Earthroamer: new tire/wheel/suspension

[blackdog]

Nice setup.:drool:

How do you like the LED light bar. Which brand is that?

Thanks for the compliment. The light bar is UNBELIEVABLE!! It is a 40" Rigid Industries. By far one of the best upgrades I have done to the truck. I live up in moose country so there is no such thing as too much light. I did a lot of research before chosing the rigid and couldn't be happier. They are simply the best on the market, made in the USA and come with a lifetime guarantee. I have 6" Rigid LED backup lights and they are awesome as well.

 

[adam88]

just curious...Am I the only one on this forum who still thinks that $21000 for a tire upgrade is a lot of money?

you can travel for a long time for that kind of money...another member is planning a 6 months trip to South America for less than that...

Not meaning to bump this thread, but I recall earlier in this thread there was some discussion about the rediculous pricing of some of the upgrades. Well they have gotten more rediculous. I have to say that as a long time fanboy of the Earthroamer, I am pretty dissapointed in what I have seen from them lately. I don't know any of them, Bill, etc. I am sure they are good guys, but I just looked at their new 2011 price list and I am shocked.

Here is the pricing list for those interested: http://earthroamer.com/pdf/2011 EarthRoamer XV-LT Pricing.pdf

I have also noticed that they have added Google ads to the top of their webpage... why would such a company do this? It looks very unprofessional. Are they strapped for cash or what? I couldn't believe it when I saw that.

That price list seems pretty much inflated significantly all over the board. Now I know that people will defend earthroamer (R&D costs, etc), but there's a limit. Charging $14,293 for 5 tires and 5 wheels is absurd. Plus, that doesn't even take into account the money they save from the original 5 wheels/tires that WOULD have gone on it. As mentioned previously, the tires retail for around $2200 a set, so you are paying close to $2300 per wheel.

But the most shocking thing on the price list is the batteries... Earthroamer offers an option to add 2 additional batteries (Lifeline AGM 255ah) for a whooping $4,566. These batteries cost $600 each... that is $1200. How is that justified? Some other absurb prices... $2,913 for a 16.5k warn winch, $2,534 for a 19" LCD TV with DVD player and, well, pretty much everything on the list.

After adding up ALL the options, the total price comes to over $310,000. Nothing more to say. I've been following earthroamer for years, watching their neat new developments including this recent one, but I think that having a 400% markup on batteries is taking it one step too far. I'd love to hear their reasoning for this. If their profit margin is that narrow that they need to make it up in batteries, why not jack up the base price of the earthroamer and keep the batteries are a reasonable price. You can still end up at the same $310,000, but at least it won't look so scummy. Just my opinion anyways....and for god sake if anyone from earthroamer is reading this, TAKE DOWN THE GOOGLE ADS, they make your site look very unprofessional. Find me another major RV manufacturer, ESPECIALLY a high-end one, that has google ads on their website??? Why not put POP-UP windows all over the place too?

 

[mountainsoul]

Charging $14,293 for 5 tires and 5 wheels is absurd. Plus, that doesn't even take into account the money they save from the original 5 wheels/tires that WOULD have gone on it. As mentioned previously, the tires retail for around $2200 a set, so you are paying close to $2300 per wheel.

But the most shocking thing on the price list is the batteries... Earthroamer offers an option to add 2 additional batteries (Lifeline AGM 255ah) for a whooping $4,566. These batteries cost $600 each... that is $1200. How is that justified? Some other absurb prices... $2,913 for a 16.5k warn winch, $2,534 for a 19" LCD TV with DVD player and, well, pretty much everything on the list.

Those prices can't be correct.

 

[Scott Brady]

Not as a justification for the pricing, but remember that they also include engineering costs, installation, purchase price of the components, overheads, etc.

On the price list for my G-Wagen, the front bumper and winch (9,000lb.) was nearly $6,000 from Europa. . .

 

[OTR]

Not meaning to bump this thread, but I recall earlier in this thread there was some discussion about the rediculous pricing of some of the upgrades. Well they have gotten more rediculous. I have to say that as a long time fanboy of the Earthroamer, I am pretty dissapointed in what I have seen from them lately. I don't know any of them, Bill, etc. I am sure they are good guys, but I just looked at their new 2011 price list and I am shocked.

Here is the pricing list for those interested: http://earthroamer.com/pdf/2011 EarthRoamer XV-LT Pricing.pdf

I have also noticed that they have added Google ads to the top of their webpage... why would such a company do this? It looks very unprofessional. Are they strapped for cash or what? I couldn't believe it when I saw that.

