EarthRoamer F650!!!

[trailsurfer]

I was getting new batteries installed at the factory today and saw this image on the bulletin board in EarthRoamers lunch room.

http://img.tapatalk.com/6125ab6d-1a9f-9c8e.jpg

Not much info being given out by the crew there, but was told to expect an announcement in the near future.

[trailsurfer]

Sorry for the bad pic, taken with I-phone. First post using Tapatalk, great app and simple to use.

[cowboy4x4]

NICE!!!

[camperman]

OMG Awesome. Truly monster truck camper. Now ER gets heavy camper segment :wings:

[cwsqbm]

I thought there was a smaller version coming first...

[Northern Explorer]

I thought there was a smaller version coming first...

x2
But the one pictured does look nice!

[haven]

Makes sense. The F550 chassis was getting close to GVWR with the camper and gear on board. Lots of tire choices with 22.5 inch rims.

I don't think the F650 is available with 4x4 from the factory. I wonder what company does the conversion to the front drive axle?

[camperman]

Makes sense. The F550 chassis was getting close to GVWR with the camper and gear on board. Lots of tire choices with 22.5 inch rims.

I don't think the F650 is available with 4x4 from the factory. I wonder what company does the conversion to the front drive axle?
Ask Jay Shapiro. Tulsa truck manufacturing maybe.

[trailsurfer]

I am not sure how they are going to make it a 4x4. It will be interesting to find out.

[TomH]

Jay's is 4x4 but he replaced just about everything. Swails had been posting on here for about forever about TWO new smaller models, one built on a 1 ton pickup and one on a 3/4 ton pickup. He has said over and over that they're almost ready. Same thing with Provan's new F-450 Siberian Tiger. Any chance somebody there photoshopped a pic of Jay's EcoRoamer and put an ER body on it?

[camperman]

Any chance somebody there photoshopped a pic of Jay's EcoRoamer and put an ER body on it?

May be :) But this isn't bad to create an example image, than building so big rig.

[98roamer]

Jay extended the cab and has a larger black bumper.
http://www.instablogsimages.com/images/2010/04/13/ecoroamer_q5uD9_3868.jpg

[TomH]

Jay extended the cab and has a larger black bumper.
http://www.instablogsimages.com/images/2010/04/13/ecoroamer_q5uD9_3868.jpg

I know. Still wonder if it could be photoshopped.

[98roamer]

I know. Still wonder if it could be photoshopped.

Oh, yes, it very well could still be photoshopped.

[TomH]

On the way home yesterday (after seeing this ER pic) I was stopped at an intersection. I was first in line at the light and just perpendicular to my right was a flat bed tow truck built on a crew cab F-750. That is a pretty big machine. Anyway, how much difference is there between F-650 and F-750 models? I have seen some Class A motorhomes (Fun Cruiser?) on regular cab F-750 and I think I remember seeing a Unicat concept drawing on a regular cab F-750 with 4x4 specs. Am I right in thinking F-650 and F-750 are the same platform with just some minor differences? What are the differences?

[cwsqbm]

Am I right in thinking F-650 and F-750 are the same platform with just some minor differences? What are the differences?

Depends on how you define minor. Same engine (assuming diesel), but different springs, axles, and frames.

[charlieaarons]

Am I right in thinking F-650 and F-750 are the same platform with just some minor differences? What are the differences?

The main difference is GVW, at least 7000 lb of it. Not exactly minor when building an expedition camper of that size.

Charlie

[TomH]

Well obviously I was wrong on that. I have to see if I can dig up whomever it was with a 4x4 expedition vehicle on the F-750.

[SRUPike]

I have seen some schematics in to root directory of the Earthroamer site of an F650. There has been thought put in to this design, no doubt in my mind. Now the question is was it a one-off design for a customer willing to spend for their specs, or is it a mass release. Only Bill and the Team at Earthroamer know for sure. And I'm sure in due time, we will learn about a finish product that will be great.

Never underestimate the power of engineering and entrepreneurism when capital is available.

Gone are the Henry Ford days of "you can have any color you want, as long as its black"

The bespoke builders like Earthroamer, GXV and Unicat are more like Walt Disney, "If you can Dream it, we can do it."

[turbopilot]

Then this must be the much discussed smaller EarthRoamer.:)

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/59444_147541701952562_112397672133632_248072_62044 31_n.jpg

[camperman]

Bob, that thing is handy. But i prefer live inside LTS than travel in this. :coffee: And for others - ER is limited off-road due to size. Want extreme - buy JP

[SRUPike]

Now Bob, that would be cool, the EarthRoamer XV-Tuk imagine the blog on that... Although no inside cooking facility other than maybe a rice cooker or similar sized appliance. And no issues in the small towns of latin america or europe. Great concept where did you see that?

I can just hear the firestorm on the GVW now... Heck I'm a Clydesdale and I'm sure it would be close if not exceeding GVW not even including the cabinetry.

[trailsurfer]

Hoping Bill Swails will give an update soon on the F650.

[trailsurfer]

I was told an announcement is imminent. Looking forward to finding out the specs and details.

[haven]

The Earthroamer XV-HD is now official. Ford F650 chassis, Cummins power, Allison trans, 46 inch tall tires. Here's the link for more information http://www.earthroamer.com/xv-hd/

And here's a photo from the Earthroamer web page that gives you an idea of how big the XV-HD is, compared to the XV-LT Super Stretch, formerly the longest of the XV line.

http://www.earthroamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/MASTER-Profile-both-550-in-front-of-650-3000px.jpg

[Edit: Image updated with new version from Earthroamer.com]

One cool note from the XV-HD page is the announcement that the buyer can choose any F650 wheelbase. The overall length of the finished vehicle can be between 20 feet and 38 feet. Earthroamer is willing to build an XV-HD with space left at the rear of the chassis to mount a flatbed -- perfect for multiple motorcycles, or extra outside storage.

[howell_jd]

Wow. The bottom of the windows for the HD are ABOVE (!!!) the roofline of the LTS's cab. :Wow1:

I never thought I'd be able to say, "I love my little ER" with a straight face. Well done indeed.

Jonathan

[haven]

My guess is that there is a bigger market for the XV-HD than for the original Earthroamer. The "toterhome" market is well established, lots of over the road haulers have a need/desire for more spacious living accomodations while towing a big trailer.

I wouldn't be surprised if Earthroamer gets requests to build on Peterbilt and Western Star chassis, instead of the more plebian F650.

[haven]

Jay Shapiro's Eco-Roamer is similar in size to the new XV-HD, and a bit heavier.

I can see oil company exploration teams using the HD model as a mobile office and bunk house.

[haven]

Bill Swails asked me to update the XV-HD photo above with a new one that is more accurately to scale. Bill said, "This photo accurately represents a 32 foot long, 248 inch wheelbase, 138.4 cab to axle, 13.6 foot tall, Crew Cab F-650 based EarthRoamer XV-HD."

[camperman]

OMG!!!!! I think that beast bigger than Unicat :Wow1: And new site is very good. I like that style. Earthroamer, you are the best company for me

[Ford Prefect]

I wonder if they used any of Jay's open source material in the build of this truck. I think it would have been foolish not to at least review it to see if anything would work for them, but who knows.

Sure would like to see the layout inside, etc. I wonder why they did not choose to go with an existing 4x4 platform. Perhaps it was the same desire for a cat power plant.

Yep, cool enough. Are they going to bring it down to the Expo this year? I would like to see it for sure.