Global Expedition Vehicles

Exploring the Earth, Roads are Optional
Article Date: March, 2015

Article and Photography by Mark Quasius

Safari Extreme

The vehicle we spent the most time with was the Safari Extreme, which is built on a Mercedes Unimog chassis. This chassis is nothing short of amazing. Three locking differentials allow you to lock either axle from left to right as well as a center differential to lock both axles together. The electronic shift transmission lets you select the desired gear and range. When you stab the clutch the transmission automatically shifts to that gear. The forward control cab has a deep windshield that lets you see the area immediately in front of the vehicle. When driving a Unimog chassis I was surprised to find how it handled. It stuck to the road on curves like a sports car, yet when it came time to go off road it escalated to simply amazing. As a passenger, climbing a steep bank all I saw was sky. Cresting the bank was effortless and going down the other side I was so close to vertical that all I saw was the ground ahead of me and had to place my hands on the windshield to keep from leaving nose prints on the glass. The vehicle was truly unstoppable.

The Unimog chassis is designed for universal travel. Simply release a few locking levers and the entire instrument panel, steering wheel and foot pedals can be slid from side to side to accommodate left hand drive or right hand drive. The chassis has numerous power take-off options. A front mechanical PTO can be used as a drive source while a number of hydraulic connections allow use of hydraulic accessories. Winches and auxiliary lighting are all standard on GXV vehicles. Spare tires can be mounted on the front bumper or on the rear of the vehicle with a lowering mechanism. A cargo carrier is mounted to the roof of the cab for carrying bulky cargo, water cans, food storage, etc.

Vehicles can be custom ordered and equipped to meet each customer's needs. This particular unit was destined for an African safari company and included a mast that telescopes to 27' which includes a high end camera that displays images inside the vehicle on a 46" TV. The window over the dinette is mounted in a large flip-out wall section that can be opened up to afford a greater viewing area

Durability

Now that we've established that GXV vehicles can get to out of the way places, the next issue is durability. The stress of overland travel creates unique requirements on this type of vehicle. GXV begins by mounting their coach to the frame with a proprietary Kinetic Mounting System that prevents the coach from flexing by allowing the frame and suspension to articulate and twist but isolates those dynamic forces from the expedition body. This system also helps to isolate the coach from road vibration and noise when driving. Every GXV design is rigorously tested for articulation and stress with a cross test.

The sidewalls are constructed with a structural composite sandwich panel. This eliminates thermal conduction paths by eliminating any aluminum tubing required in normal stick framed construction. The fiberglass reinforced polyester outer plies are vacuum bonded to the inner foam and finished with a gel coat. Typical wall thickness is 60mm (2.36") and provides superior strength to handle the flexing, wind and extreme temperatures of overland travel. The 110mm floor structure is similar but also includes an integrated welded frame structure.

GXV utilizes efficient marine grade wiring and electrical components to maximize available power and minimize electrical consumption. Typical flooded batteries can only be used to around 50% of their rated capacity without damage to the battery and also need to be located in a vented exterior compartment due to the hydrogen outgassing during charging. AGM batteries remove the outgassing element and offer a bit more useable amp-hrs before battery damage but still aren't perfect. GXV utilizes Lithium-Ion batteries, which are the ultimate, although quite expensive. With Lithium-Ion batteries there is no outgassing and the full rated amount of the battery capacity can be used. GXV places Lithium-Ion batteries in a storage area inside the body and gives a GXV vehicle the maximum possible battery power.

Plumbing needs are met by a 125 gallon fresh water tank and 25 gallon gray water tank. A cassette toilet is provided for convenient waste disposal when traveling overland. All plumbing is installed inside the vehicle to prevent any possibility of freezing when camping in cold weather. A water filtration system is provided and filling the fresh water tank from a stream is possible via a water pump and the microbiological drinking filter installed at the kitchen sink. HVAC systems consist of a 15,000 BTU air conditioner with heat pump and a Webasto hydronic heating system that also serves as an engine block preheater. Domestic hot water needs are met by an Isotherm hot water heater, which is heated by the Webasto boiler.

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