Market for $80k complete truck and camper - mini earthroamer?
- Thread starter samuelashirley
- Start date
Clutch
<---Pass
2025 deleted member
Well-known member
Those are nice! Really 89 isn't a lot, well it is, but compared to how expensive new trucks are nowadays.
Clutch
<---Pass
It is, but it isn't in the big scheme of things.
I like that it doesn't have a lot of built-ins, leaves the floor plan open for gear. I don't care for a lot of built-ins...like a stove and sink, takes up so much room. Where a camp stove and a jug of water works fine, gives you the option to use inside (with the proper ventilation of course *stating so I don't get scorned by the internet gods
)...or out. Don't care for inside toilets, do you take a ******** in the middle of your kitchen and/or bedroom at home? Inside showers just make everything else wet inside the camper. Move all that stuff outside in a privy. Though a "dirt bag" version would be a gasser RWD Transit with a block lift, and an electronic locker. Which is probably all you need as you aren't going to take those big 4WD vans on anything too too gnarly off-road.
I can find Transits all day long under $30K. Betcha you could be into a nice little camper conversion for under $40K when everything is said and done, if you don't get too stupid...yeah the Transits don't get as good as gas mileage as the Sprinters, however, I just saved $49K going that route over the Merc OV...lotsa money left over for fuel.
Ford sells wall liners from the factory, or the aftermarket...
You can buy precut insulated wall liners $2000 or less. Would take a lot more abuse than the textile materials OV uses. The textile look is cool, and probably meant to feel cozy, but I need something that can take some use and abuse. Don't quite understand the whole luxury interior thing to go camping in. Just going to drag in in dirt, dust, and mud in it...and the occasional plume of camp fire smoke...
Or insulate it yourself, and do those molded poly-liners, bunch of options out there if you do some diggin'.
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Has anyone seen this? Tray-tek, because Aussies do it best. This is what I want!
https://youtu.be/wyp1-taiBf8
https://youtu.be/wyp1-taiBf8
BritKLR
Kapitis Indagatoris
Great thread. We actually fall within your demographic and found ourselves in the position of wanting an off-road capable rig. After owning everything from ground tents, RTT, bumper pull, Class C and Truck Camper (No fifth wheel due not being able to go off road) We've learned a lot of lessons on and off the road and wanted some very specific features and capabilities. 4wd, less then 20 ft in length, class C walk thru cab design, US chassis, aluminum/fiberglass construction, interior wetbath (if your traveling with lady, this is critical sooner or later....) and normal amenities (stove, hot water, heat and storage) we looked at all the new rigs on the market and quickly determined their biggest issue was price and the reality of banging around on the trails in a $160k rig would get old very quickly. And for our demographic, the single biggest issue is paying it off, no debt. So, we choose to track down an older camper and restore it. We found a 1995 Provan Tiger on a K2500 4wd Chevy chassis. We lightened the interior and components, added a 3 inch suspension lift, had the mechanics completely redone. We've already covered about 15 states and countless off-road and forest road destinations. Will it do the metal masher, no. But it has no problems with the vast number of easy trails that get you into the back country. Also, I'd say 4wd is necessary on these types of rigs. Not so much for mud bogging, but to reduce the stress loads when tackling steep and rocky trails. I guess in the end your business idea has to bring together a vast array of complex issues other then price. Good luck!
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Kali
Member
Lance, hi, I just purchased the same exact setup as ZB29 has but have larger E rated tires. What is wrong with my setup carrying 4500 lb camper? Ram says we can carry up to 5830 lbs payload.
https://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2016_ram_3500_towing_charts.pdf
Am I missing something?
Your not missing anything. Most of the guys on here want the bare minimum. Basically they want a hard side tent in the back of a truck. Most on here won't admit that 90% of there driving is on pavement. 9% is on well maintained gravel or dirt roads. 1% is true rough stuff. I live on 175 acres on a dirt road. I have taken my SRT8 Charger over roads and fields, yes fields that everyone else would say you need 4x4 to go. It all depends on your experience, I have been doing this for 45 years plus. Enjoy your truck your going to love it.
Check with the guys in Africa and South America that are actually doing it. They will give the same percentages I did. Some people really want the bare minimum and others can't afford any more so they bad mouth it. This is America, do what you want. My truck and camper are very small to me because I have traveled in 45ft DP. My wife just informed me that the TC is fine but for long trips we also need another coach. Time to start shopping.
Check with the guys in Africa and South America that are actually doing it. They will give the same percentages I did. Some people really want the bare minimum and others can't afford any more so they bad mouth it. This is America, do what you want. My truck and camper are very small to me because I have traveled in 45ft DP. My wife just informed me that the TC is fine but for long trips we also need another coach. Time to start shopping.
D
Deleted member 9101
Guest
Yeah... for far less money I'm tossing a camper in the back of a 4x4 1ton and using the rest for gas and beer money.
calicamper
Expedition Leader
Interesting
But you know what they say about websites selling/promoting product without pictures?
Save your money and buy the neighbors truck and camper at least youll have something to use, vs just having less money
ersatzknarf
lost, but making time
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