VW-inspired 10-ft towable camper pop-up roof increases standing headroom to 6 feet 4 inches

There are many hugely popular campervan base models around the world, but one that essentially overshadows them all, and has camping enthusiasts styling their own creations around it, is the Volkswagen van. VW-inspired campers have their takers in plenty thereof Type 2 founders, Hearth Gardella and Ryan Schassen, have created a VW-themed pop-up camping trailer from aircraft steel construction in a compact form factor that is faster to build.

The RV builders based in Woodburn, Oregon, Type 2, is hoping to create a sizable inroad in the expensive and heavier tow-campers with their T2.3 which thrives on its “lightweight, affordable, and timeless design.” Currently available for preorder for a non-refundable $1,000 deposit, T2.3 comes in three different variants with one classic pop-up roof that enhances the internal standing headroom to 6 feet 4 inches.

Designer: Type 2

Modeled after the 1940s Volkswagen bus, the T2.3’s design replaces fiberglass construction with aero-grade steel panels. This keeps the camper lightweight and adds to its durability. With the use of steel panels, the camper with its pop-up roof is faster to manufacture and fairly easy to tow behind a small electric vehicle.

Measuring 9 feet 6 inches long and 5 feet wide, the camper weighs under 980 lbs in all three options (detailed below). Outfitted with three windows on each side, and a single door toward the back half, the camper has a liftgate hatch. For more space inside comprising a convertible U-shaped sofa, an expandable kitchen counter, and a rear window seat (in the entry-level Sleeper model), the T2.3’s entire roof rises above.

Adding an outdoor shower system and 1-gallon electric hot water heater to the Sleeper and we have the T2.3 Sleeper Plus. The most exciting option is the Kitchenette model. The rear window seat here is removed to accommodate a full L-shaped kitchen complete with a dining table, induction cooktop, and stainless-steel sink. Of course, the change in features makes for a change in the pricing structure as well. The Sleeper model starts at $29,950, the Sleeper Plus scales the figure to $35,000, while the one with a kitchenette will set you back $39,000.

 

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Experience True Van-Life Luxury with this Tailor-Made Camping Box for All Your Needs

Campervans have their own set of advantages, but it’s a fixed construction you cannot choose to part with when you want to use the vehicle for everyday street life. This shortcoming may have given birth to the idea of slide-in camping solutions that convert the vans into campers when the wilderness calls. Over the years, with the transforming needs of adventurers, these camping solutions have evolved so much so that a company in Austria has now designed a full-proof camping box to fit at the back of your vehicle and leave you wanting nothing more.

Built with the notion of bringing real-life luxury to the road, the CampBoks slide-in camping solution comprises a fully equipped slide-out kitchen, foldable bed, sliding dining with a cantilevered bench and table, outdoor shower, and an optional, portable toilet. With all these amenities, the CampBoks can transform any ordinary van into a capable camper for wherever your adventure may take you.

Designer: CampBoks

The comprehensive camping box slides onto the seat rails of, or can be fitted into, a range of vehicles such as the Ford Transit, VW Transporter, Mercedes V-Class, Renault Trafic and the like. The versatile Camboks kit, with all its versatility, adds some weight to the back of your vehicle: It weighs 140 kg, which is more than the ordinary options on the market. But the features you get with this one, I’m sure we won’t mind the extra few kilos.

The traditional camper slide-in can keep the weight in measure since they come with limited facilities such as a bed and perhaps a kitchen. The CamBoks adds to these customary features with outdoor dining, a compact work table, and a full-fledged kitchen and fits snugly in a midsize van.

The CampBoks is designed and manufactured entirely in Austria with three compartmentalizations. The driver-side section comprises a slide-out kitchen provided with a single-burner Primus gas stove, small worktable, 15-L refrigerator box, and sink with a faucet that using an attachment can double as an outdoor shower.  The compartment in the middle has a sliding table which is provided with two benches – sliding out – from the two main sections on either side of the table. In the passenger side section, CampBoks provides a slide-out with three Euroboxes you can use for bulk storage.

Toward the inside, you have a folding A-frame bed, which folds in to form a sofa on either side (toward the inside of the vehicle and the tailgate). By the night, it can lay flat to transform into a full-size bed for a couple. You get under-bed storage plus two 12-L fresh water canisters slipped in underneath. Alongside the comfy bed (useable in seating position as well) you get a side-mounted swivel table that can be your additional dining or work desk, depending on your mood and weather. With all its features and an additional option to include a dry separating toilet, the CampBoks starts at approximately $7,000.

