BajaNomad - New Earthroamer Jeep

New Earthroamer Jeep

bajataco - 1-10-2007 at 10:01 AM

For those that like the more technical trails and a lighter GVW for serious baja backroads, this may be the coolest Baja machine yet. Imagine a Jeep Rubicon with a flip-top camper, kitchen, shower, and even a toilet...

http://expeditionportal.com:80/news/EarthRoamer_XV-JP.htm

[Edited on 1-11-2007 by bajataco]

Neal Johns - 1-10-2007 at 10:28 AM

Come on, Chris, it's still a Heep! Under a $100,000? Whee!
Maybe we can follow it, pick up the pieces and sell them?

Marian at work in her TacoRoamer:

${Q}Copy of IMG_1373.jpg - 35kB$

bajataco - 1-10-2007 at 11:25 AM

That is a great photo Neal! :yes:

If you have seen ER's stuff up close, it is easy to understand why the price is high. They are not for everyone. I think the new JK's are pretty spectacular. If I were buying a new 4wd today, I would seriously consider one. I think what ER has done with this is hit the nail on the head when it comes to blending a very adept mobile camp with a very adept 4wd that can do serious trail work.

Bajataco----

Barry A. - 1-10-2007 at 11:32 AM

What is an "ER", and what is a "JK" ????

Neal------

Barry A. - 1-10-2007 at 11:39 AM

(I figured out that an "ER" must be an Earthroamer)

I am amazed that your camper stands up to the torque and vibration of the serious backcountry roads you obviously travel. Although my CALLEN does really well on my F-250, it still has sustained some damage from torque. What type of camper is that???? I cannot quite make out the name------?

David K - 1-10-2007 at 11:45 AM

Barry, JK is the designation for the newest model Jeep Wrangler... 2 door and now a four door on a longer platform, ie. the Wrangler Unlimited.

The First Jeep Wrangler (that replaced the CJ) was a YJ... square headlights.

The next was a TJ (round headlights)... what Ken Cooke has...

This year, the new larger Wrangler (2 door and 4 door Unlimited) is the JK... The name 'Jeep' is above the grille, in front.

[Edited on 1-11-2007 by David K]

Linked to the "roamer" was this valuable info. on TIRES.

vgabndo - 1-10-2007 at 02:04 PM

http://www.expeditionswest.com/research/white_papers/tire_se...

TMW - 1-10-2007 at 02:27 PM

["Pricing is estimated to be in the Sub- $100k range, including the Jeep."]

I like the looks and the ideal but it's a little out of my ballpark, besides I don't think I would want to take a $100,000 vehicle thru the back roads of Baja, certainly not the Pole Line Road.

fandango - 1-10-2007 at 02:35 PM

earthroamer

i want one.

TMW - 1-10-2007 at 02:36 PM

Bajaxplorer had side nerf bars similar to the one in the expeditionswest article above during our Pole Line Road run with Ken.

The tire article was pretty interesting.

Cypress - 1-10-2007 at 02:54 PM

$100K for a vehicle?

If you've got the $$$, go for it!

Whomever you inherited from could care less.

Thanks, David-----

Barry A. - 1-10-2007 at 03:05 PM

I was down looking at the new "Jeep Wranger unlimited 4-dr Rubicon" just the other day----wow, pretty impressive!!! Jeep may finally be drawing me away from Japanese 4x4's with that vehicle-----the only real competition is a Nissan X-terra, from my perspective. Hummer H-3 and the Toyota FJ fell out with me, first because the Hummer H3 is not that rugged, and the FJ has some design flaws (IMHO) that I do not want to put up with (rattleley clamshell doors, poor side and rear visibility, and too big overall for the limited inside capacity available)

The Jeep 4-dr Rubicon has many options which make it very appealing-----and it looks bulletproof-----now if it will just not break down---------??.

tripledigitken - 1-10-2007 at 04:06 PM

SPORTSMOBILE

I saw these at the Autoshow recently. Very nicely put together, albiet a larger platform. 4 by 4's were under $80000.

