7 TONNE EXPEDITION EARTHCRUISER – EXP
ACCOMMODATION
Earthcruisers have unique appointments depending on chassis
(General information only)
The 7.5 square metre (80 square feet) interior of a Earthcruiser is well appointed and functional. The light-weight purposely designed home grows 600mm (24 inch) upwards at the push of a button when setting up camp. This allows a large walk-around area within the camper body in stationary mode, and in its lowered position a more aerodynamic shape for the highway and a compact shape for off-road travel.
The effective use of solar panelling, a diesel water heater and other proven technology permits extended travel and makes isolated stays both relaxing and enjoyable.
Access to a Earthcruiser is from the cab or the side door. The interior of this mobile adventure home is cleverly designed using light coloured all fibreglass cabinetry and large windows that make the living area feel spacious and bright. Quality appliances, hot and cold shower, toilet, ergonomic kitchen, plentiful storage and bed make for comfortable living.
BODY UNIT
Using knowledge from the ocean yachting industry, the engineered designed floor, walls and roof are of a fibreglass composite construction. The laminate schedule of Earthcruiser has been well proven in the field and laboratory, producing a combination of the desired insulation, high stiffness and strength to weight ratio with superior toughness. This light-weight sandwich structure can be subjected to both static and dynamic loads. The result is that Earthcruiser is strong, light weight and has a very low conductivity of heat as well as high insulative properties.
The internal surfaces are curved moulded fibreglass, much as you would expect in a modern cruising yacht. The camper floor is insulated fibreglass and covered in easy to clean linoleum flooring.
Seating and vehicle cabin access is leather or fabric trimmed as standard. The swing out table allows easy movement to one side and access into the vehicle cabin. The table can be easily repositioned to the seat level creating a third sleeping position, converting the dining area to a bunk bed when stationary.
ACCOMMODATION
The bed area is comfortable and wide, and can be used with the roof raised or lowered. Large flyscreened windows surrounding the bed can be opened for a breeze or closed with a privacy screen. Half the windows come with an additional clear screen.
The bench top has a deep bowled sink, mixer tap and water purifier faucet. Above is the command centre featuring lighting, water-battery gauges, cabin heating controls, and solar monitor. Our specially commissioned upright fridge/freezer is both practical and functional.
Internally the roof is domed shaped, much like a modern passenger aircraft. This provides good structural support without compromising external height. This combined with the 600mm high (24 inch) vinyl interface allows ease of movement within the living section.
Earthcruisers are fitted with the revolutionary walk through entry way shower (mud room). This floor plan makes maximum use of space, is extremely functional and looks great. The toilet slides in and out with a touch of a switch. The toilet roll holder is ingeniously covered, so there is no chance it can get wet while the shower in use. The fold down shower curtain ensures the rest of your home stays dry.
Or there is an option of the traditional but discreet shower and toilet area which doubles as a bench when not in use.
GEAR STORAGE
Internally, Earthcruiser offers large removable storage drawers. The functional (no rattles!) drawers are equipped with travel locks so that they do not move during off-road travel. The Earthcruiser uses a modular polyethylene moulded drawer system like no other in the world.
A large discreet under mattress storage can be added for larger items which are more conveniently placed inside the vehicle rather than the external storage areas.
Externally there is access to the two very large under bed storage areas with pass through access for fishing rods or skis etc. There is ample room for external camp chairs, table and other bulky items. Both external lockers are lit with switched LED strip lights and 12 volt DC power that can be remotely operated from inside the camper. Additionally, the vehicle skirts add two more storage areas on either side of the vehicle.
WATER
Earthcruiser is equipped with up to 300L (79 Gallon) fresh water. The 12V pump system will allow you to draw water from individual tanks, allowing the use of one tank for cooking etc and the other for showering. Transferring water between tanks is possible, giving maximum control over usage of available water. The plumbing flexibility can pump from a creek or dam into either tank. It is also possible to pump directly from the creek into either the internal or external shower by-passing both holding tanks–an infinity shower!
