Tiger v Earthroamer

DiploStrat wrote:
Are Tigers good vehicles? Try to find a used one!

The Bengal Tiger is an excellent, conventional RV with 4x4 and is hard to beat for cost effectiveness.

The Malayan Tiger is newer and pricier, but it is a full generation more modern with upgraded insulation, electrical, and sanitary systems. It was designed from the ground up to be a real four season camper. In my case, the criteria were:

-- No black tank
-- No propane
-- No genset
-- No need for shore power

So far (been too cold to test the air conditioning) our Malayan meets all of these requirements. You can see pictures here: Ndeke Luka

If you look around on our site, you can see images of our 4x4 travels over the years that shaped our decision to buy the Malayan.

Courtesy of "Tardis" you can see an extensive set of side by side/snout to snout pictures here: Head to Head The pity is that it was such a cloudy day - no real beauty shots.

These folks have worn the "new" off of their Tiger in over 50, yes 50, countries: Travelin Tortuga Their side has lots of detailed information.

You are welcome to come tour the beast, should you wish.

I have had the opportunity to examine a very nicely equipped Earthroamer, owned by a pair of photographers. This was a most impressive beast, fully equipped as a rolling still and video studio, but I noted:

-- Very large, especially for use overseas. (Ford F550 crew cab with Conti 44" tires = long and wide.)
-- Cramped interior. (But lovely closets and bedroom!)

Post questions on the Tiger forum linked above; you will find lots of folks willing to give you the good, bad, and ugly. What you won't find is a lot of them trying to sell their Tigers.

Tell your wife, I like the red bell bottoms in Cameroon. I wore bell bottoms myself when I was in school for a few years in Germany in the 60's. I would very much appreciate a look at the "beast." Arlington is a lot closer to Baltimore than SC. I also like the all diesel option. Pricy suckers, though.

I think they're a decent company. I had my doubts before I bought, but all the research I could find looked OK. They were pretty good to work with. They honored the 5-year structural warranty on my rotted-out storage door (old design) on the last week of my 5 years, no questions or argument at all. I bought from the 'old' Provan under Dave Rowe. Mark Guild owns the company now, and has made some detail improvements that I like to the CX, as well as offering the higher-top TX and the two other models.

Would I do it again? My only hesitation would be the now-much-higher price. Other than that, in a heartbeat!

One thing I'll note... in the CX video on their website, they refer to 'walking' from cab to coach... more like 'duck-walking', but quite do-able.

Jim, "If it's stupid, but it works, it isn't stupid."

Thanks, Handbasket. The Bengal or Malayan is probably more in my price range. Right now I am trying to get a big picture feel. Is it a decent company? Sounds like it is based on your experience. BTW, a good friend of mine is a tax lawyer in Asheville.

Best start by asking _which_ Tiger... there are basically 3 different models, and a couple have sub-models. If you want the Siberian (most comparable to the ER), I know nothing. If you want the Malayan, user 'DiploStrat' has one, you can search for his postings in the upper left hand search box.

If it's the Bengal, I have the nearly identical Tiger CX, from before the 'Bengal' name was used. For one or two still-flexible folks, it suits my needs just fine. 8+ years and 60,000+ miles, still love it. One other board user, Tiger4x4, also has an '06. Another person here is about ready to order one, I think.

Jim, "Mirror, mirror, one the wall, what the *#^$ happened?"