Photos
Exterior and interior photos of the XRV can be found here and here. Be sure to click on the pictures to get the expanded view with captions and comments. Additional detail pictures have now been added here.
Overall Dimensions and Weights
Length: The XRV is 25' 6" long, 26'8" with the spare. The max length is up high and so the functional parking length, especially if backing in, is only 20'. Height: The XRV is 12' 4" tall with highway tire pressures. Low speed pressures bring it under 12'. Width: The width is 8' counting misc odds and ends that stick out a little bit.
Weight: Its weight with the spare, basic service tools, jacks, road safety items, a bit of water and about 80 gallons of fuel is 24,220 lbs (vs a 33,000 lb GVW) with an excellent front to rear balance of 5:7. Additional fuel and water load is biased towards the front axle and of course the driver and passenger are positioned just behind the front axle.
Weight: Its weight with the spare, basic service tools, jacks, road safety items, a bit of water and about 80 gallons of fuel is 24,220 lbs (vs a 33,000 lb GVW) with an excellent front to rear balance of 5:7. Additional fuel and water load is biased towards the front axle and of course the driver and passenger are positioned just behind the front axle.
About the Unimog Chassis
This XRV is built on a 2005 Unimog U-500 chassis with these factory options. Of particular note is the full constellation of options for cold weather operation allowing standalone starting down to -22ºF; Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) coupled with bead-locked tires allowing on-the-fly wide-range adjustment of tire pressures; front, center, and rear locking differentials; and the additional gearbox supplying a working gear range and extremely low speed operating capability. Installed fuel capacity is 170 gallons with 160 gallons usable and, critically for third world travel, the engine has no problem with high sulfur diesel.
Additional equipment installed on the truck itself include the Warn 16.5ti winch, Hella Rallye 4000 Xenon HID offroad lights, Hella Micro DE Xenon fog lamps, Crosby swivel ring (back with the pintle hitch), and a large generator and recovery equipment compartment. In the cab there is a two-arm Jotto Desk, Kenwood 2m/70cm ham radio, and conventional AM/FM/CD radio. Along with standard maintenance, tires and batteries were replaced two years ago.
The truck has been driven 38,383 miles and has 1,008 hours on the engine. All maintenance is current.
Additional equipment installed on the truck itself include the Warn 16.5ti winch, Hella Rallye 4000 Xenon HID offroad lights, Hella Micro DE Xenon fog lamps, Crosby swivel ring (back with the pintle hitch), and a large generator and recovery equipment compartment. In the cab there is a two-arm Jotto Desk, Kenwood 2m/70cm ham radio, and conventional AM/FM/CD radio. Along with standard maintenance, tires and batteries were replaced two years ago.
The truck has been driven 38,383 miles and has 1,008 hours on the engine. All maintenance is current.
About the XRV Camper
Construction and attachment:
The camper is constructed of 3/16" aluminum plate welded to a 3" and larger aluminum C channel substructure, with yet stouter plate on both the bottom and roof. The roof's perimeter is has a limb guard / tie down rail constructed of solid aluminum bar and the roof has permanent lift shackles for crane attach should the need arise to separate the camper and truck. The rear wall of the camper includes two 2" receivers which are currently occupied with the spare tire mount -- other or additional uses (e.g., bicycle or motorcycle mounting) are easily accomplished. At center top of the rear wall is a third 2" receiver -- currently the attach point for the 1200 lb electric winch used to lower the spare. As is usual with expedition vehicles, the camper is attached to the truck frame via a torsion free mount -- in this case, a four point mount with pivots at the front and rear. This is an amazingly tough camper.
Exterior:
Continuing with the outside of the camper, note in the pictures that all of the windows are deeply inset and guarded (all exterior lights are guarded too). This makes them snag proof and much less likely to get into any trouble. And, since they open in graduations from the bottom, they can most often be kept open during a rain storm (one exception being the rear window where rain hits the spare and bounces up and in -- but this window can still be locked into the "cracked open" position). This is a bigger feature than you might think since it allows good air movement even in nasty weather and of course makes rain showers much more pleasant. Both the windows and skylights have both sun shades and mosquito netting. Also, the skylights and windows have a dust proof seal when closed -- another essential for overland travel.
