Overlanding is the newest outgrowth of off-roading, and the observe has been quickly rising in reputation through the previous decade. Simply put, overlanding is touring lengthy distances over primitive roads or no roads in any respect, tenting, and attending to locations that civilization doesn’t attain.
Unlike typical four-wheeling, overlanding isn’t restricted to discovering difficult obstacles inside the confines of an OHV space or park made for the aim. With overlanding, the journey is the purpose.
The reputation of overlanding has spawned an trade to help the interest. Custom-built overlanding rigs can price as much as $250,000 and embody sufficient facilities to qualify as glamping; there’s no rule that claims you may’t be comfy in your journey.
Coming to the celebration
The most up-to-date addition to the market comes from Storyteller Overland LLC, which lately unveiled a brand new Class C journey truck — aptly named The Hilt — on the Elkhart RV Open House in Elkhart, Indiana.
“When you’re doing things to the highest and best, and the biggest and the most, you’re doing it to the hilt,” states the corporate’s press launch. Of course, “to the hilt” used to imply sticking your sword into somebody all the best way to the deal with, however we’ll go together with the trendy definition.
As with different high-end overlanding rigs, from the skin, The Hilt is made to seem rugged and difficult. But step inside and also you’re surrounded by a cushty, pure habitat that makes you are feeling at house irrespective of how excessive the surroundings round it’s possible you’ll be. Glamping at its best.
Most overlanding rigs are primarily bespoke customized builds, and priced to match that description. Storyteller expects The Hilt to be the primary mass-produced luxurious overlanding automobile. Buyers of The Hilt can benefit from prolonged time period RV financing choices.
![The Hilt kitchen and dining table](https://i0.wp.com/www.thedetroitbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-Hilt-kitchen-and-dining-table-1024x684.jpeg?resize=788%2C526&ssl=1)
So what’s it?
The Hilt is constructed on the Ram 5500 chassis, with a proprietary Zero Torsion Subframe system that permits impartial motion of the tenting capsule from the chassis. It additionally carries an lively hydraulic Smart Suspension System from Liquid Springs, a 20,000-pound electrical winch, an Extreme 360-degree exterior lighting package deal from KC HiLiTES, and a customized nVader rack and storage system from Flarespace.
Inside, consumers get a signature aesthetic design and atmospheric parts similar to flowing, radiused corners and dimmable, programmable temper lighting. The inside additionally encompasses a full-height moist tub, a queen mattress within the cabover place, plus a cushty rear dinette that simply converts right into a second queen mattress. A full kitchen full with a convection microwave oven, air fryer, full measurement fridge, freezer and double burner induction cooktop permit you to put together connoisseur meals on the journey.
To help prolonged journeys, the rig encompasses a 120-gallon freshwater tank and a 52-gallon gasoline tank, which permits for extra journey in between resupply journeys. Those adventuring in The Hilt additionally don’t want to fret about connecting to RV hookups: The Hilt comes with a 16.8 kWh M-Power System with two 3000W, heavy obligation, excessive effectivity inverters (Powered by Lithionics). It additionally has 1325 watts of sustainable energy photo voltaic panels on its roof to supply a major enhance to battery life through the day.
“Vehicles like this have historically been outrageously expensive, built to order, and complicated to buy,” mentioned Jeffrey Hunter, CEO of Storyteller Overland. “We wanted to solve for this by making it easier to own and lowering the barrier to entry without sacrificing a single bit of quality — instead actually elevating the quality and capability in the process.”
Hunter’s definition of outrageously costly could differ from yours, nonetheless. Pricing for this flagship of the all-new Storyteller GXV lineup will begin at a restricted time introductory provide of solely $398,786. Those excited by extra data ought to go to storytelleroverland.com/hilt.
Source: www.thedetroitbureau.com