Aussie Earthcruiser RV launches in US

Brisbane company EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles has opened a dealership in Bend, Oregon, and company executive Lance Gillies expects to sell 10 to 15 of their adventure motorhomes based on Fuso 4X4 Canter trucks. 

"Long term the numbers can be healthy," he says. "There are over eight million RVs - that does not include caravans or truck campers only motor homes - registered in the US so we have been told. "We have built a USA-specific EarthCruiser, with much attention paid to the freezing climate of North American winters. 

"As we have the only real 4x4 motor home on the market we have our work cut out to convince the US market it is a good idea. But that's ok; we are very confident." 

Gillies says the rugged all-terrain EarthCruiser is not for everyone. "This is a serious expedition vehicle that can take people to places that no other RV can, places they've only seen in magazines," he says. 

"Part of our challenge will be to really educate extreme travellers about the vehicle's amazing capabilities. "Once the real adventure seekers understand how comfortably they can travel to locations they never had access to before, the excitement
should spread quickly." 

Gillies also points out that the go-anywhere vehicles also have all the comforts of home inside, including a sink, fridge, shower, cooking area, a double bed and a dining table that can be transformed into a third bed.

"Even our most extreme travellers still want to enjoy some of the comforts and safety of home," he says. "After all, there's nothing wrong with a hot shower, cold drink, and comfortable bed wherever you may choose to stop for the night." 

The company has sold more than 20 EarthCruisers to adventurers in Australia, Spain, England, Egypt and the US. The EarthCruiser has a composite fibreglass body with a 600mm pop-up roof and is mounted on the 4x4 Canter chassis. The regular wheelbase model can fit into a 20-foot shipping container for globetrotting duties.

EarthCruiser modifies the suspension with longer semi-elliptical leaf springs and heavy duty double-acting shock absorbers, while it is shod with chunky 36-inch Michelin XZL traction tyres. The heating, cooking and water heating systems are powered by diesel, as well as electricity generated by solar panels.

The EarthCruiser range includes short and long-wheelbase Expedition models with a pop-up roof, short and long-wheelbase utes, a dual-cab ute and two new Outback models. The new full-size 4x4 and automatic 4x2 Outback are being built in Portland, Oregon.

EARTHCRUISER RANGE

SWB EXP: $215,000
LWB EXP: $230,000
SWB Ute $85,000
LWB Ute $87,000
Dual Cab Ute $95,000
Outback 4x2 $160,000
Outback 4x4 $190,000