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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.
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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.
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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 floorboards. A 115-gallon diesel fuel tank, a 250-gallon fresh-water tank, roof-mounted solar panels that can generate 2100 watts of electric power, and a 20,000-watt lithium-ion battery pack ensure that the XV-HD’s driver and passengers can go days without seeing civilization.
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The EarthRoamer XV-HD is currently in production, but the ability to roam is not built in a day. EarthRoamer notes that those interested in purchasing an XV-HD will need to put down a $ 375,000 deposit on the $ 1.5 million truck and expect delivery of the vehicle by late next year or early 2019.
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