EarthRoamer XV-JP "Northwest Edition"

[mtnbike28]

Great news!

 

[PaulJensen]

01 - Here We Go Again...

Beyond super busy... Sunday, the entirety of what is left of the Jeep, after the memories, was inventoried, sorted and measured... Some rough measurements were made and a simple side plan got started... Trying to have it somewhat Sprinter like in height... The drivers seat height is similar... That give just about 6' interior height before anything... Sorry, no time today to post any pictures here, I just photo dumped them here...

http://pauljensencustom.blogspot.com/2016/04/01-here-we-go-again.html

 

[GeoScum]

What is the GVW of the truck? Other web sites say the vehicle grosses out at 5700 pounds. Even with overload springs, the axles are still carrying too much load, as is the brakes.

Is the truck really 1300 pounds over loaded?

 

[PaulJensen]

What is the GVW of the truck? Other web sites say the vehicle grosses out at 5700 pounds. Even with overload springs, the axles are still carrying too much load, as is the brakes.

Is the truck really 1300 pounds over loaded?

Before I do anything (at least a week away) I will get it weighed at the dump... I'm curious too...

 

[mhiscox]

What is the GVW of the truck? Other web sites say the vehicle grosses out at 5700 pounds. Even with overload springs, the axles are still carrying too much load, as is the brakes. Is the truck really 1300 pounds over loaded?

This has been covered a few times, but Paul may not know the details, so I'll reply rather than letting the implication hang that he's got this wildly overstressed vehicle to control . . .

If the question is "is the truck 1300 pounds over the manufacturer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating?," it is. If the question is, "Is the truck overloaded?," it is not. All the components have been changed to allow for the weight, first by EarthRoamer when they built it--and you can safely imagine they could not risk putting out a dangerously overweight vehicle for liability reasons--and then through modifications made under my ownership (notably the addition of the big brake kit and even heavier duty springs and shocks.)

Would it be better if it weighed less? Sure. It would be a little more nimble and would get better fuel economy. Is the higher weight a fair tradeoff for the accommodations and capability? I've certainly thought so. The truck has consistently performed well on highway cruises, winding roads and trails, with no hint of problems.

 

[GeoScum]

This has been covered a few times, but Paul may not know the details, so I'll reply rather than letting the implication hang that he's got this wildly overstressed vehicle to control . . .

If the question is "is the truck 1300 pounds over the manufacturer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating?," it is. If the question is, "Is the truck overloaded?," it is not. All the components have been changed to allow for the weight, first by EarthRoamer when they built it--and you can safely imagine they could not risk putting out a dangerously overweight vehicle for liability reasons--

It sounds like EarthRoamer did in fact do that. They brakes were built for a GVW of 5700 pounds, the XV-JP must have weighed near that bare, and with any resonable load for which it was intended, would have exceeded that. And this condition may have occurred at least until you changed the brakes, and may continue even now because any brake changes lack documentation.

 

[mhiscox]

It sounds like EarthRoamer did in fact do that. They brakes were built for a GVW of 5700 pounds, the XV-JP must have weighed near that bare, and with any reasonable load for which it was intended, would have exceeded that. And this condition may have occurred at least until you changed the brakes, and may continue even now because any brake changes lack documentation.

As you wish. There are a lot of discussions all over both ExPo and the internet about GVWRs and how they are set, so I suggest this thread not turn into another one. If it's important to you that your overland truck is below the manufacturer's documented GVWR, please don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

 

[Haf-E]

The concern about brakes capabilities is always a controversial topic - but if you look at the brakes on my Sprinter van (which has a 10,000 lb GVW rating) and look at the brakes on a Jeep JKU - they look extremely similar in size and brake pad area...

I think the real issue for GVW ratings on the jeep being so low is for other reasons than the brakes (such as fuel economy rating tests differences between cars (the JKU) and trucks (the Sprinter van).

 

[fog cutter]

i read this about once a month:

http://expeditionportal.com/the-10-commandments-of-modifying-an-overland-vehicle/

then this:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...ings-to-Purchase-Before-an-Overland-Adventure

 

[GeoScum]

If the question is "is the truck 1300 pounds over the manufacturer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating?," it is. If the question is, "Is the truck overloaded?," it is not. All the components have been changed ........

I doubt that all the componets that determine the GVW have in fact been changed. That would include axles and bearings, springs and perches, frame and vacuum booster.

 

[thethePete]

Pretty sure the short answer is; they know it's over weight and they don't care. It's really that simple.

I had a customer that was 5000lbs over his GVW. I told him he could face criminal charges in the event of an accident, given the weight he was at. He shrugged and simply said "Oh well".... As Mike said, this thread is not the place for a discussion of GVWRs.

 

[GeoScum]

Pretty sure the short answer is; they know it's over weight and they don't care. It's really that simple.

I think that's it.

But GVW is part and parcel of a build. I think the reason some don't want to discuss it is that it makes them uncomfortable, nothing else.

 

[mk216v]

The Earthroamer Boomerang sounds great, or "EB" for short.

Like Mike said, it will always be an Earthroamer no matter what you do to it (and thus, it makes sense for this thread to stay open).

Maybe an Aboriginal theme for the interior?

 

[PaulJensen]

Maybe an Aboriginal theme for the interior?

With as much original Zebrawood and teak that survived, chances are that theme will continue...

 

[PaulJensen]

02 - Scale Model...

(above) After measuring the Jeep a scale drawing was made... 1"= 6" ...

(above) From the drawing, the lines are transferred to plywood then cut out with a knife...

(above) Hot glue holds it together... A coat of clear keeps it from splintering...

(above) It helps me visualize...

(above) Later the major systems will be made to scale and locations can be played with...

(above) Now the fun begins...!!!...