The Rigs Of Overland Expo 2012

EarthRoamer (www.earthroamer.com) has come a long way since owner and founder Bill Swails and his first Dodge Ram-based ER2K was featured in the pages of Four Wheeler over 10 years ago. Today EarthRoamer has grown from two employees to an entire staff housed in a modern 25,000-square foot manufacturing facility. The two models in production today are the XV-LT seen here on a Ford F-550 chassis and the beastly XV-HD, built atop a Ford F-650. Both models offer several wheelbases and interior configurations.

EarthRoamer (www.earthroamer.com) has come a long way since owner and founder Bill Swails and his first Dodge Ram-based ER2K was featured in the pages of Four Wheeler over 10 years ago. Today EarthRoamer has grown from two employees to an entire staff housed in a modern 25,000-square foot manufacturing facility. The two models in production today are the XV-LT seen here on a Ford F-550 chassis and the beastly XV-HD, built atop a Ford F-650. Both models offer several wheelbases and interior configurations.

This beautifully restored ’64 Land Rover Series IIA Forward Control is owned by Land Rover Las Vegas. While long since retired from its original mission of fighting fires in Switzerland, this FC can now be found supporting various events, such as OVX, to promote the dealership.

Repurposed military rigs such as this old flatbed-equipped M35A2 were a popular display piece at the show. This particular 6x6 deuce-and-a-half has been outfitted with oversized Michelin X military tires, a custom tent platform, and the ability to side-load a Polaris RZR, also done up in a matching military-style livery.

Reminding us of something we dreamed up as an escape to math class, the Safari Extreme, built by Global Expedition Vehicles (www.globalxvehicles.com), is the epitome of a rolling land yacht. With luxurious trimmings that might more frequently be seen on the open water, the Safari Extreme was built with intercontinental exploration in mind. Highly self-reliant, and extremely capable, this Safari Extreme sits on top of an International 7400 4x4 chassis, but can also be fitted to the Mercedes Unimog U-500.

Interested in overlanding, but on a budget? If so, you might want to consider Four Wheel Pop-Up Campers (www.fourwheelcampers.com). All you need is a suitable pickup and an adventurous spirit. Four Wheel’s Hawk model is seen here on a Ram Power Wagon, but if smaller scale is your thing, the company also has models that fit midsize trucks, such as the Toyota Tacoma. Best of all, the campers easily slide out, allowing full use of your pickup bed when you aren’t on an adventure.

Outfitted by Tiger Adventure Vehicles (www.tigervehicles.com), this GMC Sierra-based RV is an alternative to the typical van-based Class C motorhomes. By using a fullsize truck chassis as the foundation, the Tiger Adventure setup benefits from improved passenger comfort, higher ground clearance, and an OEM four-wheel drive system. The Tiger also has a walk-through from the cab to the coach, a full galley, sleeping for up to four, and an enclosed bathroom.

Hailing all the way from Australia, the Earth Cruiser (www.earthcruiser.com.au) is an expedition vehicle that was made for extended expeditions. The living quarters are no wider or taller than the cab, allowing the Earth Cruiser to fit in to a standard shipping containing for cross-oceanic journeys and the dual rear tires have been replaced with super singles. This example sits on a 4x4 Fuso chassis and has been upgraded with a soft ride/rough road suspension.

Showing just how versatile the Toyota Tacoma is, we found this pair of Tacos with a slew of products from Toyota specialist All-Pro Off-Road (www.allprooffroad.com). The upgrades, such as armor, a spare tire carrier, and bed rack, all work together to transform the Tacoma into an excellent backcountry platform. We have always liked the idea of mounting a rooftop tent over a truck bed, which maintains access to bed storage and allows for easier tent operation, all while keeping the folded tent out of the wind stream. fw