The ladder you see permanently mounted on the rear wall unlocks and swings down allowing easy access to the walk-on roof. Up there you find the tire winch mount, two 185-watt solar panels, the two huge skylights (which also allow full access to the roof), Fantastic Vent, refrigerator vent and stove exhaust. There is space available for some cargo or for the mounting of a third solar panel via wiring and electronics already present for that purpose.
On the front wall of the camper (i.e., facing the back of the cab) there is a long sliding glass window which aligns with the sliding glass window along the back wall of the cab. This is not intended as a "pass thru" for everyday use but the windows do open in a compatible way and it is possible to pass objects or, if sufficiently agile, persons through.
Entry stairs and "stealth" ladder:
The stainless steel entry stairs are mounted to roller rails beneath the camper. To extend the stairs, one releases a couple locking pins, pulls the bottom of the stairs out, lets them down, and re-installs the locking pins. The stairs are built such that they rest directly on the ground and work over a wide range of parking slope angles. Consequently, they are very stable and don't present you with a first step that's "a mile high" should you have to camp on a slope. On some occasions when traveling overland one would prefer to only appear "parked" vs "camped" and so for that purpose a lightweight aluminum ladder is locked to the front exterior wall of the camper which can be unlocked, securely attached to the camper entry, and then withdrawn into the camper itself once inside.
External storage:
The camper has a bit more than 80 cubic feet of locking, weather-secure storage accessible from the exterior of the vehicle and spread among seven compartments. The largest compartment provides 33 cubic feet of lighted "thru" storage extending from one side of the camper to the other and has elevated rails which allow for efficient storage of especially long items beneath and easy "cubing out" via sliding boxes kept on the rails themselves. The second largest compartment (11.5 cubic feet) is actually mounted on the truck frame (visible in pictures beneath the entry door) and is typically used for generator and recovery gear storage. See the storage space spreadsheet for measurements: (xls, pdf).
Interior storage:
The camper has approximately 60 cubic feet of enclosed interior storage distributed between cabinets, drawers, and two under-bed storage areas. There are two large slide out pantries, a full height storage area with hanging storage above and self-closing drawers below, an array of self-closing drawers beneath the stove, under-sink storage, three large drawers that extend beneath the bed, the two under-bed storage areas, and the rest is in eye-level cabinets spread throughout the remainder of the cabin and in a top-opening cabinet at the foot of the bed. See the storage space spreadsheet for measurements: (xls, pdf).
Interior finishing:
The interior is finished with teak flooring with distressed leather wall coverings. All of the cabinets are maple except those in the wet bath which are solid teak. The counter tops and bath walls are Corian. The switch plates and miscellaneous trim / kick plates are stainless steel.
Electrics and lighting:
The camper has a total of 510 amp hours in Lifeline AGM 12V batteries. They and the 130-gallon fresh water tank consume the lowest and most forward positions in the camper. Power inputs are the two 185-watt solar panels via a 50-amp MPPT controller, the 100-amp Xantrex RS2000 inverter/charger which is fed via an isolator-protected external 30-amp VAC marine-type connection, or the Unimog's alternator as its engine runs. The connection to the Unimog's own power system is through a 600-amp solid state power isolator which allows the truck to charge the camper batteries when running, the camper to charge the truck batteries (when they themselves are being charged via AC or solar), and, when manually enabled, for the house batteries to jump charge the truck batteries.
The lights are a mix of LED, flourescent, halogen, and incandescent -- all DC-powered. DC distribution is controlled by a breaker panel on the "control console". Additional high power breakers, switches, and fuse blocks are found in two compartments accessed from the interior. Accessible DC power for portable devices, charging, etc is also distributed within the interior of the camper and is exposed via a combination "cigarette lighter", Anderson PowerPole, and permanently-mounted USB charging ports. The rear lift winch is powered from house batteries and substantial DC capacity can also be accessed from existing fuse blocks for future addition of appliances, etc.
AC power is supplied by the Xantrex RS2000 inverter/charger or in a pass-thru mode if connected to external AC power. AC distribution is controlled by a breaker panel in the "control console". Beyond distribution to various standard plug-in sockets, AC is only used by the combination microwave/convection oven and for backup hot water heating. Everything else is DC-powered.
