Custom Off Road "Towverlander" Build; Cheap Earthroamer

[@BigTireGarage]

Use code 50BTG to get 50% OFF plus free shipping on your first Factor box at bit.ly/3ZVIy3V !

[@starkastic]

I appreciate the “use what you have” mentality.

[@johnmichaels4330]

Lol, starts from a million dollar motor home and finally settled on using what he owned. 😂 yeah I guess

[@badapple65]

Bingo!

[@danwahl5231]

Looks like another great interesting project. Thanks for keeping it in the obtainable realm for the regular folks.

[@BigTireGarage]

Glad you like it!

[@xozindustries7451]

You must be the only guy with one of those Nissan Cummins that didn’t puke the drivetrain, most around here are gone now. Don’t get me wrong that is the truck Dodge should have built instead of the Eco Diesel, it’s too bad they had drivetrain issues

[@BigTireGarage]

I agree with that

[@1320Jason]

Look forward to watching the series!!!

[@stevematthews684]

Great to find Ian again. Missed him after Xtreme 4X4! And love the idea of Towverlander! Subscribed!!

[@BigTireGarage]

Welcome aboard!

[@leemen]

I have a similar setup on a 24 ram 3500 with a palomino 8801. Just swapped it over to an aluminum utility bed giving us a ton of storage. I pull a 36 foot trailer with 2 Jeeps so I needed a dually. Love the term towverlander.

[@TBoandMo]

I'm ready for more content on this project. With all those years of rolling the idea around in your head i'm sure you're excited to get this started.

[@BigTireGarage]

This build is going to be way different than anything I've done before!

[@johntotten4872]

This build is going to be awesome. Growing up my Dad had a Cab over camper (What we called them) we used for hunting, camping and when we would go on long road trips (Visited Yellowstone in it) The ole 71 Chevy C20 drove like a champ with it. Cab overs are far from perfect but give you the basics in a compact package.

[@99unclebob]

this will be a very interesting series to watch Ian, A friend of mine here in Central Canada had a Titan XD and so many people bad mouthed him for his choice of truck and meanwhile some 7 or 8 yrs later, the ones who had bad mouthed him bought from the big 3 and have had nothing except trouble with their trucks and his Titan XD like your has been routine diesel maintenance and batteries twice these Canadian winters are hard on all batteries especially when your starting your truck in -35 weather and have an engine block heater, i think he has done an alternator also, it is a good truck to build into your own version of a Towverlander ,look forward to the build 👍

[@WastelandgarageAMC]

It's going to be a cool build and stand out I like unique off the wall builds

[@Grizzlyowner89]

Can't wait to see this build. Lifted duallys are pretty cool.

[@BigTireGarage]

They're even cooler when they're purpose-built like this one!

[@kylemartin2594]

Good build coming. And..most importantly..content!!😊

[@dirtleg13]

I have a 2019 Titan XD diesel. It is so much more capable than people acknowledge. I regularly pull my Skidsteer or excavator on a 25' goooseneck with it. Loaded trailer weight up to just over 16k. (Yes I know it's technically not supposed to tow that much. What's the old saying? Smoke if you get em) Pulls it just fine even on the interstate through the mountains of Virginia. I did pull it over the mountain to my property once and that is a 9 degree (16% slope) hill with 15 mph corners. Yeah that was probably too much. I'll go the long way around from now on. Looking forward to how this turns out.

[@BigTireGarage]

I can tell you that some test engineers at a certain engine manufacture has tested the Titan with 20K pounds on a Gooseneck trailer and the truck pulled equal to the Ram 6.7

[@g.p.880]

This is what this channel is all about, I luv it. What a build. I'm excited to see you pull this off.

[@JM-4716]

Do an easy to follow build series please ! This IS the content.

[@BigTireGarage]

Yep...gonna do exactly that!!

