EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles

[Goanna]

Hi Rick,
Yes there will be a book. Firstly a travel book much like the one I did on "Russia and Beyond" but also a DIY travel book so others can follow the route. Shipping info, border crossing info, contacts, camp sites etc. I realise a lot of this is available on the net ...with a lot of research but this will be a complete Do It Yourself route guide....anyway that is the plan!

As for padding. No not necessary. We ratchet strap it down from the body ( not the springs as they would do on a transport truck). The straps also run in an 'X' pattern left to right/right to left and the vehicles do not move so much. The upper tapering of the body design also helps.

[bptp7270]

Sounds like the adventure of a lifetime. I always admire people who undertake the sort of adventure you are doing. Have a wonderful time and I will look forward to the book.

[haven]

I received an email this week from Lance Gillies, owner of Earthcruiser Overland Vehicles Pty. Ltd. Lance announced several new initiatives.

First, the Earthcruiser can be ordered in several new configurations.

There's a new version that has suspension and single rear wheel upgrades, but mounts a tray in place of the camper. This allows the owner to install his own camper, or to use the Fuso FG as a utility vehicle in rugged conditions. This model is called the Earthcruiser UTE.

The second new configuration is a longer camper mounted on the long wheelbase Fuso FG. The extra room allows the camper's bed to be oriented parallel to the long axis of the vehicle, instead of across it. The extra room also allows for a larger fresh water tank. This model is the Earthcruiser LWB.

A left hand drive version is under development for export buyers and world travelers. Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, India, east Africa and Great Britain are right hand drive. The rest of the world is left hand drive. This model will be called the Earthcruiser LHD.

Second, Earthcruiser is increasing support for its owners. There will be a forum for owners on the company website, and organized tours and events for owners to join.

Third, the company website will shortly offer Earthcruiser parts and accessories for sale. The email didn't say if the parts can be shipped internationally.

Last, Earthcruiser is planning to offer a rental program for its vehicles.

Details of all of these new programs will appear on the Earthcruiser web pages soon.

Chip Haven

[Borrego60]

I was in Walmart in Oceanside Ca Saturday and saw one of the Goanna vehicles there parked. Wished I had my camera with me,looked pretty tight.

[haven]

The Earth Cruisers in southern California are the overlanding group led by Kym and Lyn Bolton. They have finished their journey across southeast Asia, western China, Mongolia and eastern Russia, and they shipped their vehicles to Long Beach in November. Read about their trip here
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=44366

The vehicles will be in storage in southern California for a couple of months. In 2011, the group plans to explore North America.

[adventureduo]

It would be really bitchen if they could invite portal members to come shake hands and view their Earthcruisers

[haven]

I just received the latest news update from the EarthCruiser people. I was pleased to find this sentence at the end of the newsletter:

"EarthCruiser is establishing a base in North America..."

The newsletter also says the company has begun delivery of a camper for the long wheelbase (136.2 inches / 3460 mm) Fuso FG chassis. That makes sense, since Mitsubishi stopped selling the short wheelbase FG (112.6 inches / 2860 mm) in North America a couple of years ago.

None of this information appears on the EarthCruiser web site yet . For the latest, it's best to send email to sales@earthcruiser.com.au

[adventureduo]

Oh man, that is great news Chip!

[Northern Explorer]

Nice...very nice.

[constructeur]

Saw a couple from NZ in a Canter in Seattle recently, seemed pretty damn cool. Earthcruisers are only thing I'd consider traveling in besides our Landcruiser.