Automotive

In photos: SEMA 2017's RVs, XVs, camper vans and adventure rigs

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RVs, expedition trucks and other adventure rigs of SEMA 2017
Ford was all about expedition-style SUVs and trucks this year, starting with this 2018 Expedition XLT "Baja-Forged Adventurer"
Based on the all-new 2018 Ford Expedition, the Baja-Forged Adventurer gets an ARB roof-top tent and refrigerator for camping, along with an upgraded suspension, 35-in Mud-Terrain tires and bumpers with improved clearance
The Baja-Forged Adventurer is a way of getting your whole family (or maybe just you and a pack of buddies) on an off-the-beaten-track adventure
An even more impressive Ford expedition truck concept, the 2018 F-150 XLT SuperCrew "Modern Adventurer" 
The F-150 Modern Adventurer includes an A.R.E. bed cap and TruckVault storage drawers, along with a James Baroud roof-top tent
The Ford Modern Adventurer also includes an upgraded suspension, Fuel Stroke wheels and Fuel Gripper M/T tires, and fender flares
A.R.E. LED lighting adds some illumination power
Hyundai originally revealed the Rockstar Energy Moab Extreme Santa Fe Sport Concept without a tent, but it must have thrown a CVT RTT up there for effect
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with ARB roof-top tent
Ram 3500 with Lance camper
Ram 3500 with Lance camper
Fast-Trac Designs Jeep Wrangler with matching BCT trailer
Ram 1500 pickup with bed rack-mounted roof-top tent
Ram 1500 pickup with bed rack-mounted roof-top tent
This Sprinter was all closed up, so we couldn't see if it had full camper van amenities inside, but it's clearly designed for off-road adventure
A different kind of expedition utility vehicle: High-clearance Subaru Forester with trailer in tow
This rig includes a Yakima roof-top tent on the trailer and a mini-bike for tighter riding
We wouldn't want to drive anywhere in an RV low-rider, but it does look pretty cool outside the SEMA entryway 
Some Mercedes Sprinter accessories from Odin Working Group
Hellwig originally showed this NissanTitan XD expedition vehicle at last year's SEMA Show
A Lance camper and raft of accessories turn the Titan XD into a full overland camper
Pickup truck holding a roof-top tent and spare tires
Pickup truck holding a roof-top tent and spare tires
A Yamaha bike ready for adventure, on show at WD-40's booth
A pair of truck campers outside at SEMA
The truck on the left is the Habitat from AT Overland
Toyota pickup with Alu-Cab roof-top tent
The Jeep Wrangler up front tows sleeping accommodations atop the Rugged 'n Ready trailer
To Extreme Off Road Jeep Wrangler with the company's Rugged 'n Ready trailer in back
Turtle Expedition overland camper
The Turtle V is based on a Ford Super Duty F-550 4x4, according to the Turtle Expedition website
The XV-HD wasn't open for interior touring when we stopped by, but we were at least able to snap a quick peek inside
The US$1.5 million EarthRoamer XV-HD expedition vehicle makes its debut at SEMA 2017
The XV-HD includes space for up to six people, and luxuries like an entertainment system, washer/dryer and marble counters
The EarthRoamer XV-HD is based on the Ford F-750 with 330-hp 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V8 engine
From what we saw of it, Recon Campers' Nissan-based camper van offers a really slick, compact package for open-road adventure
Recon Campers has based its van on the Nissan NV200
Yakima x Poler limited edition SkyRise roof-top tent
Expedition rig from Equipt
Patriot Campers at SEMA 2017
Dometic expedition rig
Dometic expedition rig
Expedition vehicles of SEMA 2017
TJM Patriot Campers trailer
TJM expedition truck
A big highlight of SEMA's overlanding offerings, American Expedition Vehicle's Outpost II concept
The Outpost II offers a camper option for the Jeep Wrangler chassis
AEV wasn't revealing much about the Outpost II, saving most of the details for Overland Expo 2018
AEV Jeep Wrangler Outpost II camper
Hookups on the AEV Outpost II
Hookups on the AEV Outpost II
Expedition pickups of SEMA 2017
Wilco Offroad highlights its slick TireGate swing-out pickup spare tire holder. It offers a number of styles
Bullet Liner Hummer with CVT roof-top tent
Moby1 expedition trailer
In addition to Patriot Campers' trailers, the company's impressive LC79 expedition truck was on show
This Patriot LC79 includes a roof-top tent, dog create and slide-out refrigerator
Patriot LC79
Patriot LC79
RVs, expedition trucks and other adventure rigs of SEMA 2017
View gallery - 60 images

The SEMA Show is all about the cars and trucks showered in aftermarket accessories, bright colors and crazy-creative customizing. But mixed in with these headlining stars, you'll find at least a few camper vans, off-road expedition trucks and even a seven-figure motorhome or two. This year, we found more than usual, both market-ready motorhomes and wild expedition vehicle concepts. So we grabbed photos of everything with a fiberglass camper cabin, pop-up roof and fold-out tent and put together a gallery of all of SEMA's live-in adventure vehicles.

