A block of solenoids allows...
A block of solenoids allows the driver to level the vehicle from inside the cab. Twin Viair compressors are enclosed in protective boxes under the camper body.
Despite the growing popularity of overland travel, no company in the United States has been able to match the quality and engineering of the Europeans—until now. Enter Global Expedition Vehicles (
www.globalXvehicles.com). After a yearlong circumnavigation of South America in their custom Unimog U500 camper, Mike and Rene Van Pelt were hooked. About the same time, the newest segment of vehicle recreation was just starting to open its eyes. Not rockcrawling. Not four-wheeling over the Rubicon. The goal was to get away from the public campgrounds and explore. Some, like The Turtle Expedition (
www.turtleexpedition.com), will drive around the world. For others, a week in the desert or a month in Mexico is adventure enough.
Global Expedition Vehicles has designed and built more than 20 unique expedition trucks, mostly on larger Mercedes and big International 7400 4x4s. We have been politely suggesting that the majority of roads in the Western Hemisphere were made by American pickups like our own Turtle V with its European-design Tortuga Expedition Camper. We think Mike and Rene were listening, because at Overland Expo 2011, with our permission to use the name, they introduced the GXV Turtle. There were striking similarities. We were invited to their manufacturing facilities in Nixa, Missouri, to see the first GXV Turtle just as it was being delivered to a Dutch couple headed around the world.
The three-point mounting GXV-Kinetic...
The three-point mounting GXV-Kinetic Attachment System uses two structural isolation bearing points and one pivot point at the rear.
This optional factory fuel...
This optional factory fuel tank holds 19 gallons. The main factory fuel tank holds 40 gallons.
We would have liked to see...
We would have liked to see some kind of a skidplate on the plastic oil pan.
Building a true “expedition” camper is no small endeavor. GXV started with an ’11 F-550 4x4 cab and chassis with Ford’s new 6.7L Power Stroke turbodiesel engine. An intimidating TrailReady bumper should keep cows and kangaroos out of the radiator. A 16,500-pound Warn winch and a bank of Hella lights are not just for looks. A factory limited slip rear differential will help keep this 14,000-pound truck moving. There is an optional front ARB if requested.
The suspension was completely converted to a full self-leveling Kelderman airbag system, controlled by a pair of Viair air compressors, two reserve air tanks, and a block of solenoids that allows the driver to level the vehicle from inside the cab. Bilstein remote reservoir shocks are used on all four corners.
A Black Maxx controller, with an H&S XRT Pro/MBRP DPF delete kit and a Flo-Pro Performance exhaust allow the GXV Turtle to run all types of diesel.
The first thing to correct was the dual rears, which just don’t work too well on backroads. They were converted to singles with Hutchinson beadlock wheels using custom spacers. On the ground, 285/70R 19.5 Michelin XDE2 tires give adequate traction. The two rear-mounted spares can be lowered with small, electric winches.
The second problem to overcome was international fuel compatibility. By installing a Black Maxx controller with an H&S XRT Pro/MBRP DPF delete kit and a Flo-Pro Performance exhaust, this 6.7L Power Stroke will burn anything you pour in the tank, including full-sulphur diesel. No sensors are needed. This conversion requires the vehicle be registered for export and/or off-road use only. The F-550 is fitted with both the primary and optional factory tanks, for a total of 59 gallons.
Rubber mounting pads on each...
Rubber mounting pads on each side of the front of the camper box isolate vibration and twisting of the frame.
The third reality to deal with is the fact that you cannot twist a box. It will break. Driving a normal U.S. RV on 20 miles of forest service road might be OK. Stretch that road to a couple thousand miles with plenty of 3-inch corrugation and a few washouts, and you will find out why you can’t twist a box. The solution used for virtually all European expedition campers is to incorporate a three-point mounting system, so the frame and suspension can do whatever the road demands, but the camper (the box), is not trying to tear itself in half. All GXV vehicles use a carefully engineered three-point GXV-Kinetic Attachment Mounting System, which incorporates two structural isolation-bearing points in front and a large pivot point in the back.
All travel trailers and motorhomes...
All travel trailers and motorhomes in Europe use the cassette system. Most of the world has no RV dump stations as we know them in the United States
An enclosed bathroom has a...
An enclosed bathroom has a sink, shower, and a Thetford cassette toilet.
A compressor refrigerator...
A compressor refrigerator and freezer can hold food for a couple of weeks.