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  4. I spent a night in an EarthCruiser overlanding RV and saw why people are shelling out $350,000 for the luxurious home on wheels

I spent a night in an EarthCruiser overlanding RV and saw why people are shelling out $350,000 for the luxurious home on wheels

I spent a night in an EarthCruiser overlanding RV and saw why people are shelling out $350,000 for the luxurious home on wheels
Brittany Chang/Insider
  • I spent a night in EarthCruiser's popular $350,000 Terranova overlanding RV.
  • The Oregon vehicle maker continues to see "significant demand" for this model.

I spent a night in overlanding vehicle maker EarthCruiser's luxurious $350,000 Terranova.

I spent a night in overlanding vehicle maker EarthCruiser
Brittany Chang/Insider

It was my first time doing an overnight in a RV or overlander.

It was my first time doing an overnight in a RV or overlander.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And somehow, it ended up being one of the most luxurious travel accommodations I've ever stayed in.

And somehow, it ended up being one of the most luxurious travel accommodations I
Brittany Chang/Insider

Overlanders aren't your typical recreational vehicle.

Overlanders aren
Brittany Chang/Insider

Instead, these beefed up RVs are designed to take a heavy beating.

Instead, these beefed up RVs are designed to take a heavy beating.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Additions like upgraded suspension systems, tow bars, and weatherproofed interiors make these tiny homes on wheels the perfect vessel for remote off-grid and off-road life.

Additions like upgraded suspension systems, tow bars, and weatherproofed interiors make these tiny homes on wheels the perfect vessel for remote off-grid and off-road life.
Brittany Chang/Insider

So if you think RV resorts and campgrounds are now too packed …

So if you think RV resorts and campgrounds are now too packed …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… you might be better off overlanding to destinations a normal vehicle can't travel to.

… you might be better off overlanding to destinations a normal vehicle can
Brittany Chang/Insider

Throughout the years, Bend, Oregon-based EarthCruiser has attracted travelers looking for luxurious yet durable vehicles that can sustain life in the middle of nowhere.

Throughout the years, Bend, Oregon-based EarthCruiser has attracted travelers looking for luxurious yet durable vehicles that can sustain life in the middle of nowhere.
Brittany Chang/Insider

I've always been a big fan of traditional camping and "glamping," but I've never had a reason to try out the overlanding lifestyle until EarthCruiser invited me to visit its headquarters to test its popular Terranova model.

I
Brittany Chang/Insider

RV companies like EarthCruiser saw skyrocketing interest during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

RV companies like EarthCruiser saw skyrocketing interest during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And it seems like this interest has yet to fizzle out for EarthCruiser.

And it seems like this interest has yet to fizzle out for EarthCruiser.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The company has continued to see "significant demand" for the Terranova since it first introduced the large overlander to market in 2021.

The company has continued to see "significant demand" for the Terranova since it first introduced the large overlander to market in 2021.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

And after spending a night in the bulky home on wheels, I see why overlanders have flocked to the build.

And after spending a night in the bulky home on wheels, I see why overlanders have flocked to the build.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Unfortunately for me, starting out with an EarthCruiser might not have been the best decision.

Unfortunately for me, starting out with an EarthCruiser might not have been the best decision.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The Terranova has raised my standards: The vehicle was shockingly comfortable and surpassed all of my expectations.

The Terranova has raised my standards: The vehicle was shockingly comfortable and surpassed all of my expectations.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And I'm not sure many future RVs and overlanding vehicles will be able to compare to the spacious home on wheels.

And I
Brittany Chang/Insider

Before this, the closest I ever got to spending a night in a RV was staying at two AutoCamps, a wildly popular luxury campground using static Airstream trailers as hotel rooms.

Before this, the closest I ever got to spending a night in a RV was staying at two AutoCamps, a wildly popular luxury campground using static Airstream trailers as hotel rooms.
Autocamp Yosemite's Airstream suites.      Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

But that experience doesn't compare to true RVing.

But that experience doesn
Brittany Chang/Insider

My Airstream hotel room had a large water heater, separate bathroom with a tiled shower, and a kitchen large enough for two home cooks.

