Truck Camper News

TCM EXCLUSIVE: 2023 OEV Cross Country

Overland Explorer Vehicles presents the core of their aluminum and composite panel structure in a new more modular package.  This is the lightest, most simple and most affordable OEV truck camper yet.  The essentials are standard.  From there it’s up to you.

Overland Explorer Vehicles Cross Country Truck Camper

Where features and luxury are often the key selling points in the RV marketplace, durability and reliability are the essential ingredients in the overland world.  This doesn’t mean the RV consumer doesn’t want durability and reliability, or the overland consumer doesn’t want features and luxury.  They do, and they do, but that’s not what the two respective communities generally look for at first blush.

The reason for this divergence is how the two product categories are used.  RVs mainly stick to pavement and campgrounds where features and luxury take the main stage.  Overland vehicles are designed for off-road travel and off-grid boondocking where durability and reliability are critical.  It’s no good for an overland rig to be well-featured and luxurious if it’s out of commission twenty miles from a cell signal.

As a manufacturer, Overland Explorer Vehicles (OEV) is laser-focused on providing the strongest and lightest extruded aluminum and composite panel construction possible.  With their new Cross Country series, the Red Deer, Alberta company is taking the core of their proprietary aluminum and composite panel build and offering it in the lightest, most simple, and most affordable package yet.  For the overland community, this is a solid foundation for a durable and reliable camper.

Of course, the Cross Country is also a blank canvas on which the owner can upfit the Cross Country with anything they need and – Overland gods forbid – features and luxury they want.  Need to keep the Cross Country simple and ultra-lightweight?  Add nothing and go camping with the built-in essentials.  Want something more comfortable and luxurious?  Go wild, and read the next paragraph.

The other big news surrounding the Cross Country is the OEV partnership with Goose Gear, a manufacturer of modular camper components and systems.  Goose Gear is preparing a line of modular storage and utility modules that will interface with the Goose Gear mounting system built into the Cross Country.  This gives Cross Country owners the option of building out their own camper interior or using Goose Gear modular components, or a hybrid of both.  Even better, Cross Country owners will be able to change their camper interior over time to better suit their evolving needs and wants.

All of this adds up to a very exciting concept in overland truck camping.  Start with a core model.  Add either your own interior, or work with a third-party vendor to upfit the camper.  You’re not stuck with the interior you started with.  You can adapt, update and replace items at will.  Durability and reliability are built into the concept.  Features and luxury are up to you.

For a deeper dive into the OEV Cross Country and the Goose Gear partnership, we talked to Arnold Baker, Managing Partner of Overland Explorer Vehicles.

Overland Explorer Vehicles Cross Country Floor Plan

2023 OEV Cross Country Mid-Size Specifications:

The 2023 OEV Cross Country Mid-Size is a pop-up camper made for short and long bed mid-size trucks. The interior floor length of the Cross Country Mid-Size is 5’8”, the interior popped up height is 6’10”, and the exterior width is 77”. The 2023 OEV Cross Country Mid-Size has no tanks. It has space for up to two Group 31 batteries and one 10-pound vertical propane tank.

OEV is reporting the base weight of Cross Country Mid-Size to be 700-pounds. The base MSRP for the 2023 Cross Country Mid-Size is $27,500 USD / $34,925 CAD.  Click here to request an OEV Cross Country brochure.

Cross Country Full-Size Specifications:

The 2023 OEV Cross Country Full-Size is a pop-up camper made for short and long bed full-size trucks. The interior floor length of the Cross Country Full-Size is 6’8”, the interior popped up height is 6’10”, and the exterior width is 81.5”. The 2023 OEV Cross Country Full-Size has no tanks. It has space for up to two Group 31 batteries and one 20-pound horizontal marine propane tank.

OEV is reporting the base weight of Cross Country Full-Size to be 1,095-pounds. The base MSRP for the 2023 Cross Country Full-Size is $28,500 USD / $36,195 CAD. Click here to request an OEV Cross Country brochure.

2023 Overland Explorer Vehicles Cross Country Camper

At first blush, the OEV Cross Country appears to be a more affordable base version of the Back Country (previously the Camp-X). Is that an accurate statement?

For the customer who wants our state-of-the-art composite structure without the cost and weight of a fully-featured unit, we have created the Cross Country. I want to be clear that there are no compromises to our exclusive and industry-leading composite panels, aluminum extrusions or construction process with the Cross Country. It’s as strong and durable and maintenance-free as anything OEV builds, minus the bells and whistles not everyone wants.

2023 OEV Cross Country Interior

The Cross Country features the essentials; a Truma VarioHeat furnace, 20-pound horizontal; marine propane tank, electrical system, battery tray, exterior DOT lights, interior LED lights, a multi-speed fan, a passenger’s side window, USB outlet and 12-volt outlets. The electrical system includes a DC-to-DC charger to pull power from your truck, a battery disconnect and a 10-slot fuse box for adding additional 12-volt components.

2023 Overland Explorer Vehicles Cross Country Truma Vario Heat

We added bamboo tops on the cabinets, cushions on the passenger’s side bench, and a cabover mattress.

2023 OEV Cross Country Front Of Camper

That’s all standard. The idea is to provide the basics and allow the customer to build from there if they choose. Some customers will want to keep it simple and light. Others will want to upfit the unit to their own needs. Either way, the Cross-Country offers our rock-solid composite construction, and a blank slate.

2023 Cross Country Bench

Can you get solar with this camper?

Yes. Customers can option the Cross Country with a 200-watt solar panel, a Victron mppt 100/30 smart solar controller, an additional multi-speed fan, and OEV Molle rear accessory racks on the driver’s and passenger’s sides. All of these options are factory installed.

