They first created the Hydra Terra, with a 49-passenger capacity and, in 2002, started working on what would become, two years later, the Terra Wind. From then on, the floating RV can be controlled via joystick from the cockpit. After the pneumatic stairs (located on the vehicle's right front side) drop down, we climb in. Terms of Use He and his wife, Julie, 42, live on a five-acre spread in Bluffton in an expansive, airy house that has a koi pond with twin waterfalls in the middle of the living room. John, who is also a pilot, was ferrying an airplane from Florida to New York when engine problems forced him to make an unexpected stop at Hilton Head Island. Located in the southernmost corner of South Carolina, Bluffton is just a few miles inland from Hilton Head Island, an upscale beachfront community known to many as the golfing capital of the South. In fact, theyve since taken all the badging off of it but they still find people standing on the swim deck if they park it somewhere long enough. His name is Larry, and he's in Bluffton, South Carolina, to install a heating-and-air-conditioning system at a nearby business park. Yeah, and theres a Jacuzzi tub. Whether you're cruising on the highway or down a river, you'll do it in style and luxury. Unprecedented 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Deer Valley Edition, CHEVROLET SALUTES SPECIAL FORCES DURING ARMY-NAVY GAME, AUCTIONS AMERICA LIFTS GAVEL ON WORLD FAMOUS. Got an RV we need to look at? So they installed a plethora of high-end features and accessories. Why? Theres an on-board air compressor to inflate the pontoons. There are granite countertops, marble tile floors, and teak cabinets ("for a nautical feel," explains Julie). In fact, John has to warn us several times to slow down as we keep creeping above the (strictly enforced) 55-mph speed limit. The Terra Wind Amphibious RV lives up to its name and has a price tag of $850,000. John was able to get the wheels through the boat's hull by using a specially designed bearing assembly with waterproof seals on the inside and outside of the hull. However, the main difference between a yacht and the Terra Wind is that the latter should not be taken out onto open water. Serving RVers for more than 20 years. It looks terrific. It is CAMIs goal to be the industry leader in focusing on these objectives and being the first to manufacture innovative designs reflecting these trends. As we're cruising down the river, a cool breeze coming in through the windows, a little ski boat pulls up beside us, its occupants in awe of what they're seeing. However, it turned out having no suspension was fine for transporting troops, but not so much for paying customers. Sprinter woes sidelining some RVers. All rights reserved. Our objective is to focus research and development on providing safe and reliable vehicles that are attractive to companies and consumers. It takes us about 45 seconds to go from 0 to 60. If the SeaLander is too understated (and small) for you, the Terra Wind luxury amphibious motorhome might be the answer to your seafaring dreams. John was a natural, and when his father died in 1985, he took over the family business. No, seriously. Finally, they conducted a few nerve-racking test runs and determined it was seaworthy and safe. Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. 2022 RVTravel.com All rights Reserved. CAMI is reportedly working on a custom trailer for this RV, which is supposed to work on the road and also float on water. The elder Giljam started Hilltop Welding. Not willing to ignore this opportunity, they hightailed it from San Diego to New York . We specialize in designing, creating, and manufacturing original custom built amphibious and non-amphibious vehicles for both the commercial and recreational markets. "And what we found was not so much what we wanted, but what we didn't wantplastic slides in the cabinets, cheap construction materials. A high speed & high performance amphibious sports vehicle. With the tour over, it's finally time to hit the roadand the water. The driver selects the desired mode of propulsion by switching one of the transmissions into neutral. In the 1920s, these vehicles began to find more utility as a military tool as search and rescue vehicles. Not a motorhome, but a floaterhome. Merica. It can move as comfortable over water as it does on land and is the best option for those who are looking for a yacht to buy. That was the idea, almost two decades ago, behind one of the wackiest, awesome yet still incredibly luxurious motorhomes ever created. Take a Big-Ass RV, The 1980s Vixen Motorhome Was the BMW of RVs, Most Fuel-Efficient Gas Cars (That Aren't Hybrid), Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Although the Terra Wind was designed for protected waters like rivers and lakes, John says with the pontoons the craft can handle waves about four feet high and winds up to 40 mph. Learn how your comment data is processed. What more could a man want for such a price? While this one has the Wow factor, as do all of CAMIs products, the company is also very safety-oriented. First he made farming machinery but quickly moved into building oil trucks and rigs for Halliburton. I thought they quit making it? If you have a billion dollars and dont know what to do with it then heres and answer travel. When searching for the perfect diamond, you need options. Shock and awe - an $850,000 motor coach you can fish from. (As long as its not near saltwater. The Giljams built the Terra Wind from scratch, Things got placed inside for convenience and stability, Rear entrance on the floaterhome is a drop-down swim platform, The CAMI Terra Wind made its debut on Good Morning America, How its converted from a motorhome to a motorboat, Stranded due to DEF head? Full profile. Go green on the green. CAMI is an amphibious vehicle specialist that's been building a variety of multi-purpose crafts for years. 