$145K 4×4 E-Series RV: Overlander Campers Ridge XT First Look

I recently remarked to someone in the market for one that the high-water mark of the Mercedes Sprinter craze was starting to show, mostly in online second-hand ads. Maybe the luster has begun to dull for some. Or, maybe, it’s the loan come knocking.

Last week, I had the opportunity to duck inside something different. The Overlander Campers Ridge XT is the newest offering from Adventurer Manufacturing (the same folks that churn out Scout Campers), and it squares up directly at the to-the-hilt Sprinter builds that clot upcountry arterials from here to Mammoth.

From the factory, this rig aims to just do it better, with about the same footprint, but a much meaner capability off the beaten path. And the cost? Less than you’d think.

Here’s what I learned about this new offering after a weekend of ogling it recently.

First Look: Overlander Ridge XT

First off, dig into these specs to get a sense of what the Overlander Ridge XT is bringing to the table:

• Base: Ford E-Series cutaway chassis
• Engine: Ford 7.3L Godzilla V8 with 325 horsepower, 450 lb.-ft. torque
• Drivetrain: Six-speed automatic, 4×4, BFG KO2 all-terrain tires
• Suspension: 4” lift, Bilstein shocks
• Camper construction: Insulated walls with a walk-on roof
• Sleeps: 4-6 (cabover mattress is 54” x 84” x 4” thick)
• Dimensions: 20’11” long, 7’6” wide, 9’3” overhead height (Ridge model)
• Gross vehicle weight rating: 10,050 lbs.
• Build-out trim: Three-burner propane cooktop, deep sink, microwave, indoor+outdoor shower, toilet, 400W solar generation system, 20K BTU heating unit, 13.5K BTU air conditioning unit

Overlander Campers

A spur brand under the Adventurer Manufacturing shade, Overlander Campers had a stutter start in 2019, but is now fully rolling again with its reintroduction of the Ridge, Range, and Fjord rec vehicles. The brand builds out of Yakima, Wash., and produces Overlanders in small volumes. 

The rig I got a peek at last week, the Ridge XT, is the smallest of the bunch and is likely most interesting for those looking for full off-road capability — but also the ability to still park the thing most anywhere. The larger vehicles simply add more living space and price, and are also available in 2×4 or 4×4 variants.

Ford E-Series Chassis

Any itinerant mountain guide or drywaller can tell you how reliable the Ford E-Series is. As flashy as a Sprinter van? Hardly, but they’ve been the meat-and-potatoes base for many #vanlife buildouts — check out our recommendations on building your own van.

Ford stopped offering the full E-Series in 2014 when the Transit van replaced it, but the design has continued to be offered as a cutaway (the cab forward, with no van body) for use in vehicles such as shuttle buses and RVs.

This chassis serves as the base for the Ridge and Overlander’s larger-size offerings, the 24” Range, and the 26’ Fjord (built on an E-450 frame). Ford’s 7.3L V8 Godzilla engine provides the powerplant here. Its 450 pound-feet of torque is well-suited to long slogs up steep grades. 

4×4 Conversion Already Handled

A full Quigley 4×4 conversion on a new E-series will run you somewhere north of $20,000 for most models, and that’s after you get your rig to Pennsylvania for the work. And, it’s only available on vehicles with 60,000 miles or less (a detail mandated by the company’s authorization with Ford and its Special Vehicle Engineering [SVE] program).

Given this, having Overlander handle the hard part for you and slap a Dana 60 under the Ridge XT makes good sense. (Note: The Ridge is also available in an LT trim without the 4×4 conversion — MSRP $109,900.) That solid axle is planted under a 4-inch lift with Bilstein shocks, and turns some BFG KO2s straight from the jump.

The Ridge XT also sports the trim you’ll need off-road, with high-and-tight custom bumpers and recovery points.

Floor Plan

The Ridge XT makes good use of the ~21’ length and 7’6” width footprint. It spans between a spacious dinette in the rear and an overcab loft bed in the front.

Thankfully, the brand is well past the orange oak and little-curtain vibe of many RVs. The interior feels fairly modern: white, black, and wood tones fill the inside. A deep double basin sink looks like it came out of your kitchen, and the ability to sleep folks in both the loft bed and the dinette (which converts with the table top) pushes the Ridge XT well past the capacity of most Sprinter build-outs.

The 54” x 84” loft cushion is only a few inches of width shy of a full-on queen bed. The dinette sleeping area should accommodate kiddos well.

Rounding out the space is a three-burner stove top, deep sink, fridge, microwave, and enclosed bathroom, which hosts a shower, toilet, and sink. Walking around in the space, I was impressed by just how much better the Ridge makes use of the room compared to many of the Sprinter builds I’ve been in.

Ridge XT: Pricing, Warranty, and Availability

A cool $144,900 gets you into the Ridge XT trim, which, yes, is serious dough, but a little perspective is always handy: The new EarthRoamer LTx — likely the luxury expedition vehicle — will set you back nearly $800,000.

Then there’s the warranty to talk about: Overlander is Ford Certified, allowing them to make the 4×4 conversion to the van without giving up your vehicle or camper warranty — something you might run into if you contract different companies to build out a van for you.

The company also provides a 3-year structural warranty, and the campers are sold through a network of select dealers.

Direct(ish?) Competition

The Winnebago EKKO Transit is probably the closest thing you’ll come to the Overlander Ridge XT — just not in price. Starting at $215K (the brand also offers a Sprinter version — $250K), the Winne hits a lot of the same metrics, though not all, and for the extra 70 grand, it’d be tough to steer toward it without a good reason. 

First off, there’s an obvious difference between the AWD system of the EKKO and the 4×4 conversion planted under the Ridge XT. Ground clearance, too, is in the corner of the Overlander, with breakover angles that put the EKKO to shame, meaning you could actually wheel the thing a bit.

The 7.3L in the Ridge will have undeniably more muscle down low in the power band (specifically where you might find yourself slow-rolling it in 4L) and makes most of its juice between 1,500-5,500 rpm. 

The EcoBoost 3.5L, on the other hand, will certainly be more thrifty on gas, but has been a bit of a problem-child engine design in lesser displacements. And while the 3.5L version isn’t as prone to coolant leaks and wet timing belt failure, there’s something simply right about sticking with a solid pushrod design like the 7.3.

Is the Overlander Ridge XT a Sprinter Killer?

Is the Overlander XT a Sprinter killer? It could be — for the right person. The Mercedes Sprinter van is popular for a reason. They are available in a versatile set of lengths and roof heights, offer diesel reliability, and, when life changes, hold a high resale value.

That said, the price to get into a Sprinter, and the associated buildouts required to get them road-life-worthy, can now be heady. Undercutting these at $145K out the door, the Overlander Ridge XT comes to your driveway ready to get after it — no aftermarket upfitting required.

Time will tell if the overlanding community picks up the Ridge XT or Overlander Campers other models in earnest. Based on my initial run-in with the rig, it doesn’t feel unlikely.