Trail Tales: with a 1988 Mercedes German Fire Truck!
What would you say to a German Fire Truck transformed into an adventure mobile complete with Rhino-Racks, CVT roof top tent, and Foxwing Awning? We’d say heck yes again and again. We spoke to Billy who owns the incredible @ThirstResponder and got the inside scoop on this trophy worthy ride.
All images supplied by @thirstresponder - Check out their Instagram for more pics.
Where: Joshua Tree
When: May 2017
Vehicle: 1988 Mercedes German Fire truck
Rhino-Rack Products:
● Rhino-Rack Crossbars
● Rhino-Rack Foxwing Awning
Rhino-Rack: Now what exactly are you driving? It’s amazing!
Billy Nick: I am driving a 1988 Mercedes German Fire truck that was imported in from Laatzen,
Germany. Mods so far include Goal Zero solar, Yeti 1250 electric generator for power,
Rhino Rack cross bars holding up a CVT Denali Summit Rooftop tent, and a Rhino-Rack Foxwing passenger side awning. Oh, and a kegerator in the back with four taps of fresh cold
delicious Ninkasi beer.
Rhino-Rack: Okay awesome. What is it about hitting the outdoors that gets you going?
Billy Nick: Being in the outdoors is a way to stay grounded for me. It provides a way to remain connected towards things that truly matter, and it is constantly humbling. Being able to exercise and enjoy the outdoors through sports like mountain biking, SUPing, paragliding, and skiing to name a few is a win win.
Rhino-Rack: Sounds like an action packed life! How easy is it to get out and explore on weekends and more?
Billy Nick: I try to always encourage and motivate others around me to travel as much as possible. Of course, there are day to day things that can potentially stand in your way of getting out there. But, traveling the US can be done for relatively cheap and you can see a lot on a weekend trip. In the US, we are incredibly lucky to have a vast amount of preserved land that the public owns, and it is a privilege to be able to explore those open spaces.
Rhino-Rack: Where have you been exploring in the Thirst Responder?
Billy Nick: So far, I have taken the truck to Joshua Tree, a lot of Oregon (the coast was awesome), and just recently spent some time in Boise and Crouch, Idaho.
Rhino-Rack: How did you prepare for Joshua Tree? What are the important steps to take?
Billy Nick: Well, I took the truck on its first trip down to Joshua Tree a couple weeks after I bought it. There was a lot of prep I had to squeeze in. First, I had to learn how to drive a stick shift. Then, I installed the Rhino-Rack crossbars, the Rhino-Rack Foxwing Awning, solar, kegerator, and tent. The most important step to take was managing to let go of worrying if the truck would make it. It was nerve-racking to take an old German fire truck on its first long haul all the way down to the dessert! But, it ran like a champ.
Rhino-Rack: Were you traveling solo?
Billy Nick: Oso always travels with me. He’s my co-pilot. We also picked up Bryon Dorr (@Explorelements) from the Oakland airport. He mobbed down with me the rest of the way. It was awesome having him along. Oh, Oso is my dog haha.
Rhino-Rack: Tell me about any other explorers you met along the way?
Billy Nick: Oh man, we met tons of cool people. The highlight for me was probably the family from Bend traveling in their RV. They let us park with them in their campsite in JT. All campsites
were completely full when we got there after a long day of driving, and they let us share
their awesome camp!
Rhino-Rack: Were there any lessons learned?
Billy Nick: Taking a foreign vehicle on its first trip ever 1,000 miles down to the desert really scared me. Not going to lie, I was nervous the entire drive. Every sound it would make I thought
something was wrong. But, in the end, it worked out and I learned to overcome that fear of 'what could go wrong'.
Rhino-Rack: How did Rhino-Rack products help to facilitate your adventure?
Billy Nick: My Rhino-Rack Roof Rack was clutch for holding the CVT roof top tent. It worked out great. Also, the Foxwing awning made for an awesome gathering area for everyone to sit under, get out of the sun, and enjoy a beer. It held up in 20mph winds! So stoked on everything.
Rhino-Rack: We’re glad this gear works on your amazing fire truck. Just shows how they can work on all sorts of vehicles. Did you face any obstacles along the way and how did you get around them?
Billy Nick: Yes, tons. First, Oso got pneumonia in the dessert so we made an emergency stop in San Bernardino where he spent the night at the animal hospital. The bike rack snapped off while driving. A kayak blew off the roof in the sandstorm on the highway. I got stuck in bumper to bumper traffic going up a steep hill in Oakland while just learning to drive stick. Things can and will go wrong. But, it all worked out. It was a good lesson in maintaining stress levels and having a positive attitude when things go wrong on the road. All part of the adventure.
Rhino-Rack: Oh man that’s tough so what makes all those hardships so worthwhile?
Billy Nick: I have found the journey getting to your destination could often be the best part of the trip. You just never know what you will discover or who you will meet while out there. It is also when a lot of the learning occurs. Lots of solo road time makes for a great opportunity to look inward.
Rhino-Rack: Any recommendations for other explorers?
Billy Nick: I would recommend being prepared for a trip, but not being overly planned or in a rush. Things don’t always work out. You might not make it to your final destination, but just enjoy the ride. Never drive in a hurry.