Water systems and toilet:
Fresh water is stored in a 130-gallon stainless steel tank mounted center forward underneath the dining area. It and the 30-gallon grey water tank are freeze-protected by individual heating mats. Hot water is provided by a 5-gallon tank heated via a remote diesel furnace (via recirculating fluid heat exchange) and backed up with an electric heater element. Fresh water pressure is derived from an DC-powered pump although it is possible to bypass both the tank and pump if an external pressured connection is available and desired. In any case, hot and cold water are distributed to the restroom/shower, to the large sink in the main area, and to two outside connections -- an external shower head and marine-style jabsco hose connection. Grey water is run through a macerating pump and out through a permanently-mounted hose which uncoils from one of the exterior compartments.
The toilet is a Thetford cassette system and so there is no permanent black water tank per se. One simply unlocks an external access door, slides the self-sealing cassette out, extends the handle, rolls or carries it along to any suitable dumping area (quite commonly, a regular commode or outdoor privy). Once emptied, one simply slides it back into the toilet, locks the access door, and is done.
Cooking and refrigeration:
Cooking is accomplished with the Sharp convection/microwave oven and Wallas diesel-fired glass-topped stove. Additional space adjacent to the stove is obtained by flipping up a hinged counter (partially blocking the entry door). Counter space is also available by installing the sink top cover and on the swing-away dining table. The 7 cubic foot DC-powered Norcold refrigerator/freezer is immediately to the right of the stove and beneath the microwave.
Heating and cooling:
Heating is accomplished via the fabulously efficient and quiet Webasto Air Top Evo 3900 diesel air heater. My goodness is this ever a splendid system. With its continuously variable flow rate, it's super quiet and only sips small amounts of power and diesel while doing its thing. I've left the XRV standing alone (no external power) in the dead of winter for over a month at a time with the heater just running along on low keeping everything safely protected while we were away.
Cooling is accomplished the old-fashioned way -- by opening up the huge windows and skylights plus running any of the three quiet variable-rate fans (the two in the bed area and the Fantastic Vent fan). We have traveled through the full heat and duration of two summers and only on the very rarest of occasions have found ourselves wishing for more. And before us, the Van Pelts spent nearly a year touring South America in this camper -- also without AC. With the unusual level of air movement enabled by all these huge openings scooping up the slightest breeze (completely unlike any standard RV) plus solid insulation holding morning cool into the afternoon, there just is not much true call for it.
When the Van Pelts / GXV refurbished the camper at the end of their tour they added a diesel APU generator / AC feeling that they needed to do so for marketing purposes. We tried that for a few months but didn't like to be inside when the generator and AC were running -- we don't like all the sound and don't like feeling "sealed up", isolated from the outdoors. And so as part of a major round of modification we removed both the AC and generator replacing the space with a large external storage bay that has room enough for a Honda 2000w generator, fuel for the generator, and a bunch of recovery gear. If we've had a few stationary days with grey skies and feel the need for some power, we go set the generator a long ways from us, run a cord over, fire it up, and the bliss continues. That's what works for us.
I'm sure some who are used to normal RVs will think, no, they must have AC and there are some applications where, yes, it would be essential. That's fine. Everyone has their priorities and changes things to suit. AC is easily added back through a number of methods and there is ample power capacity routed around to allow those options. GXV or any semi-truck cab heating/cooling outfit can get that done. And that is the end of my rant on cooling. :)
Sleeping, eating, working accommodation:
The dining area seats four around a movable table which pivots on an arm attached to the front wall and can be used in several different positions with its leaves in various stages of deployment, the table pulled towards one side or the other, or even rotated. Each configuration has its application. When bunking a third person or perhaps two children, the whole area reconfigures into a large bunk with storage available underneath.
The main sleeping area contains a full size memory foam mattress with top opening storage at the foot of the bed and cabinets above. Sleeping there you are surrounded by warm leather walls, are well-ventilated by the two huge windows and excellent fans, have reading lights and heater controls at hand, and feel very secure. It's worked very well for us. Headroom above the sleeping platform is 43 inches and about 35 inches above the existing memory foam mattress.
