Click above for more images of the Track Tvan

If you're one of those take-no-prisoners off-road types, then we've found the perfect camper trailer for you. It's called the Tvan, and it's made by Track Trailer. The company, Australian-based and located outside Melbourne, has been in business since 1982. Their Tvan model is specially engineered to eliminate the problems found with conventional flip-over type campers (which stow the tent on the bed). With the Tvan, the tent is stowed in the rear hatch allowing your bed to be kept clean and dry. Even better, a hard roof over your head ensures a better night sleep.

As Track is experienced building military trailers, much of their heavy-duty technology finds its way into the Tvan. Features such as an asymmetric link suspension with Koni shock absorbers, 10 inches of wheel travel, and a 30-degree departure angle allow the trailer to follow the tow vehicle over nearly every terrain. With a hot dip galvanized steel frame, it is also built to take abuse and last. Of course, the kitchen appointments are stainless steel with abundant power outlets, lights, and ventilation to take the edge off of roughing it. It even comes with a 70-liter "food grade" water tank as standard equipment. Now, we found you the camper, you just have to figure out how to get it here... unfortunately, the Australian company isn't shipping to the States.

Gallery: Track Trailer Tvan

Track Trailer Tvan world's beefiest camper trailer originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Pickuptruck.com concludes 2007 Heavy Duty Shootout... who won? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Pickuptruck.com hosts Heavy Duty Truck Shootout to end all shootouts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: Toyota Tundra CrewMax

Gallery: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited

Gallery: 2007 Toyota Tundra

Heavy Duty Toyota Tundra may not happen originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Autoblog Podcast #61 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Mar 2007 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

More powerful than a locomotive? That's what the folks over at Diesel Power are predicting for the future of trucks. Cars and trucks have become more powerful over the years, with today's torque figures dwarfing the 420 ft.-lbs. of torque figures commonly seen in trucks in the mid-1990s. While many factory numbers hit above 500 ft.-lbs. and aftermarket parts can launch drivers above 1,000 ft.-lbs., we have to be nearing the threshold of how big and bulky the transmissions can get and still be efficient, right?

Here's where Diesel Power caught our interest -- a hybrid-electric diesel, except not the kind you're probably thinking of. Something a little more conventional, just not in the automotive world. The idea is that the diesel engine will power an electric motor on each wheel, putting out close to 2,000 lb.-ft. at 0 rpm. Like a locomotive engine, the diesel engine would run at a near-constant speed -- circumstances that run the engine at its most efficient. It may not be technology that will hit the streets anytime soon, but it's certainly something to watch out for.

[via Diesel Power]

Hybrid diesel trucks with no transmissions in our future? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Oct 2006 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Dodge's new diesel debuts at Texas State Fair

Dodge's new diesel debuts at Texas State Fair originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Oct 2006 06:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

GM has revealed the details for its new full-size heavy-duty pickups, the 2500HD and 3500HD versions of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks.

The big trucks offer a huge range of configurations. Buyers can chose the ¾-ton 2500HD or full-ton 3500HD with rear wheel drive or 4WD; with standard or "dually" rear axle; regular, extended or crew cab; 6'6" or 8-foot pickup bed; a large range of gas and diesel engines; smooth-ridin' Z85 or Z71 off-road suspension package; and a variety of trim levels and interior configurations. That'll give you more choices than a McDonalds menu.

Like the Ford Super-Duty, the Silverado and Sierra heavy-duty trucks now feature unique, bolder styling to set it apart from the light-duty 1500 models. The difference can be seen in the shape of the hood, front fenders, grille, headlamps, taillamps and pickup box. The windshield is raked back at a steeper 57-degree angle (making it now slightly more aerodynamic than a barn in a hurricane), and the suicide rear doors on the extended cab now open a full 170-degrees, making it easier for the entire construction crew to squeeze in.

Inside, contractors buyers can specify the standard pickup interior for the WT, LT/SLE models, or a new, more luxurious (you'll swear you were in a Bentley) interior for Silverado LTZ and Sierra SLT. GM is boasting improved interior fit-and-finish, increased sound-deadening insulation, use of higher-quality materials, more nooks and crannies to store yer stuff and improved ergonomics (there's really only way to go). The ravine between the cab and the box has been reduced by a whopping 50%, meaning you'll lose fewer wrenches back there. In the cab you'll also find a host of electronic do-dads including touch-screen sat-nav, DVD entertainment center (with theater-style folding seats in the back - arguably more for ease-of-loading than ambiance), MP3-enabled CD stereo and OnStar.

(Full press release after the jump.)

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Heavy Metal: Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra HD details and pics

Heavy Metal: Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra HD details and pics originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Sep 2006 08:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Heavy-duty pickups by Toyota and Nissan delayed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

GM revamping Duramax diesel for new standards originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jun 2006 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The pending replacement of Chevrolet's full-size pickup for 2007 has been well-documented with a few million grainy spy shots, but this is the first time we can recall seeing the new-for-2008 Silverado HD out and about.  And while most of the KGP Photography captured mule is done up in industry-standard Hefty Bag school of camouflage, it's possible to divine a couple of things: With an 8' bed, it's a predictably lengthy son-of-a-gun. And two, under its hastily-assembled cover, it doesn't appear to look terribly different than the regular strength Silverado.

As Inside Line points out, arch nemesis Ford is planning on further differentiating their heavier duty variants of the F-Series platform, and the existing production versions are already far more visually distinct than their General Motors counterparts.

Which stylistic strategy do you find more appealing? Which will garner consumers' attention in the showroom showdown?  Make your predictions in 'Comments.'

[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]

Snapped! 2008 Chevrolet Silverado HD originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 May 2006 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

To say that Ford's introduction of its revised Power Stroke diesel engine in 2003 didn't go well would be an understatement. Buyers of such engines demand reliability, and the new 6.0L had some rather significant fuel system and induction problems, leading to a large number of service bulletins and even some buy-backs of defective vehicles. The problem has been made worse by the importance of this market to Ford, as it is currently the leader in diesel pickup sales.

In order to convince customers to come back to the Blue Oval instead of straying across the street to the land of Duramax and Cummins, the company is offering a $2,500 "loyalty bonus" to prospective shoppers who own 2003 and 2004 Super Duty pickups equipped with the Power Stroke. The company is backing this with a promotional push by its dealer network, and it's likely that most dealers don't need to be reminded why they should want to retain their buyers of $40K (and up) trucks. We believe that buyers ultimately must be convinced that the engine's problems have been addressed-- and that assurance isn't likely to come from incentives, especially not in a sale environment already polluted with cash-back offers of all varieties. It's our guess that word-of-mouth and the level of attention (and satisfaction) paid to previous problems will determine whether customers come back to Ford, or find their oil-burning fix elsewhere.

[Source: Automotive News]

Ford tries to win back Power Stroke customers with cash originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Mar 2006 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.