[@geejay5653]

That T6500, or any similar cabover medium duty, will make an amazing tow/overland rig once companies like Edison Motors advance the tech for truck diesel electric retrofit kits a bit further. Once they get the offroad traction tuning sorted, it will be as simple as adding 2 (or 3) appropriately sized electric axles, a use-appropriate sized battery pack, and a (once again use-appropriate sized) onboard diesel generator.

[@BigTireGarage]

I have been watching what Edison does and I am very excited to see what they come up with for the pickup world as well

[@geejay5653]

@@BigTireGarage I'm very interested to watch the progress on this very interesting build. I had a 2016 Titan XD Cummins Pro4X that I built out pretty decently. I planned to get a light slide in camper for the XD, but seeing that I get bored quickly, I sold that and built a Rapor with a GFC, and then sold that and now am building an F350 Tremor 7.3l with a Tune M1 camper.

[@RobPattinson-ui2qh]

Perfect project. I've enjoyed all of them, but this one is particularly interesting. Thank you for laying out the idea for us. I look forward to seeing how you build the bed, it's a very nifty design. Can't imagine how you're going to squish duallies under that beast, but you always have a creative solution. Have fun! We certainly will watching.

[@BigTireGarage]

Thank you very much!

[@cjg1482]

I’m on a similar journey. My 2016 f250 was totaled a few months ago. I went with a 2024 f350 srw crew cab. I have a Lance slide in camper and will be getting a flatbed trailer for my off-road rig. You have more fab going than I will. My 2016 was a short bed, the 2024 is a long bed. My Lance is a full hardside and bigger but My wife and I have lived out of our Lance for months at a time. We went hardside for better temperature control. We have some months in the southern heat in the summer and the dead of winter in the north. I’m looking forward to the full build.

[@cjg1482]

You can’t forget that tongue weight adds to rear axle weight. I’ll be using a weight distribution hitch.

[@jeffhoffman3429]

A lot of good points are made. I enjoyed the thought process.

[@BigTireGarage]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@benjones3329]

I’m stoked to see this come to life

[@sbcbaits994]

A buddy of mine built out a 4x4 ambulance a couple of years ago. It’s bad ass.

[@BigTireGarage]

I have seen those build outs..they do look pretty rad!!

[@hwi7114]

Very cool idea and I'm definitely glad you are doing it on a relative budget, makes it more relevant to most of us that watch your content.

[@BigTireGarage]

I am glad you think so!

[@fredrickbrainard]

Go for it.can't wait to see what it look like

[@dmwi1549]

I’m glad you explained the project. Initially I thought you were taking a wrong turn and would have a maxed out, I’ll handling truck with no tow capacity. Wish you luck. I got rid of my pristine low mileage 2006 Tundra after putting a 900lb Four Wheel camper on it for that same reason.

[@rogerj412]

I love the concept of this truck. Can't wait to see it come to fruition.

[@BigTireGarage]

Thanks...I am super excited about it

[@thelonewrangler1008]

That camper slide in looks great

[@user-tv5dt3nm9y]

I’m with ya on this one. I had many of the same ideas and conclusions for a truck. The pop up camper is a key element. ALL trucks, campers, and RVs are crazy expensive. Melding together camper and truck like this will equal more than the some of their parts.

[@BigTireGarage]

I think it was a good mix of both worlds!

[@thisballcaplife9696]

Gonna be a good series!!

[@jkgtss30]

Can’t wait to see it. Your channel Ian, you don’t need to justify any decision you make.

[@BigTireGarage]

Thanks...I appreciate that.

[@bsterris1615]

I built a capable 1976 Woodsman RV. It's built on a std wheelbase Dodge pu. It came with a 360, 727 & 203, 44 front & 60 rear - like a good old Dodge would. If's been a journey... I change it to a 6BG1T, Allison, 205 twin stick, 60 front (2009 dodge big brakes), 11.5"14 bolt rear (2009 Chevy), hydro boost, air bags in all 4 corners, etc = AWESOME! I'm in to it for $54K all in. (onboard air system, SS 20 gallon water tank, fireplace, new fridge/stove, flush toilet, etc - proper RV).Those dam single tires rear do limit you, but duals suck off road. I'm at 5500# front and 4800# rear (loaded), without a trailer.