My Airstream hotel room had a large water heater, separate bathroom with a tiled shower, and a kitchen large enough for two home cooks.
Brittany Chang/Insider

AutoCamp's Airstreams were more akin to a traditional hotel room or "glamping" site than a true RV.

AutoCamp
Brittany Chang/Insider

And shockingly, that's how I felt when I spent a night in the EarthCruiser Terranova as well.

And shockingly, that
Brittany Chang/Insider

I've been writing about EarthCruiser's undeniably expensive overlanders since 2020.

I
EarthCruiser EXP 2020.      EarthCruiser

Source: Insider

As an overlanding newcomer who did extensive research on EarthCruiser, I thought I knew what to expect before I stepped foot into the 24-foot-long Terranova.

As an overlanding newcomer who did extensive research on EarthCruiser, I thought I knew what to expect before I stepped foot into the 24-foot-long Terranova.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But all my years of writing about the Oregon company did not prepare me for the surprise I felt when I first looked around the large vehicle.

But all my years of writing about the Oregon company did not prepare me for the surprise I felt when I first looked around the large vehicle.
Brittany Chang/Insider

A 6.75-foot-wide home may not seem spacious.

A 6.75-foot-wide home may not seem spacious.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But somehow, the Terranova and its tall ceilings — when the pop-top roof was engaged — felt surprisingly spacious for what it was: a home perched atop a Ford F350.

But somehow, the Terranova and its tall ceilings — when the pop-top roof was engaged — felt surprisingly spacious for what it was: a home perched atop a Ford F350.
Brittany Chang/Insider

I had the whole Terranova to myself but the vehicle could've comfortably accommodated another adult.

I had the whole Terranova to myself but the vehicle could
Brittany Chang/Insider

There were two separate beds to sleep four people …

There were two separate beds to sleep four people …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… but a family of four might've been a tight squeeze.

… but a family of four might
Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

The layout made the vehicle feel like a multi-space studio apartment.

The layout made the vehicle feel like a multi-space studio apartment.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The narrower kitchen and bathroom separated the larger lofted "bedroom" and living room.

The narrower kitchen and bathroom separated the larger lofted "bedroom" and living room.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And as I moved around, I never found myself short on space.

And as I moved around, I never found myself short on space.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The horseshoe-shaped dinette had leather cushioned seats that made it the perfect multi-purpose living room.

The horseshoe-shaped dinette had leather cushioned seats that made it the perfect multi-purpose living room.
Brittany Chang/Insider

If I was working on the road, these comfortable seats and the adjustable table would've made for an ideal remote office.

If I was working on the road, these comfortable seats and the adjustable table would
Brittany Chang/Insider

My only slight complaint was that the cushions weren't strapped into the seats.

My only slight complaint was that the cushions weren
Brittany Chang/Insider

During my one-hour drive to the remote campsite, several of the cushions were thrown out of place — luckily, it was nothing too inconvenient to put back into place.

During my one-hour drive to the remote campsite, several of the cushions were thrown out of place — luckily, it was nothing too inconvenient to put back into place.
Brittany Chang/Insider

This dinette could've also converted into a second bed, but I never needed to test this feature.

This dinette could
Brittany Chang/Insider

I already had my own bed towards the front of the overlander.

I already had my own bed towards the front of the overlander.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The bed was pretty high up. To make accessing it less of a hassle, the Terranova had built-in retractable steps.

The bed was pretty high up. To make accessing it less of a hassle, the Terranova had built-in retractable steps.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But I'm agile. So out of sheer ironic laziness, I opted to climb my way up.

But I
Brittany Chang/Insider

Being this high up meant great views out the windows — including a skylight — and of the rest of the overlander.

Being this high up meant great views out the windows — including a skylight — and of the rest of the overlander.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Up here, the ceiling wasn't tall enough for me to stand up straight. But I still had more than enough room to sit up without worrying about the overhead clearance.

Up here, the ceiling wasn
Brittany Chang/Insider

This lofted bed also conveniently had bedside lights and outlets, which meant there was no need to climb in and out of bed just to check my phone.

