Earthcruiser unveils $289,000 off-road RV built on a pickup truck after seeing skyrocketing demand during the pandemic - see inside

Brittany ChangMay 9, 2021, 19:26 IST

The EC Terranova.EarthCruiser

Earthcruiser, which specializes in overlanding vehicles, just debuted the $289,000 EC Terranova.
The Terranova is a four-seasons RV available on pickup truck chassis from automakers like Ford and Chevrolet.
The vehicle can fit four people and has amenities like a loft and a dinette that can turn into a standing desk.

Earthcruiser, which specializes in rugged, off-grid overlanding vehicles, has unveiled its latest model: the EC Terranova pickup truck camper, which starts at $289,000.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

Earthcruiser, which specializes in rugged, off-grid overlanding vehicles, has unveiled its latest model: the EC Terranova pickup truck camper, which starts at $289,000.

The vehicle has all the amenities needed for a family of four to travel on the road, including two beds, a kitchen, and a convertible workspace area.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

All of this fits inside of the four-by-four, over-cab, four-seasons approved tiny home that can sit on top of pickup truck chassis like the Ford F350.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

Not interested in a Ford pickup camper? The Terranova will also be available on Dodge and Chevrolet trucks in 2022.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

Earthcruiser used customer feedback and "input from outdoor enthusiasts across the board" to create Terranova's design.

The EC Terranova's front seats. EarthCruiser

With this input, the entire design process took about eight months.

The EC Terranova's under dinette storage. EarthCruiser

Before the model was officially unveiled, EarthCruiser already saw "unprecedented demand" for the Terranova, and this demand has only increased now that the model is officially available for order.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

Before the model was officially unveiled, EarthCruiser already saw "unprecedented demand" for the Terranova, and this demand has only increased now that the model is officially available for order.

Generally, like other road travel makers, Earthcruiser saw a boom in interest and sales - to the tune of a 300% increase in monthly inquiries compared to the year prior - during COVID-19 as other forms of travel became less accessible.

The EC Terranova's lounge. EarthCruiser

Generally, like other road travel makers, Earthcruiser saw a boom in interest and sales - to the tune of a 300% increase in monthly inquiries compared to the year prior - during COVID-19 as other forms of travel became less accessible.

This includes more customer inquiries from the eastern half of the US though interest has always been strong from the west.

The EC Terranova's control area. EarthCruiser

"We've seen an increase in couples who want a hub-and-spoke lifestyle with a home base as an anchor but the flexibility to head out for weeks or months in the EarthCruiser and work remote," Austin Steimer, head of engineering at EarthCruiser, told Insider in an email interview.

The EC Terranova's rear lounge. EarthCruiser

"We've seen an increase in couples who want a hub-and-spoke lifestyle with a home base as an anchor but the flexibility to head out for weeks or months in the EarthCruiser and work remote," Austin Steimer, head of engineering at EarthCruiser, told Insider in an email interview.

The company also saw more inquiries from people interested in full-time life on the road, which has been made more convenient with remote learning.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

Earthcruiser has since seen a "big shift" in retirees, as well as families and millennials who are interested in working and learning remotely.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

The Terranova is designed to accommodate four people, perfect for this booming family segment.

The EC Terranova's rear storage. EarthCruiser

The tiny home on wheels was constructed with fiberglass and "marine-grade" materials, making it both easy to clean and durable, according to its maker.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

Its foam core composites and curtains that line the windows keep the interior warm despite cold terrains.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

Now let's take a look inside.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

The entry door has steps that automatically drop down when the door is opened, according to Earthcruiser's Youtube video tour of the vehicle.

The EC Terranova's entry and bathroom. EarthCruiser

Source: Youtube

Beyond the front door is the mud room and a pull-out composting toilet that hides away when it's not in use.

The EC Terranova's entry and bathroom. EarthCruiser

This area even has an interior shower space with a shower curtain and a shower head. The shower head can be extended and used from the exterior of the vehicle as well.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

This area even has an interior shower space with a shower curtain and a shower head. The shower head can be extended and used from the exterior of the vehicle as well.

There's also plenty of storage right by the door, which can keep all the necessary essentials one might need to grab when they're running out the door.

The EC Terranova's under dinette storage. EarthCruiser

Now, let's look down at the floor, which has in-floor storage units.

The EC Terranova's storage. EarthCruiser

One of the units is used to store the plumbing systems, but the other two are empty, creating discrete storage space.

The EC Terranova's storage. EarthCruiser

Moving along, let's head up the stairs to access the over-cab "loft."

The EC Terranova's in-stair storage. EarthCruiser

Many lofted beds in camper vans and RVs require a ladder for access, but the Terranova instead uses a pull-out staircase.

