Background:
So I've been lurking and learning for several months on this part of expo as I've been researching what type of rig to build or buy for a family expo rig. I've tossed the idea around for a long time...almost bought a 404 unimog in high school to take to the arctic circle 20 years ago. Fast forward to now and I have a couple kiddos that are growing faster than I thought possible and I want to get out on the road with them this summer. Our goal is to take a two month trip through BC and Alaska to the arctic circle in July/August as a shake down/trial run for possibly doing a much longer trip in the future.
Looking at all the different options out there I decided I wanted something that I could use dual purpose and not just have sit most the year. I also wanted something that had some mass to it and a decent amount of safety features. My litmus test was I wanted to be able to be in a wreck with a car and not have it be a trip ender and worst case be in wreck with something much larger and not have it be a life ender. Finally comfort and space for traveling long distances as a family of four.
I looked at some of the sprinter conversions. These seem awesome for north american travel and possibly other places as well, but they still command a pretty hefty price, don't seem as burly/safe as some options, and would end up being a single use vehicle for me (I don't want to commute in one). They also seem a scosch cramped for a family of four.
Finally I landed on the Earthroamer style expo rigs. I like the beefyness and size for four, but oof...the price puts them way...I mean WAY out of my ballpark. However, the platform of a crew cab truck with camper seemed pretty ideal. I live on some acreage and have a flatbed dually farm truck that I use for chores, towing, etc. However, it is just an extended cab and has the thirsty 8.1L gas engine...so I decided to look for a new rig.
Having settled on the crew cab, I next had to decide on the class. Initially I wanted to stick with a 3500. However, two things led me to the 4500/5500 class trucks. First, the 84" cab to axle seems to offer valuable extra space for a camper for four. Second, the wider track in the front makes the turning radius of the class four and five trucks pretty attractive. Finally price...the class four and fives actually seem to be cheaper on the used market than the 3500's...I assume because of a smaller market for them. I was initially worried about insurance, but was able to work it out to be quite reasonable.
After looking for a couple months I decided to pull the trigger on a 2012 5500 Dodge. Its a 6.7 Cummins, 6spd manual, 84" cab to axle with 110k miles on it. Doing nothing the easy way (and everything the way that helps the budget) I bought it with a bad head gasket...so it was already a project.
Meet Beefcake:
So I've been lurking and learning for several months on this part of expo as I've been researching what type of rig to build or buy for a family expo rig. I've tossed the idea around for a long time...almost bought a 404 unimog in high school to take to the arctic circle 20 years ago. Fast forward to now and I have a couple kiddos that are growing faster than I thought possible and I want to get out on the road with them this summer. Our goal is to take a two month trip through BC and Alaska to the arctic circle in July/August as a shake down/trial run for possibly doing a much longer trip in the future.
Looking at all the different options out there I decided I wanted something that I could use dual purpose and not just have sit most the year. I also wanted something that had some mass to it and a decent amount of safety features. My litmus test was I wanted to be able to be in a wreck with a car and not have it be a trip ender and worst case be in wreck with something much larger and not have it be a life ender. Finally comfort and space for traveling long distances as a family of four.
I looked at some of the sprinter conversions. These seem awesome for north american travel and possibly other places as well, but they still command a pretty hefty price, don't seem as burly/safe as some options, and would end up being a single use vehicle for me (I don't want to commute in one). They also seem a scosch cramped for a family of four.
Finally I landed on the Earthroamer style expo rigs. I like the beefyness and size for four, but oof...the price puts them way...I mean WAY out of my ballpark. However, the platform of a crew cab truck with camper seemed pretty ideal. I live on some acreage and have a flatbed dually farm truck that I use for chores, towing, etc. However, it is just an extended cab and has the thirsty 8.1L gas engine...so I decided to look for a new rig.
Having settled on the crew cab, I next had to decide on the class. Initially I wanted to stick with a 3500. However, two things led me to the 4500/5500 class trucks. First, the 84" cab to axle seems to offer valuable extra space for a camper for four. Second, the wider track in the front makes the turning radius of the class four and five trucks pretty attractive. Finally price...the class four and fives actually seem to be cheaper on the used market than the 3500's...I assume because of a smaller market for them. I was initially worried about insurance, but was able to work it out to be quite reasonable.
After looking for a couple months I decided to pull the trigger on a 2012 5500 Dodge. Its a 6.7 Cummins, 6spd manual, 84" cab to axle with 110k miles on it. Doing nothing the easy way (and everything the way that helps the budget) I bought it with a bad head gasket...so it was already a project.
Meet Beefcake: