The ferocious Ford Super Duty camper hunts for adventure and hides anywhere

Just as fierce and unstoppable as its namesake, the all-new Panthera Overland Motorhome is designed to push the boundaries of motorhome far beyond glamping resorts and national park campgrounds. The all-terrain engine comes from one of the most renowned brands in the American automotive industry and combines rugged and sophisticated design.

In a market that welcomes new brands on a seemingly weekly basis, it’s easy to lose sight of the true leaders and pioneers. Based in Georgia, Tiger Adventure Vehicles has been a renowned name in the overland transportation industry since… 1986., decades before the average American even knew that humans were involved in land operations. Tiger has been around for nearly 40 years, remaining a trusted name during Overlanding’s rapid growth from a small niche to a major industry.

While we’ve seen (and gazed jealously at) Tiger in the wild from time to time in recent years, the last time we wrote about their new product was Siberian Back in 2012. Clearly, it’s time to change that, and the company is giving us the perfect reason with the all-new Panthera it unveiled at this year’s Overland Expo East.

Tiger vehicles typically split the difference between basic bay camper vans and larger expedition vehicles, combining the affordable convenience of the former with the dependable all-condition comfort of the latter. They also tend to be simpler and more streamlined than the competition, leaving fancy trucks and over-equipped parts to other builders while focusing on creating an RV with exceptional comfort on the road and at base camp.

The new Panthera is being launched as a slightly larger and roomier alternative to the long-running Tiger Bengal, which is currently the only car in its line-up. It’s not as big as the flagship Siberian we looked at a decade ago, and it rests on a one-ton 3500 series truck rather than the 4500 of the original Siberian. Depending on the chassis and truck configuration, the Panthera measures between 22 and 26 feet (6.7 and 7.9 m) bumper to bumper and has a dry weight range of 10,000 to 12,000 pounds (4,535 to 5,443 kg).

This may not be true Earth Wanderer or Unicat huge, but the Panthera is still a big boy and a tough four-seater for cruising the roads and trails. The 6.7ft (2m) tall interior has a cozy country cottage feel thanks to the neutral combination of white cabinets and walls and gray flooring and upholstery. At least that’s what the debut model looks like: Tiger calls its RVs “semi-custom,” and while the floor plans are set, customers have a say in colors and materials. Past models we’ve looked at have been darker and earthier.

Tiger does a great job of managing the space by placing the living room and bathroom next to each other against the back wall. Buyers can choose between a dining area with two benches pictured or a living room with an L-shaped sofa that converts into a double bed at night. The corner bathroom has a basic layout with a wet bath, cassette toilet, shower and sink.

Further forward, an extended kitchen unit takes up most of the driver’s side wall, providing traveling cooks with a two-seater induction hob, microwave, 122-quart AC/DC refrigerator/freezer, pull-out cutting board and composite countertop.

Stepping back to the passenger side from the front of the kitchen, a pull-out ladder emerges from the storage box under the overhead bed to access the alcove. The cozy bedroom alcove includes a roomy 33-inch (84 cm) high double bed and wall-mounted TV. A vent in the ceiling keeps things cool and condensation-free.

The Panthera’s living space is equipped with a 400Ah lithium battery, 400W solar array, DC charger, 30A 120V shore power, 2000W inverter and Victron touchscreen command center. The space is fully climate controlled with standard roof-mounted air conditioning and hydronic heating, with a full foam insulation package, Arctic Tern windows, and heated tanks enhancing the weather protection package. Available upgrades include an additional 400Ah of battery, an additional 200W of solar power, a larger 3,000W inverter and Starlink internet connectivity.

Tiger’s years of experience in the overland industry are evident in promotional materials that place more emphasis on the rugged, one-piece RV to truck mounting system and aluminum and fiberglass construction than on flashy accessories like tubes, bars and off-road lights. However, that doesn’t mean it completely ignores such additions, offering a full list of off-road upgrade options such as a front bumper with integrated winch, suspension kits, and Rigid Industries lighting.

The all-new Panthera starts at $179,000 for the motorhome itself. Buyers can provide their own truck or purchase one through Tiger; The Panthera is styled after the Ford F-350, but the Tiger can also handle Chevy and Ram trucks. The RV is designed to mount on a truck with an 8-foot bed, four-wheel drive, high/low range and no sunroof.

Buyers can choose their own cabin configuration and choose whether they want two rear seats, one rear seat, or eliminate the rear seat entirely in favor of a flat storage platform.

Source: Tiger Adventure Vehicles