Earthroamer/GXV vs. Sportsmobile?

[Carl]

Curious to hear from anyone who has had a SMB and made the switch, or even considering it?

Why do it?
What type of use?

any thoughts are appreciated!

carl

[trailsurfer]

Curious to hear from anyone who has had a SMB and made the switch, or even considering it?

Why do it?
What type of use?

any thoughts are appreciated!

carl


I made the switch from a 2009 4x4 Diesel EB SMB about 6 months ago. The SMB is just fantastic! Great vehicle that will go anywhere. I can't say enough good things about SMB's. In fact, I was going to keep both, but had a friend that really wanted my SMB after I acquired the EarthRoamer this fall.

What pushed me to get the ER was the fact that I followed my buddy around Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah over the past 2 years and he could go everywhere I could go. But, he had inside toilet and shower facilities, carrying 100 gallons of water. The ER is just more comfortable to camp and travel in.

And ultimately, the vehicles are just so similar in terms of capability.

[trailsurfer]

Curious to hear from anyone who has had a SMB and made the switch, or even considering it?

Why do it?
What type of use?

any thoughts are appreciated!

carl



And I USE the ER as I USED the SMB. They will go anywhere you are willing to take them as long as height and width allow.

[Trail Monkey]

Carl, you also asked for those considering the change. I have a smb rb50. I absolutely love the truck. The ride is great, it's comfortable to drive and comfortable to live out of. It has taken me through extreme terrain, beyond what many would do in much smaller heavy built trucks.
..
With that being said. In my opinion the only drawback is the lack of full bathroom/shower facility. I think the length of planned trips plays a major roll in the importance of this. For up to a week it's really not that big a deal. Outside shower in open air or in portal enclosure using onboard hot water system, very doable.

But add cold weather or make the trip a few months and that becomes a bit of a drag.

I'm starting to look at larger options. I like the smb enough that I may keep it also. Have to cross that bridge when I find the next step.

You can't go wrong with an smb if your trips are relatively short. Dollar for dollar it's the best buy.

[EMrider]

But, he had inside toilet and shower facilities, carrying 100 gallons of water. The ER is just more comfortable to camp and travel in.

Being happily married, and really wanting my wife to spend time with me on the road later in life, the key fact above will get me into an ER or GXV at some point.

And to be fair, I would really like interior bathroom facilities and more comfort too.......on longer trips.

But the SMB is great and it will never be sold. It will always be the perfect vehicle for 2-4 day exploration, MTB, fishing or hunting trips with the kids/guys.

R

[Blackeye]

I must agree with what has been said in the previous posts about the SMB. We loved ours! In response to the original post, I offer the following:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55723

Keep asking the questions. You have the support of some great folks here.

[1leglance]

I understand what the guys above are saying and I think if my wife traveled more with me then I would be on their side of the fence...
but funny enough for me as an amputee and the disabled folks I talk out, well a RV bathroom is too small and too much trouble for us so the folding hosptial style toliet and shower wand setup is perfect of week long plus trips...
I love my Sportmobile and can not say enough great things about Alan, Liz, Jonnie and the rest of the crew in Freson, matter of fact you should only buy from Freson out of the 3 SMB locations.
I have an EB w/ the tall voyager hardtop and wheel the rig hard, along with disabled guys who are new to overlanding using handcontrols wheeling hard, the rig is amaizng and sooooo comfortable I would go around the world without a thought.

But I can understand going up to an ER or GXV, and having run with an ER in Baja (along with others in this thread on the same trip) I was super impressed with the rigs.

[dzzz]

Does this comparison change considering the lack of a diesel 4x4 Sportmobile? Personally I believe the utility of a diesel in this size vehicle is overrated. But for many people it seems important.

[1leglance]

true to get a ford diesel van you are looking at used, but that isn't a bad thing
i like diesel if you will really wheel the rig, idle for extended times or have a heavy rig
but gas works in reality

[dzzz]

For world travel in the ER price range I would consider shipping a (U.S. version) Fuso FG cab/chassis to ATW in OZ. Pick up the finished camper from ATW and start touring.
The one reason this might not work is the one year importation limit. Perhaps ATW could build the cabin before recieving the vehicle.
Several years later the truck is back in the U.S. as a U.S. registered vehicle.
I would trust ATW as well as a couple of the German companies to do a "long distance" build.