The purified drinking water will be delivered from any tank via the onboard water purifier through the designated stainless steel drinking fountain.
For travelling to the subzero locations, Earthcruiser can provide fully insulated and warmed water tanks.
WATER PURIFICATION
With such an important health consideration, Earthcruiser is fitted with the only unit in the world that is independently certified to meet world EPA Health Standards for Microbiological purifiers against Bacteria, Cysts, and Viruses.
The unit provides pure water in 3 ways;
Using Ultrafine Micro straining it physically removes Guardia, Cryptosporidium and other specific parasites and debris down to 0.4 microns.
Removing pathogens also removes disease toxins and is far superior to “poisoning” organisms with pesticides.
Using a broad spectrum molecular capture it traps and contains organic and other chemicals such as pesticides and solvents, as well as chlorine and trace elements that can be toxic and /or carcinogenic, along with foul taste, odour and colour.
The Electrostatic removal process uses specially charged space-age surfaces to remove minute particles, molecules and colloids suspended in the water.
There is no bacteria growth in the cartridge and it is made from marine grade stainless steel with lead-free faucets and ports. This is the same system that you will find on most international aircraft. The renewable cartridge is good for 4,000 litres or approximately 2 years.
The drinking water system has passed the rigorous verification and field testing of research institutes, health and safety associations, independent laboratories, numerous private expeditions and above all, individual users. Here there is no compromise.
POWER
Earthcruiser is able to be parked up at your favourite isolated spot for up to 10 days without the use of additional power. The roof is recessed to allow the two standard 150 watt shatter proof solar panels (up to five panels, giving you 1000 watts of power) to sit flush with the Earthcruiser roof, there is no leading edge to get caught under low branches or quaint small village awnings.
Two deep cycle ( a third is an option) batteries will run the 12 volt off road fridge/freezer and the low draw 12V LED lighting system for this considerable time.
A 3000 watt Inverter with charger (240 or 110 Volt) provides true sine wave power and will power up your computer and supply sufficient power for other AC powered items.
Should the batteries drop below the 50% ideal level, an alarm system will advise. It is then possible to easily top up the batteries by directly using the vehicles alternator. The electrical system is designed to eliminate the need to carry a portable generator.
The chest high command panel gives full access to all power switches and circuit breakers plus:
- Water Level Indicators
- House and Vehicle Battery levels
- Charge and discharge of house batteries
- Remaining capacity in amp hours or percentage
- Solar panel input and historical system usage.
- Alarm system for battery and water levels.
BODY UNIT
Battery Distribution Cluster and VSR (Voltage Sensitive Relay) allows isolation of vehicle and house batteries independently with the ability to emergency parallel supply to both. Alternatively both systems can be isolated in the off position in case of shipping or for added security and/or storage.
When the engine is first started, the VSR is open and remains open until the start battery reaches 13.4 Volt. At the rated voltage, the relay closes providing charge to both start and the house batteries. When the engine is stopped and the start battery drops below 12.8 Volts, the VSR disengages and separates the start and the house battery bank. This eliminates the possibility of draining the start battery, and protects electronics powered by the house battery from harmful engine spikes.
Setting Earthcruiser apart from others in the market, Earthcruiser does have 240/110 Volt as a standard feature. The battery pack can supply ample power for lights, water pumps, and refrigeration. Any 240 or 110Volt accessories are powered via the two 240 or 110Volt outlets via the on-board inverter. Power is regenerated free from the roof mounted solar panels, or from the vehicle alternator.
LIGHTING
The lighting system is both functional and ergonomic. 12 Volt LED lights over the cooking, workbench and seating area provides functional lighting, and at the bed head are two adjustable LED reading lights. Surrounding the bed interface panel are low LED draw lights.
Externally on each side and rear are water resistant LED flood lights. These provide adequate lighting for the ‘camp’ area under the RH awning and lighting for the external shower on the LH side. The positioning of these also provides good light for that late night unpredictable tyre change.
