An RV worthy of the most rugged boondocking adventures is set to take the U.S. by storm. Australian RV maker Lance Gillies, in partnership with Host Industries of Bend, Oregon, is preparing to ramp up North American production of his fabled EarthCruiser. The start of manufacturing operations in the U.S. should increase North American availability of the heretofore nearly impossible to obtain Aussie EarthCruiser. The ultimate expedition RV, Gillies’ EarthCruiser is considered the Hummer of the RV family. There is nowhere this baby can’t go!
An all-terrain RV with plenty of power, the EarthCruiser looks something like a classy military truck. A pop-up roof and attached awning expand living space when the vehicle is parked. Designed for life in Australia’s brutal Outback, the EarthCruiser is built to ford streams, climb rocky hillsides and plow through desert sand. The manufacturer’s claim that it can “survive arduous road conditions” is well tested.
While the living space in the EarthCruiser is definitely compact, it does offer adequate storage for fuel, water and essential provisions for extended stays in isolated destinations. To date, the RV’s appeal has been strongest with hunters, fishermen, nature photographers, explorers, geologists and other rugged individuals; but new North American operations should bring the appeal of this unique RV to a broader audience.
For RV boondockers who don’t need the EarthCruiser’s scenery-chewing capabilities, Gillies’ less rugged OutBack Explorer, also to be manufactured by Host, will offer more American-style amenities and feature a lower price tag.
Author: Claire Beckham