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Hunting blind specialist designs HitchHiker, an affordable way to go camping around the year

Pickup campers, trailers, and pop-up tents all have one thing in common; they persuade an enthusiast to step out of their driving seat over into the camper of choice filled with most essential amenities for a few days on the road. In the list of exceptional options popping up by the day, a hunting blind manufacturer is putting the tried and tested high density EPE foam material into creating the HitchHiker.

HitchHiker is what its name portrays; a tiny camping solution that rides on the back of your truck or trailer to give you a well-insulated, ultra-lightweight sleeping pod to curl into when the sun goes down. This pick-up camper, as you would have realized, is not the usual one to hitch behind your truck, in fact, the 190-pound fully insulated, hard-walled bare-bones sleeper camper is made to be carried along for an overlanding experience.

Designer: Tusca Outdoors

Pennsylvania-based mobile shelter manufacturer, Tusca Outdoors, has designed the simple HitchHiker with one motive: to let the enthusiasts retire in it after a long day’s drive. The camper doesn’t intend to include a kitchen or a washing setup or a pop-out skylight – it ideally is an all-weather enclosed camper with a lockable single entry. Owning to its bare-bone construction and single-point simplicity, it is very affordably priced at $2,750.

The construction is ultra-insulated. The company notes it can be heated with body heat even in sub-zero temperatures. Even though it has an electric port on the outside, you can use it to connect an electric or propane heater. For the adventurer, the HitchHiker then does function as a teardrop camper in all four seasons. Measuring 90-inch by 58-inch, the camper is ultra-compact and can fit onto the bed of a 5×8 utility trailer. It can be secured on the pick-up bed with accompanying 2-inch ratchet straps.

As far as features of the HitchHiker interior go, it is made to accommodate a full-size bed (available separately), which can sleep up to two adults comfortably. To ensure the interior is fresh and lighted, the HitchHiker has been fashioned with screened windows on both sides and even has small vents to maintain ventilation when the windows are closed.

What really makes this portable camping pod a good company is the convenience with which you can haul it. With two people, you can pick and set it up on the truck bed or trailer. And when you want to use it as a toy hauler, HitchHiker can be used on a larger trailer (larger than a 5×8). You can station the camper right in front and have the ATV or a bike behind it. IF the HitchHiker gets you excited, Tusca is showing it at the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Plan a trip this week!

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With single-piece fiberglass shell, Bean Stock 2.0 is most capable ultralightweight off-road teardrop trailer

Teardrop trailers have their own drive and dwelling convenience on the road. This is distinguishable from other forms of camping solutions for their size, weight, and price. There are a number of lightweight teardrop trailers adventurers have been using to their advantage but not many have the grit to go off the paved roads with equal expediency. Presenting a light and robust solution for the needs is the new Bean Stock 2.0.

Designed by Bean Trailers, founded in 2016 by Mark and Brian, who have been designing trailers with durability and minimalism in mind, the Bean Stock 2.0 is another rugged and lightweight teardrop trailer that can take the habitants to pretty much anywhere they desire.

Designer: Ben Trailers

I said there are three primary advantages that teardrop trailers carry over the other camping rigs, and the Bean Stock 2.0 fits the bill with its fiberglass body that renders the tiny trailer lightweight at 1,175 lbs. The construction ensures the trailer is fundamentally affordable in its stock variant yet its ruggedness makes it a capable off-roader. How is that possible is discussed further in the article.

The teardrop has a one-piece fiberglass shell with composite honeycomb side walls, while the former is not customary, the latter is a prerequisite in Bean Trailers’ models. Bean Stock 2.0 given the solid, lightweight design is built for the toughest and roughest trails. To that accord, the structure is slimmer and capable of being towed behind any small SUVs like the Subaru Forester, Ford Escape and similar.

The stock model of Bean Stock 2.0 is off-road ready with 2,000-pound HD suspension and 15-inch wheels. But it is the customizable option that allows    3,500-pound suspension and bigger tires with more ground clearance that add to the off-track capability. All the features are nothing without the interiors you want to be in after a long day’s drive. The Stock 2.0 is equally fashioned inside also, which absolutely revolves around the 60-inch x 80-inch queen-sized mattress facing a wide window filling the living space with natural light during the day, the warm-tone recessed lighting keeps the ambiance lifted after the sun goes down.

