LMTV/Brazos/Titan XD4400… is it right for me?

[mattyfatty]

If I were to get a truck like this, do any of you have recommendations where i could get a camper? Any help is appreciated.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

If I were to get a truck like this, do any of you have recommendations where i could get a camper? Any help is appreciated.

If you have to ask this isn't the right truck for you.

All habitats for these trucks are custom built. You don't just "buy" one, you commission their construction or construct them yourself unless you buy a military van or expandable van.

 

[mattyfatty]

If you have to ask this isn't the right truck for you.

All habitats for these trucks are custom built. You don't just "buy" one, you commission their construction or construct them yourself unless you buy a military van or expandable van.

I guess I phrased the question wrong. I was asking for a company to commission the build.

 

[chucky]

If I were to get a truck like this, do any of you have recommendations where i could get a camper? Any help is appreciated.

How much do you want to spend ???? Cause thats why most folks build their own when they get the 200k to 500 k estimates from the few that fool with trucks like this in the states and if you want a real interior built like MARATHON / LIBERTY / FEATHERLITE/ a new chassis and one of these guys build it 1 to 1.5 m their bus/motorhome builds fetch over 2 mil now !

 

[chucky]

Or buy my truck at a GREATLY REDUCED price ! Bring cash !!!!!

 

[Third From Texas]

How much do you want to spend ???? Cause thats why most folks build their own when they get the 200k to 500 k estimates from the few that fool with trucks like this in the states and if you want a real interior built like MARATHON / LIBERTY / FEATHERLITE/ a new chassis and one of these guys build it 1 to 1.5 m their bus/motorhome builds fetch over 2 mil now !

Pretty much this^

Here's a $1.5M RV vs a $20K RV

*mine's the cool one w/o the chandeliers and butler (goes the same places and then some, I can sleep inside, cook meals, take a shower, use the head, work at the computer, and I have $1,480,000 left to hire some really pretty dates for every trip)

 

[Third From Texas]

I guess I phrased the question wrong. I was asking for a company to commission the build.

Do you already have a truck?

Most of the venders either sell DIY habitats or turn key campers.

There are a number of places in the EU that build habs. A few folks have talked about it here in the states, but most end up selling complete rigs.

And there are some turn--key Chinese camper boxes that come kitted out (junk, IMHO) that at least one guy in the US imports (or claims to...never seen one beyond his posts).

Lot's of FB groups about overland builds. Might be a good place to ask.

Might also check Expedition Portal (forums and classifieds)

Expedition Portal

Largest and Oldest Overland Forum

forum.expeditionportal.com

And if you've seen a truck you like, it never hurts to ask the parting price. They are always ALL for sale....

 

[Third From Texas]

I've never understood why none of the camper manufacturers ever came out with a drop-on solution.

Certainly enough trucks in the wild to test the waters. If they can build a 14' trailer for $25K they should be able to sell a reinforced one one w/ wheels in that same price range. Slap it right on the bed or add a subframe as needed.

 

[Third From Texas]

Here's a few folks you could try (but you'll see what Chucky meant about prices):

https://www.globalxvehicles.com/ <--they made the $1..5M truck in the pic with mine

S.A.R. Offroad motorhome RV Camper Expedition trucks

Offroad Rated heavy duty 4x4 6x6 8x8 wheeled chassis trucks, Expedition cross country rated. Used military surplus vehicles for sale

www.planbsupply.com

Globe Trekker® Overland & Expedition All-Season 4x4 Campers | DIY Quick Build

Globe Trekker® Overland & Expedition all-season adventure campers are engineered to provide DIY quick-build designs for off-road 4x4 enthusiasts. USA made.

www.rvglobetrekker.com

Camper Bodies - Douglass Truck Bodies

Camper Bodies Explore farther. Get away longer. Douglass Truck Bodies custom fabricates every Camper Body to fit between your unique truck and camper combination, maximizing the storage space available on your rig. Start by choosing either the 9′ or 11′ base model, which are specially designed...

www.douglasstruckbodies.com

And you could get a composite box from these guys for around $10K:

Purchase Truck Camper - Total Composites

Experience the Ultimate Adventure: Get Your Total Composites Truck Camper from Our Expert Build PartnersUnlock the full potential of your travels with a superior-quality build that sets new standards in RV manufacturing. Our esteemed build partners, recognized for their dedication to quality and...

totalcomposites.com

Then get any one of a million places that build out Van Life rigs to kit it out for you.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Yep. And that's why the military van (M1079) and expansible van (M1087) models are so desirable. Not to mention they cost more empty when new (my 2008 M1079A1R was $325k new adjusted for inflation - and that's a completely empty box) than many of these civilian expedition rigs cost fully equipped - part of that difference is immediately apparent when you see how the habitat's are constructed. I'm using residential house windows in my M1079 box for example - something that would never fly in a civilian habitat since they aren't compatible with the weight and thickness nor the sharp edges that create stress points - all non issues with the military box construction.