[geoffff]

I made the switch from a 2009 4x4 Diesel EB SMB about 6 months ago.

Hi trailsurfer --

Having driven both the Sportsmosile and an EarthRoamer, how would you say the ride compares -- especially on rough roads?

-- Geoff

[trailsurfer]

Hi trailsurfer --

Having driven both the Sportsmosile and an EarthRoamer, how would you say the ride compares -- especially on rough roads?

-- Geoff


On road the SMB drives a little better. Off road with the big tires and air suspension the Earthroamer drives MUCH better.

[TomH]

We faced this same dilema for some time. The problem is, you can't get an ER for an SMB price. But there is a great alternative, the Provan Tiger. The new Provan owner, Mark Guild, continues to upgrade the CX and Bengal models. The new Siberian Tiger, to be released within weeks or even days, will be the size of an ER XV-LT, but at less than half the price. The CX and Bengal are bigger than the SMB, but at the same price.

[TomH]

...I USE the ER as I USED the SMB. They will go anywhere you are willing to take them as long as height and width allow.


....my buddy...could go everywhere I could go....

Hmmmm, I have never seen an XV-LT doing what I see on these two pages:

http://sportsmobile.com/4_4x4sports.html

http://sportsmobile.com/ultimate.html

I would very much LIKE to see pictures of an XV-LT/LTS doing that. I know the Rubicon can, but if the pickup can do this, why are there no pictures like these on the ER site nor anywhere else that I can find? If you know where I can find pics of the LT(S) doing this kind of off roading, PLEASE, PLEASE share links.

[NothingClever]

Although I don't own a SMB or an EarthRoamer, we're in the market for a new camper. We're fortunate not to have too many limitations so we're studying all available options (except for a Shachagra-type build which I couldn't achieve even after a decade of vocational studies).

The below video is what made me delete the EarthRoamer from our short(ening) list:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwkmc-LJC-0

For the money, and for our wants, needs and tastes, the EarthCruiser looks to be head and shoulders above all the options we're perusing if you're in that spectrum of budget.

Anyways, I'll turn it back over to the owners...just thought that video of the ER was interesting. Tincup is a Blue according to FunTreks and my own humble trips across it on a motorcycle and a truck.

[cwsqbm]

The below video is what made me delete the EarthRoamer from our short(ening) list:

Why?

[trailsurfer]

Hmmmm, I have never seen an XV-LT doing what I see on these two pages:

http://sportsmobile.com/4_4x4sports.html

http://sportsmobile.com/ultimate.html

I would very much LIKE to see pictures of an XV-LT/LTS doing that. I know the Rubicon can, but if the pickup can do this, why are there no pictures like these on the ER site nor anywhere else that I can find? If you know where I can find pics of the LT(S) doing this kind of off roading, PLEASE, PLEASE share links.

Again, having had both, and used both. They can go just about anywhere, unless they are limited by height and width. Checkout the Earthroamer site. They have done trips to Moab and Canyonlands with Bill Burke. I will try and get some pictures and videos up. I have crawled around in both the SMB and ER in Moab, Baja, Canyonlands, Alaska, and all over many Colorado passes.

In fact, in many of those pictures, Bill Burke is spotting the SMB's and he has taken ER's to many of those same locals.

[trailsurfer]

Hmmmm, I have never seen an XV-LT doing what I see on these two pages:

http://sportsmobile.com/4_4x4sports.html

http://sportsmobile.com/ultimate.html

I would very much LIKE to see pictures of an XV-LT/LTS doing that. I know the Rubicon can, but if the pickup can do this, why are there no pictures like these on the ER site nor anywhere else that I can find? If you know where I can find pics of the LT(S) doing this kind of off roading, PLEASE, PLEASE share links.

A EarthRoamer LT would NEVER fit on/in the Rubicon trail. Now, the JP has done it without a scratch.

