Storyteller Overland Launches Ram-Based, 'Affordable' $399k GXV Hilt Adventure Truck Beast

I do not usually write about campers because my colleagues already cover the subject with passion and professionalism. However, if you want to develop yourself, it's best to sometimes step out of your comfort zone – and right into the adventure truck business. That's what I decided to do the second I laid my eyes on the Storyteller Overland GXV Hilt.

First, what caught my eye was the Ram branding on the front of the adventure truck. Secondly, the amazing rig sticking out the back of the Ram 5500 heavy-duty pickup truck kept me staring at it for minutes on end. But let's turn the clock back a little first.

Back in January 2022, Storyteller Overland – which is said to be a fantastic Class-B RV / adventure van company – made the camper headlines with their acquisition of Global Expedition Vehicles (GXV), a renowned manufacturer of bespoke expedition vehicles and adventure trucks. At the time, the new entity promised its solid reputation in the overlanding community would soon translate into an influential leader in the adventure travel market.

Well, jump to September 2023, and their first foray in the field is ready - Alabama's Storyteller Overland has refocused its attention from all-terrain camper vans (the wide choice ranges from stealthy to beastly), and now they're going into GXV's direction with the Hilt, a heavy-duty camper truck optimized for going farther and deeper off-grid than ever before.

For that, they are using the 6.7-liter diesel-powered Ram 5500, which has morphed into a Class C truck camper that's 27 feet long (8.2 meters) with an isolated living space thanks to a subframe separating it from the chassis and ritzy stuff like an active suspension system plus a roof solar system. The latter consists of 1,325 watts of solar panels, two 3,000-watt inverters, and a 16.8-kWh M-Power System.

While it looks rugged – and carbon plus Kevlar reinforcements add rigidity to the ensemble, inside the module features all the basic amenities of a home-away-from-home – including a lounge with wraparound sofa around the dining table, which converts into a big 60 x 78-in (152 x 198-cm) bed at night, fully-equipped kitchen (note, it's not a kitchenette), a wet bathroom tucked under the alcove, and said towering space with a double bed.

The Storyteller GXV Hilt was officially revealed at the Elkhart RV Open House in Indiana, which is the same location where Westfalia plans to introduce its storied return to the US market. Oh, and one last thing about this 'market-disruptor' adventure truck. While other rigs in the same category sell for $800k to $1 million easily, this new model comes with an introductory MSRP of 'just' $398,786! For a limited time, of course.