This lofted bed also conveniently had bedside lights and outlets, which meant there was no need to climb in and out of bed just to check my phone.
Brittany Chang/Insider

While the mattress doesn’t compare to my plush bed with six pillows at home, it was still surprisingly comfortable for a bed on the road.

While the mattress doesn’t compare to my plush bed with six pillows at home, it was still surprisingly comfortable for a bed on the road.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And unlike the alternative (a sleeping bag on the dirt ground), I didn't wake up with an aching back.

And unlike the alternative (a sleeping bag on the dirt ground), I didn
Brittany Chang/Insider

Despite a prior tour from Clive Watson, EarthCruiser's affable customer experience and training manager, I somehow couldn't get the heater to turn on properly.

Despite a prior tour from Clive Watson, EarthCruiser
Brittany Chang/Insider

And I committed a classic rookie mistake: I didn't fully zip up the insect and privacy screens on the windows before I went to sleep.

And I committed a classic rookie mistake: I didn
Brittany Chang/Insider

To my dismay, I didn't realize this until I woke up with cold feet (literally) in the middle of the cold Oregon night, although the vehicle's foam insulation definitely helped keep me from feeling unbearably cold.

To my dismay, I didn
Brittany Chang/Insider

And yet, sleeping in the Terranova was still exponentially more comfortable than my prior camping experiences.

And yet, sleeping in the Terranova was still exponentially more comfortable than my prior camping experiences.
Brittany Chang/Insider

For the first time in months, I was able to drift off in a soundless night devoid of sirens and people shouting by my window.

For the first time in months, I was able to drift off in a soundless night devoid of sirens and people shouting by my window.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The kitchen separating this bed from the convertible dinette was large enough for two adults to prepare a meal.

The kitchen separating this bed from the convertible dinette was large enough for two adults to prepare a meal.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Size-wise, it was nearly comparable to the Airstream trailer I had at AutoCamp.

Size-wise, it was nearly comparable to the Airstream trailer I had at AutoCamp.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And unlike that trailer, I had an electric cooktop inside the Terranova.

And unlike that trailer, I had an electric cooktop inside the Terranova.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The deep sink was my perfect makeshift bathroom as I brushed my teeth and washed my face before bed …

The deep sink was my perfect makeshift bathroom as I brushed my teeth and washed my face before bed …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… and became a catch-all place for all loose items that had to be secured before hitting the road.

… and became a catch-all place for all loose items that had to be secured before hitting the road.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And the addition of a drinking water faucet was also a convenient and well-thought-out detail that I imagine only longtime overlanders would've thought of.

And the addition of a drinking water faucet was also a convenient and well-thought-out detail that I imagine only longtime overlanders would
Brittany Chang/Insider

I didn't have to cook dinner during my little EarthCruiser sleepover.

I didn
Brittany Chang/Insider

But the surprisingly long L-shaped fiberglass counter …

But the surprisingly long L-shaped fiberglass counter …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… slide out-refrigerator and freezer …

… slide out-refrigerator and freezer …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… and deep sink would've made preparing a meal in the middle of nowhere an unexpectedly easy task.

… and deep sink would
Brittany Chang/Insider

There were several drawers in the kitchen unit to store cookware, utensils, and dry goods.

There were several drawers in the kitchen unit to store cookware, utensils, and dry goods.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But if that's not enough, the countertop by the base of the bed also had several built-in drawers.

But if that
Brittany Chang/Insider

Looking for storage felt like playing a game of "I spy."

Looking for storage felt like playing a game of "I spy."
Brittany Chang/Insider

There were drawers and cabinets scattered all throughout the Terranova, including some hidden in the floor …

There were drawers and cabinets scattered all throughout the Terranova, including some hidden in the floor …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… the trash can tucked into the kitchen …

… the trash can tucked into the kitchen …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… and more storage under the dinette's seat cushions.

… and more storage under the dinette
Brittany Chang/Insider

But nothing was more hidden than the Terranova's makeshift bathroom.

But nothing was more hidden than the Terranova
Brittany Chang/Insider

Up until now, you probably haven't seen the bathroom in any of these photos.

