On the Road with LEOxrs
Travel as a Way of Life
For many years, we lived closely connected and deeply rooted in our hometown of Emmerich am Rhein. It was where our home was, where our family and friends were. For a long time, that was exactly right for us. But over time, our lives changed fundamentally. For professional reasons, we moved to Brazil in 2006, later on to the USA, and then back to Brazil again. Altogether, we spent eight years living abroad and discovered how much we loved this new way of life — new countries, new cultures, different perspectives, and many wonderful encounters. And at some point, we realized that we wanted to see so much more of the world…
Travel became more than just a vacation for us — it became a life concept. We wanted to be on the road, yet travel safely. To explore routes that some might hesitate to take. To enjoy freedom, remain spontaneous, and stay independent. At the same time, we wanted to always have our home with us — our own “four walls,” our belongings, our comfort, and the reassurance of being well equipped.
An Expedition Vehicle from ACTION MOBIL
We have known the company Action Mobil since 2020. At first, we considered having a new expedition vehicle custom-built for us. But at the time, taking that step into this new life still felt like a very big one — financially as well. We simply did not dare to take it. Eventually, however, we were ready. We were given the unexpected opportunity to retire earlier than planned, and we knew: we want to set off — preferably right away. Not with a waiting period of several years for a newly configured vehicle, but now, immediately.
And that’s when Leo came into play. As a demonstration and trade show vehicle, he was available almost immediately. We had known the vehicle for quite some time and instantly felt: this is it. This is our moment. We’re taking the leap! And to say this upfront — not a single day have we regretted it so far.
For me, it was still a moment filled with respect. Signing the purchase contract required a great deal of courage. Rainer, on the other hand, was completely relaxed.
When we finally picked up Leo at Action Mobil and, after the initial briefing, drove to our overnight spot, the tables turned — and suddenly Rainer was the one feeling a wave of panic. What have we done? In that moment, I was the calm one. Just a week before pickup, I had completed my truck driving license. So we were prepared.
Step by step, we got to know Leo — his capabilities and his strengths. We tried everything out and initially traveled for several months through Germany, Austria, France, and Spain. In between, we returned to Action Mobil because a few things still needed adjustment and fine-tuning until everything functioned perfectly. Improvements were made, optimizations implemented, and explanations given. With time, we became more and more familiar with every feature, every trick, and every detail of our vehicle.
Morocco Training Journey 2024
A major milestone was our training trip to Morocco in October/November 2024. How do you steer such a large expedition vehicle through sand dunes and across rocky tracks? What tools and recovery equipment do you really need? Which spare parts should you carry with you?
Afterwards, we spent several months near the Zugspitze, at times with temperatures dropping to as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius. These were the perfect conditions to test Leo’s winter capabilities. He passed every single test with flying colors.
In between, we continued to optimize, reorganize, and add improvements. In the rear garage, there was still an additional diesel tank that the previous owner had ordered. We neither wanted nor needed it. The 600-liter main tank is more than sufficient for our purposes. Instead, we installed a flexible storage system for larger items, including a pull-out system for six Euroboxes to neatly organize our equipment.
We also added an outdoor kitchen and a roof box on top of the cab. Finally, the rear platform carrying the spare wheels and bicycles was fitted with a robust tarpaulin cover.
Leo is solidly built, well thought out, and reliable. Yes, he is heavy — almost 20 tons. But the off-road capability of this chassis and the seemingly endless power of the MAN engine give us a great sense of security on any terrain. The two spare wheels (14.00 R20) mounted on the rear carrier are an additional safety factor. This type of off-road tire is simply not available everywhere in the world — and we want to stay mobile.
Comfort is not lacking either. On board, we have a washer-dryer, space for two bicycles, a folding kayak, skis, and all the things that make our travels so diverse. With two seating areas (one of which can be used as a lounge), we also have space to retreat. One of us can work while the other relaxes on the lounge with a book. And when we have visitors, four or even five people can comfortably sit at the table — although, of course, whenever the weather allows, we much prefer sitting outside.
North America 2025
We spent a long time carefully considering our travel plans, and since July 2025 we have been traveling through North America. After that, we plan to continue on to South America, all the way down to Patagonia. Later, perhaps Africa. And who knows — maybe even Asia someday.
We hope to remain fit and healthy for many years so that we can continue living this dream step by step. We are not (yet) daredevil off-road drivers. But we learn something new every day — and Leo helps us along the way. He is capable of far more than we are! There is something truly special about driving along sandy and rocky tracks and spending the night in places where no one else is around. You quickly get used to the absolute silence — perhaps one day we won’t even be suited for big cities anymore…
Our Leo
Leo is more than just a vehicle to us. He is our home, our safe companion, and the foundation for a life full of freedom, curiosity, and adventure.
Why is he actually called LEOxrs? When the vehicle was built by Action Mobil, it featured a beautiful leopard design as part of its exterior décor. The model name is Global XRS 7400 Leopard. From this combination came LEO — his main name — and XRS as a unique signature.
There are now quite a few expedition “Leos” out there. With Leo on Journey, an identical but newer model has recently set off on its first long-distance travels. And Action Mobil also put a demonstration vehicle with the same design into operation in 2025 and sent it on its first journeys. But our Leo is ours. And we hope he will carry us safely around this world for many years to come. After all, we have only seen a small fraction of it — and there is still so much more to discover.
Would you like to follow our travels? Feel free to click on the links to Instagram or Facebook. We truly appreciate every exchange and tip from fellow overlanders — and we are just as happy to share the travel experiences we have gathered so far.