 

[mattyfatty]

Thanks for all the help guys. I already own a Titan Brazos TDX4400. We also have a welding shop that can make any modifications to the frame to mount etc. I'm ideally looking for a company to build a 'plop-on', but I know that's asking for a lot. I got quotes from several European companies to make habs, but I don't need anything that costs more than my house. I appreciate all the help!

 

[tennmogger]

I went the Alaskan Camper route. You can get a flatbed model 'plop-on' in whatever length you specify, or standard 10 ft NCO (non-cabover). Set it on the truck bed, tie it down, and go. Set it off and have a normal truck. A side benefit is that the collapsible Alaskan fits tightly within the outer dimensions of the truck so has little effect on where you can take it, compared to the severe restrictions of a huge box on the back.

BTW I have not had an issue with bed flex with the Alaskan. The "bottom half of a shoe box" configuration is very forgiving of any slight flex the FMTV bed has.

 

[IrishGoodbye]

So y’all will probably color me crazy, but I can’t seem to shake the FMTV as a platform for these expedition trucks (given off-road capabilities) ie they were actually meant for this stuff - whereas some of these earthroamer types weren’t… and even if modified to suit off-road use… departure angles, approach angles, break over angles… all lame.

so… had a conversation with a close friend of mine who is a business owner now (diesel truck parts) and stated his life out as a master diesel mechanic. He’s confident we can keep one of these puppies in service.

I have a question though….

Running 395/85R20… are there ANY tire mfrs still selling NEW - ie I can order new with a 2023 date stamp? Michellin, Conti, Goodyear… anyone? Or is everyone completely dependent on “old new stock” surplus tires?

 

[GeneralDisorder]

So y’all will probably color me crazy, but I can’t seem to shake the FMTV as a platform for these expedition trucks (given off-road capabilities) ie they were actually meant for this stuff - whereas some of these earthroamer types weren’t… and even if modified to suit off-road use… departure angles, approach angles, break over angles… all lame.

so… had a conversation with a close friend of mine who is a business owner now (diesel truck parts) and stated his life out as a master diesel mechanic. He’s confident we can keep one of these puppies in service.

I have a question though….

Running 395/85R20… are there ANY tire mfrs still selling NEW - ie I can order new with a 2023 date stamp? Michellin, Conti, Goodyear… anyone? Or is everyone completely dependent on “old new stock” surplus tires?

Goodyear and Michelin make brand new tires - the Goodyear MV/T and the Michelin XZL. The military uses them widely. You just need to find someone that can and is willing to order them. One of the guys I just did an ECO hub install got a new set through a family connection that owned a tire shop. They are out there if you look hard enough and pay the price. Mostly guys buy surplus because the cost of new is typically 3x-6x the cost of surplus.

The tire market *right now* is rough. Mostly because of the Russia/Ukraine "situation" - I've heard from some sources that the DOD went on a surplus purchasing spree - basically buying back any tires less than 5 years old out of the surplus market. Another interesting development is that the Army has been standard on the Goodyear MV/T for the FMTV's for the last ~15 years but it appears that recently they widened their contract with Michelin for the XZL to include the 395/85R20 in addition to the XZL's they already purchase for the HEMTT, PLS, M-ATV, etc. So now we are seeing XZL's show up as replacement tires for the FMTV's.




This is not a bad thing - the surplus world is going to absolutely EXPLODE with tires and ammo and all kinds of spare parts and equipment once the "situation" is resolved and the high rate of burn subsides. Manufacturers are still ramping production of all consumables and that stuff is going to flood the market. This happens every time we draw down - that's why every law enforcement agency in the US has an MRAP or two. The DOD went absolutely crazy on ordering them (there was like 18 different varieties) from every manufacturer that could field a contract and ended up with an unreasonable amount of them.

 

[Third From Texas]

Good info

The Goodyear MV/T and the Michelin XZL are the only way to go, IMO. The old Michelin XML's (lovingly referred to as "May Pops") are best avoided for on road use (especially the older ones). You can literally see them "puff up" along the sidewalls at each of the tread sections. I actually have May Pops on my trailer, but they run very low psi and only get run a few miles until I reach the sand. I have MVT 's mounted up and ready to slap on the trailer, though. But you can see the failure points when you air them up to rated psi:

ymmv

 

[Third From Texas]

So y’all will probably color me crazy, but I can’t seem to shake the FMTV as a platform for these expedition trucks

Not crazy at all. They are extremely reliable platforms once refreshed and maintained.

