Turtle V truck now for sale

[LandCruiserPhil]

I just received a color brochure on the new Tortuga Expedition Vehicle along with a spec sheet on the 2 available platforms (Ford 550 & Dodge 5500). This has been a long time coming and I really excited to see it finally available.

For those who do not know, the Wescotts are true pioneers in the expedition arena and having spent 30 plus years traveling mostly solo around the world.

I dont know of any available purpose built expedition vehicle that can compare to the Tortuga in the US .


Note: No price sheet included. I guess if you need to ask....

[boblynch]

Anyone have additional info? Does the brochure include pics or just specs? Have they built any prototypes?

[charlieaarons]

I'm really curious about what they are offering for tires. Did it mention 335/80R20 Michelin XZL 141Ks? Are the wheels reversible?

Charlie

[VikingVince]

Anyone have additional info? Does the brochure include pics or just specs? Have they built any prototypes?

Bob,

Go to their website www.turtleexpedition.com and you'll find all the incarnations of the Turtle.
Surprising, though, they don't have any post/info re the topic of this thread.

[LandCruiserPhil]

I'm really curious about what they are offering for tires. Did it mention 335/80R20 Michelin XZL 141Ks? Are the wheels reversible?

Charlie


Michelin XZL MPT 335/80R20 on Custom 20 X 11 steel wheels.

[LandCruiserPhil]

Anyone have additional info? Does the brochure include pics or just specs? Have they built any prototypes?

Pic are included in the brochure but they are of the Turtle V. The available Vehicle has the same layout and build as the Turtle V from what I can tell. The only difference are the platforms.
On a separate spec sheet it read like the Turtle V all the way down to the gauges, lockers, and seats. Good choice on there part the Turtle V is a proven set-up.

[theMec]

landcruiserPhil, you have to ask the price!
C'mon - they sent you the brochure.
Please?

[boblynch]

Gary has a PDF version of the brochure. I haven't had a chance to review it in detail. He responded quickly to my email today. Yes, no price listed.

[LandCruiserPhil]

landcruiserPhil, you have to ask the price!
C'mon - they sent you the brochure.
Please?

Email sent

[haven]

This is great news! I look forward to reading the PDF. Somebody post it someplace, please! I'm surprised that the Turtle Expedition website does not have details yet.

For several years, Gary Wescott has posted reports of progress working with a firm in Florida on a new Turtle. The Florida folks are custom boat builders, with the expertise to build a fiberglass camper shell to Gary's specs and outfit it with marine grade hardware. I guess the announcement that Gary is planning to build replica Turtle 5s means the deal with the Florida folks fell through.

Landcruiser Phil wrote
"I dont know of any available purpose built expedition vehicle
that can compare to the Tortuga in the US"

The Turtle 5 is great, no doubt. But I think Charlie Aarons' Unicat on a U500 chassis is superior in just about all respects. Learn about it here
http://www.unicatamericas.com/vehicles_amerigo_unimog.html

Chip Haven

[LandCruiserPhil]

landcruiserPhil, you have to ask the price!
C'mon - they sent you the brochure.
Please?

Per Gary's email "...turn-key,---will be less than $200,000. That’s a guess."

[expeditionvan]

Anyone one heard from these folks?
I visited there website just now. It appears that there hasn't been any updated in a while and no recent activity on their thread/forum.

First and foremost, I am interested in there well being. I wish them well.
(The life of an expeditionist/wild-life traveler/writer/photograher, is nice and glory, but sometimes you just don't read about the risk/danger. I've lost a dear friend to such a life.)

Secondly, I came across their goal of marketing sometime similar to their Turtle V and or its successors and wanted some information about their project and its status.

If anyone knows their whereabouts, please post their new contact information and pass along my post.

Thank you kindly.

[Grim Reaper]

Anyone one heard from these folks?
I visited there website just now. It appears that there hasn't been any updated in a while and no recent activity on their thread/forum.

First and foremost, I am interested in there well being. I wish them well.
(The life of an expeditionist/wild-life traveler/writer/photograher, is nice and glory, but sometimes you just don't read about the risk/danger. I've lost a dear friend to such a life.)

Secondly, I came across their goal of marketing sometime similar to their Turtle V and or its successors and wanted some information about their project and its status.

If anyone knows their whereabouts, please post their new contact information and pass along my post.