All images supplied by @thirstresponder - Check out their Instagram for more pics.
Where: Joshua Tree
When: May 2017
Vehicle: 1988 Mercedes German Fire truck
Rhino-Rack Products:
● Rhino-Rack Crossbars
● Rhino-Rack Foxwing Awning
Rhino-Rack: Now what exactly are you driving? It’s amazing!
Billy Nick: I am driving a 1988 Mercedes German Fire truck that was imported in from Laatzen,
Germany. Mods so far include Goal Zero solar, Yeti 1250 electric generator for power,
Rhino Rack cross bars holding up a CVT Denali Summit Rooftop tent, and a Rhino-Rack Foxwing passenger side awning. Oh, and a kegerator in the back with four taps of fresh cold
delicious Ninkasi beer.
Rhino-Rack: Okay awesome. What is it about hitting the outdoors that gets you going?
Billy Nick: Being in the outdoors is a way to stay grounded for me. It provides a way to remain connected towards things that truly matter, and it is constantly humbling. Being able to exercise and enjoy the outdoors through sports like mountain biking, SUPing, paragliding, and skiing to name a few is a win win.
Rhino-Rack: Sounds like an action packed life! How easy is it to get out and explore on weekends and more?
Billy Nick: I try to always encourage and motivate others around me to travel as much as possible. Of course, there are day to day things that can potentially stand in your way of getting out there. But, traveling the US can be done for relatively cheap and you can see a lot on a weekend trip. In the US, we are incredibly lucky to have a vast amount of preserved land that the public owns, and it is a privilege to be able to explore those open spaces.
Rhino-Rack: Where have you been exploring in the Thirst Responder?
Billy Nick: So far, I have taken the truck to Joshua Tree, a lot of Oregon (the coast was awesome), and just recently spent some time in Boise and Crouch, Idaho.
Rhino-Rack: How did you prepare for Joshua Tree? What are the important steps to take?
Billy Nick: Well, I took the truck on its first trip down to Joshua Tree a couple weeks after I bought it. There was a lot of prep I had to squeeze in. First, I had to learn how to drive a stick shift. Then, I installed the Rhino-Rack crossbars, the Rhino-Rack Foxwing Awning, solar, kegerator, and tent. The most important step to take was managing to let go of worrying if the truck would make it. It was nerve-racking to take an old German fire truck on its first long haul all the way down to the dessert! But, it ran like a champ.
Rhino-Rack: Were you traveling solo?
Billy Nick: Oso always travels with me. He’s my co-pilot. We also picked up Bryon Dorr (@Explorelements) from the Oakland airport. He mobbed down with me the rest of the way. It was awesome having him along. Oh, Oso is my dog haha.
Rhino-Rack: Tell me about any other explorers you met along the way?
Billy Nick: Oh man, we met tons of cool people. The highlight for me was probably the family from Bend traveling in their RV. They let us park with them in their campsite in JT. All campsites
were completely full when we got there after a long day of driving, and they let us share
their awesome camp!
Rhino-Rack: Were there any lessons learned?
Billy Nick: Taking a foreign vehicle on its first trip ever 1,000 miles down to the desert really scared me. Not going to lie, I was nervous the entire drive. Every sound it would make I thought
something was wrong. But, in the end, it worked out and I learned to overcome that fear of 'what could go wrong'.
Rhino-Rack: How did Rhino-Rack products help to facilitate your adventure?
Billy Nick: My Rhino-Rack Roof Rack was clutch for holding the CVT roof top tent. It worked out great. Also, the Foxwing awning made for an awesome gathering area for everyone to sit under, get out of the sun, and enjoy a beer. It held up in 20mph winds! So stoked on everything.
Rhino-Rack: We’re glad this gear works on your amazing fire truck. Just shows how they can work on all sorts of vehicles. Did you face any obstacles along the way and how did you get around them?
Billy Nick: Yes, tons. First, Oso got pneumonia in the dessert so we made an emergency stop in San Bernardino where he spent the night at the animal hospital. The bike rack snapped off while driving. A kayak blew off the roof in the sandstorm on the highway. I got stuck in bumper to bumper traffic going up a steep hill in Oakland while just learning to drive stick. Things can and will go wrong. But, it all worked out. It was a good lesson in maintaining stress levels and having a positive attitude when things go wrong on the road. All part of the adventure.
Rhino-Rack: Oh man that’s tough so what makes all those hardships so worthwhile?
Billy Nick: I have found the journey getting to your destination could often be the best part of the trip. You just never know what you will discover or who you will meet while out there. It is also when a lot of the learning occurs. Lots of solo road time makes for a great opportunity to look inward.
Rhino-Rack: Any recommendations for other explorers?
Billy Nick: I would recommend being prepared for a trip, but not being overly planned or in a rush. Things don’t always work out. You might not make it to your final destination, but just enjoy the ride. Never drive in a hurry.
Rhino-Rack Trail Tales
We'll be posting stories taken directly from Rhino-Rack Customers. Adventurers who want to share their explorations around America. If you'd like to get involved in the Trail Tales Series please contact Rhino-Rack through any of our social media platforms below.
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