Recent content by Kardec

2nd set on the ER. Fantastic. No towing but a great tire that takes the labor out of driving ... at least compared to the 37" 22.5s. Changing a tire (haven't had to do it, thank god, but I have rotated them) is easier because the wheels go on and off the lugs easier, looser tolerances or...

As Earthroamer's first customer it's probably appropriate for me to speak up. I have never had any reason to fault their customer service. Perhaps I am forgiving, don't need to be coddled, or don't need to be treated like a VIP but I'm pretty sure that I have never waited for a return phone...

I recently inspected this vehicle and was very impressed. I can hardly believe I decided not to buy it but logic finally prevailed and I told Ron that I would have to pass. First, my reasons for not buying so that others can decide if these mean anything to them or not. I am 6'4" and have...

I could take this seriously ... ... drop me a PM. If I can get free I'll come up and take a look at her. Thanks!

I think that was me. I was in Missoula producing an educational event that wrapped up at the paleontological museum in Bozeman. Everyone else was going out to a dig site but I headed for the ER factory in Dacono for a repair.

Right. Me neither. There's no question that the U500 is a fantastically rugged vehicle but so far so good on the ER. Also I know some and know OF some people who have driven very heavy wheel tire combos on Ford 350s for many hundreds of thousands of miles ... not 200lbs but well beyond your...

I traveled a bit in one of these. Fuel mileage was always a limiting factor but a diesel swap could be a nightmare. A more efficient V8 or just throw some gas cans in a rack on the back and tune the heck out of her ... back when gas was not only expensive but hard to get I had a hot rod...

I shudder to think of getting my ER so stuck it requires a call for help! I can just imagine 15,000 lbs mired in a trail and the size of the rig required to pull me out ... or the rig and the cat it would require to pull me out. At 200 plus pounds, even changing a tire can turn into an...

Hell, you're in Germany, much of my advice on small streets and other things is probably completely unneeded ... Always one more thing to say, however. Plan to leave your vehicle behind at some point in its life. Good locks, luggage or boxes to ship valuables, etc. I've had to do this several...

I've owned an ER probably longer than anyone, though many of my fellow ER mates know much more about various aspects of the machine and Overlanding in it. I have traveled a lot but have not driven an ER internationally and I probably wouldn't, so take that into consideration. Here's my, very...

1988 Cherokee I had one from '88 until the late 1990s. 4.0. Great mileage on the highway, 25+ under the best circumstances (55mph), plenty of power, decent room. In my case I HATED the seats, thought they were torture devices but other than that it was a great car. Things broke but it never...

Height While I didn't compare the two ... the first ER build was still in the future ... the "bed rail" height of the U500 seemed very high. I believe it is higher than the F550 though it doesn't matter to me, I have no Unimog vs F550 feelings whatsoever. The higher bed rail means a higher...

Thanks! This is a great forum, I've been checking into it for years without posting. I actually find myself much more concerned with the American market's tendency to destroy good 4x4 design than worrying about what vehicle is best absolutely everywhere. Market forces in the United States...

ER vs The World As the owner of ER #1 and now #73 I have a couple of thoughts to add. I think that the U500 is a fantastic vehicle in every way. I drove one at the Portland Freightliner facility back when they were brand new to the US ... about the time when there were those silly ads...