Thank you kindly.
I thought Gary posted a few weeks ago about a trip he was leading but it show a year ago. Maybe he deleted it..
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/member.php?u=729

[The Adam Blaster]

The Turtle 5 is great, no doubt. But I think Charlie Aarons' Unicat on a U500 chassis is superior in just about all respects. Learn about it here
http://www.unicatamericas.com/vehicles_amerigo_unimog.html

Chip Haven


I'm curious on the price difference. What does the Uni cost setup like that anyway?

[jwild]

The price quoted by UnicatAmericas for a 500U-based vehicle is "starting at $ 500,00.00"

I am (reliably) informed that Global Xpedtion Vehicles quotes their 500U-based vehicle at $ 350,000.00 plus.

[masterplumber]

Anyone one heard from these folks?
I visited there website just now. It appears that there hasn't been any updated in a while and no recent activity on their thread/forum.

First and foremost, I am interested in there well being. I wish them well.
(The life of an expeditionist/wild-life traveler/writer/photograher, is nice and glory, but sometimes you just don't read about the risk/danger. I've lost a dear friend to such a life.)

Secondly, I came across their goal of marketing sometime similar to their Turtle V and or its successors and wanted some information about their project and its status.

If anyone knows their whereabouts, please post their new contact information and pass along my post.

Thank you kindly.
I have sporadic contact with the Wescotts - When I emailed them a couple of weeks ago they were headed to Baja for 6 - 10 weeks & doing well.

[JRhetts]

I have been interested in the Turtle iterations for several years, and the announcement here in Jan that there was concrete evidence of a plan to offer a Turtle for sale was very intriguing.

However, I cannot for the life of me figure out their business model: a PDF brochure exists, but is not widely available; no information about price; no active contact for sales info; Gary and Monika in Baja for 8-10 weeks; no activity on their web site (even the deletion roughly a year ago of any reference to a plan to build and sell the vehicle.)

Speculation can be a complete waste of time, but does anyone have any concrete information?

[masterplumber]

I have been interested in the Turtle iterations for several years, and the announcement here in Jan that there was concrete evidence of a plan to offer a Turtle for sale was very intriguing.

However, I cannot for the life of me figure out their business model: a PDF brochure exists, but is not widely available; no information about price; no active contact for sales info; Gary and Monika in Baja for 8-10 weeks; no activity on their web site (even the deletion roughly a year ago of any reference to a plan to build and sell the vehicle.)

Speculation can be a complete waste of time, but does anyone have any concrete information?
Over the years I've talked to Gary & Monika about building replicas of the Turtle V. I believe they would like to do this but they are primarily explorers \ photo journalists - not vehicle builders. They know what works through years of experience & The company in Florida (Applied Concepts?) can build the Nida Core Box etc... but right now it is totaly up to them to market, sell, support, etc.. I think if the right person with the experience were to come along to handle the sales\ marketing could see Turtles for sale rather quickly but it would take the right person. Gary is a major type A perfectionist which is why the turtles work so well & the bugs have been worked out over the years - no compromises. Unfortunately at least in North America that additude is all but nonexistant in even the high end adventure RV manufacturing market. I think it would be great if this could come to fruition - any volunteers out there in marketing \ sales?

[Mike S]

Gary and Monika are in Baja and I do not know when they will be back. Gary showed me the Turtle in detail the last time I visited them. It is an awesome vehicle. I expect that any replication would be a one-off custom build, but I can't figure how you build a business around it. But then, Gary has his other things to keep him busy.

[Joaquin Suave]

Mike S. wrote:

but I can't figure how you build a business around it.

Me nether. That is why I didn't put out my shingle.

My guess is that they were/are hoping for that "field of dreams" thing. Ya know...Put it out and they will come.

I think there could'nt be a worst time to try putting out an expedition truck, given the economy, fuel costs, etc.

I wish them luck though.

http://www.overlandhardware.com/images/op-images/turtle-2.jpg

[LandCruiserPhil]

Here are the some of the details I remember from my commutations with Gary:

The basic layout will not change.
The leading edge of the Living Module may be modified for a recessed AC unit.
The Module will be built by Applied Concepts Unleashed, A custom yacht builder out of Florida.
Due to the complexity it will built on a cost-plus basis.
Initially they will build five identical vehicles. One for them.
Production and final design will not start until four are sold, with solid deposits.
Choice of a Dodge Ram 5500 or Ford F-550. The vehicles drive train will be outfitted similar to current Turtle.
Based on a Dodge 5500, turn key, fully outfitted, no corners cut, and beer in the frig. Estimated cost 200K But that was a guess