A few years ago, before buying my current RV, I was looking and researching 4×4 models. I wanted something that could get me to more of the primitive campgrounds that I love. The options were limited then and are limited now. I wound up with a non-4×4 Sprinter based RV so at least I could get to most forest campgrounds and use normal parking lot spaces.
The most obvious method is putting a camper onto your 4×4 truck. It’s probably the simplest and cheapest option if you already have a truck. This market has room to grow though. They are not real attractive and options are limited for each type of truck out there. I would love to see more custom options, better styling and paint matching for truck and camper.
There are some companies that have built “4×4 motorhomes” over the years but many of them just don’t look like something I would drive off pavement or even over a big curb. Clearance isn’t good with so much of the RV hanging long and low over the end. The best ones I found are outside of the United States and not available for me. There are also some good custom jobs out there but they are one of a kinds. Toyota Motorhomes is an example of what companies and people have done in the past. Some custom jobs are very nice looking.
I just visited the EarthRoamer factory in Colorado to look at their amazing off road recreational vehicles. As I neared Lafayette, just outside of Denver, Colorado, I was excited to possibly get a look at their amazing off road machines. They have made my dream machine RV for a few years now and recently expanded their line to include a new smaller Jeep model. I met Bill Swails, the Chief Designer and COO at EarthRoamer, who let me look over the two models they had in-house. They are even more impressive in person.
The original model is based on Super Duty trucks. It is not a camper on a pickup. Or a RV built upon another manufacturers chassis. They transform a quad cab Super Duty truck from the ground up into a Earthroamer. It becomes one machine rather than just assemble parts. And it is awesome. I would be living in one if it was just me. It holds more fuel, water and waste then my own RV. The price tag runs well over $200,000 depending on options.
The second model is based on the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon and starts at around $110,000. This is more for the single travel, possible a couple, since it is a two seater. This is not luxurious RV travel but it will get you just about anywhere on Earth that four wheels can go. The roof opens up into a tent. You also have the minimal basics with a toilet, shower, fridge, water and a furnace.
I can’t put enough photos on here to do it justice so I recommend going to their website at www.earthroamer.com to check these out (and a 5 minute video here) They are pricey and you could even say they are quite expensive. But then again, you could spend more for a big rig that can’t even drive or park in many places. This is the only truly nice RV that is 4×4 I’ve found. I have seen a few deals on used ones if you need to have one. No, I don’t have one and it was hard but I left the building without one as well.
RV companies are struggling these days. If you are considering one, do your research as to if the company is still alive and well. Some have closed, sold or changed hands and you want to be careful before handing over a large deposit.
By Adam Longfellow (Updated October 17, 2009)
Hi Adam,
You didn’t think that the Tiger Motor Home 4X4 was capable enough to get into some or most of the more remote camping sites? It seems to take the best of a 1 ton 4X4 pickup with a pretty comfortable looking living area, toilet, shower and more floor space than a camper on a pickup. Nicely set up with a diesel, locking rear diff and other amenities for @$100,000 vs a Jeep and a tent for $10 grand more and less than half the price of the Earthroamer full size. It seems like the Earthroamer would be great for an end of the world scenario or traveling the Sahara, Gobi, the Outback and other worldwide extreme environments but may be a bit of overkill for traveling in North America. Plus you have to be pretty well off to afford to buy one.
I would appreciate your comments about the Tiger. I have a Jeep Rubicon Unlimited that I could tow with the Tiger. If I wanted to leave my semi-remote camp and get further into the wild (where allowed!) I could use the Jeep for the exploration of the area. Both vehicles together would still be cheaper than the Earthroamer.
Thanks!
Guy
Hi Guy, Thanks for letting me clarify on this. I didn’t mean to say that the Tiger couldn’t do something. I haven’t owned one so I really don’t know. My emphasis was on the bang up structural job that the Earthroamer uses that make it really all one vehicle. The Tiger seems to be the next best thing and much cheaper. Although a couple of used Earthroamers have had better prices of late. Realistically, Tiger is something that I would and should look at again when I am ready to take that step.
It’s a lot of money either way you cut it. Another engine in the driveway and something that you probably aren’t going to drive every day for a commute.
For price and solo getaways, I’d love to just have something for myself for my Tacoma but small trucks have very limited options. It gets me into any place I’ve tried but then I don’t have accommodations.
Adam
Hi Adam,
Thanks for the reply. I bought a light weight camping trailer for off road use that weighs about 1000lbs so I can tow it behind my Jeep. I have taken it to Death Valley and other places and use it as my base camp while I go out with my Jeep during the day. I added a sink and water tanks with a water pump. Plus carry portable toilet, shower, stove etc. etc. in the trailer and you can carry ATV’s or boats on the trailer. The way it is designed it can hold a lot of gear! It sleeps four plus a dog. Check it out at http://www.haultent.com. The owner/designer lives in NV and is a really nice guy. I was thinking of the Tiger for when I retire in a few years. More creature comforts for a base camp for my wife and myself than the camping trailer.
Take care,
Guy
That is pretty cool. I didn’t know it existed. I used to live in Nevada and have been to Fallon a few times. Have to check one out when I’m back through there.
I think I’d have to find a way to mount solar panels on it that flipped in and out. I run this website from some pretty remote places with solar power. 300 watts of power and four batteries on my current setup gives me more than all the power I ever need.
Hi Adam,
I spoke to Arne at Haultent and he would like to contact you about his trailers and the solar idea. Do you have an e-mail address I can send to him?
Thanks!
Guy
You know what’s a great deal cheaper and potentially cooler than any of these? Get the used motorhome you like the best, cut it and bolt it to a commercial 4×4 chasis. Done deal. Maybe $20k in parts and labor for the conversion plus whatever you spent on the initial motorhome. Besides full on tour buses, there is no such thing as a camping land vehicle worth $200k. You can do all and more just picking a motorhome and paying someone to match it with a modified 4×4 chasis.