EarthCruiser

This article contains promotional content. Please help improve it by removing promotional language and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic text written from a neutral point of view. (April 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

EarthCruiser started as an Australian company that designs and manufactures off-road recreational vehicles and truck campers for expedition and overlanding.^[1] The company was founded in 2008 by Lance Gillies and Michelle Boltz after the couple could not find a suitable overland vehicle for undertaking the Great Sandy Desert.^[2] EarthCruiser's motto is, "Go Further, Stay Longer."^[3]

The US company closed on April 25, 2024.^[4]

EarthCruiser Australia, a separate company, still manufactures new and refurbishes pre-owned, overland vehicles in North Wollongong, N.S.W, www.EarthCruiser.net.au

As of late 2020, EarthCruiser employed over 24 workers who hand-build about 30 expedition vehicles per year.^[2] Each vehicle takes approximately three and a half to four months to complete.^[5] Vehicles for the U.S. market are built in Bend, Oregon, while vehicles in the Australian market are built in North Wollongong, New South Wales.^[1]

• 2008: Founded by Australian Lance Gillies and his American wife, Michelle Boltz in Brisbane, Australia.^[2][5]
• 2009: Introduced EarthCruiser, the company's first production expedition vehicle based on the Mitsubishi Fuso chassis.^[2][6][7]
• 2011: Introduced EarthCruiser EXP, an expedition vehicle with an electric pop-up roof.^[6][8]
• 2013: Moved company headquarters to Bend, Oregon to be closer to family.^[2][5]
• 2015: Introduced EarthCruiser FX, an expedition vehicle with a fixed-roof.^[9][6]
• 2017: Introduced GZL, the company's first production slide-in camper for pickup trucks, equipped with a pop-up roof.^[10]
• 2018: Introduced EXD, a camper body and vehicle modification package for American one-ton pickup truck chassis'.^[11][12]
• 2018: Introduced MOD, a customizable version of the GZL slide-in camper body for pickup trucks.^[10]
• 2020: Introduced Dual Cab versions of the EarthCruiser FX and EXP.^[2][13][14]
• 2020: Introduced Terranova, an expedition vehicle based on various American one-ton pickup truck platforms.^[2][15]
• 2022: Announced EarthCruiser EXP, FX, and the CORE commercial vehicle's transition to the Isuzu NPR Series chassis.^[16][17]
• 2022: Announced EarthCruiser Adventure, a tour division overseeing training expeditions for small groups of EarthCruiser owners.^[3]
• 2023: Announced an expansion into overlanding products for EV, starting with slide-in campers for EV trucks.^[18][19]
• 2024: Shuts all operations down.^[20]

Vehicles

The EarthCruiser company shares their name with the original prototype and first production expedition vehicle line released in 2009.^[2][6][7] Built on the single cab Mitsubishi Fuso Canter 4x4 chassis, the RV was powered by the standard GM Vortec 6.0L V8 or an optional 3.0L four-cylinder turbo diesel engine.^[5][6] The gasoline V8 model had a driving range of 600 miles while the less-powerful diesel variant range was 900 miles.^[2] In 2020, a dual cab version of the platform was released which had four doors with four seats instead of two doors with two seats.^[13][14] In 2022, the EarthCruiser chassis transitioned to the Isuzu NPR Series Class 4 platform, powered by the GM 6.6L Duramax turbo diesel engine.^[16][17]

The EarthCruiser fiberglass camper bodies are insulated to help reduce energy usage.^[6][8] The rounded shape is intended to reduce wind drag at higher speeds and avoid accidental contact with terrain while on a trail.^[17] Depending on the model, the body may have a fixed or electric pop-up roof upon which solar panels are mounted that feed the onboard battery and electrical system.^[5][6][17] Other exterior attachments include an electric awning and recovery winch.^[5][8] An EarthCruiser camper body is attached to a vehicle chassis using kinetic spring mounts to prevent stress and damage to the body structure.^[8] Inside the camper, amenities include a shower, slide-out toilet, sink, refrigerator/freezer, mini wine cellar, dinette table, and two beds which can sleep up to four people.^{[5][1][6][13]}

The EarthCruiser EXP is the model that company-founder Lance Gillies considers to be the original EarthCruiser.^[10] Introduced in 2011, it is the most expensive model, equipped with an electrically-operated roof that increases the ceiling height by 24 inches^[5][6] the extra height allowing a 360 degree view out of the canopy.^[2][5] When lowered, the diminished roof line allows the vehicle to fit more easily into a shipping container.^[5]

The EarthCruiser FX is a more basic, lower-priced model with a stationary roof.^[6] Introduced in 2015, it is engineered to better handle extreme temperatures as the body is fully insulated, unlike the canopy portion of the EXP model.^[9] The roofline sits eight inches above the cab roof, but is still compact enough to fit into a shipping container.^[6]

The Terranova is an expedition vehicle built on a Chevrolet, Ford, or RAM one-ton pickup truck chassis.^[2][11] First announced in 2020, the platform is targeted at owners with strong brand preferences or feel more comfortable operating a consumer-class vehicle over a commercial-grade truck.^[2][11] A domestically-manufactured chassis also allows better availability of parts and more familiar maintenance procedures.^[2][11]