American Expedition Vehicles Jeep Wrangler Outpost II

The Outpost II offers a camper option for the Jeep Wrangler chassis

The highlight of our camper search was easily the Outpost II from American Expedition Vehicles. Over the years, we've seen dozens upon dozens of Wranglers hauling trailers and roof-top tents, but few neatly integrated Wrangler campers. AEV is exploring the possibility of filling the niche with the Outpost II and has developed the concept atop its JK350 Wrangler package. With the interior unfinished, it was keeping quiet about the finer details at SEMA, but we do know that there's an external slide-out with Partner Steel stove and National Luna refrigerator (which was tucked away when we were snapping photos but can be seen on AEV's Facebook). And the clamped roof sure looks like a pop-top.

AEV rolled out the Outpost II to highlight its forthcoming high capacity suspension system, but it is testing the waters on the model and should have more details at Overland Expo 2018. A rugged, compact hard-sided camper built on a Jeep Wrangler? We have to imagine those waters will be running quite hot (though estimated pricing might cool them quickly).

Patriot LC79 Super Tourer

This Patriot LC79 includes a roof-top tent, dog create and slide-out refrigerator

We've seen Patriot Campers' impressive off-road trailers before, but we haven't seen its Super Tourer adventure trucks in person prior to stumbling upon this LC79 at SEMA. The LC79 is based on an extended Toyota Land Cruiser Dual Cab with turbo-diesel V8, but Patriot has done all kinds of work bumper to bumper, making it virtually unrecognizable. In back, the company's mounted a 1,200-lb (544-kg) winch and added a variety of drawers and toolboxes below the bed. Up front, it's worked in a snorkel, bull bar and 1,200-lb winch. Options like the mini canopy with fridge slide, dog crate and James Baroud Evo roof-top tent fill out the truck tray. Patriot also adds an EFS suspension, ROH wheels with Mickey Thompson tires, Clearview mirrors and an under-tray water tank and pump.

The LC79 is available in Australia starting at AU$124,990.

Recon Envy Camper Van

From what we saw of it, Recon Campers' Nissan-based camper van offers a really slick, compact package for open-road adventure

Not everyone needs a six-figure off-road masterpiece built to turn over rocks in the world's most unexplored corners. Some just need a small, simple camper to tour from park to park, or beach to beach. California-based Recon Campers offers just the ticket with simple, affordable conversions for the Nissan NV200.

Recon packages start at $6,999 for a basic pop-up roof with built-in bed, rising to the $25,000 Envy full conversion it showed at SEMA. On the Envy, it includes both the pop-up roof bed and a seat-conversion bed in the cabin, a kitchen with portable stove, sink, fridge/freezer and storage, a 110Ah AGM battery, a 10-gal (38-L) fresh water tank, an exterior shower, and an available hot water heater. For 2018, it's adding a 7-in touchscreen for system monitoring and control. Our impression: it looks like a great package for those that want something small and simple but with all the usual camper van amenities.

Ford commits to the expedition life

While Chevy (with help from AEV) designed a very cool, capable Colorado ZR2 expedition pickup without overnight accommodations, the competition over at Ford committed to overnight expeditions in a serious way, showing a couple vehicles with tent canvas sticking up from the roof. Perhaps the decision to go expedition was easy given that the new Expedition is one of Ford's latest. That full-size SUV did feature on one overnight adventure machine you can see in the gallery, but our favorite was an F-150 build named the "Modern Adventurer."

The Ford Modern Adventurer also includes an upgraded suspension, Fuel Stroke wheels and Fuel Gripper M/T tires, and fender flares

Prepared with help from A.R.E. Accessories, the focus of this F-150 4x4 XLT SuperCrew truck is on preparedness, organization and off-road performance. An A.R.E. cap on the bed provides a roof over top the TruckVault storage drawer system and K2 cooler, and an A.R.E. roof basket adds more storage in front of the James Baroud roof tent. The truck's M/T tire-wrapped Fuel Stroke wheels are cushioned by a Skyjacker suspension system with Fox shocks, an Air Lift LoadLifter, and Hellwig sway bars and stabilizers. Other additions include LED lighting, N-Fab steps and bumper, and a Kicker audio system.

See the other motorhomes and expedition rigs of SEMA 2017 in our gallery, and also be sure to check out our coverage of the US$1.5 million EarthRoamer XV-HD, which made its debut at the show.

View gallery - 60 images
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1 comment
guzmanchinky
In my opinion, the best go anywhere, fit down most roads, and still have decent interior space and quality is the small Sprinter 4x4 from Sportsmobile. That first Wrangler sure looks cool, though...