Standing height in the main cabin is 6' 3.5". In the wet bath the standing room is much higher since the entire ceiling there is one large skylight -- making showers extra nice since you can flip the skylight completely open and avoid any moisture build up. With the dining table folded up and pushed to the side, you can also stand under the skylight there and, with a stool, pop your head up above the top of the camper to survey the scene.
Control console:
Located above the dining table area under the upper front cabinets, most AC and DC breakers are located here. As well, the panel contains the primary voltage and current usage displays for both AC and DC, controls for the Xantrex charger/inverter, controls for the hydronic water heater, a totalizing ammeter (the primary instrument for determining battery charge levels), Fantastic Vent controls and a digital altimeter (often useful for determining whether to run the stove and air heater in their high altitude modes).
The camper is constructed of 3/16" aluminum plate welded to a 3" and larger aluminum C channel substructure, with yet stouter plate on both the bottom and roof. The roof's perimeter is has a limb guard / tie down rail constructed of solid aluminum bar and the roof has permanent lift shackles for crane attach should the need arise to separate the camper and truck. The rear wall of the camper includes two 2" receivers which are currently occupied with the spare tire mount -- other or additional uses (e.g., bicycle or motorcycle mounting) are easily accomplished. At center top of the rear wall is a third 2" receiver -- currently the attach point for the 1200 lb electric winch used to lower the spare. As is usual with expedition vehicles, the camper is attached to the truck frame via a torsion free mount -- in this case, a four point mount with pivots at the front and rear. This is an amazingly tough camper.
Exterior:
Continuing with the outside of the camper, note in the pictures that all of the windows are deeply inset and guarded (all exterior lights are guarded too). This makes them snag proof and much less likely to get into any trouble. And, since they open in graduations from the bottom, they can most often be kept open during a rain storm (one exception being the rear window where rain hits the spare and bounces up and in -- but this window can still be locked into the "cracked open" position). This is a bigger feature than you might think since it allows good air movement even in nasty weather and of course makes rain showers much more pleasant. Both the windows and skylights have both sun shades and mosquito netting. Also, the skylights and windows have a dust proof seal when closed -- another essential for overland travel.
The ladder you see permanently mounted on the rear wall unlocks and swings down allowing easy access to the walk-on roof. Up there you find the tire winch mount, two 185-watt solar panels, the two huge skylights (which also allow full access to the roof), Fantastic Vent, refrigerator vent and stove exhaust. There is space available for some cargo or for the mounting of a third solar panel via wiring and electronics already present for that purpose.
On the front wall of the camper (i.e., facing the back of the cab) there is a long sliding glass window which aligns with the sliding glass window along the back wall of the cab. This is not intended as a "pass thru" for everyday use but the windows do open in a compatible way and it is possible to pass objects or, if sufficiently agile, persons through.
Entry stairs and "stealth" ladder:
The stainless steel entry stairs are mounted to roller rails beneath the camper. To extend the stairs, one releases a couple locking pins, pulls the bottom of the stairs out, lets them down, and re-installs the locking pins. The stairs are built such that they rest directly on the ground and work over a wide range of parking slope angles. Consequently, they are very stable and don't present you with a first step that's "a mile high" should you have to camp on a slope. On some occasions when traveling overland one would prefer to only appear "parked" vs "camped" and so for that purpose a lightweight aluminum ladder is locked to the front exterior wall of the camper which can be unlocked, securely attached to the camper entry, and then withdrawn into the camper itself once inside.
External storage:
The camper has a bit more than 80 cubic feet of locking, weather-secure storage accessible from the exterior of the vehicle and spread among seven compartments. The largest compartment provides 33 cubic feet of lighted "thru" storage extending from one side of the camper to the other and has elevated rails which allow for efficient storage of especially long items beneath and easy "cubing out" via sliding boxes kept on the rails themselves. The second largest compartment (11.5 cubic feet) is actually mounted on the truck frame (visible in pictures beneath the entry door) and is typically used for generator and recovery gear storage. See the storage space spreadsheet for measurements: (xls, pdf).
