TERRANOVA EXPEDITION CAMPER
A SERIOUS 4X4 OVER-CAB CONTENDER DELIVERING DREAMS, QUALITY AND YEARS OF TRAVEL SERVICE
EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles, otherwise known as EC, is globally recognized as a top-tier expedition camper and vehicle manufacturer. It’s headquartered in Bend, Oregon, where it’s been building off-road-ready 4x4s with carefully constructed off-grid campers for 13 years. With extensive worldwide travels under the company’s belt, its EarthCruisers are engineered for adventure. They’re hand-built, agile and hold their value for years to come. EC created a camper ready for global travels.
EC’s latest release, the Terranova Expedition Camper, is a pop-top camper built atop a 2021 Ford F-350 crew cab chassis. As a result of Mitsubishi Fuso exiting the United States market, EarthCruiser listened to customer demand: The Terranova will use only domestic vehicles. The Terranova is currently only offered on a Ford chassis, but comparative RAM and Chevy applications are anticipated in the coming months.
Why Terranova?
“EarthCruiser employees have lived out of their own vehicles,” explained Lance Gillies, the company’s founder and CEO. “We’ve got people [working at EC] who know what it’s like to work, travel and live in a vehicle. They‘ve climbed El
Capitan and bicycled across Switzerland.” With 31 workers currently employed at EC, they’ve also done much more.
Gillies further exclaimed that EarthCruiser’s employees are drawn to a place where they can use their experiences and make people happy. “It’s not what necessarily sets us apart; it just makes us who we are. Terranova is a combination of all of these things—put on four wheels,” said Gillies.
EC’s Terranova is smaller and lighter in weight than its Mitsubishi Fuso-based siblings, the EarthCruiser FX or EXP. With a beefed-up suspension and four-wheel-drive system, the Terranova adventure rig has an option to tow up to 10,000 pounds while tackling a variety of off-tarmac terrain, no matter which domestic moniker customers choose.
A Ford That Functions
As previously mentioned, as of now, the poptop EC Terranova camper is only available atop the Ford chassis, which boasts an 8-foot bed. Showcasing a house length of 184.5 inches, a width of 81 inches and 63 inches of height, the 2021 Ford F-350 Crew Cab is a roomy and solid base for the EC expedition camper.
EarthCruiser increases the base vehicle’s trail protection and off-roading capabilities with upgrades such as a beefy bull bar with steel reinforcements (which adds front recovery points), a steel rear bumper that showcases recessed tail lamps, a mounting surface for various accessories and a 2-inch hitch receiver.
Other noteworthy mentions include upgraded Toyo tires (future owners can choose between all-terrain or mud-terrain rubber) and Method wheels, factory-styled front fender ares, a spare tire with tire cover and trash bag and a rear-facing backup camera with monitor.
In addition to the optional Class IV-rated tow package, the Terranova Ford F-350 can be out tted with a front-mounted, 16,500-pound-capacity WARN 16.5ti-s winch with synthetic rope.
Capable, Quality Camper
“In a nutshell, we start with the end in mind,” Gillies explained.
Clearly, the company’s not into building “nice, shiny things” just so people can say they have a “nice, shiny thing.” EarthCruiser, as a whole, has a very different outlook.
Gillies is keen to talk about what makes EarthCruiser vehicles what they are: “If our actions can’t speak for themselves, then we’ve got a problem. Our perspective is that we’re essentially a travel business that happens to make vehicles.”
Gillies added that EC helps deliver time to their customers. “It’s promises made and promises kept, built by people who know how to build
stuff and deliver.”
After our visit to the company’s Oregon headquarters, it was evident EarthCruiser is particular when building each expedition vehicle.
Terranova’s Exterior
Terranova’s camper is made from molded and structurally insulated berglass elements— walls, oor, entry door and locker box doors. Electrically operated roof actuators raise and lower its top in a simple fashion. As with other EC models, the Terranova roof works via a latchless operation; no roof locks or latches are found here.
Triple-layer, laminated, exible, pop-top walls include eight windows with insect/privacy screens. Clear vinyl protective layers adorn the top of Terranova. This offers occupants a 360-degree view from inside the camper— inviting the outside world in and blurring the division of space.
Along with berglass body side skirts, rear wheel ares and toolboxes, Terranova’s exterior boasts a streamlined design that incorporates ush/recessed locks and latches. An optional hot/cold shower and external drinking water faucet can also be purchased as upgrades.
After our socially distanced in-person tour, it was evident EarthCruiser paid close attention to its Terranova: Its exterior is clean, simple and intended. The Terranova will deliver a unique aerodynamic design, as compared to its boxy competition.
“You’re only as free as you allow yourself to be,” Gillies pointed out. “The vehicle doesn’t make you free. We, as travelers, know our time is nite. COVID has given people more time, which also accelerated the Terranova for EarthCruiser.”
Interior Adornments
EarthCruiser strives to morph and adapt as time goes on—just as travel does. By listening to its customers, the company’s learned to be agile and adjust its designs to suit them.
“When it comes to these sorts of purchases, these are people’s dreams you’re dealing with,” Gillies exclaimed. “Their whole life, dreams that they have; we take that very seriously.”
EarthCruiser customers expect the company to “keep it real.” One of the reasons EC says it’s different from the competition is that it builds on the experience the company has while also listening to its customers.
Along with offering a heavy-duty berglass shell and interior surfaces, EC prides itself on precision manufacturing. Tolerances among cabinetry are even and aligned, with each square foot thought out with multiple uses in mind.
Easy-to-clean, marine-grade materials coupled with solid-surface countertops, stainless steel sinks and bamboo accents round out the kitchen area. Stark-white walls and light-colored accent colors give airiness to Terranova’s interior— something all EC “siblings” share.
Smart storage cubbies are showcased throughout the Terranova’s interior. A false oor gives way to two storage areas, as well as a service hatch for plumbing. There’s no need for a ladder, because the kitchenette’s bottom two drawers double up as a step stool to reach the loft.
Terranova’s oversized over-cab loft features a taller roof—perfect for sitting up in bed. A wall-to-wall, queen-sized RV mattress allows people to sleep lengthwise in it, eliminating the need to crawl over your bunkmate to grab midnight munchies.
The lounge area includes a multifunctional seating area that functions as a work area, eating zone or an additional bed. In addition, integrated wall and under-bench-seat storage compartments beg for gear to be stowed in them.
Critical Systems
Along with a gas or diesel air heater and optional air conditioning, the Terranova incorporates scads of LED lights (both inside and outside the camper) and power outlets to keep laptops and cell phones topped off.
A Shur o freshwater pump and water system with freshwater tank are also on hand, so puri ed drinking water is always available. An induction cooktop and an Isotherm stainless steel fridge/freezer, as well as a composting toilet and full-height shower, complete the interior.
In addition to its base power abilities, the EarthCruiser Terranova can be upgraded with an extensive solar panel and monitoring system. It includes 108 watts of Sun are solar, a 12-volt, 400Ah lithium house battery and a coordinating solar controller and monitoring system, so users will run out of food before power while traveling remotely.
Lastly, an 18-gallon gray-water tank and monitoring system ensure used water can be correctly captured. Terranova’s CZONE Systems Control unit monitors all systems and acts as the camper’s main technology hub.
The Terranova starts at $289,000. While it’s out of the budget for some, it might be the perfect overlanding adventure vehicle for others. Hand-built and eld-proven, the EarthCruiser Terranova expedition camper is designed to make travel dreams come true.
See more from EarthCruiser on Instagram: @earthcruiser.