Until now, Storyteller Overland has been known for its off-road class B RVs, such as the Sprinter-based Beast MODE camper van, with tons of storage and an onboard garage for extravehicular activities. However, with its latest model, the Alabama-based adventure brand is pivoting to class C and intends to disrupt the market in the process.
This time based on the RAM 5500 chassis, the HILT expedition truck is a new turnkey rig and the inaugural model of Storyteller’s GXV lineup. Focusing on comfort and off-road capability, the RV is billed as the first of its kind in that it will reach a “much broader audience of customers” since it will be produced at higher volumes. In terms of performance, the HILT’s off-road upgrades include Liquid Springs’ active hydraulic Smart Suspension System, a 20,000-pound electric winch, a custom Flarespace nVader rack and storage system, and a proprietary Zero Torsion Subframe system for independent capsule movement separate of the chassis. Not to mention the KC HiLiTES Extreme 360° exterior lighting package.
On the inside, you get a full-height wet bath, a queen-sized bed in the cab-over, a full kitchen with a full fridge and freezer and a double-burner stove, and a rear dinette that converts into a second queen-sized bed. Aiming to create a “spa-like retreat,” the HILT features an atmospheric design with rounded corners and programmable mood lighting. It all benefits from a 120-gallon fresh water tank and a 16.8-kWH power system with a pair of 3,000-watt inverters and the option of 1,325W of solar panels on the rooftop. Comfort-wise, the cabin — made from a vacuum-infused resin composite with carbon fiber and Kevlar reinforcements — features closed-cell foam insulation and enhanced climate control.
There aren’t a ton of customization options for the RV, but that’s by design in order to make it more accessible to more people. With a price of $398,786, the HILT is expected to become available by the end of the year.
