Campers, RVs, and motorhomes are more than just a way to explore the great outdoors. Approximately 1
million Americans live in recreational vehicles full time. Add that to the 25 million Americans
that hop aboard an RV annually, and it's apparent it's a pastime loved by many.
In today's video, we're comparing an all-electric camper truck with its off-road
electric adventure RV cousin. We'll look inside the world's flashiest mobile office camper van
and find out exactly how luxury camping feels from the inside.
I'm Glenn, and let's get to it.
Having a full-featured camper that's as maneuverable as a van is a rarity
in today's market. German manufacturer Ahorn Camp seems to have achieved both
with their 2022 model Van Big City.
Built on a Renault Traffic, the Van Big City measures 17.7 feet long, 6.4 feet wide,
and has enough cabin space to sleep 4 people in two separate sleeping spaces.
Inside, the Van Big City is kitted out with an L-shaped kitchenette block complete with
a two-burner stove including electric piezo ignition, a stainless-steel sink,
and a 10.8-gallon refrigerator with a freezer compartment.
A three-seater bench converts to a large bed when it's light out, and another double
bed can be erected in the pop-top cavity. If you've got company along for the adventure.
In the rear of the camper, a privacy screen separates the tiny wet bathroom from the rest of
the space. It's not fully enclosed, but it's a far better option than some bathroom options available
on similarly-sized campers on the market. An outdoor shower can be accessed from the rear,
and the plumbing is connected to an 18-gallon fresh and 14.5-gallon grey water tank.
Is the Van Big City big enough for you? Or does claustrophobia kick in
without room to stretch your legs? Let us know in the comments.
The first thing you'll notice about the VANTourer Urban is the dazzling neon paint job.
The converted Mercedes Benz Vito is wrapped in a blinding
lemon-lime color that VANTourer calls "ElectroLight."
It's been specially formulated to be more visible to LiDAR and radar sensors. Helping the Urban
be better detected by driver-assisted tech like anti-collision systems and swerve correction.
It features a smart floor plan, a practical pail system,
and removable furniture. The VANTourer Urban can effortlessly switch between a four-person camper,
a sleek mobile office, or a comfy minivan in a matter of minutes.
As a camper, the Urban includes a removable kitchen block that can be used inside,
outside, or even left at home. It features a dual burner stove
and sink. However, there are no onboard water or gas tanks.
For that, you'll have to connect to outlets on the left and right sides of the camper.
A removable dining table/office desk attaches to the kitchen block. It separates the rear
bench seats from the driver's cab seats that swivel 180 degrees around.
When it's time to log off and get some shuteye, the two rear seats fold flat,
turning into a bed for two, approximately the size of a king single.
Combine that with the 75 x 43-inch pop-up roof bed, and you get a compact camper for four.
Could you live the ultimate van life in the VANTourer Urban?
When an EV startup and adventurer trailer manufacturer teamed up to
create a concept camper ahead of its time, the industry sat up and paid attention.
Minnesota-based startup Zeus Electric Chassis and North Carolina adventure trailer
manufacturer SylvanSport have combined to create a line of fully configurable,
all-electric off-road RVs with the ability to haul rugged adventure and lifestyle equipment.
In supplied specs, the new concept details a 25-foot-long all-wheel-drive RV built on
military-grade axles and independent front and rear suspension.
Torque comes courtesy of liquid-cooled permanent-magnet electric motors
powered by enough battery for a maximum single-charge journey of 400 miles!
While still in the concept phase, the design looks like the trailer body from
a SylvanSport Vast thrown on top of a Zeus electric chassis platform.
Unique features include side mounting racks for adventure equipment like bikes and canoes,
spacious cargo storage, and an indoor/outdoor
kitchen that creates more room in the shower when pulled out.
And while this concept is a first look at what the two companies have in store, the
result could end up being a whole lot different by the time it launches in 2022.
When US-based EV manufacturer Rivian started developing electric pickup trucks and campers,
they were worried that people wouldn't take a battery-powered vehicle seriously.
In the early days, the EV powertrain was hidden deep within the truck's body,
and fake exhausts were welded to the underside.
So they could test the vehicle out in public without raising eyebrows.
2021's Rivian R1T has a bed-mounted rooftop tent, slide-out kitchen with a cooking set,
and a whole range of handy accessories and connections. The tent is a customized
version of Yakima's SkyRise HD Medium rooftop tent, sleeping three adults comfortably.