[@BigTireGarage]

That build sounds amazing!!!!

[@bjen8935]

I built my 2016 Titan xd diesel with a lance 650. Great engine, mileage and awesome off road. I took it all over the country and up to Alaska with no issues besides normal maintenance.

[@BigTireGarage]

Sounds like a great setup!

[@alexrusho1928]

I'm so excited for this project...

[@BMGProjects]

I’m glad to see a Titan build. I had a 2007 SE and now a 2019 Pro4x XD with the diesel engine. They are awesome trucks.

[@patricksilvester9879]

Ever since you first got your nissan titan xd with the cummins and talked about it on xtreme 4x4 I have always wanted one. I pulled the trigger and finally got a 2016 titan xd with the cummins on new years eve this year (2024). Had 65k miles drove it for 2 weeks and the turbo went out 😢. I ended up getting a new low pressure turbo for it and swapping it out. I also did some other things to hopefully make it more reliable so it don't happen again down the road. Looking forward to racking up some crazy high miles on it now. You do some crazy awesome builds and inspires me and what I did with my old jeep wrangler rock crawling it and now this nissan titan pulling a 31 foot camper that me and my girlfriend fully renovated 😎. Thanks for the inspiration bud.

[@BigTireGarage]

Sounds like a rough start, but glad to hear you got it sorted out!

[@manahaneicetea]

This is exactly what I want to build!

[@mwaofvt]

Go Ian go! You got this! Looking forward to the end product and step-by step creation! Marry Christams, be safe and carry on! ll the best!

[@reecewatson5311]

Ian my parents had one back in the 70's all though their's was in a 65 chevy truck. 350 granny low tranmission only problem was no 4 wheel drive and it wasn't a pop up. We camped with 3 kids and my parents, we loved it. So you should love stretching the truck.

[@jamesshirley5875]

Hell yeah I’m gonna keep track of the build, I think it’s a great idea!!!

[@iddddaduncan]

So cool, I'm looking for one to go in my F250

[@charliebrown1828]

Yes!! I’m just as excited about this as I was the Apocalypse vehicle.

[@timwaddell9450]

Its funny how many people make comments or hate on nissan, yet never have owned one. I have a 2018 cummins, only issue i have had is the soot sensor going out. Its a rock solid truck. You need to do maintenance, i change the oil on time and fuel filters every other oil change. I add a Titan 50gal tank as well. Go talk to any one, everyone will say their brand is awesome, do a google search, they all suck according to the internet. Go with what you like. Next i typed the above before watching the vid. Yes and yes, this is exactly where i am at as well. You cam extend these truck and source a longbed from a single cab truck. I too thought about extending the truck, and swapping in a different rear end. Popcorn ready!

[@BigTireGarage]

I honestly think the people who have trouble with the Titan are people who bought diesels...and don't do diesel truck things.....you have to load up that engine....get the exhaust up to temp.....keep track of your Turbo Temps....stay on top of maintenance

[@lennyross2813]

We went through this process years ago. Started off with a tent, suv and a trailer to transport crawler.. then we went with a truck to get a slide in camper and crawler on a trailer.. then ended up with a goose neck trailer with the slide in camper on goose neck. now I am back to the truck with either a slide in camper OR a topper camper. Which ever i can get a deal on! Which is what it always comes down to .. How much F'n money ya want to spend on a hobby....which the answer is always ALL OF IT!

[@CaseyCannady]

Love it! Great new project... can't wait to watch you build it out. Thanks for the great content Ian.

[@3411bigd]

You are now one of my new favorite channels I’m a big fan of the Cummins titan due to being a Nissan technician and avid owner of a 2017 Titan xd

[@BigTireGarage]

Glad you like it!

[@motor2of7]

Exactly the setup I was thinking

[@Uneek637]

Man this makes me want to put a custom flatbed on my 02 F250 so much. Love this concept.

[@ThatGuysChannel4Whatever]

Kick ass. Love this idea.