That price list seems pretty much inflated significantly all over the board. Now I know that people will defend earthroamer (R&D costs, etc), but there's a limit. Charging $14,293 for 5 tires and 5 wheels is absurd. Plus, that doesn't even take into account the money they save from the original 5 wheels/tires that WOULD have gone on it. As mentioned previously, the tires retail for around $2200 a set, so you are paying close to $2300 per wheel.

But the most shocking thing on the price list is the batteries... Earthroamer offers an option to add 2 additional batteries (Lifeline AGM 255ah) for a whooping $4,566. These batteries cost $600 each... that is $1200. How is that justified? Some other absurb prices... $2,913 for a 16.5k warn winch, $2,534 for a 19" LCD TV with DVD player and, well, pretty much everything on the list.

After adding up ALL the options, the total price comes to over $310,000. Nothing more to say. I've been following earthroamer for years, watching their neat new developments including this recent one, but I think that having a 400% markup on batteries is taking it one step too far. I'd love to hear their reasoning for this. If their profit margin is that narrow that they need to make it up in batteries, why not jack up the base price of the earthroamer and keep the batteries are a reasonable price. You can still end up at the same $310,000, but at least it won't look so scummy. Just my opinion anyways....and for god sake if anyone from earthroamer is reading this, TAKE DOWN THE GOOGLE ADS, they make your site look very unprofessional. Find me another major RV manufacturer, ESPECIALLY a high-end one, that has google ads on their website??? Why not put POP-UP windows all over the place too?

While I agree that the prices on some of these things are absurd, there are people that have the money that are willing to pay for the turn key package. I am a person that believes you can make more money on increased volume of sales, but there is a fine line between quantity and quality. As much as I would love to own an Earthroamer or Unimog/Unicat, it's just not in my budget if I also want to travel in it.

I will most likely go with a modified F-350 (upgraded suspension, F/R winches, etc...) and an XP camper on a custom aluminum flat bed (with intergraded water storage tanks, dry storage compartments) with a 3-point connection. I can do this for 1/3 of the cost of an Earthroamer, possibly a more capable rig with a lower COG, a decreased departure angle, lower shipping cost, and have plenty of amenities for two people to travel comfortably abroad. Of course I will have to assemble this package myself and give up several things, but it is worth it to me and I look forward to building my project.

Will I still look at an Earthroamer or Unimog/Unicat and :drool:, of course. My Dad collects Corvettes and still drools over Italian exotics. He looks at like this, "I can have several nice corvettes or one Ferrari with the cost of another car just to maintain it."

 

[Marc1]

While I agree that the prices on some of these things are absurd, there are people that have the money that are willing to pay for the turn key package. I am a person that believes you can make more money on increased volume of sales, but there is a fine line between quantity and quality. As much as I would love to own an Earthroamer or Unimog/Unicat, it's just not in my budget if I also want to travel in it.

I will most likely go with a modified F-350 (upgraded suspension, F/R winches, etc...) and an XP camper on a custom aluminum flat bed (with intergraded water storage tanks, dry storage compartments) with a 3-point connection. I can do this for 1/3 of the cost of an Earthroamer, possibly a more capable rig with a lower COG, a decreased departure angle, lower shipping cost, and have plenty of amenities for two people to travel comfortably abroad. Of course I will have to assemble this package myself and give up several things, but it is worth it to me and I look forward to building my project.

Will I still look at an Earthroamer or Unimog/Unicat and :drool:, of course. My Dad collects Corvettes and still drools over Italian exotics. He looks at like this, "I can have several nice corvettes or one Ferrari with the cost of another car just to maintain it."

I agree ... and this is the route I have chosen. With a little luck I will be on a shake down trip with the above mentioned set-up in about a month. :ylsmoke:

 

[trailsurfer]

Not meaning to bump this thread, but I recall earlier in this thread there was some discussion about the rediculous pricing of some of the upgrades. Well they have gotten more rediculous. I have to say that as a long time fanboy of the Earthroamer, I am pretty dissapointed in what I have seen from them lately. I don't know any of them, Bill, etc. I am sure they are good guys, but I just looked at their new 2011 price list and I am shocked.

Here is the pricing list for those interested: http://earthroamer.com/pdf/2011 EarthRoamer XV-LT Pricing.pdf

I have also noticed that they have added Google ads to the top of their webpage... why would such a company do this? It looks very unprofessional. Are they strapped for cash or what? I couldn't believe it when I saw that.