The EC Terranova's in-stair storage. EarthCruiser

The stairs also have built-in drawers for more discrete storage options.

The EC Terranova's loft. EarthCruiser

When the stairs aren't needed, they can be pushed back into the cabinet (more on that a bit later).

The EC Terranova's kitchen. EarthCruiser

Heading up the stairs, the loft is tall enough to accommodate someone sitting upright in bed without hitting their head on the ceiling.

The EC Terranova's loft. EarthCruiser

This space can accommodate a queen mattress and is surrounded by windows for bright natural light.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

There are also outlets, reading lights, and little storage units by the lofted bed.

The EC Terranova's loft. EarthCruiser

This raised sleeping space was created using a pop-up roof, which has been featured in other Earthcruiser vehicles.

The EC Terranova's loft. EarthCruiser

The roof can either be raised using a button inside the vehicle or via the key fob.

The EC Terranova's lounge. EarthCruiser

This raised space also creates standing room inside the vehicle, accommodating someone up to six-foot, five inches tall.

The EC Terranova's rear storage. EarthCruiser

Now, let's trek back down the stairs and into the main living area.

The EC Terranova's work space. EarthCruiser

The kitchen sits in the middle of the overlanding vehicle.

The EC Terranova's kitchen. EarthCruiser

It comes with a sink with purified water, a built-in garbage can, storage …

The EC Terranova's kitchen. EarthCruiser

… a refrigerator-freezer, a cooktop, and plenty of counter space.

The EC Terranova's kitchen. EarthCruiser

Unsurprisingly, COVID-19 had an impact on the design of the Terranova, although plans for the vehicle were already underway when the virus first began spreading.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

"We'd been talking about this type of vehicle for a while ... and [when] we saw the increase of people wanting remote travel, we accelerated our plans," Steimer said. "We did take advanced modular ideas geared toward work remote lifestyle, hub-and-spoke, and even full-time living."

The EC Terranova's lounge. EarthCruiser

"We'd been talking about this type of vehicle for a while ... and [when] we saw the increase of people wanting remote travel, we accelerated our plans," Steimer said. "We did take advanced modular ideas geared toward work remote lifestyle, hub-and-spoke, and even full-time living."

This push for modularity can be seen in the dinette, which can function as a dining table, bedroom, living room, and office space.

The EC Terranova's rear storage. EarthCruiser

This horseshoe-shaped seating can fit up to four adults and one child.

The EC Terranova's lounge. EarthCruiser

It also has adjustable legs, allowing the table to move horizontally or vertically depending on the passengers' needs.

The EC Terranova's lounge. EarthCruiser

The table can even be used as a standing desk for those who prefer to be on two feet while working.

The EC Terranova's work space. EarthCruiser

When it's time for a nighttime slumber, the dinette can turn into a 6.3-foot long bed, creating a secondary sleeping space to accommodate the loft.

The EC Terranova's rear lounge. EarthCruiser

The control area, which is right by the dinette, can be used to control amenities like the music, roof, and lights.

The EC Terranova's control area. EarthCruiser

But when the lights aren't on, the curtain-lined windows can bring in natural light.

The EC Terranova's rear lounge. EarthCruiser

The windows also come with insect and privacy screens.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

There's even a fan and an optional air conditioning unit to keep the interior air flowing.

The EC Terranova's front seats. EarthCruiser

Want to head to the driver's seat without going outside? There's a small area crawl-through passageway that connects the home portion with the driver and passenger seats.

The EC Terranova's in-stair storage. EarthCruiser

Want to head to the driver's seat without going outside? There's a small area crawl-through passageway that connects the home portion with the driver and passenger seats.

Now, let's take a look at the exterior of the vehicle.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

The outside of the Terranova is lined with several storage units and LED lights, to name a few amenities.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

The pickup truck camper can even tow extra gear, such as a boat or trailer.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

All of the off-grid vehicle's amenities are powered by a 12-volt, 400-amp-hour lithium battery and 108-watt solar panels.

The EC Terranova's rear seats. EarthCruiser

If all of this sounds enticing to you, the $289,000 vehicle can now be reserved on Earthcruiser's website.

The EC Terranova. EarthCruiser

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Earthcruiser unveils $289,000 off-road RV built on a pickup truck after seeing skyrocketing demand during the pandemic - see inside

Earthcruiser, which specializes in rugged, off-grid overlanding vehicles, has unveiled its latest model: the EC Terranova pickup truck camper, which starts at $289,000.

The vehicle has all the amenities needed for a family of four to travel on the road, including two beds, a kitchen, and a convertible workspace area.

All of this fits inside of the four-by-four, over-cab, four-seasons approved tiny home that can sit on top of pickup truck chassis like the Ford F350.