[@CarlRobb]

Will definitely be following this build!

[@marcocasillas5023]

That's exactly what I've been looking into. But with tandems in the back

[@evloftis4143]

Cant wait to see this build

[@marcpikas2859]

Good plan. Will be watching..

[@adventurefurtheroffroad]

Can’t wait to see this thing! I have a F450 tow rig that have been itching to do similar.

[@BigTireGarage]

Great starting platform with that F450

[@olebloom1641]

Looks like a fun project.

[@hoagiesherlin7732]

Love the earth roamer for a fraction of the cost plan can't wait to see what you build i know it will be baddass

[@ajfarson]

I'm looking forward to this build!

[@motohut]

Can't wait to see the build, for off road power look into the Ecoflow battery pack with alternator charger.

[@BigTireGarage]

I have already been talking with @redarc

[@anthonynespoli117]

I am stoked about this like I was when you built that Nissan NV3500 on 4 wheeler.

[@BigTireGarage]

That Van was so cool!!!

[@rickybobby1681]

I'm all in subscribed, ready to watch this build 🙌

[@BigTireGarage]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@davidechols6797]

Awesome truck build.

[@deerstrike1050]

I had a similar idea. To use for a long distance tow rig. I look forward to what you come up with.

[@BigTireGarage]

Thanks, I am excited about this build too!

[@mr.karnage]

Looking forward to see the build come together 👌🏽

[@burtonr]

I was with you through all of those decisions! Makes sense.. yea, good idea.. then the project plan! AWESOME! I know you'll pull it off, and when you do it'll be amazing! Can't wait to see it come together Also, really liked you're "here's the problem, so I got THIS" haha!

[@BigTireGarage]

Glad you are following along!

[@MikeStapler]

awesome idea looking forward to more

[@BigTireGarage]

Thanks, I am too!

[@lorenmeyer5290]

Can't wait to see this build! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@gilb3844]

After waiting two months for the release of the Nitto Terra Grappler G3, I got them installed (285-60 R20) on my 2017 F150 Crew Cab lifted 3inches by Rough Country & 2inch wheel spacers with no rubs. The tire’s “E” load rating is performing great even w/truck bed empty @40psi, however tire walls carry a lot more capacity at higher pressures (max 80psi) if necessary.

[@lbcitycycle]

This makes me so happy!!

[@arnoldflowers-2502]

That truck is going to be sweet!!!!!!

[@LarryHurd-j4t]

Looking forward to this build!

[@BigTireGarage]

Thanks, should be fun!

[@DestinationBFE]

Liquid spring suspension! Spendy but awesome.

[@5litermustangfreak]

looking forward to the build!!

[@azpaquin]

Love the plans for this! Excellent strategy!!

[@demmarcsxr]

Interesting. Instead of a stretch, consider shrinking the cab to a single or possibly a 'club' config, while making the bed longer for the camper?

[@BigTireGarage]

That would be a lot of sheet metal work...plus I want to keep the quad cab

[@larryboschen1287]

I can't wait to see this build come together.

[@targetshootr]

Very cool. My new favorite channel.

[@BigTireGarage]

Thanks! Glad you like it.

[@joshsos5541]

Can’t wait to see you tear in to this project!

[@DJ-yp4kc]

good plan ..... what i would call a Utility Box

[@Kevintherubiconjeep]

Destination Adventure vibes for sure. Been thing about doing this on my nearly mint 01 f350 4x4 drw.

[@BigTireGarage]

I love his content TBH

[@Halfwheelhell]

I’m ready! Let’s go!

[@jimalton1564]

I can't wait for this build! It is very similar to what I've been considering to pull my Jeep. Just a suggestion- please look into weight rating laws before starting the build. Some states just let you register at whatever GVR you tell them you want, but as someone who travels- you need to look into other state's laws. Many states, such as my home state of New Hampshire, only go by the OEM door tag rating. They don't care what you do to the frame, suspension, axles, and brakes- you still can't go over the OEM weight rating. The only solution is to go to the state and request a new rating based on your modifications. This could be as easy as telling them the rating of the new axle, or as complicated as having to provide an engineering report showing the strength of frame upgrades. Just something to keep in mind, because there are states who would throw the book at you, especially if there was ever an accident.

