Maybe you’ve heard of Kara and Nate, the husband and wife team from Nashville, Tenn., who’s been traveling the world since 2016. Their Instagram followers include more than 597,000 people, and their YouTube channel has welcomed more than 2.75 million subscribers.
Recently, they spent 24 hours in an EarthRoamer LTi, one of the most luxurious off-grid camping machines available. And it was amazing!
But is an EarthRoamer worth $700,000? We’ll let you be the judge of that.
What Is an EarthRoamer?
EarthRoamer is a luxury camping and overlanding company that produces hybrid solar/diesel, four-wheel-drive Xpedition Vehicles (XVs). Their mission is to “create the world’s most innovative and capable, go anywhere, luxury, off-grid vehicles that enable owners to explore their world in total comfort and with complete confidence.”
The custom, made-to-order vehicles sacrifice nothing. Since 1998, EarthRoamer has provided the answer for people who want to travel anywhere and do anything. The newest model, the EarthRoamer LTi, features a vacuum-infused carbon fiber body built on a Ford F-550 chassis. It’s the most advanced XV to date.
What Class Is an EarthRoamer?
In order to distinguish an EarthRoamer from other RVs, the founder, Bill Swails, called the first vehicle an EarthRoamer XV-LT. “XV” is for Xpedition Vehicle, and “LT” is for Luxury Terrain. In 2017, the company completed its largest project — the XV-HD built on a Ford F-750 chassis. The project took 10 years to complete and shows what luxury overlanding can look like.
In 2019, EarthRoamer introduced the XV-LTi, with an upgraded carbon fiber body, increased interior height, lithium-ion batteries, and more. The EarthRoamer XVs can function fully without water, sewer, and electrical hook-ups for a completely off-grid experience.
Are EarthRoamers Bulletproof?
They aren’t bulletproof. But the tires are 41-in, 22-ply, military-grade to increase traction and durability on rough terrain.
The camper body is made from a vacuum-infused carbon fiber that makes these XVs immune to corrosion and rust. The carbon fiber and vacuum infusion process also make these giants extremely lightweight for their size. But it doesn’t make them bulletproof.
About the EarthRoamer
The LTi — the model that Nate and Kara camped in for a night — sits on a Ford F-550 chassis. It features a Lariat trim, 6.7L diesel engine, 330 horsepower, and 750 lbs of torque. It’s 29 ft long with a maximum height of 12 ft. You won’t have to stoop or crouch in this XV.
The fuel capacity is 95 gallons, while the freshwater tank holds 100 gallons, and the gray tank holds 40 gallons. There isn’t a black tank on board but instead a removable cassette to dispose of waste. The solar power provides 1,300 watts, and the batteries provide 11,000 watt-hours.
The HD — the larger of the two models — rests on a Ford F-750 chassis. It features a King Ranch trim, 6.7L diesel engine, 330 horsepower, and 750 lbs of torque. It’s 35 ft long with a maximum height of more than 13 ft. This monster of an XV has a fuel capacity of 115 gallons, a freshwater tank that holds 250 gallons, and gray and black tanks that hold 125 gallons each. The solar power provides 2,100 watts, and the batteries provide 20,000 watt-hours.
Who Are Kara and Nate?
Nate and Kara left Nashville, Tenn., and began traveling on Jan. 10, 2016, in hopes of visiting 100 countries by 2020. And they did it!
Their YouTube channel has 2.75 million subscribers, with the two most popular videos having more than eight million views each. Currently, they live in a converted Sprinter van and enjoy comparing their home to other RVs on the road.
Why Did Kara and Nate Stay in an EarthRoamer?
Who wouldn’t want to stay in an EarthRoamer? Kara and Nate have camped in different kinds of RVs over the last four years. They’ve shown their YouTube subscribers the pros and cons of various RVs.
They’ve also swapped vehicles with fellow travelers to see whose way of life is better. With their experience living in their converted Sprinter van, Kara and Nate have a good understanding of what “tiny living” life looks like, but swapping for an EarthRoamer let them experience something totally new.
How Much Does an EarthRoamer Cost?
The EarthRoamer LTi is handcrafted in Colorado and made to order. The waitlist is seven to 10 months from the time of order. You must pay a deposit of $50,000 to secure your spot in line. The base price is $620,000. However, most LTi models end up costing between $680,000-$730,000.
The EarthRoamer HD comes standard with lithium batteries, radiant floor heat, a washer and dryer, and more. The base price is $1,900,000 with options for upgrades and add-ons. There are currently seven EarthRoamer HDs on the road, with three more in production.
What Is the Most Expensive EarthRoamer?
There are only three options: a PreRoamed certified, used XV, an EarthRoamer LTi, and an EarthRoamer HD. The EarthRoamer HD is the most expensive. It also has all of the bells and whistles you could ever want in an overlanding vehicle.
Are EarthRoamers Worth It?
Not many people have the money to spend on an EarthRoamer. Are they worth it? Maybe, if you have the funds. Are they luxurious beasts? Absolutely.
The convenience to live off-grid for a pretty much unlimited amount of time intrigues many overlanders. They’re amazing XVs that fulfill the company’s mission to “create the world’s most innovative and capable, go anywhere, luxury, off-grid vehicles that enable owners to explore their world in total comfort and with complete confidence.”
So what do you think? Would you buy an EarthRoamer? What’s your favorite part of the LTi or HD models?
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