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In the event of the Apocalypse, this RV's military-grade chassis makes it ideal for getting the hell out of town.
• Designed for overlanding or doomsday scenarios, this RV is a mash-up of a camper and a military-grade truck chassis.
• It has a Cummins diesel 6.7-liter inline-six, four-wheel drive, a queen-size bed, a shower, and roof-mounted solar panels.
• Registered as a 2012 BAE Systems Titan motorhome, it currently has an $85k bid on Bring a Trailer, and the auction ends on Wednesday, May 4.
If Instagram has taught me anything, it's that people who have vans converted into campers are cooler and happier than I am. The proof is in the perfect composition of their photos, from the unwaveringly sunny vistas to their unquestionably authentic smiles. However, in the event of the Apocalypse, when even the brightest Insta filter can't hide the hellscape in the background, I suspect the happy-go-lucky vibes of #vanlife to go on hiatus. Meanwhile, I'll be getting the hell out of Dodge and seeking safety in this military-grade motorhome that I found on the Bring a Trailer auction site–which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos.
Sure, this thing looks as inviting as an ice-cream truck in the Arctic Circle, but it's that industrial aesthetic that captured my attention. Is it a truck? Is it a camper? Upon closer inspection, it's a little bit of both. Beneath the camper portion is a medium-duty, flat-bed truck. While it features the same platform as trucks that BAE Systems supplied to the U.S. military, this example is said to be one of about 50 that were sold to civilians as part of the now seemingly defunct Titan Trucks brand.
According to an old brochure, this 4x4 "Extreme Duty" chassis has a 153.0-inch wheelbase, measures 96.0 inches wide, and has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of up to 24,700 pounds. Moving the 10-plus-ton machine is a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline-six, which in stock form is said to make as much as 325 horsepower and 860 pound-feet of torque. The engine pairs with a seven-speed automatic transmission and feeds all four wheels. The rear axle also has a locking differential to help in treacherous terrain. The truck rolls on a set of 10-lug wheels wrapped with 395/85R20 Goodyear MV/T tires that are rated for combat duty, and what's good enough for Uncle Sam is good enough for me.
Obviously, this Frankenstein RV has more than a few interesting features. Its roof has been reinforced so that it can be walked on, but most of the real estate on top is occupied by a 1200-watt solar-panel system. Above the roof of the cockpit is an aluminum storage bin that can be accessed by ladders on both sides. There are additional storage compartments on the bottom of the camper as well as two power-retractable awnings, LED auxiliary lighting, and even an exterior shower. The long steel bumper that pokes out from behind the truck also has a neat trick; it pivots and is connected to a winch that can raise it for a greater departure angle.
Despite the RV's military specifications, the inside of its aluminum camper looks a lot more comfortable than an army barracks. It might even be something you'd see in your grandparents' Winnebago, except it's a lot more stylish. There's a queen-size bed and still room for serviceable kitchen space and a bathroom with a shower. A pair of folding bench seats with seat belts face each other in the middle of the camper, and when it's time to eat or, say, play some cards, a wood table slides out from under the nearby bed frame. If things inside the camper get too hot or cold, there's an air-conditioning unit and a diesel-powered heater. If things get too boring, there's a TV and a JL audio system to blast some tunes. I can think of one especially fitting song by R.E.M.
In the event that any of my passengers and I need some space as we try to survive the Apocalypse, the cab of the truck is separate from the camper. Up front, there's a set of aftermarket racing seats that look comfy and supportive. The driving position is perfect for big-rig cosplay, with a sky-high seat height and a comically large steering wheel. The huge windshield and flat-nose configuration should provide excellent forward visibility. The truck's abbreviated front overhang should provide terrific approach angles, and in the worst-case scenario of a zombie apocalypse, the steel front bumper will make for an excellent battering ram.