The camper body is constructed of fiberglass with a foam core, molded into a cab-over configuration, and bolted to the vehicle chassis using a kinetic mount system.^[1][11][12] The roof can be electrically raised for a panoramic view using a similar setup to that of the EXD and EXP, including the canopy with integrated vinyl windows, insect and privacy screens.^[11][12][15] When raised the canopy allows the camper to sleep up to four people.^[11][12] When lowered, the RV is more compact for trails and more aerodynamic.^[11][12] Solar panels are mounted on top of the roof to supply the onboard battery and electrical system.^[11][12][15] Inside the camper, amenities include a bathroom, sink, induction cooktop, refrigerator/freezer, ventilation fan, and an optional air conditioner.^{[1][11][12][15]} A shower is also included, however it is located on the outside of the unit. ^{[1][11][12][15]}

The CORE is a chassis cab expedition vehicle; a camper body is not included.^[21] Introduced in 2022, the model has the same Isuzu NPR Series Class 4 chassis as the EarthCruiser EXP and FX vehicles, powered by a GM 6.6L Duramax turbo diesel engine and available in a single or dual cab configuration.^[16][17][21]

The nature of the body allows the customer to customise the vehicle for their purposes.^[21]

The EXD was a camper body and vehicle modification package designed for a 2017 or newer Chevrolet, Ford, or Ram 1-ton long-bed pickup truck chassis.^[1] Introduced in 2018, the package required customers to provide their own chassis cab, but in return, they could select the vehicle brand, cab size, and engine type.^[10] The camper body was connected to the vehicle chassis using EarthCruiser kinetic mounts, or alternatively attached to a flat bed as a quicker and cheaper option.^[10] Mounting to the chassis was part of an "Expedition Package" which included camper body side skirts and a cab pass-through.^[10] Donor vehicles would also receive upgraded bumpers, wheels and suspension as part of the deal.^[1]

The camper body was a non-cab-over design with molded body lines meant to match those of the vehicle cab.^[10][11] Composed of one inch thick insulated fiberglass, the walls were angled to avoid trees while on the trail and lessen wind noise on the road.^[10] The roof was four inches thick and electrically-operated to raise for 360 degree visibility inside the camper, similar to that of the EarthCruiser EXP expedition vehicle.^[10][15] On top, the roof was recessed for standard solar panels which fed the onboard battery and electrical system.^[10] Inside, the camper was equipped with amenities including a walk-through shower, sink, refrigerator, induction cooktop, roof-fan system, dinette table, and a bed for two, although there was sky bed option for children as well.^[1][10][11] Overall, the unit weighed about 3,000 pounds.^[10]

The EV slide-in camper body is currently in a pre-order status so not many details are known.^[18][19] As part of the deposit program, customers are relaying their preferences which could potentially tweak the product outcome.^[19] The new model will be compatible with both EV and non-EV vehicles.^[18][19] The EV camper line is likely never going to be produced, as the company closed in April of 2024.^[4]

The GZL was EarthCruiser's first slide-in camper body.^[10] Introduced in 2017, it was intended to be an affordable alternative to the more expensive EarthCruiser vehicles.^[22] Multiple versions of the body allowed the product line to fit both mid-size and full-size pickup trucks.^[10][22] The unit itself was constructed of insulated fiberglass and was molded into a cab-over configuration.^[22] Similar to the higher-end expedition vehicles, the camper featured amenities such as a shower, portable toilet, dinette table, refrigerator and a queen-sized bed.^[22] Unlike the EXP and EXD, the solar panel-integrated pop-top roof only lifted on one end and did not do so electrically.^[10][22]

The 300 was a narrow version of the GZL, designed to fit mid-size pickup trucks including the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Dodge Dakota, Honda Ridgeline, and Ford Ranger. The unit weighed about 1,200 pounds.^[22]

The 400 was a wide version of the GZL, designed to fit full-size pickup trucks including the Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Dodge Ram 1500, and Ford F-150.The unit weighed about 1,500 pounds.^[22]

The 500 was a version of the GZL designed specifically for flatbed truck installation.^[22]

The MOD, an acronym for "My Own Design," was EarthCruiser's most customizable product and considered to be a low-cost version of the GZL.^[10][23] Introduced in 2018, the slide-in fiberglass camper body came in a cab-over configuration with a pop-up roof and overhead lights.^[1] Additionally, the unit had a variety of PAKs (Personal Accessory Kits) that could be added or removed from the camper.^[1][23] PAK options included small or large seat boxes, sink system, storage cabinet, counter extensioner, toilet cabinet, and a cooler cabinet.^[1][23]

The 300 was a narrow version of the MOD, designed to fit 2012 or newer mid-size pickup trucks including the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Dodge Dakota, Honda Ridgeline, and Ford Ranger. The unit weighed about 700 pounds.^[23]

The 400 was a wide version of the MOD, designed to fit 2012 or newer full-size pickup trucks including the Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Dodge Ram 1500, and Ford F-150.The unit weighed about 800 pounds. ^[23]

EarthCruiser Adventures are training expeditions for small groups of EarthCruiser owners.^[3] The domestic and overseas journeys are staffed by tour guides who help participants develop their overlanding skills, including driving, navigation, and cooking.^[3][24] EarthCruiser expedition vehicles that are eligible for the trip include models EXP, FX and Terranova.^[3]