Something to consider. http://sportsmobile.com
:cool:

[Edited on 1-10-2007 by tripledigitken]

SPORTSMOBILE.jpg - 13kB

Neal Johns - 1-10-2007 at 05:01 PM

Barry, the camper is a Phoenix Coyote, their cheap line. It is constructed of solid 3/4 inch plywood (single wall) with a Filon skin. Filon is fiberglass reinforced nylon which will not dent and is slick for sneaking by brush.850 lb. dry. I had the furnace and converter left out to get extra space for junk.
http://www.phoenixcampers.com/
The main virtue is the width (70 inches). We are short so can sleep crossway's and leave the 18 inch plank (for sleeping fore and aft as designed) home.
It holds up to four wheeling, but the Velcro secured interior windows and roof seal leak a little. Poor roof seal design.

The four door Jeep is certainly more capable than a Tacoma, but Jeep historically has reliability problems.

[Edited on 1-11-2007 by Neal Johns]

mtgoat666 - 1-10-2007 at 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajataco
Imagine a Jeep Rubicon with a flip-top camper, kitchen, shower, and even a toilet...

Imagine a jeep with an even higher center of gravity. Can we say roll over?

Cool looking concept...

Mexray - 1-10-2007 at 11:22 PM

...but I agree the proposed price appears just a tad bit steep!

Now it you want to go....BIG...here's our lifted, 4x4 F-350...ruffing it in 'Outback' Biloxi...near the newly reopened Boomtown Casino, a Katrina 'survivor'!

We've got to get some Baja dirt in our tires! Look out, Widowmaker...here we come... :bounce:

[Edited on 1-11-2007 by Mexray]

Truck Biloxi (528 x 396).jpg - 48kB

Here's another view of our BIG 'Roamer'...

Mexray - 1-10-2007 at 11:26 PM

...with about 50 of our best Biker Buddies....

We pulled into Loretta Lynn's Country restaurant in Tenn, and found a nice level parking spot up near the 18 wheelers...when we came out to leave, we found our Rig 'tending' to the 'Flock'!

Truck Bikes (500 x 375).jpg - 46kB

David K - 1-11-2007 at 09:05 AM

Born to be wild, 'eh Ray?

elfbrewery - 1-11-2007 at 12:35 PM

I'm ready for one in about five years when it's got plenty of pin stripes.

bajataco - 1-11-2007 at 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
Imagine a jeep with an even higher center of gravity. Can we say roll over?

You can say rollover, but I won't. Considering the end-goal of this vehicle, and the functions that it serves, it has an exceptionally good center of gravity. If you know how to drive a vehicle with a COG other than sedan-like, you will be fine in this vehicle.

With the price point, it's obviously not for everyone. But I don't think ER is counting on it being for everyone. To quote myself from another forum...

"I think that ER wouldn't want to deal with trying to mass-produce these at budget prices to sell large quantities and satisfy people with budgets of sub-50K. That is not the point. The point is to come up with something that is the asolute best you could buy as a turn-key product. I think there is much more to it than you can see in these concept photos (incl. kitchen, toilet, shower per the PR). If you could walk through their shop and see the kind of work they do and the materials they use... it is incredible. So you are paying for more than just the materials and labor here. Like any high-end automotive enthusiast market, you are paying for the reputation, the quality, and the fact that you will have something really unique. I think the point of not building another truck-based model is because the whole goal was to have a highly capable trail machine with deluxe camping accomodations. This hits the nail right on the head. Because of the wheelbase and lower GVW, sitting on top of the Rubicon platform, I could see doing some really FUN trails with this and then having a superbly efficient and comfy camp each night. I'm not talking mild trails either."

