In the Spotlight: Mule Expedition Outfitter’s Baja Runner FWC – Truck Camper Adventure
Looking for some inspiration on how to build a great overland truck camper rig? Then look no further. The good folks at Mule Expedition Outfitters have built what has become one of the top rigs of 2019, the Baja Runner Four Wheel Camper Hawk. We first saw the Baja Runner at the 2019 NW Overland Rally and was very impressed with it. Many showcase rigs like this tend to be all fluff and no substance, but not this one. The Baja Runner not only looks great, but is very functional. Indeed, the overland company has plans to take this rig to Baja, Mexico soon. To learn more about the rig and how it was built, we spoke with Dana Marshall of Mule Expedition Outfitters.
TCA: Thanks, Dana, for taking the time to talk with us about the Baja Runner. What inspired you to build such a great-looking rig?
Dana: We try to do a feature-build every year for the Northwest Overland Rally and having just brought on the Four Wheel Camper product line in 2018, it seemed like a good time to do a build with one of the campers. We’re also an AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) dealer and a Norweld USA dealer, so the choice of the RAM 2500 was an easy one that would allow us to display those components as well.
The inspiration for the truck came from our love of exploring the backcountry of North America all the way from British Columbia to the Tip of the Baja Peninsula. We wanted to push the limits of off road capability and creature comforts. The RAM 2500 platform seemed like a good place to start. The regular cab long bed RAM 2500 has a relatively compact wheel base (compared to the crew cab) and with extensive aftermarket support from companies like American Expedition Vehicles, ADS and Norweld we knew we had the ingredients for an epic build that using primarily off the shelf parts. The Creature comforts was left up the folks at Four Wheel Campers. The Hawk Ute pop-up camper provided all the amenities of a small house while maintaining a lower overall weight and center of gravity two things beneficial for unimproved roads and trials.
TCA: Was this rig built completely in your shop?
Dana: With the exception of the paint and graphics, yes. We install all the products we sell and have a great team of guys. We stripped the truck down and had the cab color matched to the Khaki color smooth aluminum siding offered by Four Wheel Campers. The actual painting of the cab was outsourced. We also outsourced the vinyl graphics, although all graphic design work was done in house. The entire build was brought to life virtually with help from Adam Tolman at Box Rocket Designs. Adam completed a full rendering of the truck prior to starting the build. This was done to both encourage inspire sponsors and to give the build team a clear vision for the completed vehicle.
Related News
-
Why Truck Campers Are the New Full-Time Rigs
More people than ever are choosing to live full-time on the road, whether it’s a gap year from college or a retirement ...
Read More -
9 Best National Parks to Visit in The Fall
1. Yellowstone If you want to see wildlife, Old Faithful, or Grand Prismatic Spring without crowds, October is the perfect ...
Read More -
Six Best Ghost Towns in the United States
There are dozens of ghost towns across the country, from deep Appalachia to the remote Death Valley Desert. Some of the towns ...
Read More -
Best Rivers to Fly Fish in The United States
Many of those in our 4×4 camper community love to pack their fishing gear on trips. Lucky for us, there are an ...
Read More -
What to See Along Route 66: Complete Road Trip Guide
Nearly everyone has heard of the classic road trip adventure along Route 66, which stretches over 2,400 miles from Chicago to ...
Read More -
RECAP: Four Wheel Campers & Clean Up The Lake’s Volunteer Event at Fallen Leaf Lake
Four Wheel Campers’ partnership with Clean Up The Lake began in 2022, and we are pleased to share the details of our latest ...
Read More -
Things to Know Before Hitting the Road Full Time
Embarking on a full-time adventure on the open road is a dream for many. It offers the freedom to explore breathtaking ...
Read More -
The Most Affordable 4×4 Camper: The Project M Topper Camper
Embarking on off-road adventures and exploring remote destinations has never been more accessible than with a lightweight ...
Read More -
Adventures with a Ford Lightning & Truck Camper
Mario Marez Growing up in the 70s and 80s my fondest memories were taking family camping trips in my father’s 3/4 ton ...
Read More -
Four Wheel Truck Campers & Turtleback Trailer A Dynamic Duo
By Gary Matos My wife once told me that there is nothing wrong with owning two motorcycles—as long as they serve different ...
Read More