EarthRoamer LTi: Ford Super-Duty Carbon Camper
Pickup trucks are popular bases for building overlander explorers. With a camper in the back, a properly-equipped pickup can wander far off-road. Not only is the simplicity appealing, it’s also a necessity. Pickup trucks may have beds, and campers may have storage space, but these trucks can’t exactly haul all the comforts of home. At least, not without some more extensive modifications. Well, Colorado-based company EarthRoamer has done just that. At this year’s SEMA, EarthRoamer debuted the LTi, a carbon-fiber-bodied overlander built on a Ford F-550 Super-Duty.
The Carbon-Fiber Camper
To make the LTi EarthRoamer took a Ford F-550 Super-Duty Lariat Crew Cab 4WD and threw away the bed. In its place is an all-weather-capable carbon-fiber monocoque camper body. EarthRoamer claims the LTi’s construction is stronger and lighter than any other camper on the market. Beyond simple weight savings, Motor1 states that the reduced mass also lowers the camper’s center-of-gravity, making the whole truck handle better both on- and off-road.
The LTi’s design also allows for a lot of storage space. The truck can now store 100 gallons of water and 60 gallons of run-off greywater. There’s also an upgraded 95-gallon fuel tank for the 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine. That hasn’t been modified and develops 330 hp and 750 lb-ft.
But supply space isn’t the only thing the LTi brings.
Interior Features
If the normal bed camper is an exercise in living back-to-basics, the LTi comes closer to a luxury hotel.
EarthRoamer can arrange the LTi’s interior in one of 5 different ways. They mostly differ based on how much space is devoted to seating, sleeping, and cooking. Seating space ranges from 3 people to 6, based on the configurable sofa chosen. The sleeping area is overhead, and fit from 3 to 4 people. But each floorplan comes with a full kitchen and bathroom, complete with hot water, shower, and toilet.
Besides the seating and cooking arrangements, the interior also features multiple outlets, TV screens, and lots of lighting. But interestingly enough, there’s no onboard generator. That’s because the LTi doesn’t need one.
Let There Be (Sun)Light
Instead of using a fossil-fuel-powered generator, EarthRoamer fitted the LTi’s roof with solar panels. The array can generate up to 1320 watts and is linked to an onboard lithium-ion battery pack. The pack is rated for 11 kWh; three of these together could just about power a house.
Pricing & Availability
The LTi is produced by hand at EarthRoamer’s Colorado facility. This also allows the company to customize the build to each customer. But a carbon-fiber-bodied, solar-powered luxury camper doesn’t come cheap. Pricing starts at $590,00 without additional options.
But even at that price, EarthRoamer already has an 8-month waiting list. At least future owners will have a glamorous overlanding experience to look forward to.