That price list seems pretty much inflated significantly all over the board. Now I know that people will defend earthroamer (R&D costs, etc), but there's a limit. Charging $14,293 for 5 tires and 5 wheels is absurd. Plus, that doesn't even take into account the money they save from the original 5 wheels/tires that WOULD have gone on it. As mentioned previously, the tires retail for around $2200 a set, so you are paying close to $2300 per wheel.

But the most shocking thing on the price list is the batteries... Earthroamer offers an option to add 2 additional batteries (Lifeline AGM 255ah) for a whooping $4,566. These batteries cost $600 each... that is $1200. How is that justified? Some other absurb prices... $2,913 for a 16.5k warn winch, $2,534 for a 19" LCD TV with DVD player and, well, pretty much everything on the list.

After adding up ALL the options, the total price comes to over $310,000. Nothing more to say. I've been following earthroamer for years, watching their neat new developments including this recent one, but I think that having a 400% markup on batteries is taking it one step too far. I'd love to hear their reasoning for this. If their profit margin is that narrow that they need to make it up in batteries, why not jack up the base price of the earthroamer and keep the batteries are a reasonable price. You can still end up at the same $310,000, but at least it won't look so scummy. Just my opinion anyways....and for god sake if anyone from earthroamer is reading this, TAKE DOWN THE GOOGLE ADS, they make your site look very unprofessional. Find me another major RV manufacturer, ESPECIALLY a high-end one, that has google ads on their website??? Why not put POP-UP windows all over the place too?

I believe in most instances regarding their pricing, the $$$$ are not just for the item by itself, but for the installation and significant work they have to do the vehicle to add the item. For example, regarding the 2 extra batteries, they have to literally engineer an additional space for the batteries , they just can't add them to an existing location on their "base" model.

On the tires, I believe that is not just for the "tires/wheels", but also for their trick air suspension and shock upgrade. Which also requires a ton of work to the as well as all of the parts.

For me, I get wowed by the prices for the foreign overland vehicles (Unimog, Unicat, etc...). There are a million ways to spend a million $.

 

[Marc1]

Quote:
"On the tires, I believe that is not just for the "tires/wheels", but also for their trick air suspension and shock upgrade. Which also requires a ton of work to the as well as all of the parts."

Not true. Per ER price sheet, the tire/wheel upgrade does not include the suspesion upgrade. Price for both is $30,706.00. Thats alot of cabbage. Don't get me wrong, I think ER makes a nice product, however some of their mark-ups are out of line IMHO.

marc :ylsmoke:

 

[trailsurfer]

Quote:
"On the tires, I believe that is not just for the "tires/wheels", but also for their trick air suspension and shock upgrade. Which also requires a ton of work to the as well as all of the parts."

Not true. Per ER price sheet, the tire/wheel upgrade does not include the suspesion upgrade. Price for both is $30,706.00. Thats alot of cabbage. Don't get me wrong, I think ER makes a nice product, however some of their mark-ups are out of line IMHO.

marc :ylsmoke:

If that is the case, they have to do some work to the wheel wells and more to the truck to make them fit. It is a lot of money, but it is also a lot of truck/expedition rig.

 

[adam88]

If that is the case, they have to do some work to the wheel wells and more to the truck to make them fit. It is a lot of money, but it is also a lot of truck/expedition rig.

I tried to justify the price too like you are doing "Well, it must include this..." etc. But the fact is, it doesn't. The wheel wells require no change at all. They already have the cutouts stock. Indeed, the cost is $30,000 simply for a set of 5 tires/wheels, and a 4" kelderman air suspension lift. That price doesn't even include the air compressor (which is included already in the base price). I also mentioned, that is $30,000 plus the cost of the original wheels/tires being replaced, so it's more like $33,000.

I guess I am just shocked more than anything. If I were a manufacturer, and I wanted to mark up my prices rediculously, I'd at least do it a little more respectfully and stealth-like. I mean, does earthroamer think their clients are stupid? Most clients know the wholesale cost of a couple of 255ah AGM batteries and if not can be looked up quickly. Oh well. I am still following earthroamer very closely. The innovative ideas they come up with are very good for the industry and when I build my expedition rig I am sure part of it will be inspired by their design. But I just don't agree with the huge price jack.

 

[trailsurfer]

I tried to justify the price too like you are doing "Well, it must include this..." etc. But the fact is, it doesn't. The wheel wells require no change at all. They already have the cutouts stock. Indeed, the cost is $30,000 simply for a set of 5 tires/wheels, and a 4" kelderman air suspension lift. That price doesn't even include the air compressor (which is included already in the base price). I also mentioned, that is $30,000 plus the cost of the original wheels/tires being replaced, so it's more like $33,000.