Not interested in a Ford pickup camper? The Terranova will also be available on Dodge and Chevrolet trucks in 2022.

Earthcruiser used customer feedback and "input from outdoor enthusiasts across the board" to create Terranova's design.

With this input, the entire design process took about eight months.

Before the model was officially unveiled, EarthCruiser already saw "unprecedented demand" for the Terranova, and this demand has only increased now that the model is officially available for order.

Generally, like other road travel makers, Earthcruiser saw a boom in interest and sales - to the tune of a 300% increase in monthly inquiries compared to the year prior - during COVID-19 as other forms of travel became less accessible.

This includes more customer inquiries from the eastern half of the US though interest has always been strong from the west.

"We've seen an increase in couples who want a hub-and-spoke lifestyle with a home base as an anchor but the flexibility to head out for weeks or months in the EarthCruiser and work remote," Austin Steimer, head of engineering at EarthCruiser, told Insider in an email interview.

The company also saw more inquiries from people interested in full-time life on the road, which has been made more convenient with remote learning.

Earthcruiser has since seen a "big shift" in retirees, as well as families and millennials who are interested in working and learning remotely.

The Terranova is designed to accommodate four people, perfect for this booming family segment.

The tiny home on wheels was constructed with fiberglass and "marine-grade" materials, making it both easy to clean and durable, according to its maker.

Its foam core composites and curtains that line the windows keep the interior warm despite cold terrains.

Now let's take a look inside.

The entry door has steps that automatically drop down when the door is opened, according to Earthcruiser's Youtube video tour of the vehicle.

Beyond the front door is the mud room and a pull-out composting toilet that hides away when it's not in use.

This area even has an interior shower space with a shower curtain and a shower head. The shower head can be extended and used from the exterior of the vehicle as well.

There's also plenty of storage right by the door, which can keep all the necessary essentials one might need to grab when they're running out the door.

Now, let's look down at the floor, which has in-floor storage units.

One of the units is used to store the plumbing systems, but the other two are empty, creating discrete storage space.

Moving along, let's head up the stairs to access the over-cab "loft."

Many lofted beds in camper vans and RVs require a ladder for access, but the Terranova instead uses a pull-out staircase.

The stairs also have built-in drawers for more discrete storage options.

When the stairs aren't needed, they can be pushed back into the cabinet (more on that a bit later).

Heading up the stairs, the loft is tall enough to accommodate someone sitting upright in bed without hitting their head on the ceiling.

This space can accommodate a queen mattress and is surrounded by windows for bright natural light.

There are also outlets, reading lights, and little storage units by the lofted bed.

This raised sleeping space was created using a pop-up roof, which has been featured in other Earthcruiser vehicles.

The roof can either be raised using a button inside the vehicle or via the key fob.

This raised space also creates standing room inside the vehicle, accommodating someone up to six-foot, five inches tall.

Now, let's trek back down the stairs and into the main living area.

The kitchen sits in the middle of the overlanding vehicle.

It comes with a sink with purified water, a built-in garbage can, storage …

… a refrigerator-freezer, a cooktop, and plenty of counter space.

Unsurprisingly, COVID-19 had an impact on the design of the Terranova, although plans for the vehicle were already underway when the virus first began spreading.

"We'd been talking about this type of vehicle for a while ... and [when] we saw the increase of people wanting remote travel, we accelerated our plans," Steimer said. "We did take advanced modular ideas geared toward work remote lifestyle, hub-and-spoke, and even full-time living."

This push for modularity can be seen in the dinette, which can function as a dining table, bedroom, living room, and office space.

This horseshoe-shaped seating can fit up to four adults and one child.

It also has adjustable legs, allowing the table to move horizontally or vertically depending on the passengers' needs.

The table can even be used as a standing desk for those who prefer to be on two feet while working.

When it's time for a nighttime slumber, the dinette can turn into a 6.3-foot long bed, creating a secondary sleeping space to accommodate the loft.

The control area, which is right by the dinette, can be used to control amenities like the music, roof, and lights.

But when the lights aren't on, the curtain-lined windows can bring in natural light.

The windows also come with insect and privacy screens.

There's even a fan and an optional air conditioning unit to keep the interior air flowing.

Want to head to the driver's seat without going outside? There's a small area crawl-through passageway that connects the home portion with the driver and passenger seats.

Now, let's take a look at the exterior of the vehicle.

The outside of the Terranova is lined with several storage units and LED lights, to name a few amenities.

The pickup truck camper can even tow extra gear, such as a boat or trailer.

All of the off-grid vehicle's amenities are powered by a 12-volt, 400-amp-hour lithium battery and 108-watt solar panels.

If all of this sounds enticing to you, the $289,000 vehicle can now be reserved on Earthcruiser's website.