No, Elon Musk is not dipping his toe in the overland world. Mars Campers is an Australian company that, for whatever reason, decided to brand their camper range “Space X.” (Please note that it is currently unclear whether a camper trailer from Australia may legally be imported to the USA, or Europe, etc. We advise due diligence when considering such a purchase for export or import).
Seven years ago, we attended the North West Overland rally looking to make new friends and searching for solutions to the limitations of traveling with a rooftop tent and two children. Sending the kids off to a boarding school was not a popular option, and we were determined to keep traveling for as many years as possible. I realized that if we were to keep the family happy and motivated, we would need to offer a degree of space and comfort. We had two options – convert the Defender 130 into a camper or invest in a trailer. We chose to convert the vehicle into a camper for a number of reasons, but in hindsight, the purchase of a camping trailer might have been an ultimately more cost-effective option had the Space X Air trailer been an option seven years ago.
Based on the marketing material available, the Space X Air looks to be an excellent option for a family or couple looking for comfort while on the road. Yes, you will not be sleeping in a hard-side camper, and that presents limitations in unique situations, but what the trailer lacks in composite panels, it makes up for with a large amount of usable space for packing and day-to-day living. Compact and lightweight with a hot-dipped galvanized chassis, independent suspension with dual gas shocks per wheel, baked enamel paint finish, checker plate up front, a pair of 265/75 R16 MT tires, and a full-size spare wheel, the trailer looks to be up to the challenging task of being dragged through the bush, over mountains, through rivers, and onto a remote beach.
Upon reaching your camp for the night, weekend or week, the camper opens with the flip of a few switches, which power drop-down stabilizer legs while lifting the lid and inflating the tent inner frame tubes. A cavernous inflatable annex may be added to create a base camp for longer stays in your favorite off-the-track camp. Both the trailer and the annex feature large windows complete with bug mesh. You, sir and madam, yes, you with the four kids and two dogs, this trailer was made with your family in mind.
The interior boasts two memory foam double beds at either end and a wraparound sofa (and table) that can seat up to eight people and can be converted into yet another double bed. A five-gallon internal fridge and a large slide-out pantry keep the snacks and cold drinks coming. A fascia integrated control panel provides power points and allows adjustment of lighting, a 24-inch LED TV, and a waterproof audio sound system (remember, the neighbors do not want to hear what you are listening to unless otherwise stipulated).
Convenient additional storage can be found underneath the wraparound sofa and beds. Optional extras include a 95-liter fridge, air conditioning, a space heater, and water heater, and a portable toilet with 100-liter water tanks. An optional inflatable en-suite “shower” cubicle would be a wise investment as we all know true luxury is a loo with a potential view of the great outdoors. All of this luxury is powered by dual 100-ah batteries with a 1,000w inverter and 30-Amp charger with an optional 200-Watt solar panel.
The 19-foot-long trailer measures 232-inches L x 92-inches W x 61-inches H when closed and has a 1433-pound payload. The tent construction spans 236 x 82.6-inches and is made from heavy-duty 16-ounce waterproofed close weave canvas with double stitching and reinforced stress points.
The exterior holds the slide-out kitchen with a Dometic three burner stove, sink with water pump, and drawer system with removable worktop, all complimented by a sizeable slide-out fridge.
Tare weight scales in at 4,300-pound, leaving a 1,433-pound payload to fill under-couch storage compartments, dual 20-liter jerry can holders, dual 9-kilogram gas tank holder, and myriad other storage areas. And if you still need more storage, the rear features slick-looking storage bins, one on either side of the full-size spare wheel, a great place to store lightweight tools and recovery gear, or maybe that porta-potty.
The Space X Air camper starts from USD30,000.
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