Turtle V truck now for sale

[masterplumber]

Gary & Monika's well being

Anyone one heard from these folks?
I visited there website just now. It appears that there hasn't been any updated in a while and no recent activity on their thread/forum.

First and foremost, I am interested in there well being. I wish them well.
(The life of an expeditionist/wild-life traveler/writer/photograher, is nice and glory, but sometimes you just don't read about the risk/danger. I've lost a dear friend to such a life.)

Secondly, I came across their goal of marketing sometime similar to their Turtle V and or its successors and wanted some information about their project and its status.

If anyone knows their whereabouts, please post their new contact information and pass along my post.

Thank you kindly.

I have sporadic contact with the Wescotts - When I emailed them a couple of weeks ago they were headed to Baja for 6 - 10 weeks & doing well.

 

[JRhetts]

Selling the Turtle V

I have been interested in the Turtle iterations for several years, and the announcement here in Jan that there was concrete evidence of a plan to offer a Turtle for sale was very intriguing.

However, I cannot for the life of me figure out their business model: a PDF brochure exists, but is not widely available; no information about price; no active contact for sales info; Gary and Monika in Baja for 8-10 weeks; no activity on their web site (even the deletion roughly a year ago of any reference to a plan to build and sell the vehicle.)

Speculation can be a complete waste of time, but does anyone have any concrete information?

 

[masterplumber]

I have been interested in the Turtle iterations for several years, and the announcement here in Jan that there was concrete evidence of a plan to offer a Turtle for sale was very intriguing.

However, I cannot for the life of me figure out their business model: a PDF brochure exists, but is not widely available; no information about price; no active contact for sales info; Gary and Monika in Baja for 8-10 weeks; no activity on their web site (even the deletion roughly a year ago of any reference to a plan to build and sell the vehicle.)

Speculation can be a complete waste of time, but does anyone have any concrete information?

Over the years I've talked to Gary & Monika about building replicas of the Turtle V. I believe they would like to do this but they are primarily explorers \ photo journalists - not vehicle builders. They know what works through years of experience & The company in Florida (Applied Concepts?) can build the Nida Core Box etc... but right now it is totaly up to them to market, sell, support, etc.. I think if the right person with the experience were to come along to handle the sales\ marketing could see Turtles for sale rather quickly but it would take the right person. Gary is a major type A perfectionist which is why the turtles work so well & the bugs have been worked out over the years - no compromises. Unfortunately at least in North America that additude is all but nonexistant in even the high end adventure RV manufacturing market. I think it would be great if this could come to fruition - any volunteers out there in marketing \ sales?

 

[Mike S]

Gary and Monika are in Baja and I do not know when they will be back. Gary showed me the Turtle in detail the last time I visited them. It is an awesome vehicle. I expect that any replication would be a one-off custom build, but I can't figure how you build a business around it. But then, Gary has his other things to keep him busy.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Here are the some of the details I remember from my commutations with Gary:

The basic layout will not change.
The leading edge of the Living Module may be modified for a recessed AC unit.
The Module will be built by Applied Concepts Unleashed, A custom yacht builder out of Florida.
Due to the complexity it will built on a cost-plus basis.
Initially they will build five identical vehicles. One for them.
Production and final design will not start until four are sold, with solid deposits.
Choice of a Dodge Ram 5500 or Ford F-550. The vehicles drive train will be outfitted similar to current Turtle.
Based on a Dodge 5500, turn key, fully outfitted, no corners cut, and beer in the frig. Estimated cost 200K But that was a guess