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08-30-2016, 08:44 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 20
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Earth Roamer vs. SMB
Hello does anyone on here have experience using both the earth roamer and SMB? Obviously quite a stark price difference but putting price aside what was the experience like? If money wasn't a concern would you opt for the Earth Roamer?
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08-30-2016, 09:52 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Peninsula
Posts: 809
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Many of us aren't sufficiently wealthy to consider them. Aren't they "my children's children's children won't have to consider working" kind of money?
I've seen a couple in person, and they look fun, but I'm not actually sure that they are nicer than other more down to earth offerings. I certainly feel like my van is huge every time I'm on a trail, so even in a money is no object world, I'm not convinced I'd go there.
In fact, in a money is no object world, I really don't understand them. Yes, perhaps if overlanding AK to Cap horn or Europe to the cape of good hope are on the bucket list. But for the sort of stuff that I use a camper van for? I'd still either want a camper van, or just an assistant that can book me nice hotels as I'm on the road in a much more fun to drive vehicle. -- Probably both, but not an earth roamer, and it pains me to say that, because they sure are neat.
__________________
'99 EB ex ENG KSWB news van, low rent 4x4 conversion (mostly fixed by now), home built interior.
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08-30-2016, 10:32 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Covina
Posts: 1,317
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The places I have taken my van would have caused expensive damage to a ER. I do dream of having the money to have one but at that cost I could have a class A and a real nice exploring rig in tow.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
__________________
Kelly, Claudine, Sophie dog, Bell the redheaded step child and Gooseberry RIP.
Most the time the Copilot is Now Sophie dog the noise maker.
2000 7.3 PS Quigley/RB30 with a 6 window poptop.
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08-30-2016, 10:53 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 270
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I found myself chatting on the road with an ER owner who regretted the size of his rig.
Very nice offroad vehicle that is too wide / tall for most offroad trails.
2X - better get a pusher that tow a nice offroad and maybe even save some money.
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08-31-2016, 07:39 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Francisco/Nevada City
Posts: 3,769
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Agree with above. I've spent considerable time dragging shrubbery/cactus/trees down the sides of my van. No way a ER would fit.
Also, they get stuck on muddy grass fields:
https://youtu.be/roHHWduRx4M
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08-31-2016, 08:19 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Park City, UT
Posts: 699
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Personally I am not a fan. Too bulky. Even if I had the money I'd still be a van man : )
__________________
2003 7.3 UJOINT 4x4 SMB
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08-31-2016, 08:35 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 633
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My first thought was, I wonder what responses you would get back if the question was proposed in an Earth Roamer forum. I have yet to set foot in an Earth Roamer let alone drive one. Only seen them on the highway and in developed campgrounds. My inexperienced opinion on them is that they were born out of the pre-recession taste for bigger, badder looking, opulence than my neighbor. Like driving an H-1 to drop off the kids at school.
Functionally I've thought of them as too much compromise (especially when factoring cost). Class A pusher RV, camper on truck, van conversion, down to a small SUV with a rooftop tent, and every vehicle in between have different uses (driving or living) that they are exceptional at. It's not obvious to me what the Earth Roamer is great at, I guess I would have to have use one for a while to find out. Just my thoughts.
- Eric
__________________
2005 SMB RB 4x4 6.0 PSD
A rocket on the pad is safe,
but it's not what rockets are built for.
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08-31-2016, 09:27 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,254
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gooseberry
The places I have taken my van would have caused expensive damage to a ER. I do dream of having the money to have one but at that cost I could have a class A and a real nice exploring rig in tow.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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^truth^
I just can't see it. Of course, in our world there has to be an Earthroamer, right? I mean, there must be some magical, unreachable pinnacle to which all else is measured. It's not realistic though. I'd rather drive a less flashy sports car than the entitled Lamborghini and I'd rather live in a house I can keep clean than Hearst San Simeon.
I think to actually be able to afford an Earthroamer and then to be willing to take it to the places you would want to try to take it would define a really reckless individual. Ironically, to me, most people with that amount of money didn't get there by being reckless. It's a mystery.
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08-31-2016, 09:54 AM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 1,202
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Agreed with comments about size limiting the vehicles real off-road potential. Overhead branches, side rocks, you name it. The vehicle will fail. I enjoyed watching them fall in the mud at SnowExpo two years ago. Not a mudder.
Don
__________________
-Don-
Life and baseball both sometimes are not fair, but it is how you play the hops that counts. —Scott Miller, NYT Sports
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08-31-2016, 01:18 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 78
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I agree with the comments on it being too big to enjoy taking it off-road. I have met the President a few years back and toured the Earthroamer factory. The build quality is certainly better, more meticulous, and obviously more luxurious. Insanely expensive, but then again so are other bigger motor homes. If you live in an area more open to off road without the narrow trails in a lot of places, then you may be fine.
__________________
2006 Red RB50 with SMB 4x4, 6.0 Diesel, PH Top, etc.
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