I attempted overlanding for the first time with EarthCruiser.
I was taught how to operate the vehicle by the team from EarthCruiser.
Travelers have been abandoning their RV's for overlanders.
I moved to New York City because I didn't want to have to drive on a bumper-to-bumper freeway again.
I'm not able to drive.
I thought it would be a good idea to try overlanding for the first time with EarthCruiser.
A fully capable Ford F350-based home on wheels with a price tag higher than my four-year college tuition, is a fully capable Ford F350-based home on wheels with a price tag higher than my four-year college tuition, is a fully capable Ford F350-based
I have never taken an RV trip before.
Despite all odds, the experience and guidance from EarthCruiser's team made me miss driving.
I thought I could switch to a giant overlanding RV.
I am surprised as well.
As a customer about to take delivery of their new build, EarthCruiser invited me to visit its headquarters to see what it would be like.
Buying a traditional car is not the same as ordering an EarthCruiser.
The company works with the buyer to make their vehicle better.
The team will keep its customers up to date.
Future EarthCruiser owners will be able to travel to the company's Oregon headquarters when the project is done.
They will be taken out for a test drive and overnight overlanding experience by the team.
I was unable to present EarthCruiser with enough money to buy my own RV.
Mary Balk, the director of marketing, told Insider that they allowed me to spend a night in their demo Ford F350-based Terranova RV, which has seen significant demand since it was first unveiled in the spring of 2021.
The company sent me a full itinerary detailing my daily expected schedule, drive, and mileage, similar to what real customers would get before they visit.
When I lived in California, I used to drive 90 miles a day. It took me six hours of my life to get through traffic.
I don't like the thought of driving over an hour.
Imagine the fear I had when I saw that my second day would include driving 47 miles for up to 3.5 hours on off-road paths.
I was reassured that I would be taken care of by EarthCruiser.
Overlanders have been built in Australia by the company.
The US overlanding market has been dominated by EarthCruiser.
As more travelers learn about overlanding, business has boomed.
During the last two years, the company has seen record sales and strong demand.
She said EarthCruiser has sold "well into the hundreds" of its custom overlanding RVs that take between six to eight months to build.
The company predicts that this will increase as more travelers explore the off-road lifestyle.
Travelers can go to remote destinations that RV's can't access.
75% of EarthCruiser's customers abandon traditional RVs for overlanders because of the off- grid promise.
27% of survey respondents said they went overlanding for the first time in the year 2020.
The public interest in overlanding is expected to grow with more than half of the survey respondents wanting to try it.
The Kampground of America is located in the United States.
The intrigue has been growing.
After arriving in Bend, Oregon to warm greetings from the team, I was given a tour of my tiny home on wheels.
I was in the driver's seat of the Terranova RV when I registered for the events.
Ellen Wayte, EarthCruiser's adventure manager, was in the passenger seat of my car as we drove into the national forest.
I desperately needed to distract myself from my own anxiety.
I was nervous for the first few minutes as I followed Clive as he drove his own EarthCruiser.
I realized after a couple of miles that the Terranova was just like an automatic car with some added elevation and weight.
Most of my anxiety had already dissipated, allowing me to feel comfortable as I navigate this new path.
I've never driven a vehicle that large.
It was obvious that it was easy to use. It was easy to pass over the bumpy roads and make me more confident.
The vehicle was as easy to drive as my mom's SUV.
After going deeper into the forest, we were led up a tall clearing with views of the surrounding mountains and trees.
We lived in this space for the night.
I wondered why I chose to live in a big city when I could have that kind of view.
After we arrived, Wayte andWatson set up camping chairs, a table, and a variety of snacks and beverages.
After driving an overlanding vehicle for the first time, I was able to relax.
I was worried about spending the night with two people.
Wayte andWatson were some of the most laid back people I've ever worked with.
I didn't find myself in an uncomfortable conversation lull with them despite spending 24 hours together.
They reminded me of my friends in California who were always on the lookout for new travel opportunities.
This familiarity gave me peace of mind and made me feel safe.
They were very passionate about Earth Cruiser.
Wayte and Watson reminisced about their old friends as they watched the sunset and ate their delicious salmon dinner in the other Earth Cruiser.
Employees will sometimes stay in contact with their customers.
Many owners now go on the company's "EarthCruiser Adventure" together.
The EarthCruiser is a source of information.
It's easy to see why travelers have come to EarthCruisers, they're dedicated to the lifestyle and it's easy to see why.
The source is Insider.
The Terra Nova has the same amenities as a studio apartment but in a smaller space with a pop-top roof.
There is a living and dining room that can be turned into a bed.
A kitchen is a place where food is prepared.
A raised queen bed with outlets and lights around it.
There is a bathroom hidden by the entry door.
All the hidden storage units have the same well-designed amenities.
The entry stairs are lower when the door is open.
Travelers can easily access the lofted bed by using the secret stairs from the kitchen.
I appreciated EarthCruiser's attention to detail.
I was able to get into the Terranova quickly.
The control panel behind the kitchen is where the home's functions are easy to use.
I was told not to use the demo vehicle's toilet, but the option is there for travelers who purchase their own EarthCruiser.
I don't want to give you any information about my alternative bathroom.
The lofted bed was nice.
It's not as good as my bed at home. It's better than a sleeping bag.
I quickly fell asleep.
I definitely needed this break.
I was greeted with a homemade breakfast, coffee, and a sunny day when I woke up. The basics were what I was beginning with.
After securing our stuff, I took the wheel and was given a crash course on navigating roads with steep uphills, downhills, and ditches.
I felt like a proud parent when Wayte cheered me on from a distance.
The witching demo was very easy, although I can't say that it was difficult.
My biggest lesson from that day was to trust the car.
I was struggling to trust both the Terranova and my own driving abilities when we began the off-road lessons.
Within the first few minutes of the training, I realized the vehicle was more capable of handling roads that were not straight.
The gravel and corrugated dirt road can cause passengers to bounce off their seats.
The upgraded suspension system made the drive so smooth that I didn't have to make any mistakes.
I found myself more comfortable and confident with the vehicle as I continued on rockier roads with both Wayte andWatson.
It felt like I had been driving a typical car after two hours in the forest.
I didn't have to sit in silence as I focused on the road and my small obstacles after training.
I was finally able to take in the views, keep up with some small talk, and drive a little bit faster.
I did not make myself carsick which I have done before.
I had never done off-roading before.
I miss the feeling of driving a Terra Nova in Oregon's wilderness.
I didn't think I'd say that I miss driving.
I've written about the boom in overlanding for a long time.
Research can't prepare you for what it's like to operate a large overlanders.
The Terranova was the roomiest vehicle I had ever been in, and its functions and furnishings were more similar to an off- grid home than a typical car.
Prior to this, I had only camped for a few nights.
I'll always love camping, but it's not as luxurious as EarthCruiser Terra Nova.
If I'm paying $350,000 for a car, I'm hoping the inside will be better than a tent.
This pricing is on the lower end compared to other vehicle makers, according to Balk.
For up to 20% of EarthCruiser owners, the $350,000 could be justified.
It may seem too much of a sacrifice to live in a car full-time.
The Terranova has everything a home might have, all with the promise of bringing its owners to places that an average person wouldn't be able to afford.
A sense of freedom is only experienced by people who are overland.
If you know how to operate an EarthCruiser, you'll be able to drive to these remote destinations.
I learned a lot about the lifestyle from overlanding with EarthCruiser.
I left Oregon because I thought I could give up my apartment for an EarthCruiser one day.
Business Insider has an article on it.
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