Every Overland Truck Build Has a Story
For some, it starts with a desire to escape the desk job and travel the world. For others, it’s about off-grid adventures, discovering remote lakes and finding campsites far from the crowds.
For Pavel, the inspiration to build his own ultimate overlanding rig began more than 40 years ago.
As a teenager visiting what was then Yugoslavia, Pavel saw a Mercedes Unimog expedition vehicle for the first time. It wasn’t just another truck. To him, it represented freedom and the ability to travel wherever the road, or lack of road, might lead. The image stayed with him, even as life took him in an entirely different direction.
After leaving Czechoslovakia in 1988, Pavel immigrated to Canada in 1990 to build a new life. He bought his first home in 1993 and established a successful home-building business. Through years of hard work and sacrifice, the idea of building his own expedition vehicle never disappeared. It simply had to wait for the right time.
That time came after Pavel relocated to Christina Lake, British Columbia, in 2021. He began designing what would eventually become XROAMER, a custom overland truck built to reach remote destinations while providing the comforts needed for extended off-grid travel.
Learning From the First Build
Pavel’s first attempt was based on a GMC 3500 Denali. As the build progressed, however, he found himself remembering a lesson from his childhood.
He recalls watching his father and uncle build a travel trailer that turned out to be too heavy for their little Lada to tow through the hills. Decades later, he found himself facing a similar problem. Once the water tanks, batteries, appliances, cabinetry and other equipment were installed, his own truck had reached its limits.
Rather than compromise on the build, Pavel decided to start over.
The result is XROAMER, built on a 2026 Ram 5500 with LiquidSpring suspension, a DBL Design Super Single conversion and 41-inch Michelin tires. The heavier-duty platform provides the capacity needed to carry nearly 400 litres of fresh water, along with the equipment required for extended off-grid travel in backcountry destinations throughout Canada and the United States.
For Pavel, building an overland truck was never simply about larger tires or increased ground clearance. He wanted to create a self-sufficient vehicle that could support the comforts of home while taking him well beyond conventional campsites.
That meant reliable water, refrigeration, cooking, heating, cooling and, perhaps most importantly, electrical power all had to be part of the design.
“I want to stay beside a river, spend the day fly fishing, and know I can come back to a hot shower, a warm meal, and a comfortable bed. That’s what this truck is all about.”
Designing the Off-Grid Power System
With so many systems and appliances depending on electricity, the power system became one of the most important components of the XROAMER truck build.
Like many overland enthusiasts, Pavel researched several off-grid power options before a friend who specializes in Airstream renovations suggested he take a closer look at Samlex. After learning more about the company and discussing his project with the Samlex team, he selected the Samlex 600W Solar & 3000W Inverter Kit as the foundation of XROAMER’s electrical system.
The system combines three Samlex 200W solar panels with an EVO-3012 3000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter/Charger, EVO-30AB MPPT Solar Charge Controller, EVO-RC Plus Inverter Remote, and supporting wiring and solar accessories.
Working alongside an 840Ah LiFePO4 battery bank, the system provides power for the electrical loads that make extended off-grid travel possible.
Powering the Essentials with Solar & Lithium Batteries
The XROAMER electrical system was designed around the way Pavel actually plans to use the truck. That means powering much more than a few lights and charging outlets.
The system supports the refrigerator and freezer, induction cooktop, water pump, hot water heater, diesel heater, air conditioner, ventilation fans, lighting, television, e-bike charging and 120V AC outlets.
With 600W of solar capacity feeding an 840Ah battery bank, the system is designed to provide dependable power while XROAMER is away from campground hookups and conventional infrastructure.
For an overland vehicle intended to spend days or even weeks off the grid, that level of electrical capacity is an important part of the overall design. The power system needs to work alongside the vehicle’s water, heating, cooling and other systems to support the way the truck will actually be used.
Overlanding Truck Built for Extended Off-Grid Travel
Today, XROAMER attracts attention almost everywhere it goes. Whether it’s parked at a trailhead, campground or fuel stop, curious onlookers regularly stop to admire the build and ask questions about the truck. Pavel laughs that one of the most common reactions is simply, “Holy… this thing is crazy.”
But behind the eye-catching exterior is a carefully considered system designed around a very practical goal: the ability to stay in remote places comfortably and independently.
With nearly 400 litres of fresh water, an 840Ah LiFePO4 battery bank and a 600W Samlex solar system, XROAMER is equipped for the kind of extended backcountry travel Pavel envisioned when he first saw that Mercedes Unimog more than four decades ago.
What began as a personal project has also grown into an opportunity to help others design and build custom expedition vehicles of their own.
For anyone considering an overland build, Pavel’s advice is simple:
“Just do it. Live your life and follow your dreams.”
Projects like XROAMER remind us that building an overland vehicle is about more than choosing the right truck or suspension. It’s about creating the confidence to travel farther, stay longer, and enjoy the journey, wherever it leads.
Ready to start overlanding with off-grid power? Check out these Samlex-equipped overlanding rigs for inspiration.
Looking to build a custom overland truck or camper? Learn more about off-road power or contact us to discuss your solar and power inverter requirements.
BUILD SPECS
Project: XROAMER
Base Vehicle: 2026 Ram 5500
Suspension: LiquidSpring
Wheels & Tires: DBL Design Super Single Conversion, 41″ Michelin Tires
Fresh Water Capacity: 400 L
Battery Bank: 840Ah LiFePO₄
Samlex Power System: 600W Solar & 3000W Inverter Kit
Solar Components:
3 × SSP-200-KIT 200W Solar Panels (600W total)
EVO-30AB MPPT Solar Charge Controller
2 × SBC-2-DC Solar Panel Parallel Connectors
Power Conversion:
EVO-3012 3000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter/Charger
EVO-RC-PLUS Inverter Remote
Installation & Battery Maintenance
DC-3500-KIT Battery Cable & Fuse Kit
SC-10 10W Solar Battery Maintainer
Loads Powered:
Refrigerator & freezer
Induction cooktop
Hot water heater
Water pump
Air conditioner
Diesel heater
Interior & exterior lighting
Ventilation fans
Television
E-bike charging
120V AC outlets