[@fernandoalvarado243]

Love it I have an 18 and it is pretty capable with what you’re doing with it. I have towed so much with mine and yes the rear frame is weak in this truck. What if you install airbags instead of springs. With independent valves allowing you to level your camper when needed.

[@greedyg76]

Ian ! As a long time truck camper guy, I can say that camper is sorely mismatched for that truck in terms of center of gravity and payload. Also please get rid of those Brophy style clamp on tie downs. I’m impressed you’ve identified it’s not the “right truck” yet Super excited to see how you address those issues and improve this rig to meet your needs. Sub’d

[@BigTireGarage]

I agree and I plan to fix it.

[@Wildlandfirefighting]

Looks like it's going to be a cool build series, I think you should consider moving the camper up against the rear of the cab to minimise the rear overhang thus improving towabilty by keeping the tow hook closer to rear axle center

[@BigTireGarage]

I thought about that and I might still do that...I really have to weigh out the options of that "front" garage part

[@anthonynespoli117]

Can’t wait to watch this build my friend. Wish I lived close by. I would work for free. 😂

[@micklaporta4503]

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS , and as usual your content is the best

[@BigTireGarage]

Thank you....and the same to you

[@yeldawg907]

Thank you for actually bringing up gvwr and payloads, alot of people overload their rigs with massive campers and think airbags will somehow increase the rating of their axle. So many KZbinrs and Fab shops dont ever bring this up

[@BigTireGarage]

One of the reasons that I actually weighed the truck and talked about weight distribution...when the truck is finished it will be very clear how it all works out

[@ferngullyfarm]

Going to be a great build. Awesome explanation.

[@droberts573]

Well, get to work 😂. Can't wait to watch the progress. Sounds like it will be a awesome rig.

[@BigTireGarage]

I'm already on it!

[@craigdonalson3573]

i have 60 years of hauling a 4x4 coast to coast. my current rig is a 97 chevy 3500HD standard cab service truck. the bed is 9'x 7.5' of enclosed space with a/c, microwave, sink and shower, 3500 w gen, all the space i need for up to 2 weeks. gvw of the truck alone is 15k. lots of room for tools and spare parts for the buggy, jeep or RS1. i'm into it for about 14K. i was just at the hammers and will soon go to sand hallow. i have had every kind of tow pig camp setup you can think of and have boiled it down to this. everyone has different idea of what works. find what works for you

[@BigTireGarage]

Love the sound of that rig....and yes...everyone has different needs

[@LeGrandMetalWorks]

I’m stoked to see this build!!

[@dainperrault585]

Excited to see this build,

[@Colorado-overland2020]

Oh I can’t wait for this one!!

[@BILLJR79]

This is gonna be cool to watch .

[@Cheeser1764]

I thought about exactly what you’re doing, Ian; but in the end I went with putting the truck camper on a gooseneck trailer and just pulling the one trailer with both the rig and camper on it. It also allowed me to build compartments under the camper (where it would normally slide in the bed) for tools, parts, generator, etc. Since my tow truck was already a Ram Cummins, this was the most economical way to go.

[@BigTireGarage]

I thought about that...but I occasionally want.just the camper

[@squeakin3]

Stoked to see this!

[@mrJakestetler]

Can’t wait to see this one finished

[@KyleRoss-r9p]

Omg!! You read my mind. I’ve got a 32’ gooseneck with a lance truck camper and a Cummins. I’ve thought about extending my Cummins and permanent mounting my camper lol

[@BigTireGarage]

A permanent camper mount is a great idea

[@mattthewr1983]

Stoked for this build

[@kyle-of-For-When-I-Forget]

Cool idea! Can’t wait to see it come together

[@jasonlightfoot4145]

Looking forward to seeing this build 💫🤙