Interior storage:
The camper has approximately 60 cubic feet of enclosed interior storage distributed between cabinets, drawers, and two under-bed storage areas. There are two large slide out pantries, a full height storage area with hanging storage above and self-closing drawers below, an array of self-closing drawers beneath the stove, under-sink storage, three large drawers that extend beneath the bed, the two under-bed storage areas, and the rest is in eye-level cabinets spread throughout the remainder of the cabin and in a top-opening cabinet at the foot of the bed. See the storage space spreadsheet for measurements: (xls, pdf).
Interior finishing:
The interior is finished with teak flooring with distressed leather wall coverings. All of the cabinets are maple except those in the wet bath which are solid teak. The counter tops and bath walls are Corian. The switch plates and miscellaneous trim / kick plates are stainless steel.
Electrics and lighting:
The camper has a total of 510 amp hours in Lifeline AGM 12V batteries. They and the 130-gallon fresh water tank consume the lowest and most forward positions in the camper. Power inputs are the two 185-watt solar panels via a 50-amp MPPT controller, the 100-amp Xantrex RS2000 inverter/charger which is fed via an isolator-protected external 30-amp VAC marine-type connection, or the Unimog's alternator as its engine runs. The connection to the Unimog's own power system is through a 600-amp solid state power isolator which allows the truck to charge the camper batteries when running, the camper to charge the truck batteries (when they themselves are being charged via AC or solar), and, when manually enabled, for the house batteries to jump charge the truck batteries.
The lights are a mix of LED, flourescent, halogen, and incandescent -- all DC-powered. DC distribution is controlled by a breaker panel on the "control console". Additional high power breakers, switches, and fuse blocks are found in two compartments accessed from the interior. Accessible DC power for portable devices, charging, etc is also distributed within the interior of the camper and is exposed via a combination "cigarette lighter", Anderson PowerPole, and permanently-mounted USB charging ports. The rear lift winch is powered from house batteries and substantial DC capacity can also be accessed from existing fuse blocks for future addition of appliances, etc.
AC power is supplied by the Xantrex RS2000 inverter/charger or in a pass-thru mode if connected to external AC power. AC distribution is controlled by a breaker panel in the "control console". Beyond distribution to various standard plug-in sockets, AC is only used by the combination microwave/convection oven and for backup hot water heating. Everything else is DC-powered.
Water systems and toilet:
Fresh water is stored in a 130-gallon stainless steel tank mounted center forward underneath the dining area. It and the 30-gallon grey water tank are freeze-protected by individual heating mats. Hot water is provided by a 5-gallon tank heated via a remote diesel furnace (via recirculating fluid heat exchange) and backed up with an electric heater element. Fresh water pressure is derived from an DC-powered pump although it is possible to bypass both the tank and pump if an external pressured connection is available and desired. In any case, hot and cold water are distributed to the restroom/shower, to the large sink in the main area, and to two outside connections -- an external shower head and marine-style jabsco hose connection. Grey water is run through a macerating pump and out through a permanently-mounted hose which uncoils from one of the exterior compartments.
The toilet is a Thetford cassette system and so there is no permanent black water tank per se. One simply unlocks an external access door, slides the self-sealing cassette out, extends the handle, rolls or carries it along to any suitable dumping area (quite commonly, a regular commode or outdoor privy). Once emptied, one simply slides it back into the toilet, locks the access door, and is done.
Cooking and refrigeration:
Cooking is accomplished with the Sharp convection/microwave oven and Wallas diesel-fired glass-topped stove. Additional space adjacent to the stove is obtained by flipping up a hinged counter (partially blocking the entry door). Counter space is also available by installing the sink top cover and on the swing-away dining table. The 7 cubic foot DC-powered Norcold refrigerator/freezer is immediately to the right of the stove and beneath the microwave.
Heating and cooling:
Heating is accomplished via the fabulously efficient and quiet Webasto Air Top Evo 3900 diesel air heater. My goodness is this ever a splendid system. With its continuously variable flow rate, it's super quiet and only sips small amounts of power and diesel while doing its thing. I've left the XRV standing alone (no external power) in the dead of winter for over a month at a time with the heater just running along on low keeping everything safely protected while we were away.
