Earth Roamer 2.0 - 2008 Jeep Wrangler JK Rubicon Unlimited

Life of Lux
The interior of the Earth Roamer is nothing short of luxury when it comes to camping standards. With the top up, there is enough headroom for the loftiest of NBA players, and the innovative plastic-spring, queen-size bed is lightweight, comfortable and long enough to stretch out after a long day. The passenger side sports a comfortable bench seat that conceals an Isotemp solar-powered fridge, toilet and shower. To starboard is a sink with hot/cold water and a flip-down counter, and a bank of canvas storage bins for sundries, clothing, and gear.

With 25 gallons of fresh water, 10-gallon gray water and 4.5-gallon black water tanks, setting up camp for a few days should not be an issue. For cooking or that weekly shower, hot water is provided via a 4-gallon heat-exchanger hot water system (so you'll need to run the motor for four minutes to get it hot). When it's cold out, the shower sets up inside with its own enclosure and built-in drain. But when there's no frost on the pumpkin, it can be routed outside for an open-air experience.

With GVW a major factor, Earth Roamer kept weight at a minimum with innovative concepts such as an ultra lightweight airframe tent from Loftop. When inflated by an engine-driven Kilby compressor, the airframe is rigid enough to keep the tent in place, but flexible enough to give rather than bend in heavy wind.

With GVW a major factor, Earth Roamer kept weight at a minimum with innovative concepts su

The extra weight and irritating noise of a generator is spared by the addition of an 80-watt solar panel and 160-amp alternator which charges a bank of three Group-31 AGM Lifeline batteries. To ensure against running your batteries flat, a 200-amp relay connects the auxiliary units when the engine is on, and isolates them when it is off. On those chilly nights above the snow line, the Espar 6,100-Btu ultra-efficient forced-air heating unit, which draws from the main fuel cell, will keep the Earth Roamer warm and toasty.

Because the Bolivian backroads can be brutal, the shell of the Earth Roamer is crafted from a composite material and built-in sandwiched layers to maximize structural integrity while keeping weight in check. The top opens via a 2.5hp Leeson electric winch with the push of a button, and the Loftop tent assembly is supported by a featherweight airframe that automatically inflates via the Kilby engine-mounted air compressor.

It is clear that attention to detail was a priority when designing the Earth Roamer. Security and safety are addressed with an on-board GPS, Tuffy Security center console and lockable glovebox, and a Spot global emergency transponder. Everything, from the Isotherm DC cold-plate fridge/freezer and Espar heating system, to the solar panels, Loftop air frame and heat exchanger hot water, is designed with weight, function, and efficiency in mind.

When it comes to the ultimate overland, you'd expect the amenities we've described to come in a Winnebago-sized package. But the Earth Roamer measures in at just 15.5 feet in length, a hair over six feet wide, and only seven and a half feet tall. If all this isn't enough, Brady added an Adventure Trailers Chaser fitted with matching BFG tires, air suspension, a Baja Rack, an Eezi-Awn awning, and additional work lights.

We took the Earth Roamer out for a spin and even tried to talk Scott out of the keys (for a month), but he wasn't too keen on the idea. As of this writing, Scott and wife Stephanie are heading south towards Panama. From there they will ship the Earth Roamer around Columbia to Ecuador and traverse the spine of the Americas all the way south to Ushuia at the tip of South America. So for now, it's back to the office for us, and we'll keep dreaming of the day when we can build the ultimate overlander and check out of the rat race for a month...year...or more.