[trailsurfer]

Why?

I was on this trip prior to owning my ER. What was amazing about this driver in the video is that she had never been in 4 wheel drive before, and this was her first time off road in her new ER.

[trailsurfer]

Although I don't own a SMB or an EarthRoamer, we're in the market for a new camper. We're fortunate not to have too many limitations so we're studying all available options (except for a Shachagra-type build which I couldn't achieve even after a decade of vocational studies).

The below video is what made me delete the EarthRoamer from our short(ening) list:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwkmc-LJC-0

For the money, and for our wants, needs and tastes, the EarthCruiser looks to be head and shoulders above all the options we're perusing if you're in that spectrum of budget.

Anyways, I'll turn it back over to the owners...just thought that video of the ER was interesting. Tincup is a Blue according to FunTreks and my own humble trips across it on a motorcycle and a truck.

I have been in the Earth Cruiser, and really like it. My deciding factors were that I wanted hard sides, no pop up, close technical support (Denver), and the ability to cruise down the pavement at 65-75 MPH for long periods of time. Check out the Earth cruiser review in this months OJ, it is a glowing review.

[NothingClever]

Why?

All that body sway happening way up high would make me uncomfortable.

For contrast, check out this video, particularly at 00:33, 00:50 and 01:04. Lotta articulation with little movement above translates to driver, and perhaps more importantly, co-pilot comfort.

http://youtu.be/m-ldtI6Wpsg

And in this video, at 00:19, 00:34 and 00:50, I think the EarthCruiser negotiates the obstacles much better than the ER would.

http://youtu.be/FQcLQyvUDLo

These are simply my opinions based on my 4WD experience in Colorado and looking at the ER and EarthCruiser product. Methinks the EarthCruiser is to EarthRoamer what KTM is to BMW or LandCruiser is to a Rover.

[trailsurfer]

All that body sway happening way up high would make me uncomfortable.

For contrast, check out this video, particularly at 00:33, 00:50 and 01:04. Lotta articulation with little movement above translates to driver, and perhaps more importantly, co-pilot comfort.

http://youtu.be/m-ldtI6Wpsg

And in this video, at 00:19, 00:34 and 00:50, I think the EarthCruiser negotiates the obstacles much better than the ER would.

http://youtu.be/FQcLQyvUDLo

These are simply my opinions based on my 4WD experience in Colorado and looking at the ER and EarthCruiser product. Methinks the EarthCruiser is to EarthRoamer what KTM is to BMW or LandCruiser is to a Rover.


When I first saw the body swaying, which it is designed to do, it really, for lack of a better word, freaked me out. But, when driving the LT off road, you can't feel that sway at all in the back, because all of the weight is down low in the vehicle and the camper body is made of fiberglass, and is "relatively" light.

I was on a shelf road that had a switch back that was off camber in Baja following another LT. And when that LT made the tight switch back turn, the "camper" of the ER was hanging over the edge pretty significantly, I jumped on my radio to tell the driver to beware, and he couldn't understand what I was talking about, because he couldn't feel or sense it at all. I then followed cautiously and couldn't feel the sway in back at all.

It really is an amazing vehicle, but the EC is fantastic as well. I would highly recommend driving both off road before making a decision. And this is advice coming from a guy that currently owns a KTM, a BMW GS, and a Landcruiser. Good luck, and have a great time making your decision!

[NothingClever]

To be fair to the company and owners, there's no doubt the EarthRoamer team produces a pinnacle product with superior componentry.

And your advice to test drive both is sound advice/wisdom. No amount of my 'YouTube test driving' amounts to anything other than inch deep research and gut feel :D .

Thanks for the polite exchange....seems some posts rapidly devolve into "un-huh - nu-uh" and never get anywhere.

For the OP, sorry to cloud your thread. And I agree, the SMB is a great product, too. It pops up in our decision charts frequently as perceived wants/needs ebb and flow.

Best of luck with your research and purchase!

[LukeH]

as perceived wants/needs ebb and flow.


This has to be one of the greatest reasons the decision making process takes so long.
Oh and that little question of money of course.

