Have you ever wanted to travel to South America in your RV? Perhaps you quickly dismissed that dream because your RV was not up to the rigors of such a trip. If you have a big budget, you may find the answer to your dreams in the Global Expedition Vehicles Patagonia.
The capabilities of this vehicle will blow your mind and take you to places you never thought you could go. Let’s find out more!
What is Global Expedition Vehicles?
Global Expedition Vehicles’ motto is “You’ll run out of the world before you run out of trucks.” These handcrafted vehicles are made in Springfield, Mo.
The product line includes pickup chassis models, medium-duty chassis models and adventure truck models. There are 10 GXV units ranging in length from 12.25 feet to 28.5 feet.
They are built for self-sufficient travel. Travelers no longer have to stop at a garbage dump or search for a fresh water filling station. And travelers no longer have to worry about the convenience of fuel, propane and electricity.
And they’re built to last a lifetime. Built for treacherous off-road routes and extreme weather conditions, these GXV units are at the forefront of off-grid overland travel vehicles.
With high-quality materials and components, you won’t have to worry about anything breaking or malfunctioning along the way. You can simply enjoy your adventure anywhere in the world.
How did Global Expedition Vehicles get started?
In the 1980s, Michael Van Pelt saw an article in National Geographic with photos of a military-looking Mercedes Unimog over sand dunes. He recalled being intrigued by the capabilities of this vehicle. Over the next 25 years, Van Pelt kept talking about this off-road vehicle and how cool it would be to travel the world in one.
Thus was born the idea of the Global Expedition Vehicles. The first design was based on a newer version of the Mercedes Unimog.
Van Pelt wanted performance, durability, comfort and strength. He wanted to build a vehicle with overland and off-road capability that would also have sufficient fuel, water and power storage capacity for months of travel.
Van Pelt completed the first expedition vehicle in 2006 and took a trip to South America. For a year, he never had to use electricity and visited only two campsites.
He even swam down the Amazon for two weeks while running the refrigerator, cooking, and using the necessary electrical outlets for his work.
After further discussions, design improvements, and continuous improvements after his return, the development of Global Expedition Vehicles began.
What makes Global Expedition Vehicles unique?
Even the best overland vehicles can’t compare to Global Expedition Vehicles or the Patagonia. With 10 different models, there is no one size fits all. Plus, you can customize the features.
The Global Expedition Vehicles team is also made up of professionals who have extensive travel experience. You get a motorhome that has been put together by people who know about overland travel.
The materials used to build these GXV units also surpass any other materials used by other manufacturers. It features SCS (Structural Composite Sandwich) panels for the outer structure and a vacuum-bonded fiberglass-reinforced polyester inner core.
These vehicles are lighter, stronger, more versatile and better insulated than molded bodies.
The Mastervolt electric system, combined with solar cells and a diesel generator, is at the heart of the GXV units. The energy-efficient components enable weeks of off-grid travel and months of travel anywhere in the world.
What is the Global Expedition Vehicles Patagonia?
One of the 10 options is the Global Expedition Vehicles Patagonia. You might think you’re dealing with a military vehicle or an armored garbage truck. The Patagonia is designed for a medium duty chassis and has a kitchen, dining area, washroom and sleeping area.
Technical data
The Global Expedition Vehicles Patagonia ranges from 17 to 27 feet long and has a width of 96 inches and a height of 84 inches. It features a Natura opening wall that opens 52 inches wide at 90 degrees for panoramic views.
Depending on the truck’s chassis and features, you may also get cab-to-cab access. Chassis options include a heavy-duty, all-terrain aluminum front bumper for a winch rated up to 18,000 pounds, a roof rack and a rear bumper with a trailer hitch.
Please note: Are you looking for a vacation destination this summer? These destinations will be overrun with tourists in 2023, so you might want to avoid them!
Floor Plan
The standard cabin has a rear sleeping area with a double bed, a cabin dinette on the passenger side and a galley kitchen on the driver’s side. The wet room is located behind the driver.
The galley features granite countertops, a stainless steel sink, induction cooktop, microwave with convection oven and a Vitrifrigo stainless steel refrigerator with 3.7 cubic feet and 2.7 cubic feet of freezer.
The bathroom has a shower, a Thetford cassette toilet, a teak medicine cabinet with mirror, a large teak vanity and a stainless steel sink.
Exterior Features
There are three 200-watt solar panels on the roof. The Patagonia comes with two Mastervolt MLI Ultra 12/5000 lithium-ion batteries and a Mastervolt Mass-Combi inverter/charger.
You can use a diesel generator to power the 14,000-BTU air conditioner with even more energy. In addition, the Global Expedition Vehciles Patagonia is equipped with an Isotherm hot water heater, a 135-gallon fresh water tank and a 28-gallon gray water tank.
Interior
Armor Vision Premium double-glazed windows feature integrated blinds and insect screens.
Thanks to their thermal and sound insulation properties, they are perfect for Global Expedition Vehicles Patagonia.
Upgrade options include a dry bath, washer/dryer combo, bunk bed and additional skylights or windows.
How much does the Global Expedition Vehicles Patagonia cost?
The base price for the Global Expedition Vehicles Patagonia starts at $700,000. This includes standard components and a truck allowance.
Other models in the GXV lineup show significant price differences. The Turtle, built for a pickup chassis, has a base price of $290,000.
The UXV-MAX and Pangea, built for a medium-duty, double-cab chassis, have base prices of $870,000 and $890,000, respectively.
The RAM 5500 Crew Cab Adventure Truck has a base price of $450,000. So prices for all Global Expedition Vehicles vary considerably.
Please note: Can you install a ceiling fan in a mobile home? Click on the link to see how!
How to buy the Global Expedition Vehicles Patagonia
When you are ready to begin purchasing your Global Expedition Vehicles Patagonia, you should first contact the team to let them know your travel goals.
Then, select a truck chassis. GXV can order a chassis, or if you already have your own, your vehicle can be built on it.
Then choose between pickup models and medium-duty truck models. Pickup models range in length from 12 to 21 feet. For medium-duty trucks, the selection ranges from 15 to 30 feet.
Next, customize the floor plan and choose any trim. Buyers then design the interior by choosing cabinets, countertops, flooring, fabrics and leather.
Finally, the construction process begins. But this is no small undertaking. Building the Patagonia Global Expedition Vehicle or any other model requires a lot of research, planning and time.
Is the Global Expedition Vehicles Patagonia worth it?
If you want to travel anywhere in the world without relying on services, the Global Expedition Vehicles Patagonia may be the best option for you.
You won’t have to stop to refuel or recharge. You can go absolutely anywhere, from desert sands to dense jungles. But you’ll need deep pockets to make this dream a reality. These vehicles aren’t cheap. But they’re not cheaply made, either.
You’ll definitely get your money’s worth and have memories to last a lifetime as you venture to the most remote places on earth.
Is Global Expedition Vehicles Patagonia in your future?