Overland camper

Thanks for all the concerns, I'll report back next week after my visit with Expedition RV's

free radical wrote:

js218 wrote:
^^^^^ you only live once and you can't take it with you so I'll spend it on something I like.

My thinking exactly
If money was no object Id get me Tatra and build a camper on that

https://youtu.be/9FIcu6ZF5g8

They come in 6x6 too :)
https://youtu.be/9pFPZGkQ088

Meet the guy a month ago in Alaska.
He is Austrian-American and imported Austrian military truck to convert it to RV.
If you zoom on the picture at full resolution, you will see it. (open image in new window)

js218 wrote:
Actually drove cement trucks and heavy duty wreckers back in the day that how I paid for collge.

That does not change the size of the roads!

Actually drove cement trucks and heavy duty wreckers back in the day that how I paid for collge.

js218 wrote:
^^^^ Lets see Alaska, Canadian Northern territories, Mexico and the desert states of the U.S. Current rig has been down quite a bit off dirt roads been to the Artic Circle and the whole length of the Baja Penninsula. As far as being important thats irrelevant just another form of boondocking for me an I'm retired an enjoying life just going to try another style of RV .

Dude, let 'er rip! Can't wait to see the creation!
While the price of admission is off the table for most, I can think of worse ways to spend your money of you're well heeled.

js218 wrote:
^^^^ Lets see Alaska, Canadian Northern territories, Mexico and the desert states of the U.S. Current rig has been down quite a bit off dirt roads been to the Artic Circle and the whole length of the Baja Penninsula. As far as being important thats irrelevant just another form of boondocking for me an I'm retired an enjoying life just going to try another style of RV .

The problem with going big for North America is that you are then having to tow a vehicle to get into most remote areas. You are limited to where you can drive/ camp with a big rig.

My class C with just the little extra width from my truck camper was a huge issue. Forest service roads were out. Many times just exploring a road was an issue as I needed so much space to turn around. The width on dirt roads was a problem as I was the width of the road.

I was out a couple weeks ago and watched a couple in a smaller Unimog have issues with navigating roads that I had no issues with in my class B. Toss in the poor turning radius and they were having a lot of issues that a smaller unit would not have.

ajriding wrote:
Interested to see what you pick, and why.

These seem great for Africa, but not so much America.

Maybe you want the size of a big class A RV, but want to go down a few dirt roads???

This is not an "off-road vehicle", it would compare to a stock 4x4 Tacoma on car tires for its ability, but have less clearance relative to wheels base.

I'm curious where you could take this vehicle in America that is so important. Forget anything or any place on the Eastern half, the West will be treeless enough you do not have to worry about overhang, but there is just not that many places I have seen where you could go explore with this, the roads would be too twisty.

There are truck campers built on flatbeds that have a lot more room and make more sense and are more off-road capable than the traditional bed and camper setup. Though these are smaller.
Or why not tow a trailer, as big as you want, then drop it at the trail head and go for a drive in a much more capable (even stock) 4x4 vehicle?

Yes, Earthroamers are neat, but other than crossing a flat desert, where do you take it? You cant fit up mountain dirt roads or over passes, and the ones you could fit up could be driven by a stock RV, you can't get into the forest because of trees and more narrow twisty roads. I guess you can drive in blizzards down the interstate…

Where do these go?

aj, bud, I don't think this is about practicality or even capability. It's about having the baddest looking unique RV out there. IDK what a person would do with a 6x6 Kwhopper or Mack that would be even remotely comfortable to drive or fit into these "back country" boondocking areas in a 40-60k gvw overgrown semi tractor. Maybe js218 is a retired concrete truck driver and really likes the feel of driving a big truk.

Get one of them stuck in the NWT and you'll be contracting Halliburton or someone from the oil patch to bring a bed truck and a D8 to get u out.

^^^^ Lets see Alaska, Canadian Northern territories, Mexico and the desert states of the U.S. Current rig has been down quite a bit off dirt roads been to the Artic Circle and the whole length of the Baja Penninsula. As far as being important thats irrelevant just another form of boondocking for me an I'm retired an enjoying life just going to try another style of RV .

Interested to see what you pick, and why.

These seem great for Africa, but not so much America.

Maybe you want the size of a big class A RV, but want to go down a few dirt roads???

This is not an "off-road vehicle", it would compare to a stock 4x4 Tacoma on car tires for its ability, but have less clearance relative to wheels base.

I'm curious where you could take this vehicle in America that is so important. Forget anything or any place on the Eastern half, the West will be treeless enough you do not have to worry about overhang, but there is just not that many places I have seen where you could go explore with this, the roads would be too twisty.

There are truck campers built on flatbeds that have a lot more room and make more sense and are more off-road capable than the traditional bed and camper setup. Though these are smaller.
Or why not tow a trailer, as big as you want, then drop it at the trail head and go for a drive in a much more capable (even stock) 4x4 vehicle?

Yes, Earthroamers are neat, but other than crossing a flat desert, where do you take it? You cant fit up mountain dirt roads or over passes, and the ones you could fit up could be driven by a stock RV, you can't get into the forest because of trees and more narrow twisty roads. I guess you can drive in blizzards down the interstate…

Where do these go?

Will be looking at International, Kenworth and Mack trucks all can be ordered with 4x4 or 6x6. I like the Eartroamer HD but would prefer a more robust chassis an engine combo. Expedition RV will build on any chassis that you provide, should be there next week to see what they have to offer.