EarthCruiser RIP

[Eric B]

EarthCruiser shuts down effective immediately - Autoblog

Oregon-based overland truck builder EarthCruiser has closed suddenly, ending all production and service., because of 'changing market dynamics.'

www.autoblog.com

 

[Rocksnsalt]

Sad. 😕

 

[Diver160651]

What’s really sad, is if you we truly a van lifer, these would be so much better to live in.

we all try… hope all find a landing pad.

 

[lindenengineering]

My immediate solutional thoughts are to explore the transfer the majority of the production to PKD operation in somewhere like San Salvador or Guatemala .
Overheads are automatically reduced by a drastic amount compared to the build overhead costs in the USA.
See if you can get it to an acceptable price point
Really its like doing a Grand Banks on it !
"Entonces adele pues por futuro" .
Dennis el Cachivache

 

[Rocksnsalt]

Transportation to the states would cost a bit. But I suppose adventurers could pick it up in SA and have an adventure driving it back to the states.
And of course you’d best have everything tight on the import paperwork once you get to the border.

 

[lindenengineering]

No PKD !
Chassis stays in the USA, only the body is produced and kitted out offshore, then containerized
US labor mounts it .
Currently San Salvador is offering very attractive breaks to investment & manufacturing. AND the US is providing most favored nation being in the top 5 import partners .
Dennis

 

[Andy @ Van Compass]

Sad news, but I'll never understand people's infatuation with riding in a cab over box truck. I spent a year delivering cabinets in one in college, it was a miserable place to spend time.

 

[Rocksnsalt]

Sad news, but I'll never understand people's infatuation with riding in a cab over box truck. I spent a year delivering cabinets in one in college, it was a miserable place to spend time.

Having spent a fair amount of time driving cabover trucks, I agree they are not fun.
Obviously great for maximizing payload or space though.
Still, love seeing these kinds of rigs.

 

[lindenengineering]

The cab over config has the virtue of enhanced approach angles for off road vehicles.
The Pinzgauer is legendary, so is the Dakar winning Kamaz , having a remarkable similarity to the Leyland Boxer of the 1980's and T45 cabs which can be seen on Paccar derived US mil trucks.
Dennis
p.s & BTW if I was operating logging trucks in Africa, Kamaz would be my #1 pick --Russians build rugged trucks.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

Having spent a fair amount of time driving cabover trucks, I agree they are not fun.
Obviously great for maximizing payload or space though.
Still, love seeing these kinds of rigs.

I've owned one, and have regularly rented another. Both are Isuzus; the one I regularly rented was the NPR/Elf which was truly a miserable place to spend time. The other was a GMC badged contraption using an Isuzu Forward cab, a GM medium-duty chassis, and a Caterpillar engine. That is honestly the most pleasant vehicle to soak up miles I've ever owned. It was a miserable wallet draining %^$%^# to own- if you think MB repair prices are laughably high, check out Caterpillars sometime- but it road like a dream, the driving position was ideal- you could literally rest your arms on the steering wheel- it turned on a dime, it was smooth, quiet, and with the suspension seat a lovely ride.

Painting them all with the same brush is a bit unfair...