As a form of travel, overlanding is growing in popularity. And there are a number of RVs that are aimed specifically at the overlanding world including the AEONrv, the AT Overland Aterra XL, the EarthRoamer HD on the large side, and the TruckHouse BCT Overlander on the smaller side. But none of those is quite like the Armadillo Conquistador F.Â
What it is
The Armadillo Conquistador F is an absolute beast of an RV that has four axles, each with gigantic Michelin® 14.00R20 XZLâ„¢ all-terrain tires. Each axle is driven on the MAN chassis, meaning this is a machine for people with a lot of money to go places where others can’t.Â
How much money? About $1.4 million bucks. Well, $1,360,000 to be precise. But that’s not so bad when you think that you would spend the same on this Newmar King Aire and not have nearly as impressive a rig as this.Â
That lowly Newmar doesn’t have eight-wheel-drive, for example. Nor does it have an upper patio.Â
Upper patio
That’s right. The upper deck on this rig has a roof that can be raised. That reveals an upper patio deck that features a U-shaped dinette as well as a full upstairs kitchen that duplicates the induction cooktop of the lower kitchen. There’s also a cooler-style fridge up here—so nothing’s missing.Â
That includes a giant TV on one end that sort of folds up as the top is raised and salutes into position on the far end of the space.Â
The flooring, table and counter tops are a gorgeous wood surface. It’s just a great place to come and spend time. In fact, should you take this on a safari, what better way to sneer at the lions and such than from up here? And if you have the right leaves, perhaps a giraffe might step up for a snack. You’re right at giraffe head level.Â
Roads and the lack thereof
This thing is pretty incredible what with the eight-wheel-drive and all. But it can also go through water up to four feet deep without batting an eye. There are 210 gallons of diesel fuel aboard, so you could travel some 1,400 miles before having to fill up.Â
Oh, yeah. So you don’t have to get out your own calculator, that’s about six-and-one-half miles per gallon of diesel. And, again, that’s about a grand for a fill-up with fuel prices where they are now.Â
What’s inside the Armadillo Conquistador F
If you’re into counting, count two kitchens, three refrigerators, and two really huge TVs. There’s also a combo washer-dryer aboard.Â
Interestingly, the roof that covers the upstairs terrace is also loaded with solar. So you don’t necessarily have to tap into that pricey diesel just to enjoy all the comforts of home.Â
MAN … What a chassis
The chassis on this is built by German truck and bus manufacturer MAN. While we don’t really see this brand here in the U.S., you do see it in much of the rest of the world. The company makes everything from medium-duty trucks to big buses and heavy-duty trucks. It’s not unusual to see a semi tractor with the MAN brand on it in much of the world.Â
Like its biggest rival, Mercedes-Benz, MAN also builds trucks that are very capable off-road. Mercedes-Benz is very famous for their Unimog line and this, sort of, competes with that.Â
Can you get an Armadillo Conquistador F?
Ah, yes. The conundrum of how to get one. Since 2005, MAN has provided their mondo all-terrain-capable platform to Chinese company Zhejiang Ruiye Special Vehicles to produce Armadillo campers. But they only sell these in China. Period.Â
Whether you could go there, wait the approximately eight months to get one, and then bring it back to the U.S. is not something I have the answer to. But you can be darned sure that if you did show up at an overlanding event with this thing, you would probably be the coolest cat in the whole place.Â
Now, the company does make other overlanding rigs, but nothing quite like this.Â
I would love to read your comments and suggestions over on our new forums, where you can weigh in and start or join a discussion about all things RV. Here’s a link to my RV Reviews Forum.
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a lifelong RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. You can find his writing here and at StressLessCamping where he also has a podcast about the RV life with his wife.Â
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
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Did any one else notice no bedroom pictured?
Why do I hear the Star Wars “Jawas Theme” when I see this hulk roll across the sand?
I saw a MAN based camper at a CG in Sedona. Swiss owner was making a trip from the tip of South America to the northern end of the Trans American hiway. His biggest problem here was the 50 Hz, 220 V appliances in his unit didn’t line up with our 60 Hz, 120 V standard. But his unit was nice.
If you have to ask the MPG you can’t afford one.
If I had a choice between this and a standard motor home, I’d pick this. You can petty much go anywhere you want anytime. And yes you can buy one and have it shipped to the U.S. It isn’t any different than buying a yacht, and a goodly share of those are built in China.
My wife and I have watched a program called “Extreme RV’s” that has featured vehicles like this. Not that it’s what we want, but these machines are impressive in their capabilities.
This is the truck that runs the Dakar Rally every January, along with cars, bikes, ATV’s. 4000 miles, 12 days over incredible terrain. Recently it’s been run in Saudi Arabia. Was Africa a number of years ago, but issues with terrorist activity had them move to South America (unbelievable desert, mountains). While we enjoy watching all of the categories, the cars/bikes are the main focus, we love the trucks the best. And…the Russians run the MAN. This past January they took the top 3 spots on the podium. Side note: will be interesting to see if they are ousted next January. Assuming they will be.
I love watching the DAKAR, and Red Bull TV is where I get it. These trucks are amazing. I could see myself driving one of these. Wifey cannot! Ha.
You can watch many of these trucks on YouTube traveling the mud jungle roads In South America while carrying huge loads.
Although they do get stuck on occasion, these trucks are more than capable for unimproved jungle roads in a rainy season. That RV is an interesting model though.