Plenty of news stories surrounding a recent spate of off-roading enthusiasm by Detroit's Big Three automakers includes fun products like the revived Ford Bronco, the forthcoming Ram TRX, and established icons such as the Jeep Wrangler. The new releases seem set for delays, however, which could perhaps be chalked up to the coronavirus pandemic, much like the delayed higher-spec variants of the C8 Corvette. But for anyone who wants to get out of the house and social distance safely, off-roading in the great outdoors doesn't really require hardcore long-travel suspension or an overload of mechanical features like locking differentials and electronically disconnecting sway bars. People have been car camping for years in rigs like this Cummins-swapped Ford F-450 EarthRoamer currently listed for sale on the auction website Bring a Trailer. And best of all, when the bidding ends in six days, the happy new owner can hopefully get right on the road.
Power Under The Hood
While Dodge Ram fans may lament dropping a Cummins turbodiesel into a Ford engine bay, there's a reason the powerplants have become so legendary over the years. And with a massive camper box on the back, this truck could use some help on the lower end. The engine may date from 1998, but it was reportedly built up for installation in 2019 including forged pistons by Mahle, a camshaft from Hamilton, and a compound turbo matched by aftermarket air intake equipment.
Cruising In Comfort
The interior looks largely stock, though an aftermarket stereo has been installed, as have USB outlets, a controller for the exhaust brake, and plenty of auxiliary gauges. Above the truck's cab, a sleeping area leads the front of the camper cabin.
Cramped But Tidy
The rest of the camper's amenities include a diesel heater, air conditioning, an 875-watt solar system, and even Wi-Fi. Bidding currently sits at $25,000 with plenty of time remaining in the auction for interested parties to pluck up the courage required to take this custom camper off into the wild.
Sources: bringatrailer.com and drivingline.com.