Automotive

Two-story Commander 8x8 off-road motorhome ready to explore the globe

Two-story Commander 8x8 off-road motorhome ready to explore the globe
SLRV gives the Commander 8x8 the
SLRV gives the Commander 8x8 the finishing touches
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Most motorhomes we've seen come without a microwave or oven, but this one has both
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Most motorhomes we've seen come without a microwave or oven, but this one has both
Outdoor-access washing machine, TV and kitchen
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Outdoor-access washing machine, TV and kitchen
The dining area includes a TV and speakers
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The dining area includes a TV and speakers
Slide-out pantry space below the oven
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Slide-out pantry space below the oven
SLRV builds electrical systems with Mastervolt lithium-ion batteries and various charging solutions
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SLRV builds electrical systems with Mastervolt lithium-ion batteries and various charging solutions
The spare bed drops down to sleep two guests
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The spare bed drops down to sleep two guests
The Commander 2 Story is based on a MAN TGS 8x8
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The Commander 2 Story is based on a MAN TGS 8x8
Bathroom sink
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Bathroom sink
Toilet
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Toilet
The upstairs bedroom is simple but comfortable with climate control, six beds, storage and a TV
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The upstairs bedroom is simple but comfortable with climate control, six beds, storage and a TV
For those who think that's just too much motorhome, SLRV also offers a regular fixed-roof, single-story version
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For those who think that's just too much motorhome, SLRV also offers a regular fixed-roof, single-story version
Roof-raising hardware visible at the rear of the upstairs bunk room
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Roof-raising hardware visible at the rear of the upstairs bunk room
A look at the bunk room and end-wall TV
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A look at the bunk room and end-wall TV
SLRV gave the Commander 8x8 a debut at the Outdoor X show in September
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SLRV gave the Commander 8x8 a debut at the Outdoor X show in September
SLRV gives the Commander 8x8 the
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SLRV gives the Commander 8x8 the finishing touches
Sitting at the front dinette looking back
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Sitting at the front dinette looking back
We can't imagine the two-story Commander 8x8 not attracting attention anywhere it goes
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We can't imagine the two-story Commander 8x8 not attracting attention anywhere it goes
Looking like a piece of artwork along the Australian Silo Art Trail
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Looking like a piece of artwork along the Australian Silo Art Trail
Looking ahead toward the kitchen and dining area
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Looking ahead toward the kitchen and dining area
The beds lift up for storage access
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The beds lift up for storage access
Kitchen counter and command center above
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Kitchen counter and command center above
The large dining area has two four-seat benches
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The large dining area has two four-seat benches
Kitchen sink and dual-burner cooktop
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Kitchen sink and dual-burner cooktop
Looking back to the step-up rear bedroom from the kitchen
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Looking back to the step-up rear bedroom from the kitchen
View gallery - 24 images

Last time we looked in at the SLRV Commander MAN 8x8 two-story motorhome, it was still in the garage being built. Not long after, the Australian-designed eight-wheeled travel lodge stepped out for its world debut, with SLRV making it the biggest part of a lineup otherwise comprising 4x4 expedition trucks. A marvel of modern engineering, the rolling off-grid explorer yacht already proved itself one of the coolest off-road expedition vehicles of the year, probably decade, and looking at its comfy two-floor interior only strengthens its case. The military-grade shell cracks open to reveal a luxurious duplex you could easily call home.

As tends to be the case with large expedition trucks, the Commander 8x8's interior is every bit as impressive as its exterior, albeit in a very different way – the soft, luxurious yang to the bold, powerful military-grade yin. The floor plan includes a fixed rear bedroom, where the two heads of the wandering household climb up into a raised bed. The focus of this particular motorhome is comfortably accommodating a full family of eight plus occasional guests, so the bed-filled transverse bedroom space is not as roomy or fancy a bedroom as could otherwise fit on the back of an eight-wheeled truck, but it's cozy and private and comes complete with a corner-mounted TV. SLRV also offers the bedroom in other configurations, including a roomier island bed layout.

For those who think that's just too much motorhome, SLRV also offers a regular fixed-roof, single-story version
For those who think that's just too much motorhome, SLRV also offers a regular fixed-roof, single-story version

The rest of the family sleeps upstairs, and in the case of the Commander 8x8 chassis #1 pictured, that space is laid out in dormitory style for six children, single beds running against three walls, a central aisle between them. Each bed has its own reading light, and the room includes an electric-lift TV on the end wall, storage below the strut-lift bed platforms, plenty of windows, and ducted air and heat. Depending on the age of the children, things could get rather loud for mom and dad directly below, but we suppose in other campers, the entire family would be scrunched together in much closer quarters. At least these parents can sneak away. The upstairs is accessed via a floating staircase, a much nicer solution than the ladders that typically provide upper-level RV access.

