gxv vs earthroamer

[GR8ADV]

Anybody done a comparison between the GXV uxv and the earthroamer with respect to, well, everything including price?

[18seeds]

With an investment as large as an ER or GXV I would side with GXV soley on the history of the company. I think both make great products but ER already has a damanged report card. From my POV GXV has weathered the so called "bad economy" better.

[trailsurfer]

With an investment as large as an ER or GXV I would side with GXV soley on the history of the company. I think both make great products but ER already has a damanged report card. From my POV GXV has weathered the so called "bad economy" better.

Having just made the choice of an ER over a GXV, I obviously wouldn't agree with your statement. Both GXV and ER build fantastic vehicles and stand behind their products. ER has come out of the bad economy a better and stronger company at great cost and sacrifice by Bill and his team.

If I wanted a "full" size Overland vehicle, I wouldn't hesitate to go with GXV. But for the F-550 vehicles, I just like the build and "style" better of the ER.

It is fantastic that we have 2 great companies and vehicles to debate about!

[dzzz]

Assuming a proper structure the probability of significant problems is really in the cab/chassis anyways. If either company disappeared a year or two after purchase it wouldn't be a disaster for the buyer. The base truck is warrantied and the camper parts are fixable by many other sources.
From what we've seen so far the initial large depreciation is the "risk"; The buyer had better be sure he will use the vehicle or faces a huge financial penalty for changing his mind.
My perception is ER is a more refined, focused product, with GVX doing more variety and customization. I expect most buyers don't have too much trouble deciding between companies. Hopefully there's enough business for two healthy companies.
Neither company has a proper "world truck" to build on. Fortunently North America is a big place.

[GR8ADV]

I expect most buyers don't have too much trouble deciding between companies.

I guess I will do some more research. You are correct that it really comes down to the box and the workmanship, as the 'truck' is the same. Thanks for your thoughts.

[michaelvanpelt]

Neither company has a proper "world truck" to build on. Fortunently North America is a big place.

All are good posts but I want to share my opinion that the best chassis for global travel is a Mercedes, and we offer 2 models in the U500 Unimog "Safari" and the 1017A "Global Traveler" The 1017 is also known as the Atega.
I believe the Mercedes is "THE World Truck"
It really is a phenomenal platform or chassis.
The serviceability of Mercedes is second to none. Mercedes dealerships are found in even the smallest towns all over the globe and the service technicians are trained on the latest Mercedes systems globally. And Mercedes trucks seem to use basically the same components as far as I can tell on the Unimogs, Actros, and Atega models, and these are in use all across the globe. I don't think it gets any better than that.

[GR8ADV]

I was assuming that by DZZZ saying that niether "have" a world truck to work with he was referencing the Ford f550's in question not in what the company has to work with. But I could be wrong.

[Carl]

You bring up a very good point. It would be great to see a "side by side" comparison of these vehicles.
At least all of the specs, systems, capacities, etc...

[charlieaarons]

I agree a Mercedes is a "world truck". I have had
no problems finding dealers (Mercedes,Fuso,Freightliner)
that can work on the U500 in Australia. But parts can take
up to 2 wks i.e. air tank pressure senders since they
aren't stocked in country (from Germany). Fortunately thetruck
works with bad readings.
Thebig problem is finding a good Mercedes truck (U500 or
other) in the US!!!!

Charlie

[EMrider]

Anyone in the market for a large and off-road capable expedition vehicle is almost certain to take a serious look at both ER and GXV's vehicles.

I'm very glad to see at least two companies serving this market.

At some point in the future, I'll very likely buy something like the ER or the GXV on the f-550 platform. Right now, the SMB does a great job. But when the kids are grown and it is time for my wife and I to spend some serious time on the road, the SMB ain't gonna cut it. I could be comfy with a sleeping bag, a bivy and a shovel for toilet duty. My wife demands a bit more in the comfort area and that is where these vehicles really shine. They can get you there and back, with nearly all the comforts of home.
R