For all its wonderful features and interesting design, the Bean Stock 2.0 is available in a choice of 18 different colors. The entry-level variant of the rugged teardrop trailer starts at $15,999 and the customizable option with all add-ons onboard spikes the price to over the $20,000 mark.

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This versatile tiny camping trailer for your EV fits in a standard garage or an underground car park

Every new camper trailer – mini, small, or large – breaths fresh air into the camping sector and the buzz it creates is bound to reach us sooner or later. The latest buzzing entry is the Cube 1, a micro-campervan that’s turning heads with its interesting boxy design.

Conceived by the master crafters at the German outfit Sportcaravan, this is one of the tiniest trailers out there. Of course, some serious options have been scaled down to tow behind an e-bike; the Cube 1 with a 320-odd kg body may not be as small, but it is tiny enough to fit in a standard garage or an underground car park.

Designer: Sportcaravan

The Cube 1 measuring just 10.5 feet in length and 5.4 feet high breaks from the conventional micro-caravans and sets new standards with its compact dimensions and ease of use. As Sportcarvan mentions, it does not “require a trailer license and can easily be towed by a small car or an electric vehicle.”

While compactness and comfort are the key takeaways, it’s the camper trailer’s flexibility that wins it the title of “transformer among the mini campers.” Cube 1 is like a usual tiny trailer with an 81 x 51-inch double bed until you pull out the rooftop tent and access it through a campervan-like hatch. This optional roof tent creates more space in the compact body making the trailer apt for sleeping up to four with ease.

Cube 1 thrives on a fully insulated interior that renders it suitable for winter. It makes the trailer your camping companion for all year-round memorable experiences. But such an unforgettable experience is not possible without a kitchen. The Cube 1 thus has a slide-out shelf with a cutting board worktop and portable stove for outdoor cooking at the camp.

The trailer has a host of open shelves for storage, includes airline rails and a hook for holding cups and more. The capable trailer arrives in a basic shell for a starting price of €12,900 (approximately $14,000). The Cube 1 can be customized with an addon for a more capable adventure.

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Cybertruck-inspired Cyberdrop trailer would make bike packing more adventurous and fun

A Canadian cyclist has designed and developed an e-bike trailer that he calls the Cyberdrop. Inspired by the angular design of the Tesla Cybertruck, the trailer, to tow behind an electric bike, is everything a Cybertruck isn’t. Like the Cybertruck is designed to make pickup camping a breeze, the Cyberdrop, still a prototype, will make bike-packing a comfortable journey and effortless activity when it is available for production.

When you venture out into the great outdoors on a bike, you tag along your camping tent. Everything is fine until you install and uninstall the canvas and pitch it again without fail, night after night. The Cyberdrop hitches up an interesting contraption behind your bike to save you the setup and repacking woes, instead giving you a permanent structure with basic amenities so no matter where the day takes you, you have a comfortable place to stretch your legs and rewind for the next day’s adventure.

Designer: Cyberdrop

Given the fact that bike packing is a huge industry, there is insignificant attention paid to making adventures with an e-bike comforting in comparison to a car or pickup. One reason that comes to mind could probably be the kind of energy a bike and rider must generate to get the towing trailer going.

Cyberdrop is not just about its look and Cybertruck inspiration. It’s a camping solution that has been thoroughly thought out even to a position where the bike’s two motors are further assisted for power by the third one installed on the wheel hub of the Cyberdrop. So, you can decide how much or how little to pedal while negotiating moderate hills or gunning for the bigger climbs. The motors, onboard electricals, cabin lights, and vent fan are powered by a built-in 9.5-kW lithium battery or the rooftop solar panel option.

For stability and compactness, the Cyberdrop features an aluminum frame, covered with neoprene to avert condensation, and a good 8 feet of living space. The bed stretches most of the construction, which includes nifty storage spaces, and height enough to allow a user to sit, change clothes, or cook comfortably. On the roll, the Cyberdrop offers a 130-mile range and is likely to retail for approximately $6,500.

