Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!
Thanks for the compliment. I think the first time people ride in these trucks they feel they are tall and top heavy. When people come visit me to see my build they always use the grab bars. but after a few miles they start getting used to how they ride and lean around fast corners. I don't even notice anymore unless I am on a very steep angle. I have exceeded the 30 deg side slope. I'm not sure exactly what it was but I had "Pucker Factor" as I went through. All was fine, but I was uncomfortable to say the least. I am under $30k for my build and that includes the purchase of my used KLR 650 bike. I did use some of the main components out of my lance slide in camper before I sold it. I used the heater, water pump, fridge, power panel out of it and placed it in this build. If you can find someone selling off a newer camper that is insurance salvage and use some parts one could save huge $$$. Heck, my fridge is $1200. to replace! As for professionally built, the prices could vary wildly. Just depends on what they use, Carbon fiber, composite, aluminum, steel? Also, I don't have a need to turn my faucet or lights with my smart phone! But....I guess some people NEED that sort of thing. LOL. I prefer things that are simple, function well, and should last a long time. Everything breaks, but I don't think I will find a replacement smart phone turn on device down in Baja Mexico or middle of nowhere desert to replace it with if it did break. As for materials cost.... I don't have all of the numbers with me but the aluminum siding and one piece roof sheet was $1200. That consisted of 4 sheets of .050 x 52in x16 ft., 4 sheets .050 x 52in x 9ft., and one roll of roofing .050 x 102in x 17ft. The steel frame structure material was around the same cost. I think some others that I know where going to have friends weld up there "boxes" for about $5000. including material doing it as a side job. Some one had posted that Global Expedition Vehicles were running around $200k for the "box" but they use a lot of what I call G-wiz composites and all of that fancy stuff. Plus they have to make their wallets thick also, IMHO. I didn't use the high end German windows either, I cant afford them. All, please don't take this post as me picking on anyone here. If you need to have a toilet paper roll that operates from your smart phone.......that's cool.
I posted some pics on my thread about Big Bend of a couple of French mini-Expo vehicles that were there. It does happen.
A few months back I'm pretty sure that I crossed paths with the Toyota in Springfield, Missouri.
