Beyond builds first hardcore motorhome
German truck, Chinese body and Australian assembly equals $650,000 off-road beastAnother go-anywhere Queensland-built expedition vehicle has hit the tracks, with boutique business Beyond RV Campers recently delivering a new $650,000 off-road motorhome based on a 13 tonne GVM, MAN 4x4 truck.
Destined to tackle some of Australia's toughest Outback roads, as well as overseas overland routes once COVID restrictions on international travel are lifted, the 7.5m long expedition vehicle features a two-berth composite motorhome body from Chinese off-road truck body specialist Zhejiang Armadillo Special Vehicles, with final assembly and fit-out taking place at Beyond RV's Burpengary East factory.
Popular with off-road adventurers, the German single-cab base vehicle boasts dual-range 4WD, three diff locks, rear air suspension and a grunty 213kW/1150Nm, 6.9-litre, six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine mated to a 12-speed auto gearbox.
The MAN-truck based motorhome is Beyond's first foray into expedition vehicles, after building mostly ute and truck based slide-on campers and smaller off-road motorhomes, including this Iveco truck-based car-carrier.
Beyond RV Campers' Lee Qian said the Armadillo motorhome module comes with marine-grade double-glazed glass windows and a keyless electric entry door and steps, and is bolted to a sub-frame body mounting system to allow for off-road 'flex'. Also part of the remote travel package is a centralised tyre pressure and inflation system for its meaty mud terrain tyres.
"Armadillo builds expedition vehicles for China's rich buyers, and is much larger than any expedition vehicle manufacturer in Australia," Beyond RV Campers' Lee Qian explained.
"Each motorhome module is built to the customer's specifications... in China they build everything from $600,000 to $2million motorhomes."
The expedition vehicle offers through-cab as well as side entry to its two-berth living quarters, which features an elevated queen coil spring mattress, cafe dinette, separate shower and composting toilet, and a kitchenette with induction cooktop, sink, oven, and domestic-style 250L 240V fridge/freezer.
Other appliances include a diesel hot water and space heater, big screen TV, built-in coffee machine and a front load washing machine, with quality finishes throughout including Corian stone benchtops for both indoor and outdoor kitchens.
Powering it all is a monster Victron 24V electrical system incorporating an 800Ah lithium battery pack, 1280W rooftop solar, and 8000W inverter (with another inverter solely for the fridge). There's also back-up from a Dometic Tec 29 petrol inverter/generator, and 500 litre fresh and 120 litre grey water capacity.
The Queensland business is currently working on a Unimog motorhome and slide-on camper for a stretched six-wheeler Landcruiser, while it's also offering fixed, cab-over motorhome conversions of the latest Ford F-350 and F-550 pick-ups and equivalent Dodge Rams.
As well as converting customer supplied vehicles, Beyond also offers 'turn key' motorhomes, with build times of up to eight months depending on the project.
"We only focus on high-end, custom-built RVs, not mass production," Lee said.
"We tend to build most of our motorhomes gas-free, to prevent dust from entering (through external gas vents). We'll often fit an external gas BBQ, but that's about it."
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