Mega-priced LandCruiser 6x6 motorhome coming

Extreme off-road motorhome specialist EarthCruiser is putting the finishing touches on its latest, bespoke extreme off-road motorhome; a 6x6 all-wheel drive version of its Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series based XTR camper.

The Wollongong, NSW-based expedition vehicle specialist launched the quarter-million dollar plus, four wheel drive version of the Toyota-based Extreme XTR in late-2020, but its latest single cab 6x6 motorhome is expected to cost close to $800,000 once it's finished, according to EarthCruiser Australia’s Mark Fawcett.

As well as a custom-built 'stretched' pop-top motorhome body promising more interior living space and comforts, the EarthCruiser Extreme XTR6x6 is designed to be a 'weapon' off-road with portal axles and "100 per cent all wheel drive when all lockers are engaged".

"The 6x6 will be the only one of its kind in the world with portal axles, and all sorts of other (off-road) features," he said.

The Extreme XTR6x6 is due to be delivered to its Australian-based customer later this month, after finishing touches are applied to the almost-complete expedition vehicle and final government certification takes place.

"The customer has already had two EarthCruiser trucks and he rang me up and said, 'What should we do for the third one? Do you want to go Iveco again?'," Fawcett told caravancampingsales.

"I said, 'Why don't we try something with a bit more mongrel? And he replied, 'Well, you've been working on a 6x6, so let's do one of those...

"We have deposits now for at least three 6x6 (motorhomes)... They're $800,000 each so they're not cheap," he said.

The unique off-road camper's construction is taking place entirely at EarthCruiser's North Wollongong factory, right down to the complex 6x6 chassis conversion.

"We do everything (at the factory)... We're also working on a (6x6) two door 300 Series (Toyota LandCruiser), but I'm not sure when that will be built," he said.

Fawcett said his latest 'stretched' LandCruiser motorhome is sure to reignite debate over the pros and cons of an expensive 6x6 conversion, whether for recreational or military use, over a more conventional 4x4 truck conversion.

"It's a discussion that people have all the time; why would you need a 6x6 over a 4x4? If it was me I'd just get a bigger truck like an Iveco or Unimog that can take the extra weight, because you're trailing another axle...

"However, (the EarthCruiser 6x6 LandCruiser) will still go anywhere; it's an amazing bit of gear. We've already used it doing the braking test and some off-roading and it's a real weapon..."