It is through experience learnt from remote international travel that encourages us to also include appropriately positioned internal night lights for that inconspicuous night camp set up.
Earthcruiser also has a ‘panic’ switch that lights up both the external flood lights. This may prove invaluable when you hear that unusual noise at night. Furthermore, should the need arise you can be driving away from a potential problem within less than 60 seconds following a push of the roof & step button, all without leaving the safety or warmth of inside the vehicle.
COOKING
Internally is the very smart Diesel fuelled Webasto Cooktop. The heat source is an integrated diesel burner drawing fuel directly from the vehicle’s fuel tank. The cooking surface is an elegant and clean ceramic surface which has room for two pots or saucepans.
Earthcruiser provides adequate food preparation areas that include a deep bowl sink and integrated cutting board. Water is supplied via a combination hot/cold stainless steel tap or from the designated water purifier stainless drinking fountain.
Add a BBQ to your Earthcruiser for the ultimate outdoor experience. The passenger side storage door can double as a table for your convenience. (BBQ not available for all camper options)
BATHROOM
The shower has an rain head nozzle.
The C402 Thetford Cassette chemical toilet is ideal for ease of operation in the bush. It has several unique features including an easy to clean 19.3-litre waste holding tank with a retractable handle and wheels for convenient handling. There is also an advanced level LED display which shows the levels in the waste holding tank.
EXTERIOR APPOINTMENTS
Shade Awning
The retractable electric projection awning cleverly retract fully into the roof to avoid damage in the tight tracks.
External Shower, Water/Fuel Fillers
On the driver’s side is a lockable door that conceals the secondary fuel tank filler, the twin water tank fillers and the external shower and mixer taps.
Hiding the fuel and water fillers minimises the possibility of fuel theft and water contamination.
Electric steps
The Electric steps fully retract so as not to impede the ramp over angle of the vehicle. Activation of the steps is from within the camper module and at the driver’s seat, allowing total flexibility so that you do not have to exit the vehicle during inclement weather before driving away.
Camper to Vehicle Access
Access to the vehicle cabin from the camper module is via flexible bellows that allows the camper module to move independently to the vehicle cabin. This system is proven over many millions of kilometres in the trucking industry in the case of a Fuso or an Isuzu. It is easy to operate, completely waterproof and still allows the truck cab to tilt for service access to the engine.
“Pop-Top” Camper Roof
Earthcruiser is unique, in that a full sized expedition motorhome can be containerised. The regulations that currently prevail with some international shipping lines are that RO-RO (Roll on – Roll off) vehicles MUST, for security reasons, have NO personal effects within the vehicle. This may be acceptable for shipping a car from one country to another, however is totally unacceptable for an extended expedition travel vehicle. Containerisation ensures your vehicle and personal effects arrive intact!
With today’s volatile fuel prices economical fuel consumption is important. Earthcruiser does not have a wall of camper extending above and beyond the leading edges of the drivers cabin and affords very economical travel.
The vinyl wall has three (3) layers, white on the outside to reflect the heat, a black internal membrane for reduced temperature/light transfer, and a white interior to keep a comfortable temperature within. Temperature transfer is therefore kept to an absolute minimum.
For cooling, the vinyl interface has eight (8) zipper/ roll down ventilation fly screened windows. At head height this gives a 360 degree panoramic view of your surroundings. Set into the camper roof are two speakers that are connected to the vehicles radio system.
The roof module is raised by four 12 Volt actuators. These are activated by a switch conveniently located within the camper door. These actuators also hold the roof down giving a good dust and water seal.
It takes only 48 seconds to raise the roof and camp is set.
Under Body Skirts
Completing the package, Earthcruiser is finished with full under body skirts. These contain lockable battery access, lockable main fuel tank access and two lockable storage bins.
Earthcruiser and the associated equipment is always under constant testing and evaluation hence some items listed above may change as we continue to search for new and better ideas.
NB Please check your exact requirements at the time of ordering.