Now, technically this kind of bed-mounted tent can be affixed to any pickup truck or utility.
Still, the Rivian R1T's slide-out kitchen block makes this package particularly attractive.
Cooking power comes courtesy of the all-electric, dual-burner induction cooktop.
There's plenty of storage and an included camping cutlery set. An integrated
4-gallon water tank connects to the adjacent sink,
and the entire bundle slides neatly away into the truck body when you're finished.
While the launch model has sold out, the upgraded Adventure and Explore packages
are available for reservation and delivery in 2022.
German manufacturer Hobby Caravan has been crafting practical and innovative adventure
vehicles for well over 50 years. Now enjoying more than 25% of the European caravan and motorhome
market share, Hobby has produced over 600,000 caravans since opening its doors in 1967.
Their 2022 MAXIA caravan range continues in the same legacy,
adding a splash of modern sophistication at the same time.
There's the MAXIA 495 UL, measuring 23.6 feet long,
7.5 feet wide, and a max weight of 3300 pounds. The larger MAXIA 660 WQM
is 27.2 feet long, 8.2 feet wide, and has a total feasible weight of 4188 pounds.
While the outside of each caravan feels a little generic, if not dated, once you step inside,
this humble caravan transforms into an ultra-sheik, modern apartment.
Terrific lines, light textures,
and huge panoramic windows give the MAXIA an opulent sophistication.
The 495 UL sleeps 4 comfortably. Two in the rear after the U-shape dining area is converted
into a bed and two in the permanent, single beds in the front bedroom.
In the middle of the cabin, you'll find an enclosed bathroom with a toilet, vanities,
and plumbed sink. Opposite the WC is a kitchenette with stainless steel
3-burner hob and sink combination flanked by a 35-gallon fridge/freezer combo.
The larger 660 WQM has a slightly different floorplan, moving the bathroom to the rear and
adding a wet shower. The kitchen is transferred to the front of the caravan, and extra seating
allows a fifth person to get some shuteye on the converted dining bed.
We weren't exaggerating when we said Hobby
Caravans dominate a lot of the European market.
Billed as the perfect all-rounder, the Vantana De Lux is a homely Fiat Ducato van conversion
that adds a bit of class and luxury to your overnight stays in the wilderness.
Built from a FIAT Ducato 2.2L Light chassis, the Vantana De Lux comes in the 19.6-foot long K60FT
and the 20.8-foot K65ET. The only real difference between the two models is the
orientation of the bed in the rear and a little extra legroom in the middle of the cabin.
Some of the De Lux standout features include an extra-wide, panoramic roof vent called the
"Hobby Top," a compact, full-featured wet bathroom with an integrated shower and swivel toilet and
generous storage throughout. There are three-bed spaces for up to 4 people to sleep the night.
A separate, 12V, 95 Ah AGM battery comes standard, but additional batteries can be added in series.
For climate control, heating is included, but only AC wiring comes standard on the Vantana De Lux.
All instruments and systems are controlled by "HOBBY CONNECT";
smart van innovation is accessed via the Hobby control panel or smartphone.
Could "van life" in the De Lux work for you? Would the addition of solar
charging make this more attractive? Let us know in the comments below.
They say looks can be deceiving. That's definitely the case when it comes to the
EXP-8 from Australian manufacturers, Bruder.
This all-terrain camper has been engineered to withstand the most extreme off-road conditions
on earth. It was tested through the harsh Queensland outback at speed,
handling holes, hills, and cliffs with ease.
Yet, one step inside the modern, luxurious interior,
and you could easily forget you were sidewards down a mountain just a few minutes ago.
The suspension comes courtesy of high-tensile, circular hollow section tapered arms,
37-inch off-road tires, and four remote-canister, rose-joint, mono-tube shock absorbers.
This translates to up to 12 inches of adjustable wheel clearance, even at full speed!
While official stats are yet to be released, Bruder's concept floorplan features a wet bathroom
with an external shower, a full-featured kitchen, sleeping quarters for up to 4,
and innovative gear storage accessible from outside.
Concept renderings also show roof-mounted solar panels, but we'll have to wait for
the full specs on Bruder's EXP-8 when they launch the entire product range next month.
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