Dunkel Industries creates ultimate off-road RV
2009 Dunkel Industries RV - Click above for high-res image gallery
As they sat looking over the horizon, they realized they had achieved their dream. The guys from Dunkel Industries had driven themselves to a remote spot where they could just relax and enjoy nature at its tranquil best. What made the journey extra special was that they had gotten there in their very own Dunkel Industries Luxury 4x4. Now, "Luxury 4X4" might have some of you thinking Land Rover or Porsche Cayenne. If that's what you're picturing, then all we can say is "Think bigger." Much bigger. Like, so-big-we-can't-get-it-into-the-frame bigger. The Dunkel version of a Luxury 4X4 starts with a Ford F-650 commercial chassis and winds up as the ultimate off-road recreational vehicle.As their website puts it, Dunkel industries was built on the childhood dream of never having to stop because the trail was 'more than the RV could handle.' So they created a vehicle with "unlimited versatility" that utilizes a Fabco military-grade 4x4 system, capable of driving the luxurious "custom wood, leather and Fiberglass interior" to places no RV dares to go. And in case you want to bring some smaller toys along with you into the wilderness, the bed is big enough to haul a car. That bed also articulates to serve as a ramp to load dirtbikes or ATVs onto the roof. No trailer necessary and no 55-mph limitations for this beast.
There's a full list of the vehicle's features after the jump, but some of the highlights include a firewood box, a shower, and the camp seating built into the running boards and storage bins all around the truck's perimeter. The ATVs on the roof are a definite crowd-pleaser as well. We're not sure how much this project cost the Dunkel Bros. or if they are going to make them available to the public, but we do know that this would make the perfect Autoblog mobile HQ for any automotive event from Pebble Beach to the Baja 1000. Check out the Dunkel Industries website for additional photos and information, follow the jump for the build sheet and check out our own gallery below.
Gallery: Dunkel Industries Luxury 4X4
Photos copyright ©2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.
Dunkel Industries Luxury 4X4 Build Sheet
- Custom Seats
- Custom Cabinets
- Center Dash with Navigation, Stereo, Bluetooth, DVD, CD, and Laptop
- Rear Bed/Seat
- Custom one touch entry Stairwell
- Tilt-Bed with ramps
- Truck Levelers
- Extra Water
- 3 Winches
- Tow Package with air hook-ups
- 3 windshield wipers
- Custom Rims and Tires
- Custom Grille
- Custom Bumpers with lights
- 2 Flat Screens 17" and 12"
- LED Lighting (above and under cabinets)
- Rear Closet with Drawer
- 2 Custom Pull Out Tables
- 2 Hideaway Boxes (each side of rear seat)
- 3200 Onan
- Inverter
- Kitchen Sink (folding)
- 2 Burner Stove
- Refridgerator
- Aluminum Bed deck with Tie downs
- Upper Deck (with More Storage)
- Rear Pental Hitch (pivot with spring)
- Front Tow Bar
- Drivers air ride seat
- Upper Cabinets (6 Total)
- Back-up Camera also available for left and right side
- Monitor for cameras
- Four house batteries
- 18,000 BTU A/C-Heater
- Air-Ride for chassis with seperate air ride for cab
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
geo.stewart 4:03PM (8/31/2009)
Starring in the remake of Stripes...
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SimbaDogg 8:52PM (8/31/2009)
haha totally. i love seeing vehicles like this. a part of me thinks it would be right at home in those whacky hanna barbera cartoon races....then the other part knows that something like this would only be possible in the US of A. The canyonero doesn't even compare to this beast.
Venom 4:05PM (8/31/2009)
I kind of like this.
It is actually functional.
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Edsel 4:10PM (8/31/2009)
Functional until you hit a jeep sized trail.
Who stops for whom at railroad crossings with this thing?
montoym 4:24PM (8/31/2009)
That's what I was thinking. Looking at the ground clearance and the breakover angle, it seems that their interpretation of "more than the RV could handle" isn't much more than dirt roads and wide lanes.
Then again, the size of this things throws off my mind a bit, perhaps it has more clearance than it looks like. But, that breakover angle is still the killer there I'd think.
There are much more capable vehicles than this which could be upgraded to similar luxury inside. I've seen a few on AB before even. A quick search brings up the Unicat.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/07/video-unicat-amerigo-international-4x4-rv-guided-tour/
Look at photo #6 in the gallery in that link and imagine how this Dunkel would look sitting there(provided it could even get there).
Jared 5:27PM (8/31/2009)
Functional? No. This thing won't get very far offroad. The angles just completely suck and the ground clearance is poor as well.
If you want an expedition vehicle, check out Unicat. Bring a large wallet. Make that very large.
Venom 5:40PM (8/31/2009)
It is very functional.
The article states that the bed can carry a full size vehicle and you can see the top part holds two ATVs. You can take a trip to the trail, park the vehicle there and unload your jeep or use your ATVs or both.
sparrk 6:22PM (8/31/2009)
Unicat
http://www.traveltowork.net/2009/03/unicat-creates-ultimate-caravan-unicat-ex70-hdq-man-tga-6x6/
Action Mobile
http://squob.com/expedition_vehicles/action-mobil-are-you-man-enough/
GVX Unimog
http://squob.com/expedition_vehicles/gxv-unimog-the-last-stand/
kballs 7:34PM (8/31/2009)
The EarthRoamers are a lot more offroad capable than this.
http://www.earthroamer.com
Shiftright 4:08PM (8/31/2009)
I don't suppose the "Tread Lightly" motto was considered when fabricating this monstrosity.
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eye.surgeon 4:10PM (8/31/2009)
Could the photography be any worse? I can't even get a sense of what this thing looks like.
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Frank 4:33PM (8/31/2009)
We can't always pull a car away from a show and do a full shoot on it, so we try to do the best we can given the circumstances. Click through to the Dunkel Industries website for more photos.
John P. 4:26PM (8/31/2009)
I know what you mean. Terrible photography. It's like they couldn't back up far enough to get the whole thing in the frame. Oh, wait a sec,...
AndrewNoNumbers 4:11PM (8/31/2009)
Did yall know that Dunkel means dark in German?
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MemphisNET 4:12PM (8/31/2009)
Without a 'Ring time who cares :p
Actually this is pretty freaking awesome -- but as stated above, the photo's could have been better.
Mileage? 0 city/1 hwy?
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Hondaman Calgary 12:53PM (9/01/2009)
Exactly, what I really want to know is what the EPA fuel economy rating is, because that is what I will use to decide if I want one...
dukeisduke 4:13PM (8/31/2009)
At first I thought I saw the UPS logo on it.
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Venom 4:25PM (8/31/2009)
So did I.
Dan 8:40PM (8/31/2009)
ditto!
Thought UPS was finally going to move up in the world! LOL
calebe 10:55AM (9/01/2009)
ROFLMAO. thats a joke right.
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