A look at the bunk room and end-wall TV
A look at the bunk room and end-wall TV

That's already well more sleeping space than the average motorhome, and there's still one more bed. A spare bed stores up above the dinette, dropping down electrically to provide two more sleeping berths for guests – lost and weary desert nomads in need of shelter, perhaps? The dinette underneath seats the entire family of eight and doubles as a living area lounge, complete with wall-mounted entertainment system.

The spare bed drops down to sleep two guests
The spare bed drops down to sleep two guests

The center of this particular floor plan is occupied by the aisle-spanning kitchen area, shower room and toilet room. The kitchen features a crisp, modern design with long rectangular countertops, a dual-burner cooktop, oven, microwave and under-counter side-by-side compressor refrigerators.

Sitting at the front dinette looking back
Sitting at the front dinette looking back

As a private custom build, the debut Commander 8x8 featured in all the photos didn't come with an attached spec sheet, and SLRV intends to tailor-fit each Commander 8x8 to its individual buyer, anyway. That starts with the choice of regular single-story floor plan with fixed roof or two-story model with full-length pop-up upstairs module. Both styles of motorhome box are built from infused composite fiberglass panels and secured to the chassis with a four-point torsion-free mounting system.

Buyers will be able to lay out their own floor plans before selecting from a full list of available equipment and accessories, starting with a borderline-self-sufficient high-capacity power system with Mastervolt lithium-ion battery bank and roof-mounted solar. The debut 8x8 has a 9.5-kVA alternator for charging the battery off the engine, a component SLRV calls a world first in an RV. A range of back-up generators, from small portable units to built-in diesel models, is also on offer. To simplify power needs, SLRV stresses the value of diesel appliances powered by the truck's fuel supply (up to 1,000 liters), everything from diesel cooktops, to water and room heaters, to ovens.

SLRV equips the Commander with a multi-tank 500- to 1,000-L water system that lets occupants select tanks individually during filling and usage. The system isolates the drinking water tank(s), ensuring that potable water remains separated from other tanks that may contain untreated water from natural sources like rivers and lakes (e.g. those feeding the shower or washing machine). SLRV can also add various purification systems and a mains water hookup with tank bypass.

We can't imagine the two-story Commander 8x8 not attracting attention anywhere it goes
We can't imagine the two-story Commander 8x8 not attracting attention anywhere it goes

Other available equipment includes outdoor kitchen hardware, indoor and outdoor entertainment systems, a car garage, and, likely, virtually anything that can be physically installed on a MAN TGS 8x8, so long as someone is willing to pay the bill. That rugged truck comes powered by a 473-hp 12.5-liter D26 six-cylinder diesel and 12-speed automatic transmission with manual override. It has four differential locks, a two-speed transfer case and planetary axles. SLRV adds on standard and optional equipment like a sturdy roof rack with access ladder, front and rear 30,000-lb winches, and a semi-automatic tire pressure regulation system.

SLRV didn't respond to our request for a full pricing sheet on the Commander 8x8 Two Story No. 1, so we'll just have to stick with the ~AU$1.5 million (approx. US$1.03 million) estimate that was previously reported in Australian media. If that doesn't scare you off completely, and you want a more specific number, we reckon you'll want to sit down and have a serious chat with SLRV about your ground-up Commander 8x8 design. Otherwise, you can pop into the photo gallery and enjoy the Commander 8x8 Two Story for the work of functional art it is. Or take a full 360-degree virtual interior tour.

Source: SLRV

View gallery - 24 images
9 comments
9 comments
guzmanchinky
This is VERY cool, but where in the world would you use this except for maybe the deserts of the middle east? It's just way too gigantic to fit anywhere off road in the United States, even in the remote parts of Utah or Nevada the roads are just not much bigger than a pickup track can navigate. And then trying to get into a city, forget it. But there is obviously a market for this thing so...
paul314
Six kids who apparently don't need any storage for their clothes and other stuff, and little way of personalizing or separating their spaces.Maybe those beds fold up, but you couldn't easily open an under-bed drawer into that tiny aisle.
Wolf0579
The whole idea and PURPOSE of camping is "roughing it".

If you need one of these... stay home.
fen
This isn't too "gigantic". It's no bigger than a truck used in logging, or a digger. I have seen them follow land rovers and pickups everywhere they can go. The rare times a track is really too narrow they just put one wheel in the overgrowth and keep going. As for cities, they are no bigger than the standard delivery truck used by any big retail outlet, or any bigger than any skip truck or bus really. For sure its "Big", but not gigantic. The main reason it would be no use to me, is its too tall, in my country all the public parks have height restricting bars on the entrance.
Crazyoldranga
Better watch out for low bridges.
Tim
You'd tow a small off-road car behind it or have a mount for a dirt bike or monkey bike like they do here in 'Straya.
Tim
Anyone seen driving that thing in the land whee it was built would immediately be deemed a complete tosser.
Tim
And rightfully so.
Riaanh
Guys, guys, please look at the pictures before commenting......there seems to be quite a bit of storage under the beds (they lift up) and there are other compartments as well. ...and the roof lowers, so this truck is not any higher than any other. Small roads is not a problem, it will make its own!