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Ever since we transitioned to a nomadic lifestyle, we have been fascinated by the idea of traveling around the world in a 4×4 expedition vehicle. While visiting Bend, Oregon, we scheduled an appointment at EarthCruiser to learn more about their overland vehicles.
In this post, you’ll find a series of videos about the overland vehicles built by EarthCruiser and interviews with Founder and Chief Floor Sweeper, Lance Gillies.
EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles
“The truck is designed around the travel experience, the travel experience is not designed around the truck.” – Lance Gillies, EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles
Table of Contents
EarthCruiser EXP
The EarthCruiser EXP is a overland vehicle built for traveling around the world. It fits in a standard parking spot and into a standard shipping container. When we stopped by EarthCruiser HQ, we got to take an EXP out for a test drive.
Watch the video to learn more about the EarthCruiser EXP built on the Mitsubishi Fuso truck chassis and see what it’s like to take an overland vehicle on some rough roads.
A huge thank you to Lance Gillies and Michelle Boltz for letting us test drive Alpha, their personal EarthCruiser EXP.
I do want to highlight that every EarthCruiser is 100% made in the U.S.A.
Here are some other vehicles made by EarthCruiser:
EarthCruiser EXD
The EarthCruiser EXD is a capable overland vehicle built on a one-ton 4×4 truck chassis. Watch the full walk-through video to learn more.
EarthCruiser FX
The EarthCruiser FX is similar to the EXP in that it’s also built on the 4×4 Fuso truck chassis. The main difference is the FX has a fixed roof, making the vehicle taller. It can seat four people instead of two in the EXP.
EarthCruiser MOD
The MOD is a modular all season shell that can be customized to fit the customer’s needs. With two options to choose from, the MOD can be paired with a wide selection of mid size and full size trucks.
EarthCruiser GZL
The GZL truck camper is an introductory overland vehicle for someone not quiet ready for the FX or EXP. These are made to fit in a variety of truck beds including the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and Ford Ranger.
Finding Your Overland Vehicle
In this interview with Lance Gillies, we talk about his philosophy of “starting with the end in mind” when looking for an adventure vehicle. We also discuss four wheel drive, water tank capacity, GVWR, insurance and resale value.
If you are shopping for an overland vehicle, go check out an EarthCruiser in person by visiting their factory in Bend or finding them at an Overland Event or RV Show.
Be prepared to take notes. There are so many details and considerations that go into building an EarthCruiser, it will make your head spin.
Learn more at https://earthcruiser.com/
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on September 14, 2017 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
Hello Joe and Kait…1st Time Caller Long Time Listener…Hahaha… Sorry I Couldn’t Resist….
I Watched You all on Youtube before and Subscribed But Have Not Been Able To Watch Lately But Hopefully That Will Change in The Near Future…
I seek Your Advice, Since You All Have Been Down That Road Already…. I am Looking for a vehicle 4×4 or 6×6 That is Comfortable, Capable, Dependable…
I Wont Be Doing any Serious off Roading But Dont Want To Get Stuck Either…. I Would Like Locking Diffs, Washer/Dryer, Larger Water Tank 100+ Gallons, Possible Vehicle to get supplies storage or trailer… Do You Have any Suggestion????
Thank You For Your Help
Hey Frank – you came to to the right place. Global Expedition Vehicles build exactly what you’re looking for. Here’s a video we did of their Patagonia: https://youtu.be/P8gmIpcEtZM
They currently have a used Patagonia for sale on their site. I’d suggest contacting them and tell them we sent you…if you get to talk to Rene or Mike, tell them we said hello. https://www.globalxvehicles.com/globalxvehicles-for-sale.html
The Earth Roamers are way too big and pricey while the Earth Cruisers seem too austere but a great size. Joe; any input on the Global Expeditionary Vehicles models like The Turtle? They seem a good compromise between the two and my girlfriend and I plan to hit the road in Spring 2020 to see North America and decide where in the US we want to live. The Turtle seems a great option for our budget and to tour from cities to remote places and everything in between.
Hey Sean – the Turtle is definitely nice but I’d suggest visiting each factory and learning what goes into them all. You can only see so much online and once you begin to learn the in’s and out’s of each, you’ll see where some might be better than others for what you want to do.
Earthcruiser builds impressive vehicles. I am impressed. But not tempted to buy. Were I able to start the purchase process for my dream wheeled home, I would do it by visiting Atlanta and Coburg, Oregon. A massive Class A would suit me fine. How you guys started is hoe I would love to live and travel. I would not mind sleeping outside a place like Yellowstone and driving in via Jeep to experience the park itself. Had my wife and I been camping inside Yellowstone instead of quartering in West Yellowstone just outside, we might not have experience the wolves and grizzlies in the rescue facility there. The morning ‘singing’ of wild wolves was magical!
What are your thoughts when you compare and contrast the EarthCruiser and the All Terrain Warrior Alpha that you previously reviewed?
They are both great products and, although they look identical, they each have their own nuances (far too many to list here). If you’re in the market, we would strongly suggest visiting both factories and seeing each in person.
I appreciated your review of Earth Cruiser. Joe asked the right questions about why the Earth Cruiser builds the vehicle the way they do.
We are easily fooled by appearances, doodads, and gizmos on the RV sales lot. Too many buyers are suckered by appearance and ignore function. I’m sure Lance of Earth Cruiser could have impressed you with the things on the truck, but why he does what he does is much more germane to a good RV build. The placement of the refrigerator brought it home to me.
It’s too bad the RV industry doesn’t build RVs like Earth Cruiser does.
Thanks Ruth and you’re 100% correct. It’s one of the reasons we like to visit the factory and get to know the people involved. We’ve been to a few places where the people designing them have never even been in one! Then you have people like Lance who use them for what they were intended and all of his experience has been used to improve the product.
The RV industry doesn’t build like EC does, because then 99% of people wouldn’t be able to buy one. An optioned earthcruiser costs 1/3 of a million dollars for 92 sq feet of living space.