 

[ckouba]

Running 395/85R20… are there ANY tire mfrs still selling NEW - ie I can order new with a 2023 date stamp? Michellin, Conti, Goodyear… anyone? Or is everyone completely dependent on “old new stock” surplus tires?

On the subject of tires, I know it moves away from the military spec but has anyone looked into the 22.5" wheel options in super single sizes (445 65 22.5 )? Anyone with experience running those?

 

[IrishGoodbye]

On the subject of tires, I know it moves away from the military spec but has anyone looked into the 22.5" wheel options in super single sizes (445 65 22.5 )? Anyone with experience running those?

excellent question, I’m also curious.. the Goodyear G278 is a great tire… can take a heavy load and on a 22.5” wheel I read that I can be aired down as low as ~15PSI

 

[BAE Titan]

You can't look at it as a "new" truck. It's not. It's 11 years old. The rubber bits, the electrical connections and insulation, etc. How are the tires? 7 years is the standard for replacement.

My truck is a 2008 A1R LMTV (built by BAE same as the Titan) that had 2,750 miles on it when I acquired it in 2021 (now has about 13,000 - I daily drive it). I assure you it is ANYTHING but new. I've had numerous electrical system issues related both to maintenance, age, and one severe issue that took 9 months to find (and I was 52D motor-pool in the US Army with more skills, knowledge, experience and access to resources than most) and was ultimately a manufacturing defect. Air compressor blew up, tires were rotten, and many other little things have had to be addressed in the years I've been daily driving my truck. Are you aware that Stewart and Stevenson had NO experience building over-the-road trucks prior to the FMTV? They manufactured mining equipment. BAE (British Aerospace / marconi Electronic systems) bought their tactical vehicle systems division and then promptly cork-screwed the whole thing into the earth, lost contracts, got sued for defrauding the DOD, etc etc and are now GONE.

I could see that truck being a SERIOUS headache - more so that a military FMTV. It's rare, no longer manufactured, the manufacturer is no longer in the business of building trucks, and it's only similar to the FMTV in terms of appearance and possibly shares some final drive and brake system components, mechanical bits and pieces like the steering, cab, glass, etc. The engine and therefore its electrical system will be completely different, the truck will be wired for civilian style lighting.... does it even have a dual voltage 12/24 charging system like the FMTV? The truck will be completely different in almost all the complicated and important ways to understand for service and repair - making it a real beast for anyone to work on. There's no "XD Titan" experts out there in the world - whereas there effectively are a LOT of FMTV experts both here on this forum and throughout the military with several hundred thousand having been built and maintained for 30 years. With this XD Titan you will be effectively completely on your own and you will have to become the expert on that platform. The little googling I've done suggests they made a whopping 50 of these trucks and the pictures of the dash, etc confirm that this will be NOTHING like an FMTV in terms of electrical.

In terms of performance - the 6.7 Cummins can probably be turned up to match the top HP of the 7.2 CAT C7 - which is 370 HP and 931 Ft/lbs. But you still have to deal with the DEF and emissions crap that the FMTV's don't have - more complexity and another fluid to watch.

How long will you be able to register the 2012 in CA? 2010 and older diesel rigs over 14k lbs are already unable to be registered - how long before they target a 2012?

https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/truckstop/pdfs/sb1_faqeng.pdf

The price of the rig is low compared to other comparably appointed rigs. The problem is the platform they chose to build it on. You would honestly be better off with a Steyr or a Unimog - they built way more of those. I can see the XD Titan in some ways being easier than foreign trucks but in some ways possibly a LOT harder since it's an extreme example of low production volume "dead platform" manufacturing. 50 trucks being built in total...... that makes it REALLY rare. When was the last time you saw a Ferrari F50? They built 349 of those......

The biggest challenge to that truck will be up to your limitations. If you can work on it yourself and you want to become THE expert on XD Titan's then you'll be fine. If you must rely on someone in the middle of Wyoming to find a wiring schematic for the truck so they can get the lights working again then you might be there for days or weeks assuming they can eventually find one and can read it - but understand that you WILL be paying for TRAINING for every mechanic that touches it to get up to speed on that truck because they will have never touched one, and will not be willing to pay for learning to work on it since they will almost surely never touch another one.

 

[BAE Titan]

On the subject of tires, I know it moves away from the military spec but has anyone looked into the 22.5" wheel options in super single sizes (445 65 22.5 )? Anyone with experience running those?

I’m a New BAe Titan “ 4x4 owner looking for relevant info ,
is it possible to aquire a “build sheet”,
what really differs from the S&S & the BAe builds,
basically it’s the same manufacturer,
what components changed.
All provide from Steyr .
mines a 2012, Cummins ,Allison … definitely has longer frame rails , than a 1078.
Regards