Earthroamer LTi: The good, Bad & Ugly ( 1HR VIDEO)

[Irnieracing]

Probably a YouTuber just looking to post his videos rather than interact.

You nailed it.. but we were also activily invested in figuring out what platform we wanted to invest in.
This video walks everyone through out thinking process for the best living quarters for expedition life:

7 Years Traveling in Northern Lite 10-2 Truckcamper - 1HR TOUR

 

[SootyCamper]

Being Canadian why not have a look at the Canadian producers? OffGrid customs in Squamish, Pronghorn EV in Calgary, Wilderness Vans in Lethbridge, Loki and Nord Van in Quebec. All can cater to the custom you're looking for.

The exchange rate is only going to get worse for us Canadians.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

OEV, also is Canadian.

 

[Irnieracing]

Being Canadian why not have a look at the Canadian producers? OffGrid customs in Squamish, Pronghorn EV in Calgary, Wilderness Vans in Lethbridge, Loki and Nord Van in Quebec. All can cater to the custom you're looking for.

The exchange rate is only going to get worse for us Canadians.

Yeah I looked at the OffGrid OGC / Cascadia composite and Pronghorn builds/examples at Overland Expo West. Doesn't fit the quality + strength / pricing structure so far. More experience for these covid companies will help.
I do like the build quality of the OEV, but pricing is still super expensive in reality terms. The Loki in Quebec has some interesting builds but again 500,000k for what exactly are we getting? Have not seen or found Nord Van after looking now.
I am leaning towards a better value, better usability, better resale option of building my own truck with Buckstop/etc supersingles with a Kingstar with storage boxes setup ATM.

What are your thoughts on these Canadian brands experience and quality?

 

[Irnieracing]

Yeah I looked at the OffGrid OGC / Cascadia composite and Pronghorn builds/examples at Overland Expo West. Doesn't fit the quality + strength / pricing structure so far. More experience for these covid companies will help.
I do like the build quality of the OEV, but pricing is still super expensive in reality terms. The Loki in Quebec has some interesting builds but again 500,000k for what exactly are we getting? Have not seen or found Nord Van after looking now.
I am leaning towards a better value, better usability, better resale option of building my own truck with Buckstop/etc supersingles with a Kingstar with storage boxes setup ATM.

What are your thoughts on these Canadian brands experience and quality?

oh yah, Wilderness vans looks good from a far, but I don't like the interior setups so far. I do want a separate enclosed bathroom/shower for live-in camper setup. If I want hardcore offroad, I would consider pulling a Jeep behind the truck for that or just go offroading with Jeep overland setup.

 

[Bellpilot1]

oh yah, Wilderness vans looks good from a far, but I don't like the interior setups so far. I do want a separate enclosed bathroom/shower for live-in camper setup. If I want hardcore offroad, I would consider pulling a Jeep behind the truck for that or just go offroading with Jeep overland setup.

So you think if you build your own truck as apposed to a professional builder your resale will be better?

 

[gator70]

When you say "Alternative platforms" are you referring to the European Man Trucks, Unimogs, etc. Using a US model truck is way more affordable, and don't even look into the trouble of importing a euro truck to USA or Canada. It must be 20 years old for USA and 15 years old for Canada, and the Provincial inspection in BC is a ********** if it's been modified from original.

My rig (USA - 16000 lb overland vehicle)

Nothing built on the F550 Ram 5500 can compete in value/quality

 

[Darwin]

There is no way a "kingstar" will end up cheaper than purchasing a box for 40K and building that out. Unless when you say build you mean Kingstar will build to your preferences within reason.

 

[Irnieracing]

So you think if you build your own truck as apposed to a professional builder your resale will be better?

yes, selling a Truck (f550 custom) that separates from the camper (Kingstar/ Northern Lite) is much easier to sell individually from my research. There are many 400,000 usd custom rigs that just can't sell in a post covid market.

 

[gator70]

Just watched video whereas the Earthroamer had a $10,000 roadside breakdown ($2000 tow, $8000 repair)

I've seen LMTV's with big money roadside breakdowns

When choosing my rig all these were considerations.

 

[lucilius]

Just watched video whereas the Earthroamer had a $10,000 roadside breakdown ($2000 tow, $8000 repair)

I've seen LMTV's with big money roadside breakdowns

When choosing my rig all these were considerations.

I guess a Vespa and a Unicat and everything in between can breakdown there's bound to be some cost differential in getting operational again. The most reliable rig I've seen, because a diesel 70-series LC isn't available in the US, is a combo of training, expertise and a gravel bike with some bivy gear. A lot of the breakdowns, not due to driver error/egregious lack of maintenance, seem to be because modern trucks are high tech wonders with an unfortunate overreliance on fragile & complex & DIY unfriendly electronics and poorly wrought emissions control gear. I don't see a lot of differences between the 6.7L diesels. Most owners really like them....until they break and/or they actually tally all the extra maintenance time & money & dedication needed to keep them running smoothly. Many wax nostalgic about old reliable 7.3 and 5.9 diesels but in reality demand a silent and smooth 1000 ft lbs that'll keep them alongside Porsches on steep grades as they gleefully haul 20k lbs of luxury camping&adventure lifestyle over a mountain pass with individualized climate control and seat massage. Whatever floats your boat.