1 Fleetwood TERRA RV in Apache Junction, AZ. By Sam. asks the wide-eyed passerby. All terrain. As we make lazy passes in front of the dock, we spot a few dolphins slicing through the water across the river near a marshy little island called Devil's Elbow. Soon they were offering rides in the vehicle. 'It is exceptionally unique,' says John Giljam, President. Please refer to the RV Trader Terms of Use for further information. And in the hey-look-at-me market of unique and lavish vehicles, the Terra Wind may indeed be the ultimate in all-purpose traveling. Meet Litter-Robot 4. Almost. 2019, Cool Amphibious Manufacturers International LLC. They're oftentimes better than staying in a hotel, especially if you're traveling to remote places or any race track from Indy to Le Mans. CAMI's Terra Wind RV is extravagant John and Julie Giljam founded CAMI in 1998. You dont have to choose but only on the condition you have $1 million, give or take, to spare. It sounds like a creation that could only exist in the details of a science fiction story. Cool Amphibious Manufacturers International, P.O. Amphibious vehicles took another leap in the 1870s after the invention of alligator tugs, boats that could pull themselves over short stretches of land with the help of a winch. We're proud to offer a discount to Military, Nurses, and First Responders. Amphibious Tour Bus that seats 49 passengers and 2 crew members. Even though its been several years since the video aired on Good Morning America, the Terra Wind is still recognized when John and Julie take it out. 4 cycle overhead valve V-Twin air cooled 570cc. Has electric start, hydraulic brakes, and skid steering. John traded his Jeep Engine for a LARC-V, which is a military amphibious vehicle. Although we know what's coming, we have to fight a twinge of panic and the instinctive reflex to reach out and grab onto something as the water splashes up onto the windshield and side windows. John and Julie Giljam founded CAMI in 1998. Then he drove straight up the ramp (without . 2023 But that doesnt make it any less impressive. That's it. She's navigated via the rudders, which are controlled by a simple electric driver-controlled toggle switch next to the throttle. That makes the vehicle heavier than a school bus but lighter than a transit bus. This will not show on your comment but is for us to contact you if necessary. The Terra Wind can be custom designed to fit virtually any decor with floor plans, entertainment systems, electronics, cabinetry, floor coverings, furniture, paint, and graphics that can be tailored to suit individual needs. They started the company in 1998 after John bought an old military amphibious vehicle called a LARC-V from which to operate a Jet Ski rental business. With a highway speed of up to 80 mph and up to 7 knots on the water, you won't have to . 2 Slide Outs, 2 Awnings, Sleeps 4, Dual A/C Units, Stabilizing System. The propellers' 5000 pounds of thrust is plenty to propel the Terra Wind smoothly out of the water. Their company started by renting out personal watercraft from a LARC-V amphibious military vehicle. With a top speed of about eight knots (9.2 mph), you won't be pulling any skiers. So they started building larger amphibious vehicles to conduct tours with, and then others took note and began buying them. "We took a wrong turn off I-95," John says with a laugh. The Terra Wind operates up to 80 mph on the highway and up to 7 knots (~8 mph) on the water. Source. Designed by by CAMI (Cool Amphibious Manufacturers International, LLC), this $1.2 million dollar RV has a 330-horsepower Caterpillar diesel engine with a 1,000 ft. lbs. Soon companies from all over the country were placing orders for the unique amphibious commercial touring vehicle. Those include the large custom-built electrical panel. New developments and a possible workaround. People just have to get a peek inside! One of only two of its kind known in France at the time, this Cadillac was owned by French pop royalty, Claude Francois. Special Operations Silverado will support National Navy SEAL Museum The Terra Wind, unveiled July 2003 is the latest creation of Cool Amphibious Manufacturers International LLC (C.A.M.I.) The floors are marble, as is the surround for the shower. But what if you could combine all three, sort of, and create a single vehicle that could serve all purposes? Images from a roof-mounted camera are also transmitted to the dash monitor, which serves as the vehicle's rearview mirror. It even has a deck out back that can be used while hanging out at the lake as some sort of diving dock or party barge. Welcome to CAMI We specialize in designing, creating, and manufacturing original custom built amphibious and non-amphibious vehicles for both the commercial and recreational markets. One of the challenges of building a boat that happens to look, and perform, like a motor coach is that you have to pay particular attention to balance, said Julie. If any water does seep in, it is safely removed via four bilge pumps. Rule the waves on the 2008 Yamaha FX Cruiser SHO ($12,800). It even has a weather radar, sonar systems, and an anchor so you can set up shop at the lake when you get tired of the RV park. It's complicated. 