I guess I am just shocked more than anything. If I were a manufacturer, and I wanted to mark up my prices rediculously, I'd at least do it a little more respectfully and stealth-like. I mean, does earthroamer think their clients are stupid? Most clients know the wholesale cost of a couple of 255ah AGM batteries and if not can be looked up quickly. Oh well. I am still following earthroamer very closely. The innovative ideas they come up with are very good for the industry and when I build my expedition rig I am sure part of it will be inspired by their design. But I just don't agree with the huge price jack.

They do have to work on the wheel wells and do quite a bit of work on the Chassis. I was in their shop last week and saw first hand what they are doing to the chassis as well as the wheel wells. They had 2 builds going, and they had a chassis with the wheel suspension upgrade without the camper on it. It is quite impressive. They also had a LT in the shop that they were retro fitting with the suspension. It takes 2-3 weeks for them to complete the job on a retro-fit.

 

[Marc1]

They do have to work on the wheel wells and do quite a bit of work on the Chassis. I was in their shop last week and saw first hand what they are doing to the chassis as well as the wheel wells. They had 2 builds going, and they had a chassis with the wheel suspension upgrade without the camper on it. It is quite impressive. They also had a LT in the shop that they were retro fitting with the suspension. It takes 2-3 weeks for them to complete the job on a retro-fit.

The work they due to the Chassis has to do with the suspension mods and is incorporated into that cost. The tires and wheels stand alone on their own price point, ouch $$. Like I stated earlier, I think ER has a nice product, they are just WAY out of line on some of their options. The internet is a resourceful tool and you can't hide the facts.

marc :ylsmoke:

 

[trailsurfer]

The work they due to the Chassis has to do with the suspension mods and is incorporated into that cost. The tires and wheels stand alone on their own price point, ouch $$. Like I stated earlier, I think ER has a nice product, they are just WAY out of line on some of their options. The internet is a resourceful tool and you can't hide the facts.

marc :ylsmoke:

I think you might be a little confused. And you are not correct. The suspension mods are part of the "tire package", air suspension and King shocks are not included in the "base" model. The $30,000 is for tires, wheels, shocks and mods to the suspension and truck. The internet is useful, but sometimes you need to go to the factory or actually talk to the company producing the product.

 

[adam88]

I think you might be a little confused. And you are not correct. The suspension mods are part of the "tire package", air suspension and King shocks are not included in the "base" model. The $30,000 is for tires, wheels, shocks and mods to the suspension and truck. The internet is useful, but sometimes you need to go to the factory or actually talk to the company producing the product.

Actually, with all due respect, you are a "little confused" and "not correct".

The suspension mods you speak of are part of the base price on the truck, not included in the tire upgrade package. The $14,000 for the tires/wheels is only for that. If you don't believe me, here is a quote from a May, 2004 interview (yes, 2004) with Bill Swails from Off-Road.com:

In the beginning of our project, we went through several different suspensions and then we found T-Rex Engineering. T-Rex Engineering installed King remote reservoir shocks and provided the custom valving specifically for our XV-LTs. Having King Shocks on all four corners of the XV-LT allowed us to keep our factory spring rates. All of our production vehicles are fitted with King Shocks from T-Rex Engineering. www.T-RexEngineering.com And since then, we've installed heavy-duty front and rear sway bars from IPD and the difference is night and day. On the road we notice the difference in performance and stability on cornering, passing tractor-trailer rigs and in heavy wind. Also, IPD supplies us with the same front and rear sway bars for all of our production vehicles. www.ipdusa.com"

So as you can see, Earthroamer has been installing the king shocks you speak of on their vehicles since the beginning, as well as the other suspension upgrades you likely saw. I can understand why you would be defensive, because it is very hard to believe that you'd pay $14,000 just for tires/wheels, but alas, it is the truth.

 

[howell_jd]

Still wrong...I have a 2005 with Bilsteins...the originals (and yes time for them to be replaced). The original suspensions were leaf front and rear. My '05 is coil front, leaf rear. There are indeed many different suspensions from different years. ER has been working with King for some time no doubt but my shocks and suspension are different from other year models of ERs that I personally saw at both this year's and last year's Rally. Be careful of taking a quote out of context. I don't believe the exchange here is malicious but it is inaccurate.
Jonathan