[howell_jd]

My daughter loves the ride "upstairs" during off-road travel...of course we buckle her in for the more breath-taking trails (with cliffs)!
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/howell_jd/2010%20EarthRoamer%20Rally/P9181163.jpg
She is 9-years old today! Happy Birthday Naomi!

Jonathan

[TomH]

Again, having had both, and used both. They can go just about anywhere, unless they are limited by height and width. Checkout the Earthroamer site. They have done trips to Moab and Canyonlands with Bill Burke. I will try and get some pictures and videos up. I have crawled around in both the SMB and ER in Moab, Baja, Canyonlands, Alaska, and all over many Colorado passes.

In fact, in many of those pictures, Bill Burke is spotting the SMB's and he has taken ER's to many of those same locals.

I am not doubting what you have seen, it's just that I'd like to see it too. I have looked at every picture on every page of the ER site, including all the galleries that cannot be linked to by any route from the main page. Those galleries can be accessed at

http://earthroamer.com/galleries/

There are several thousand pictures there and not a single one of them shows an ER doing the kind of rock climbing seen in these two SMB pages:

http://sportsmobile.com/4_4x4sports.html

http://sportsmobile.com/ultimate.html

Some of those SMBs have all four wheels on articulating independent axles and they are doing some serious crawling. Now I realize not all SMBs are modified to that extent. I have never seen an ER with those kind of mods, and of every picture I have seen (including everything on the regular ER site, the hidden ER galleries, and Google Advanced Image Search) there is not a single one of an ER doing that kind of crawling.

Again, I don't doubt you, I'd just love to see those pics and be inspired by the accomplishment. If you have pics like that, please share!

[LukeH]

As 4x4 motorhome porn I too would love to see some pictures of an ER in compromising positions. I have no doubt that if the base vehicle can get there the fully fledged ER can too.
And I would love to see the pics.

BUT

When it's YOUR home for the near future you will have sufficient self preservation instinct NOT to want to put your SMB or ER or Syncro, unicat or whatever through twisters and down great big drops. When it's yours, you know that at the end of the day who is going to pay for the spare parts that have worn quicker, or the paint work IF you topple it.
And you discover the challenge of finding a way around. As well as the pleasure of walking, daydreaming about the rock crawler you wish you had brought along on a trailer.

Those SMB rock porn picks are lovely, but I'll bet the vehicle was a demo unit, and I'll bet it wasn't being used by the family for a week's break at the time.

So let's see the ER works demo LT out on the rocks for the sake of truck porn; but there's very very little chance of a real world owner wanting or needing to put their personal rig through that kind of torture.

Not least because there's someone in the passenger seat who would be destroying my eardrums if I were to embark on such a fun adventure....:Wow1:

[TomH]

Luke, those are all valid points that made me think. I would not take my vehicle in terrain like that unless my life depended on it. That being said, knowing what the vehicle is and isn't capable of (by seeing the pics) can be helpful in deciding what to attempt (or not) in the first place. Still, love the eye candy.

[davidv]

I'm surprised that GXVs Turtle has not come up in these discussion.

From my experience with Jeeps, Sportsmobiles, and now a Popup truck camper the limitations of an offload vehicle is no more complicated then size, articulation and traction (yea I know there's others but these are what really count). Articulation and traction can be increased in any of the vehicles discussed with suspension and axle modification but size is effected primarily by a reduction in comfort.

The Turtle is shorter then an Earthroamer limiting the size penalty (a little) but compared to my previous vehicle experiences has a bathroom, single fuel systems, fixed configuration, and cab to cabin pass through. These in my opinion make the difference between a camper and an expedition vehicle that one can go explore a country with vs. go camping with. Plus you have Monica and Gary doing the testing for you.

[trailsurfer]

Working on getting some Moab pics and Videos up.

[RVR2RSQ]

Trailsurfer, Any luck with those pictures? I would love to see an LT doing some serious off roading

Brian

[trailsurfer]

Moab pics from a rally in 2009.

http://www.earthroamer.com/adventure/earthroamer-owners-rallies/3383-2/