Widow maker would be a walk in the park for this thing. Imagine doing something twice as difficult as the widow maker and having a world-class camper along for the ride. Awesome! LOL, sorry, I just get excited about this, because this is exactly the kind of vehicle that is my style and the type that I would consider a pet project - highly capable, while highly comfortable for extended trips. Another great thing about this vehicle is that you can drive it on trails with heavy foliage and overgrowth and still fit in the "tunnels" created by the trees.

Seems to me------

Barry A. - 1-11-2007 at 02:10 PM

----that you could tow a regular Jeep Rubicon behind a MUCH cheaper vehicle and practically accomplish the same thing.

Actually, the new 4 dr. Rubicon is big enough to carry anything that I want to camp with, and I can use the 80K left over to finance years of exploring------and my wife feels the same way. After all, when camping you are supposed to be CAMPING, not relaxing in expensive luxuary------takes all the fun out of it. :smug:

------and in a pinch, you can sleep inside the Rubicon.

bajataco - 1-11-2007 at 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
----that you could tow a regular Jeep Rubicon behind a MUCH cheaper vehicle and practically accomplish the same thing.

Apples to oranges IMO. The point is to have the freedom to explore at will, on a continuous route, without having to back-track to a base camp every night. You take the base camp with you. No towing hassles. Less fuel.

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
After all, when camping you are supposed to be CAMPING, not relaxing in expensive luxuary------takes all the fun out of it.

To each his own. "Luxury" is relevant to the traveler. Having spent 4 months living out of a Toyota Tacoma traveling the full length of the peninsula, I think a quick-deploy sleeping solution doesn't detract from the experience, rather it enhances it. Setting up a tent on the ground every night on an extended trip gets old fast (for me anyway). I enjoyed having our little sleeping deck inside our camper shell. It makes for a more relaxed set up/break down of camp each day. A shower is an awesome feature, especially when it's hot and dusty. And a well thought out camp kitchen is always a bonus. Generally, the more you simplify and create efficiency with your camp, the more time you have to enjoy your surroundings.

[Edited on 1-11-2007 by bajataco]

taco----All true, but this is my solution-----

Barry A. - 1-11-2007 at 02:42 PM

(1) We NEVER set up a tent-----we sleep on cots, or inside the vehicle on a "sleeping platform" that is always set up with ALL our "gear" below it.

Almost all our kitchen gear is in one removable covered wooden box that we take out and it sits on a special set of legs (off the ground).

We have a foldup picnic table that we eat at, and a little utility table that we cook on, using propane stoves, lanterns, heaters, and bar-b-Q that all hooks into a 3 gal bulk propane bottle.

We have a sun-shower that hangs from a special bracket on the side of our vehicle, which elavates it, and a special rubber mat on the ground, and both my wife and I have enough water in that one sun-shower to take a decent shower. Since we almost NEVER camp where there is anybody else, we don't have to worry about privacy. If privacy is an issue, we take our showers in the dark. It takes us about 20 mins to set up camp, or to take it down.

Very simple, and a lot of fun, we think. Been doing it for years, and probably will continue. Occasionally we take a motel for a night of relative luxary. We are both in our 60's.

The vehicle currently in use is a 1989 Isuzu 4-dr Trooper.

Works for us. We can just never quite justify an RV, tho I am sure it is nice. We always have a wonderful time.

Elf...

Mexray - 1-11-2007 at 02:44 PM

...I'm with you on that, our F-350 came quipped with some existing 'pin stripes'...found a super deal on a 1999 model, and went from there with some improvements, etc. The camper also has it's won 'pin stripes', it's a 2000 model, so we now have that 'big-buck' look for about 1/3 the cost of some new stuff!

I too like the looks of the Roamer Jeep concept rig...you can see that it's mated to the Wrangler Unlimited (4-door) version...and as I mentioned on another thread, they are really a good looking rig, this year, as a good friend just bought one and brought it by for me to look at....imagine, electric windows and door locks in a Jeep! You can still take off the top and the doors, and the windshield still folds down! Hey it's still a Jeep, with lots of improvements under the hood, too!