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Terracamper turns Mercedes G Wagon into an equipped off-grid camper van with Tecrawl conversion kit

We have seen some interesting and capable camper vans through 2023. A successful year for the industry is about to wrap up but Terracamper – based out of Germany – wants it should do so on a high. It is therefore giving Mercedes enthusiasts, others of course included, the opportunity  to enhance their outdoor activities this winter, and going forward into the summer, with the new Tecrawl G-Camper kit.

Yeah, it’s the G Wagon and not the ideal and beloved Sprinter van that forms the basis for this conversion. The 4×4 G Class Mercedes has been outfitted with a basic layout and modular accessories to make a camper van worthy of being taken out for a longer spin than a weekend.

Designer: Terracamper

Taking of which, the German camping marque has just about done justice to incorporate the luxury a Merc may demand. The idea of the conversion kit is to keep things simple yet focus largely on utility. The Tecrawl, therefore, comes with a full thermal insulation pack for the colder months and a 31-L compressor cool box for the summery days. The power requirement is taken care of by the optional solar energy system and the integrated 150Ah lithium battery.

The renewable energy system renders the Tecrawl capable of camping off the grid. For comfort inside, the Tecrawl provides the G Wagon with a comfortable sleeping unit for three people. The main sleeping section is crafted in the provided rooftop tent – accessible via a ladder – while the convertible dining table morphs into a sleeper for the third person. This table also fulfills the third function: It flips into a work desk beside a side sofa ideal for the needs of a mobile workaholic.

Terracamper furnishes the Tecrawl G-Camper with decent interior storage and provides a retractable awning to extend the living space when you’re camped. Here you can also pull out the kitchenette from within the camper van for the culinary requirements. The pull-out kitchen offers a two-burner gas stove, fold-out counters, a prep area, and a utility fridge. The water requirement is catered to by a removable 20-L fresh water canister and a portable dry toilet space you trip outdoors. Given its merits, the Tecrawl G Wagon camper van conversion kit starts at €11,000 (roughly $11,900).

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BeTriton unveils first affordable solution of a boat, camper, and trailer in one to tow behind your e-bike

There are some who conceive an idea, build on it, and sit back and relax on the royalty. Then, there are others who gather feedback and set out to recreate what the people really want. Aigars Lauzis of BeTriton – formally Z-Triton – is from the league of recreators. Thriving on the success of the sustainable adventure partner, BeTriton 2.0 released in Spring 2023, designed for uninterrupted journey on land and water; the adventuring builder is back with a new camper/trailer for your electric bike. This would let you camp on land and water again with equal convenience.

An exciting and practical combination of a boat + camper + trailer, the BeTriton e-bike trailer is not starkly different from what we got with the full-fledged BeTriton 2.0. In fact, it strips down some unnecessary elements – identified on consumer feedback – and retains the cabin to still accommodate two people and a dog. The significant change here is an option for e-bike owners to use their standard bike, instead of an integrated variant, to tow the trailer on land.

Designer: BeTriton

The more affordable and flexible BeTriton trailer also carries on with the most beloved, core functionality: boating, users wanted the company to carry forward with, when the BeTriton 2.0 was rented out during the summer for trails. The flexible towing design allows various e-bike variants to be used as hauling ride for the trailer that was unveiled at the Nexpo Exhibition in Tallinn.

According to the information shared in a YouTube video, the BeTriton Trailer is an affordable and convenient adventure camper and boat. Unbolting four bolts, the users can remove the wheels and get into the super fun electric boating mode. Rear wheels can even fold up on the buoyant floats if you don’t want to make the extra effort. 24-inch wheels are used in the trike contraption of the trailer, which can connect through a simple mechanism to the bike seat post when you are up for the road journey.

The cabin maintains the structural integrity and interiors of the predecessor yet it is highly customizable to give users the tailored convenience for the journey. There is an electronic Lift System for the motor, on the front, and the cabin can be used in open configuration with just the windscreen or covered up with PVC cover to weatherproof the cabin. And when you are riding on an unbeaten path, you can also have an aluminum frame installed for a full cabin look.

There is no information, at the time of writing, about the battery power or range of the BeTriton trailer. What we readily know is the trailer camper can make space to store your foldable electric bike, but if you don’t have a foldable one, the company may soon have a mount so you can carry the bike onboard when you go floating on the water. The initial variant of the e-bike trailer is ready for production with worldwide limited edition delivery expected in the summer of 2024.