Up until now, you probably haven
Brittany Chang/Insider

That's because its toilet and shower were hidden in the large storage unit behind the kitchen and in front of the entryway door.

Brittany Chang/Insider

To an untrained eye, the bathroom might have been impossible to find: Its only giveaway was the plastic toilet paper roll cover and slatted floor.

To an untrained eye, the bathroom might have been impossible to find: Its only giveaway was the plastic toilet paper roll cover and slatted floor.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The "room" in bathroom was just this wood flooring.

The "room" in bathroom was just this wood flooring.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The toilet pulled out over this floor.

The toilet pulled out over this floor.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And if I wanted to take a shower, I could've either done it outside or extended the shower curtain around the wood panels to create a makeshift shower stall using the plug-in shower head, shown below.

And if I wanted to take a shower, I could
Brittany Chang/Insider

The toilet on my Terranova wasn't working during my overnight stay, but I can only assume it was more comfortable than my alternative for the night.

The toilet on my Terranova wasn
Brittany Chang/Insider

Besides the hidden bathroom and four wheels, the Terranova functioned almost identically to a tiny studio.

Besides the hidden bathroom and four wheels, the Terranova functioned almost identically to a tiny studio.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The biggest difference was its control panel.

The biggest difference was its control panel.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Conserving resources like water and power is important when you're in the middle of nowhere.

Conserving resources like water and power is important when you
Brittany Chang/Insider

So features like the heater, air conditioner, water, and lights needed to be turned off when not in use.

So features like the heater, air conditioner, water, and lights needed to be turned off when not in use.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Luckily, the easy-to-use touchscreen control panel kept all of these on and off buttons in one location.

Luckily, the easy-to-use touchscreen control panel kept all of these on and off buttons in one location.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And it was definitely more convenient than hunting for separate manual switches.

And it was definitely more convenient than hunting for separate manual switches.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Small touches of luxurious and thoughtful design elements like this were integrated throughout the Terranova …

Small touches of luxurious and thoughtful design elements like this were integrated throughout the Terranova …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… like the staircase that automatically lowered when the front door was opened …

… like the staircase that automatically lowered when the front door was opened …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… and the pop-top roof that was easily raised and lowered by pressing a button on the key fob.

… and the pop-top roof that was easily raised and lowered by pressing a button on the key fob.
Brittany Chang/Insider

After spending a night in the EarthCruiser, it's easy to see the appeal of overlanding vehicles.

After spending a night in the EarthCruiser, it
Brittany Chang/Insider

A workhorse like Terranova allows travelers to vacation and adventure where most RVers can't go, creating a feeling of both privacy and exclusivity.

A workhorse like Terranova allows travelers to vacation and adventure where most RVers can
Brittany Chang/Insider

And it's so refreshing to wake up to fresh air and views of nature instead of the sight of other RVs at an RV resort.

And it
Brittany Chang/Insider

Despite being off-grid, the Terranova had every amenity a person could want for a comfortable life on the road.

Despite being off-grid, the Terranova had every amenity a person could want for a comfortable life on the road.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And I'll admit its luxury — specifically the addition of a kitchen, bathroom, climate control, and comfortable bed — made me prefer it over a sleeping bag and tent.

And I
Brittany Chang/Insider

The Terranova essentially functions as a traditional studio apartment with less space and four wheels.

The Terranova essentially functions as a traditional studio apartment with less space and four wheels.
Brittany Chang/Insider

It's undoubtedly a high-end way to RV or glamp.

It
Brittany Chang/Insider

But after less than 24 hours in the Terranova, I now empathize with overlanders who are shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars for their own EarthCruiser.

But after less than 24 hours in the Terranova, I now empathize with overlanders who are shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars for their own EarthCruiser.
Brittany Chang/Insider

If I had an extra $350,000 to spare and a yearning for life on the road, I would consider buying a Terranova for myself as well. But for now, I'll settle on my less expensive and non-moving apartment.

If I had an extra $350,000 to spare and a yearning for life on the road, I would consider buying a Terranova for myself as well. But for now, I
Brittany Chang/Insider

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