That fold-down roof-tent idea is real popular down under, and over in So. Africa. A great way to goo 'light' and be able to sleep off the ground and away from all the creepy crawlers that wander the outback in the dark!

bajataco - 1-11-2007 at 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
(1) We NEVER set up a tent-----we sleep on cots, or inside the vehicle on a "sleeping platform" that is always set up with ALL our "gear" below it.

Almost all our kitchen gear is in one removable covered wooden box that we take out and it sits on a special set of legs (off the ground).

We have a foldup picnic table that we eat at, and a little utility table that we cook on, using propane stoves, lanterns, heaters, and bar-b-Q that all hooks into a 3 gal bulk propane bottle.

We have a sun-shower that hangs from a special bracket on the side of our vehicle, which elavates it, and a special rubber mat on the ground, and both my wife and I have enough water in that one sun-shower to take a decent shower. Since we almost NEVER camp where there is anybody else, we don't have to worry about privacy. If privacy is an issue, we take our showers in the dark. It takes us about 20 mins to set up camp, or to take it down.

Very simple, and a lot of fun, we think. Been doing it for years, and probably will continue. Occasionally we take a motel for a night of relative luxary. We are both in our 60's.

The vehicle currently in use is a 1989 Isuzu 4-dr Trooper.

Works for us. We can just never quite justify an RV, tho I am sure it is nice. We always have a wonderful time.

A man after my own heart! :cool:

My wife and I use a similar setup in my Tacoma.

However, I must confess-----

Barry A. - 1-11-2007 at 03:13 PM

----that we too have an F-250 4x4 with a 42 inch Callen camper shell with sleeping/storage boxes that we DO use on occasion for that tad more privacy and convenience, and warmth in cold, wet, and windy country, or when hauling the tin boat (on top).

So I guess I am cheating, a little. :lol:

David K - 1-11-2007 at 04:44 PM

In the beginning... we slept under the stars... on foam mattresses, rolled up when traveling... next came cots, as they were easier to pack up and elevated you off the ground so you would sleep alone! Sometimes sleep in the back of our vehicles (Wagoneer, Subaru wagons).

Then, with the change from camping solo out on Shell Island or where-ever to camping with our new friends on the Internet, and with kids, we added tents (privacy and kids fearing crawley things)... Easy dome tents, mind you... but, they require more time to take down and pack away...

The benefit from the change from using wagons to pick ups (Tacomas) is the ease to load and unload gear... I use those large, plastic boxes with snap on lids (bungee secured). I have 3 of those boxes: 'Kitchen', 'Miscl.' (lanterns, paper towels, whatever else, 'Bedding'... Plus a big canvas tote bag for the stove, tents, air mattresses, etc.

Pull into camp, pull them out of the back of the truck which also has the ice boxes, folding table, chairs, fire wood, etc.

Now the truck is empty for exploring, driving into 'town' for beer, whatever.

The negative thing about pick up truck camping is bad weather... like rain, etc. This is where a set up like Neal Johns (pop up camper) or big camper (Bob H) has advantages... The big campers do limit your ability to explore or make quick beer runs unless you take the camper off at camp...

I am not sure if there is a perfect combination... The closest would be a pop up camper or a camper shell set up like bajataco has on a Tacoma or other truck, I suppose. No way to go get a bunch of firewood and throw it in the back, however.

That 4 door Jeep (JK) Wrangler Rubicon camper is appealing, but being a Jeep would have me concerned for quality... being spoiled by Toyota, Subaru, etc. which have such high quality that you don't worry about breaking down.

David----

Barry A. - 1-11-2007 at 05:26 PM

I have full "racks" on both my Isuzu Trooper (Conferr 8 foot x 5 foot rack w/ hard deck), and a Callen built rack (12 feet x 6 feet w/ hard deck) on my Callen Camper shell on the pickup. This makes it ideal for going out and gathering firewood, or anything else, for that matter, and for when you are spooked by the critters in the sand, you cam sleep on top of the vehicles on the racks, if you dare. (never done that myself, but my friends have).