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Range slide-in truck campers for all year round off-grid camping are built spaciously with every amenity onboard

I don’t really have a thing for hard-top campers, they look overly bulky and have a more rigid approach to the idea of accessible camping. Wilderness Vans Range slide-in campers (R1 and R2) have a little bias going their way, chiefly because these are designed for all-year-round off-grid camping, and are built spaciously with all the amenities onboard. In fact, windows and skylights allow a constant flow of natural light and fresh air, preventing the occupants inside the Spacekap Diablo from feeling stuffy but have a pleasant interior to themselves.

Diablo only forms the foundation of the slide-in camper designed to snugly fit the bed of any heavy-duty truck. Given its unibody design, the camper can be removed easily when not required or you want to install it on a new ride. The excitement about the Range R1 (three-person model) starts at the exterior which has a UV-resistant SK gelcoat you can have painted in a choice of color you want. The 6-foot camper has a well-thought-out floor plan accommodating a sliding bed, dinette, galley and storage.

Designer: Wilderness Vans

The Range campers are fully insulated for all weather usage. It comes with natural fiber and wool installation in the walls and ceilings and the cushioned wood flooring is layered with cell foam for thermal performance in winter and to keep the interior cool during the summer months. A diesel air heater is also included as an option. Since ventilation is essential in truck campers for an enjoyable camping experience; the Range campers make provision for it with curved windows, matching the contour of your pick-up body, and skylights adding to light and ventilation.

The pull-out bed at one end of the camper turns the small space into a nice living quarter without hampering the living space. The headroom is limited on the bed because there is no pop-up option (I told you hard shells are not my thing), but the ventilation makes up so you don’t at any time feel cramped in there. Access into the Range campers is through the 40/60 back doors that lead you first up into the galley spruced with storage options everywhere.

In the cooking space itself is a gas stove and sink, a fridge/freezer, and pull-out countertop surfaces. Just across is the dinette for two that converts into a bed for one additional person in the R1. In the 8-foot Range R2, this dinette is bellowing the extending bed and is slightly bigger to transform into a double bed when required. The bench here can accommodate a portable toilet underneath it to make the camping experience less stressful. For its outdoor ability, the Range Campers come with a 200-watt solar charging station to take care of the power needs in off-grid locations. According to the information on Wilderness Vans website, the Range R1 with its gorgeous yellow interior is priced at CA$56,200 (approx. $42,000).

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Basecamp Tent is Tesla’s own solution to transform the Cybertruck into a personal campsite anywhere

With the Ford’s and the Chevy’s reigning supreme in the country, the Americans love their pick-up trucks. No wonder then that Elon Musk wants to test the waters. He wants to, but not in a routine manner, however, with an angular-designed, stainless-steel Cybertruck instead, which has been more in the controversy than Tesla would want to derive from its immediate and rigorous promotional agenda. Anyway, the Cybertruck launch is a given and we are – like it or not – going to have a, if all is as vouched for, pick-up capable of towing 11,000 pounds on a 340-odd-mile drive on a single charge.

If you’re someone who doesn’t care about what’s said and wants to take the Cybertruck for a spin on arrival, you’d probably want an accessory that would let you stay overnight in the wilderness with your ride that made heads turn on the way. Of course, it would be difficult to trust an aftermarket accessory with a deal like this; Tesla reckons the fact! It is therefore taking orders for a Cybertruck Basecamp Tent, which would turn the Cybertruck bed into a delightful camp on the way.

Designer: Tesla

Created in collaboration with Heimplanet, the Basecamp Tent is Tesla’s solution to make the Cybertruck into a well-crafted camping vehicle. It is made to mount snugly over the truck bed so you get a space for sleeping without it affecting the vehicle’s dive range when you are on the move through rugged terrains.

The Basecamp Tent is made from Kaleidoscope nylon material featuring an ultra-lightweight geodesic airframe design. When you’re at the camp destination of your choosing, you can effortlessly inflate the Basecamp, in minutes, using a provided manual pump and the tent is ready without the installation of any poles or extensions. Within this gray cover crafted with screen windows, you get a mattress for cozying up and access to a truck bed outlet to keep your gadgets juiced up.

The fascinating aspect about the Basecamp still is its extendable awning, which would allow you to spread your living space under a stary night. If the idea of camping in the back of the Cybertruck gets you going, it is the right time to take home the $2,975 Basecamp Tent home. And then to sit back and wait until the Cybertruck hits the market someday!

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