Of all the vehicles on show at Overland Expo West, one stood head and shoulders above the rest, despite being relatively diminutive compared to some of the brutes on display. This vehicle is almost certainly the most capable and practical overland vehicle we found at the event after hours of searching for that one gem, a vehicle that we would happily drive around the world. In a collaborative effort, Tactical Application Vehicles (TAV) has partnered with Enduro Campers to create a lightweight and capable overland vehicle based on a 2021 200 Series Land Cruiser Heritage Edition with a powerful 5.7-liter V8 engine.
This project represents a novel approach to a long-standing concept of transforming vehicles into high-end bespoke campers. The vehicle was built for a client who has a well-established relationship with TAV and its founder, Walt Wagner. Over the years, the client has come to trust Walt’s philosophy on vehicle construction, as each vehicle that leaves the TAV workshop is “expedition ready.” His confidence in TAV’s ability to produce expedition-ready vehicles led him to propose a collaboration with Enduro Campers. The client had also developed a professional rapport with Leif Stein, the owner of Enduro Campers, and admired his craftsmanship and innovation. This mutual respect and shared vision resulted in what the client described as a “perfect marriage” between the two companies. We tend to agree.
Enduro Campers contributes to the build with their Super Tourer camper, which is constructed from durable and lightweight composite sandwich panels that offer superior performance compared to metal framing or traditional molded fiberglass. The camper is compact and ideal for a couple who would rather travel far from the hordes, living out of the camper and not spending all of their precious traveling time living in it. The goal of this build is maneuverability, capability, and reliability; if you are looking for a camper with sleeping for six, an en suite bathroom, microwave, ice machine, and underfloor heating, this is not the habitat for you. If you plan to drive to the highest track in the Chilean Andes and the depths of the jungles of Brazil, you have found your dream machine.
The foundation of this go-anywhere build is the TAV Stage 2 Long Travel Suspension System, which includes (take a deep breath) Total Chaos bushing upper control arms, stock length chromoly boxed lowers, Weld-On spindle gussets, lower control arm cam tab gussets, LC 200 chromoly adjustable rear links, and a Toyota Tundra CV axle assembly. The system also features Tundra steering tie rod ends, Radflo front coilover kits with remote reservoir and adjuster, Radflo rear shocks with remote reservoir and adjusters, Ironman rear coil springs (3inch), Timbren Active Off-Road bump stops, and a Dr KDSS bolt-on trackbar correction kit. We had a good look at this suspension system, and the word “robust” comes to mind, as do the words “bulletproof” and “enviable.”.
In terms of outfitting, the vehicle boasts Method 703 matte black wheels, Toyo Tires (35-inch R/T Trail), Nitro Gears (4.88 Dropout Eaton E-Locker for both front and rear), and a Long Range America 24-gallon auxiliary tank. For armor and recovery, the build includes Dissent Offroad LC 200 aluminum front and rear bumpers, a 3-piece skid plate kit, Metal Tech 200 Series Toyota Land Cruiser sliders, a Come Up self-recovery winch, Factor 55 Ultra hook, and an ARB twin air compressor. The lighting setup features a Spod Bantam X with an HD panel and a range of Baja Designs lights for when you absolutely have to drive at night.
The camper, which is primarily designed for pickups, features high-strength R-5 FRP foam and FRP composite panel walls, an R-7.5 roof, a high-strength structural honeycomb floor, carbon fiber reinforced corners coated in Raptor Liner, a fully insulated waterproof fire-rated tent, custom aluminum T-track extrusions around the roof line, slide-out built-in entry steps, and a 100% wood-free construction. The shell has a weight of 500 pounds, excluding any weight reduction from removing the truck bed. The total weight, including the interior and systems, is 1,000 pounds. It is designed to be four-season capable and mounts directly to a vehicle’s frame without the need for a flatbed.
The electrical system is robust, with a Switch-Pros P9100 solid-state switching system with Bluetooth, a Victron 30-amp DC-DC engine charger, a Victron solar charge controller, 600-watt solar capacity, a Xantrex 2000-watt inverter, and a Deep Cycle Systems 200-amp-hour lithium-ion battery. For heating and water needs, the camper includes an Espar gasoline air heater, an Expedition Upfitters 6-liter 12-volt hot water heater, a GuzzleH2O Stealth water filter with UV purification, an Isotherm Drawer 85 refrigerator, an Aquor outdoor quick connect faucet, and an RRE Global sink with a fold-down faucet. Additional amenities include:
- Wolfbox rearview mirror camera/screen
- Starmount Starlink flat mount
- Dirtbox Overland 270 awning
- Custom tire carrier.
The only drawbacks of this vehicle are the relatively poor fuel economy that will affect range (the 5.7 V8 generally drinks a gallon of premium fuel to cover 15 miles), and the seating area in the camper is not what one would describe as luxurious, which makes sense as this vehicle is not designed to be a traveling sofa. Starting at $350,000, this build is not for the Average Joe overlander but rather for those with resources and plans for a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to the edge.
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