96 Thor Motor Coach RVs in Elkhart, IN. Source Tags from the story RV Supply items are stocked and shipped by Uncrate. And Giljam is correct, it doesn't seem right. There are also controls for water-tank monitors, bilge pumps, and fire-detection alarms that, if activated, will automatically shut down the engine and deploy a fire retardant. Zetros ultra luxury Mercedes 6X6 RV Truck living station, Enjoy spring in the worlds first carbon fiber luxury RV priced at a cool $770K. To our knowledge, this is the world's only "floaterhome.". The Terra Wind has a bus variant, but. An initial plus first or last name is the minimum, we're all friends here. The walls of the bedroom and dining areawhich includes a leather, cream-colored couch and a dinette table for twoslide out for even more space. This may be the craziest vehicle I've ever seen. While waiting for parts to come in, he figured he'd enjoy a nice seafood dinner. The rudders in the back are assisted by the two front wheels, so steering is a combined effort when youre on the water. But theres also a second rear entrance with a drop-down swim platform. One part decked-out motor home, one part crazy-looking-lake-going-vessel, the RV is the sort of excessive splurge that only an Uncrate reader could get behind. Other CAMI products include the Hydra Spyder, a four-seater amphibious roadster that has been speed-tested on land to 125 mph and reaches speeds up to 53 mph on water, and the Hydra Gator, a smaller vehicle in the style of a golf cart that is made for leisurely weekends with your friends. Furthermore, its now been around for a number of years so it doesnt get the use it used to. Over the queen-size bedit faces a 24-inch TV with DVD, CD, and VHS unitsis a mirrored ceiling. Because of this unique construction, the 15.5-ton RV has a relatively low center of gravity compared with other motor coaches, so it doesn't wildly pitch or roll. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Uncrate LLC. The Terra Wind Amphibious RV (starting at $850,000) is every bit as amazing as it sounds. You figure there wont be any shortage of water on this rig since its surrounded by it part of the time, so why not take advantage of that? I think Id be nervous. Then check out$3,900. Ive seen lots of cases where someone has a pickup, a fifth wheel and a boat all headed out on vacation. .css-dhtls0{display:block;font-family:GlikoS,Georgia,Times,Serif;font-weight:400;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-dhtls0:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-dhtls0{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-dhtls0{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 61.25rem){.css-dhtls0{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.2;}}Most Fuel-Efficient Gas Cars (That Aren't Hybrid), Every 2023 Full-Size SUV Ranked from Worst to Best, 2023 Editors' Choice: Best New Cars, Trucks, SUVs. How often do you eat a meal at a picnic table? Jan 13, 2005. is this the same as I read about in Car and Driver article from 2004 people by same name and photo of Terra wind in the water? 1947 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible (40,000-60,000) Im sure youll guess by the word Amphibious that they have experience building these kinds of vehicles. 50,561. Going to a College Reunion? **Please note: Estimated prices are subject to change**, More information can be found in CAMI's Catalog. However, none of them compare to the extravagance of CAMIs Terra Wind. The pontoons keep the vessel balanced and stable when, once in the water, the living room (port side) and bedroom (starboard side) slide-out walls are engaged. CAMI conforms to the stringent rules of the ABS, DOT, EU, MCA, NHTSA, SAE, USCG, NTSB, and other marine and safety authorities. The Terra Wind can go from 0 to 60 mph in about 45 seconds, and while the right knots may not sound very fast, it is roughly the equivalent of a large yacht. A few of the features include GPS, tons of leather, DVD/VHS/CD players, all major appliances (fridge, washer/dryer, etc. The Terra Wind Amphibious RV is a first-class coach that is as comfortable on water as it is on dry land. It also has a washer and dryer, a dishwasher, a stove, a microwave oven, and a trash compactor. For all the features and capabilities that amphibious vehicles provide, the price to buy one for yourself is unsurprisingly steep. Shore to shore transporter of equipment and machinery. Not wanting just something off the shelf, they set about building one from scratch. Customers can choose from a selection of ring settings or use the ring studio to create a completely custom piece. When RV heat is on, cabinets and counters get hot. RvTrader.com always has the largest selection of New Or Used RVs for sale anywhere. POP LEGENDS CADILLAC TO BE OFFERED AT BONHAMS GRAND PALAIS SALE Youd be spot-on with that assumption. At six feet eight, Giljam, 44, is a big guy who likes big things. owners John and Julie Giljam. View our entire inventory of New Or Used Fleetwood RVs. During World War II, the Volkswagen Schwimmwagen, which had a top speed of 6 mph on water and 50 mph on land, popularized the concept. 57 1/2 inches wide, 119 inches long, 42 1/2 inches high. All rights reserved. With a growing crowd gathering along the dock, we simply drive down the boat ramp, and with the push of a button, John puts the road transmission into neutral and the marine transmission into gear, and into the water we go. Sorry, Salt Life folks. Box 1703, Bluffton, South Carolina 29910; 888-926-6553; camillc.com. RV Daily Tips. What Do Tweety, a Beer Keg, and a Chrome Skull Have in Common. Cookies Policy It's from here that the couple runs the research and development arm of their company, Cool Amphibious Manufacturers International (CAMI). The marine controlsthrottle, rudder control, angle indicators, and suchare located to the left of the steering wheel. It is a complete scratch-built vehicle. And reliable vehicles that are attractive to companies and consumers friends here Elkhart, in & x27... Use it Used to settings or use the ring studio to create a vehicle... Eight, Giljam, 44, is a military tool as search and rescue vehicles commission purchases! And a trash compactor and first Responders & high performance amphibious sports vehicle Wind operates up to 7 knots ~8. And development on providing safe and reliable vehicles that are attractive to companies and consumers feel, '' says! Our entire inventory of New or Used Fleetwood RVs big things any less impressive condition you have a dollars... 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