Apparently the designs evolved from the owner's interest in photography and adventure travel. Looks like they have a solid, tested product and have been able to find enough customers to require expansion into a bigger assembly plant in Louisville.
Now, at these prices I'd expect them to throw in a complete Hasselblad digital system.
Hmmmm.... you sure can buy a lot of lenses for the difference between the base Rubicon and this conversion.
I saw the big one when we were travelling in Banff. Very cool vehicles.
Need a field trip to see him. Hmmm - wonder if he could sponser us for a RMNP trip.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on October 25, 2007 at 2:13 PM
The rubicon unlimited one is pretty sweet and was posted on my jeep board a long time ago. But oooooph, the price. $110,000 is just too much for a jeep in my book and the $200,000 - $230,000 price tag on the F550 based version seems a bit over the top too. These guys make AEV Rubicon hemi conversions look cheap.
Posted by Scott Borger on October 25, 2007 at 2:34 PM
I also saw these vehicles a while ago. I think I'd rather have an 880cc ATV with dual cargo boxes and a really nice Bibler tent. It would save me a couple hundred grand.
Posted by Don Grall on October 25, 2007 at 2:49 PM
Try www.sportsmobile.com for a similar but larger rig with a more sane price, but still expensive.
Posted by Bret Edge on October 25, 2007 at 3:31 PM
I'm with Don on this one. The Sportsmobiles are much nicer and come at a better price, especially if you pick up a used one.
I see the full-size Earthroamers around Moab all the time. They're sweet, but not as capable off-road as I would need. The Jeep Earthroamer was here during Jeep Safari and I had the opportunity to hop inside and spend about 15 minutes checking it out. Not a bad setup but it absolutely isn't worth $110,000. I'll stick with my FJ, throw a roof top tent on it and use the $70,000 in savings to take a whole lotta trips!
Posted by Mel Ladewig on October 25, 2007 at 3:50 PM
I like those 4x4 sportsmobile vans real well Don, plus you can get ARB lockers in them (good thinking). I've seen them around town on a few occasions.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on October 25, 2007 at 4:17 PM
Those 4x4 Sportsmobiles do look capable. I was not aware of them and the price/performance are certainly more reasonable. Thanks.
I'm certainly amazed that there are enough customers for the EarthRoamer's price levels !
I'd think 99.9999% of the population would have the same reaction as Bret.
Obviously I have no imagination when it comes to marketing.
Posted by Laurent Baig on October 25, 2007 at 5:35 PM
Sportsmobiles are awesome. Decked out they are pricey, but not for what they are. Consider $35-$40 just for the van, + $10-15k for the 4x5, I mean the 4x4 , +$12-20k for the interior. You can always get a 4x4 cargo van and do the interior yourself. Here's mine
Posted by Scott Buckel on October 26, 2007 at 12:59 AM
I know that I love my Sportsmobile. Just need more time to put it to use. I have seen a fwew earthroamers around, but it seems to me that the Sportsmobile is more capable off road. The Quigley conversion guys take the vans to places I think I would never be comfortable to go.
Discussion
9 replieshttp://earthroamer.com/tab_xpedition_vehicles/vehicles.html]
Apparently the designs evolved from the owner's interest in photography and adventure travel. Looks like they have a solid, tested product and have been able to find enough customers to require expansion into a bigger assembly plant in Louisville.
Now, at these prices I'd expect them to throw in a complete Hasselblad digital system.
Hmmmm.... you sure can buy a lot of lenses for the difference between the base Rubicon and this conversion.
Need a field trip to see him. Hmmm - wonder if he could sponser us for a RMNP trip.
I see the full-size Earthroamers around Moab all the time. They're sweet, but not as capable off-road as I would need. The Jeep Earthroamer was here during Jeep Safari and I had the opportunity to hop inside and spend about 15 minutes checking it out. Not a bad setup but it absolutely isn't worth $110,000. I'll stick with my FJ, throw a roof top tent on it and use the $70,000 in savings to take a whole lotta trips!
I'm certainly amazed that there are enough customers for the EarthRoamer's price levels !
I'd think 99.9999% of the population would have the same reaction as Bret.
Obviously I have no imagination when it comes to marketing.
Scott