Cooling is accomplished the old-fashioned way -- by opening up the huge windows and skylights plus running any of the three quiet variable-rate fans (the two in the bed area and the Fantastic Vent fan). We have traveled through the full heat and duration of two summers and only on the very rarest of occasions have found ourselves wishing for more. And before us, the Van Pelts spent nearly a year touring South America in this camper -- also without AC. With the unusual level of air movement enabled by all these huge openings scooping up the slightest breeze (completely unlike any standard RV) plus solid insulation holding morning cool into the afternoon, there just is not much true call for it.
When the Van Pelts / GXV refurbished the camper at the end of their tour they added a diesel APU generator / AC feeling that they needed to do so for marketing purposes. We tried that for a few months but didn't like to be inside when the generator and AC were running -- we don't like all the sound and don't like feeling "sealed up", isolated from the outdoors. And so as part of a major round of modification we removed both the AC and generator replacing the space with a large external storage bay that has room enough for a Honda 2000w generator, fuel for the generator, and a bunch of recovery gear. If we've had a few stationary days with grey skies and feel the need for some power, we go set the generator a long ways from us, run a cord over, fire it up, and the bliss continues. That's what works for us.
I'm sure some who are used to normal RVs will think, no, they must have AC and there are some applications where, yes, it would be essential. That's fine. Everyone has their priorities and changes things to suit. AC is easily added back through a number of methods and there is ample power capacity routed around to allow those options. GXV or any semi-truck cab heating/cooling outfit can get that done. And that is the end of my rant on cooling. :)
Sleeping, eating, working accommodation:
The dining area seats four around a movable table which pivots on an arm attached to the front wall and can be used in several different positions with its leaves in various stages of deployment, the table pulled towards one side or the other, or even rotated. Each configuration has its application. When bunking a third person or perhaps two children, the whole area reconfigures into a large bunk with storage available underneath.
The main sleeping area contains a full size memory foam mattress with top opening storage at the foot of the bed and cabinets above. Sleeping there you are surrounded by warm leather walls, are well-ventilated by the two huge windows and excellent fans, have reading lights and heater controls at hand, and feel very secure. It's worked very well for us. Headroom above the sleeping platform is 43 inches and about 35 inches above the existing memory foam mattress.
Standing height in the main cabin is 6' 3.5". In the wet bath the standing room is much higher since the entire ceiling there is one large skylight -- making showers extra nice since you can flip the skylight completely open and avoid any moisture build up. With the dining table folded up and pushed to the side, you can also stand under the skylight there and, with a stool, pop your head up above the top of the camper to survey the scene.
Control console:
Located above the dining table area under the upper front cabinets, most AC and DC breakers are located here. As well, the panel contains the primary voltage and current usage displays for both AC and DC, controls for the Xantrex charger/inverter, controls for the hydronic water heater, a totalizing ammeter (the primary instrument for determining battery charge levels), Fantastic Vent controls and a digital altimeter (often useful for determining whether to run the stove and air heater in their high altitude modes).
Included EXTRAS
Documentation: Unimog: maintenance and operations manuals, dealer training manual, body and implement mounting guide, detailed tire changing instructions, parts CD, and maintenance records. XRV camper: manuals for all installed subsystem components, misc diagrams and procedural guides.
Tools and additional equipment: two 32-ton Matjacks with dual controller and hoses (used in self recovery, camp leveling, lateral pushing (e.g., between boulder and side of tires), etc and kept in a custom rack in one of the storage bays); nylon webbing "basket" used in lowering the spare tire; impact lug wrenches w/impact wrench; large tire irons; standard lug wrenches with breaker bar; large socket wrench for raising and lowering the cab; large metric allen-head impact wrenches (used for various undercarriage maintenance); Unimog's standard base tool kit; emergency road flares and triangles kit; wheel chocks; and misc small spare parts and fluids.
Tools and additional equipment: two 32-ton Matjacks with dual controller and hoses (used in self recovery, camp leveling, lateral pushing (e.g., between boulder and side of tires), etc and kept in a custom rack in one of the storage bays); nylon webbing "basket" used in lowering the spare tire; impact lug wrenches w/impact wrench; large tire irons; standard lug wrenches with breaker bar; large socket wrench for raising and lowering the cab; large metric allen-head impact wrenches (used for various undercarriage maintenance); Unimog's standard base tool kit; emergency road flares and triangles kit; wheel chocks; and misc small spare parts and fluids.