Everything else I carry in the pickup camper (almost) fits into my bed boxes inside the camper leaving no clutter to get in your way. I also have a "storage" section in that portion of the camper that extends out over the cab, which swallows up everything else that does not fit in the bed boxes. I have been very satisfied with this arrangement for over 25 years, which is how old the Callen Camper is.

Neal Johns - 1-11-2007 at 06:15 PM

Roll your own roamer, just add camper....

http://www.allpar.com/trucks/jeep/scrambler.html

TMW - 1-11-2007 at 07:48 PM

I've been thru the tents, tent camper, RV trailer, cabover camper (actually like it the best), camper shell to cots under the stars mixed with the hotel gig. A single burner stove in a box for coffee and cooking. On occasion a second single burner stove if we're making a grand meal. Usually the larger type meals are in a resturant. Tailgate serves as the cooking platform and the table when necessary.

bajataco - 4-22-2007 at 08:38 PM

I was able to see the new Earthroamer Jeep "in the flesh" so to speak, at the recent Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, UT. I'm impressed! They have released the info and pics of it on their website now at earthroamer.com . The canopy is really nice, with different materials for different environments. The deployment and closure of the flip-lid for the canopy is controlled by a little winch motor, so no wrestling with it. Too cool. The frame for it is BEEFY but light. Lots of really high quality hardware. I could see they made an effort to retain durability but reduce weight (very important for this platform) by using lightweight materials, canvas storage drawers, etc. It has pretty much everything you would need to be self-contained including solar (with full controls and monitoring) water, fuel, toilet, shower, heater, fan, stove, faucet, etc. Very, very cool. It's tempting to mortgage the house... my wife and I really want one.

[Edited on 4-23-2007 by bajataco]

[Edited on 4-23-2007 by bajataco]

Corky1 - 4-27-2007 at 08:09 AM

I am a motorcycle guy.
If I got into rock crawling how would this work??
1 ton van with stove and propane fridge,
carry motorcycle on rear rack.
If only it were 4wd??
Pict to big will add later??

[Edited on 4-27-2007 by Corky1]

CIMG0797.jpg - 50kB

Sharksbaja - 4-27-2007 at 03:40 PM

:lol:

prefect!

Packoderm - 4-27-2007 at 04:55 PM

It certainly looks interesting.

jeans - 4-27-2007 at 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Packoderm
It certainly looks interesting.

I'm in love! I want one! :yes:

bajataco - 5-6-2007 at 07:34 PM

The new XV-JP is currently on a trip to Central America along with one of the full-size EarthRoamers. More details and pics here on their site.

Barry A. - 5-6-2007 at 08:26 PM

I'm betting that Ken Cooke runs right out and gets one of these-------a logical "next step up", right?? :lol:

Packoderm - 5-6-2007 at 08:52 PM

Something tells me that the Earth Roamer isn't a hard-core enough rock crawler for Ken.

Barry A. - 5-6-2007 at 11:17 PM

Hey Packo------it's a RUBICON-------perfect for Ken. :lol:

jeans - 5-7-2007 at 12:52 AM

It's the perfect rig, except that the clearance looked low. But the vehicle in the picture taken by the bay seems like it sits higher. No side steps? Looks even better with more clearance!

Hook - 5-7-2007 at 08:05 AM

A friend of mine used to have one of those flip-out campers like this Rubicon. In rain, water would run down the sides of the tent and collect in the basin that acted as the tent base. You could hear it sloshing around under there while in the tent. Then, when it came time to flip it closed, here came all that water that invariably got some of the tent wet. NOt good to store a wet tent in an enclosed space. I hope they've solved that issue with these.

[Edited on 5-7-2007 by Hook]