Overland Explorer Campers Underbed Storage

Above: Options like underbed storage can be added by an OEV dealer

Our dealers then offer a wide range of additional options including our gurney bunk, underbed storage, king bed extension, front light bar, awning adapters, OEV folding non-slip stairs, and OEV soft storage bags.

Customers who option the Cross Country may need to evaluate if it’s more cost-effective to order a Back Country. In some cases, the Back Country could make more sense.

OEV Cross Country Truck Camper Overview

That’s good advice. Tell us about your emerging partnership with Goose Gear and what they’re developing for the Cross Country.

Goose Gear is a vehicle-based storage solution company. They design and manufacture overland-focused gear and supplies for various overland vehicle companies.

We are currently working with Goose Gear to design various interior storage and utility modules for the Cross Country. Once ready, these modules will be available through our dealer network.

We realize that some customers will prefer to build out their Cross Country themselves. We also know many customers will upfit the Cross Country with products and modules from companies like Goose Gear. With the Cross Country, we give our customers the choice.

When will the Goose Gear modules for the Cross Country be ready?

The Goose Gear modules should be ready by March.

The Goose Gear mounting system is an important part of the Cross Country concept. From the factory, the Cross Country will have tracks that will interface with the Goose Gear modules. As a result, the Goose Gear modules can be installed by either our dealer network or the customer. It’s an easy and straightforward approach to mounting that anyone will be able to use.

“It’s as strong and durable and maintenance-free as anything OEV builds, minus the bells and whistles not everyone wants.”

Was there more to developing the Cross Country than just removing standard features from the Back Country?

No, there were zero changes. It’s exactly the same composite and aluminum structure.

What truck makes and models is the Cross Country designed for?

The Cross Country is available for both full size and mid-size trucks.

2023 Overland Explorer Cross Country Camper Interior

Is there a refrigerator option for the Cross Country?

Customers who want a refrigerator could use a 12-volt chest-style refrigerator. That’s an important part of the simple and modular concept of the Cross Country.

Is there a toilet option for the Cross Country?

Again, a porta-potty stays within the modular, take-it-if-you-need-it concept of the Cross Country. Goose Gear will likely be producing a garage module for a porta-potty.

Are camper jacks standard or optional on the Cross Country?

Camper jacks are an option. On every other camper we build, camper jacks are standard.

That decision was made to keep the price point of the Cross Country as low as possible. In addition, many OEV customers remove their standard jacks to reduce weight and improve overland capability.

2023 Cross Country Pop Up Camper Inside

Talk to us about the battery capabilities of the Cross Country.

The battery tray in the Cross Country is located on the front wall under the step-up shelf to the cabover. It can accommodate up to two Group 31 batteries. We don’t supply batteries with any of our campers because there are so many choices and everyone wants something different.

Are there holding tanks of any description on this camper?

No.

What is the standard entry step system for the OEV Cross Country?

We offer our OEV folding stairs as an option. It’s a stable step system that mounts on a bracket on the back doorway and then attaches to the passenger’s side during travel. Those looking for a more affordable option can use a set of plastic or aluminum portable steps.

2023 Cross Country Side View

What does the 2023 OEV Cross Country weigh with standard build features?

The dry weight of the OEV Cross Country is 1,095-pounds without jacks or batteries. That weight is for the full-size model. We haven’t built a mid-size version yet, but we think it will be somewhere between 700 and 800-pounds.

What is the MSRP for the 2023 OEV Cross Country?

The MSRP for the Cross Country Mid-Size is $27,500 USD / $34,925 CAD.

The MSRP for the Cross Country Full-Size is $28,500 USD / $36,195 CAD.

What is the warranty for the 2023 OEV Cross Country?

The warranty for OEV campers is five years. Our soft wall warranty is three years. Auxiliary components have their own warranties.

2023 OEV Cross Country Truck Camper At Factory Alberta

When will the 2023 OEV Cross Country be available?

You can order a 2023 OEV Cross Country now. The Goose Gear modules are scheduled to be available in March. Since not everyone will want the Goose Gear approach, we wanted to make the Cross Country available immediately. It also allows you to camp in the Cross Country and figure out what you need, if anything.

Is the Cross Country ordered the same way as other OEV products?

Yes. We ask customers to work with their local OEV dealers. They will also have the Goose Gear modules when they become available.

Overland Explorer Vehicles Aluma Tray

Will the Cross Country work with an OEV Aluma Tray?

Yes. Dimensionally the Cross Country is identical to the Back Country in either full size or mid-size.

When we announced the Back Country back in August 2021, you stated that the wait time was improving as the supply chain improved. Has that trend continued?

Yes. The supply chain situation has improved for everyone. We’re not back to 2019, but we’re no longer facing challenges like we experienced in 2020, 2021, and early 2022.

Will OEV be debuting base versions of its flatbed models including the Alpine and Hudson Bay?

That has been discussed internally. It boils down to customer demand. We’re not pursuing base versions of the Alpine and Hudson Bay, but we are open to suggestion. If that’s something that interests you, please give us a call.

Are there more new truck camper models or features in development at OEV?

Yes. We are working on a hard side Hudson Bay. That product moves away from the overland crowd a bit and focuses on the broader truck camper and RV marketplace. We’re very excited about it.

“The Cross Country provides shelter, comfort, and heat. What our customers do next is where the fun begins.”

Is there anything else you’d like to share about the Cross Country?

I’m excited to see what our customers do with the Cross Country. Starting with our proven composite wall and aluminum extrusion construction, there’s almost limitless potential. That’s the advantage of the Cross Country over everything else we build. The Cross Country provides shelter, comfort, and heat. What our customers do next is where the fun begins.

For more information on OEV, visit their website at overlandex.com. Click here for a free OEV brochure.

 

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