Overlanding is the New Hotness – The Detroit Bureau

Overlanding is the latest outgrowth of off-roading, and the practice has been rapidly growing in popularity during the past decade. Simply put, overlanding is traveling long distances over primitive roads or no roads at all, camping, and getting to places that civilization doesn’t reach. 

Unlike conventional four-wheeling, overlanding isn’t limited to finding challenging obstacles within the confines of an OHV area or park made for the purpose. With overlanding, the journey is the point. 

The popularity of overlanding has spawned an industry to support the hobby. Custom-built overlanding rigs can cost up to $250,000 and include enough amenities to qualify as glamping; there’s no rule that says you can’t be comfortable on your trip. 

Coming to the party

The most recent addition to the market comes from Storyteller Overland LLC, which recently unveiled a new Class C adventure truck — aptly named The Hilt — at the Elkhart RV Open House in Elkhart, Indiana.

“When you’re doing things to the highest and best, and the biggest and the most, you’re doing it to the hilt,” states the company’s press release. Of course, “to the hilt” used to mean sticking your sword into someone all the way to the handle, but we’ll go with the modern definition. 

As with other high-end overlanding rigs, from the outside, The Hilt is made to appear rugged and tough. But step inside and you’re surrounded by a comfortable, natural habitat that makes you feel at home no matter how extreme the environment around you may be. Glamping at its finest. 

Most overlanding rigs are essentially bespoke custom builds, and priced to match that description. Storyteller expects The Hilt to be the first mass-produced luxury overlanding vehicle. Buyers of The Hilt can take advantage of extended term RV financing options.

So what is it? 

The Hilt is built on the Ram 5500 chassis, with a proprietary Zero Torsion Subframe system that allows independent movement of the camping capsule from the chassis. It also carries an active hydraulic Smart Suspension System from Liquid Springs, a 20,000-pound electric winch, an Extreme 360-degree exterior lighting package from KC HiLiTES, and a custom nVader rack and storage system from Flarespace.

Inside, buyers get a signature aesthetic design and atmospheric elements such as flowing, radiused corners and dimmable, programmable mood lighting. The interior also features a full-height wet bath, a queen bed in the cabover position, plus a comfortable rear dinette that easily converts into a second queen bed. A full kitchen complete with a convection microwave oven, air fryer, full size fridge, freezer and double burner induction cooktop allow you to prepare gourmet meals on the journey. 

To support extended trips, the rig features a 120-gallon freshwater tank and a 52-gallon fuel tank, which allows for more adventure in between resupply trips. Those adventuring in The Hilt also don’t need to worry about connecting to RV hookups: The Hilt comes with a 16.8 kWh M-Power System with two 3000W, heavy duty, high efficiency inverters (Powered by Lithionics). It also has 1325 watts of sustainable power solar panels on its roof to provide a significant boost to battery life during the day.

“Vehicles like this have historically been outrageously expensive, built to order, and complicated to buy,” said Jeffrey Hunter, CEO of Storyteller Overland. “We wanted to solve for this by making it easier to own and lowering the barrier to entry without sacrificing a single bit of quality — instead actually elevating the quality and capability in the process.”

Hunter’s definition of outrageously expensive may differ from yours, however. Pricing for this flagship of the all-new Storyteller GXV lineup will start at a limited time introductory offer of only $398,786. Those interested in more information should visit storytelleroverland.com/hilt.

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• Source: https://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2023/09/overlanding-is-the-new-hotness/