ambulance?price=0-1200000&year=1950-2019&chassis=All&brand=All&pumpsize=All&tanksize=All&category=Ambulances-Transport-Units&warranty=All&region=All&mileage=Any%20Mileage


Gary

Earthroamer seems a bit much on features to me. I don't need an overland vehicle as much as something that can go a bit off pavement or keep going in bad weather. I would probably drag some type of Jeep vehicle to explore a bit further.

And make no mistake..if I had that kind of money, I would have one. Reality is, I don't, so I do what I can, to run the kind of rig I want.


Gary

The Earthroamer HD comes "standard" with:

115 gallons of diesel fuel

250 gallons of fresh water

125 gallon capacity grey water

125 gallon capacity black water

2100 watts of solar power

20000 watt hour lithium battery bank

It sports about a $1,500,000 price tag in order to live like a king out on the far side of beyond if and only if ... the rig doesn't tip over from it's height on canted travel surfaces and if the rig doesn't sink up to it's coach floor in a bog from it's weight. ;)

garyhaupt wrote:
I see 2017 Jayco's at $60,000. The conversion is probably 35,000. Brings it to 95,000...now take off 30% if the owner is from the US. Sure a lot less that the 250,000 for an Earthroamer. And, you get a full sized black water tank....not the 5 gallon cassette.

Gary

Gary ... what's the deal with those "cassettes" anyway?

Isn't their advantage that they can be emptied into a hole you dig and then fill in - when camping out on the far side of beyond - without it being an International Poop Police Incident if you do it?

And, isn't their disadvantage that they can create odors throughout the RV at times?

Another IMHO-downside of the Earthroamer models is that they don't have a super quiet diesel generator on board - just in case the sun lets one down such that there is a risk of compromising the Ford diesel engine from too much idling! :B

And at $490,000..that 125 gallon waste tank shouldn't be an 'option'. And that's pricing for an LTS. No price showing for an HD.

Seems to me...$70,000 is a much better 'option'..but..that's just me.


Gary

^^^^^ Actually can order an Earthroamer with a 125 gallon black tank, but thanks for the info.