If the journey is indeed more important than the destination, then the new EarthRoamer XV-HD could be worth every penny of its $1.5 million asking price. This off-road-ready recreational vehicle starts life as a heavy-duty four-wheel-drive Ford F-750 work truck equipped with a turbocharged diesel 6.7-liter V-8. Paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, the Brobdingnagian bent-eight makes 330 horsepower, which is arguably a paltry number given the host of heavy features fitted to the truck by EarthRoamer, a Colorado firm that has been building outrageous overland expedition vehicles (all wearing the XV designation) since 1998.
Equipped with chunky 46-inch-diameter Michelin XVL tires, Fox shocks, a rear air-spring suspension, an array of LED lights, a hydraulic winch that can pull up to 30,000 pounds, and 12 inches of ground clearance, the XV-HD is an off-road enthusiast’s dream house on wheels. Although the engine’s limited power peak surely restricts the XV-HD’s left-lane prowess on the highway, its considerable 725 lb-ft of torque is key to helping the mighty machine maneuver its way off the beaten path, or when making its own.
Since the road less traveled often has few vacancies, the 35-foot-long XV-HD is equipped to maximize self-sufficiency. The living quarters are fully insulated and luxuriously appointed, offering all the conveniences of home in a slightly smaller package, including a washer and dryer, a full bathroom, and heated floorboar...