Expedition home for around $100k?

[malJohann]

So I’ve been looking and trying to get an expedition truck planned for under $200k that includes the truck and home.

Seemingly the experienced manufacturers wants to relieve one of half a mil these days for almost just the home part, which is insane if you look at what bigger and more luxurious caravans go for.

So, do you guys know of any recommended builders that build a lift off expedition home for a Fuso / Isuzu light rigid crew cab truck for around $100k?

This is for two adults with two young kids in Australia by the way.

 

[clydeps]

If you want someone to build it for you then 100K is unrealistic. Yes, you can buy a nice mass-produced caravan for that price, but the structure, fittings and build quality of a Jayco are not up to the standard that the expedition vehicle builders deliver, and they are all so busy they would not likely be interested in doing a one-off budget build.

Maybe you should just buy a 2nd hand caravan and put it on the tray - I have seen a couple examples like that and it seems to work ok. It's going to be cozy for 4 people though.

 

[SkiFreak]

A box can be done for well under $100K, but only if you do it primarily by yourself.
Companies like Styromax can build you a box (assembly included) for a fairly reasonable price, but it's not just the box; there's what goes in it that makes up the total price.

If you want to fit 4 people in a box that fits onto the back of a dual cab, you would really need to look at a box with a luton.
I doubt that you would get the necessary space with a repurposed caravan.

 

[malJohann]

A box can be done for well under $100K, but only if you do it primarily by yourself.
Companies like Styromax can build you a box (assembly included) for a fairly reasonable price, but it's not just the box; there's what goes in it that makes up the total price.

If you want to fit 4 people in a box that fits onto the back of a dual cab, you would really need to look at a box with a luton.
I doubt that you would get the necessary space with a repurposed caravan.

A luton with a raising roof is what I had in mind actually. So I’ll have to do that then, yeah thought as much. I believe Austral might be one of the few (non-raising roof luton) prefab options, but seriously considering a DIY.

Also, I know it’s what’s inside that makes the difference, and there’s a lot to be said for experience and iterative design, but seemingly post-2020 pricing a lot of companies out there seem to be taking the piss with pricing IMHO.

 

[clydeps]

Prices have certainly gone up - two reasons - one is taking advantage of demand to increase profit margins, but the other is increased costs. All the gear is harder to get and costs more, and has to be ordered further in advance.

These companies have a dilemma - demand is way up so they can either try to expand to increase production - but then risk having to downsize when the bottom falls out of the market in a couple of years; or capitalise on demand by increasing profit margin - this helps throttle demand and builds a cash buffer to ride through the inevitable collapse in demand when it arrives. From what I've seen the well-run businesses are doing a bit of both.

Expedition vehicles in Australia are still much better value than in the US after dollar conversion.

 

[SkiFreak]

As with any expedition camper build, the design needs to match its intended use.

If you plan on primarily sticking to the the blacktop and only occasionally traveling on off road tracks, a camper with a non raising luton would be perfectly fine.
However... if you plan on being more adventurous and travel where others fear to tread, that being on the more hard core tracks around this country, a vehicle with a high roof could prove problematic when it comes to overhead clearance. I have seen numerous pictures of camper boxes being seriously damaged by tree branches.
A higher vehicle is normally less stable too, as it will most likely have a higher centre of gravity, which can be challenging in deeply rutted 4x4 tracks, or when on a loose surface like sand.

Something else to take into consideration is that vehicles over 2.8 metres in height normally incur greater costs on toll roads.

 

[malJohann]

As with any expedition camper build, the design needs to match its intended use.

If you plan on primarily sticking to the the blacktop and only occasionally traveling on off road tracks, a camper with a non raising luton would be perfectly fine.
However... if you plan on being more adventurous and travel where others fear to tread, that being on the more hard core tracks around this country, a vehicle with a high roof could prove problematic when it comes to overhead clearance. I have seen numerous pictures of camper boxes being seriously damaged by tree branches.
A higher vehicle is normally less stable too, as it will most likely have a higher centre of gravity, which can be challenging in deeply rutted 4x4 tracks, or when on a loose surface like sand.

Something else to take into consideration is that vehicles over 2.8 metres in height normally incur greater costs on toll roads.

Good things to keep in mind! Another idea I had just today, is to incorporate an Opus Air inflatable camper tent into the box, so it’s all neatly folded away while in transit, but provides ample seating and sleeping space above the roofline when inflated. Those folding doors fit into about 3m of tray length. That would also keep the height down to cab level with a standard lifting roof.

 

[malJohann]

The wind is not and will never be your friend!!!
Please don't forget the "Doppler Effect" on the "home life" (like winters on the Pacific coasts of Baja) when considering soft top pop-up's for your rigs. If you are at some remote beach for barrels, "rippen" side-shore wind, or both... Then you will be HAMMERED! You may be too tired at the end of the day to care! Now your partner, the kids, the friends you invited... May just want to kill you in your sleep and hitchhike home!

Understanding the whole perspective in important! TRUST ME!!!! Been there and got that T-SHIRT!

Thanks for the perspective. I understand it’s a trade-off, and really just an idea that has some merit, and downsides too, but worth considering IMHO. More so because of the wind testing the manufacturer did.

 

[malJohann]

Truth be told I’d be a pig in mud in a 13ft Bliss Mobil body with a High Bed Family layout, but again the cost! ?

 

[SkiFreak]

I have inspected the Bliss Mobil construction in quite a bit of detail.
In my opinion, they are a step above anything that is offered here in Australia, but as you say... they are definitely not cheap.

 

[billiebob]

seriously considering a DIY

if you have experience and tools, skill to do it you might save a buck
if this is a new endeavor you will save money buying a full on used unit