Australians do love their outdoor/offroad trailers. There is a never-ending stream of innovative trailers coming from the land down under, and Australia is arguably the world leader in outdoor trailer manufacturing. The latest offering, the HUTrv Dekpod prototype, checks many boxes for those seeking a travel base camp.
The HUT trailer merges the traditional convenience of a compact caravan with modern, versatile design elements, combining a hard-side living area with the versatility of canvas walls. At its core, the HUT trailer’s standout feature is the Dekpod, a novel expansion module that enhances the vehicle’s utility and space. This component transforms the trailer from a compact towable unit into a more expansive living space. The Dekpod, primarily serving as an expandable module, integrates seamlessly with the main body of the trailer, unfolding to reveal a fully equipped kitchen and a wet bath. This design choice maximizes the available space, allowing the main cabin to be solely dedicated to sleeping and living functions, accommodating four to five individuals.
The trailer’s interior layout is practically arranged, featuring a raised double bed and two single beds that also function as benches, flanking a slide-out tabletop, maximizing space utility. The inclusion of a door between the main cabin and the pod kitchen/bathroom area offers an indoor/outdoor space adaptable to various camping preferences. Whether cooking under an awning or enjoying an open sky, the trailer provides options for outdoor living.
The Dekpod features a dual-burner stove with a hinged top, a fridge, a microwave, a slide-out sink, and storage for kitchen essentials. The wet bathroom, though relatively small, is efficiently laid out with a toilet and shower. The design, however, has drawn some criticism for combining the kitchen and bathroom areas in such close proximity, a concession often seen in compact camper designs.
From a technical perspective, the HUT trailer is robust, versatile, and compact enough to be taken on mild trails and hard-packed beaches. The rear of the trailer houses recessed, full-size spare tires, and the body of the trailer incorporates several large, sealed, and lockable storage boxes. The trailer has a total travel length of approximately 18.7 feet and expands to about 17.1 feet long with the Dekpod setup. The body width is roughly 6.7 feet, and it has a travel height of around 8.3 feet. The vehicle weighs about 4,101 pounds and has a maximum GVWR of approximately 5,512 pounds. Notably, the trailer is designed for moderate off-road use, with the front clamshell section of the Dekpod being fully sealed and waterproof when closed, a crucial feature for overland travelers who often encounter diverse weather conditions and rugged terrains.
The price paid for the convenience of an expanded living area is the inconvenience of set-up. As the trailer entrance is nestled behind the pivoting nose section, the main body of the trailer is not accessible without first expanding the setup. But the entire process takes less than two minutes, and the more often you do it, the quicker the process will be.
The HUTrv Dekpod holds both Australian and US patents. I reached out to HUTrv with regards to the further development of this concept, and they responded as follows:
“At this moment in time, we do not have a Dekpod trailer commercially in production; however, we are actively working on the next iteration, which will be significantly lighter, more compact, and have greater versatility/customization compared to our prototype. We intend to offer the same indoor/outdoor kitchen and ablutions functionality as our prototype with some exciting improvements, such as a solid roof structure over the expanded deck area, which will be more durable and quicker to deploy.”
At the time of writing, the HUTrv does not have a US-based distributor, but they are working on it. The price is yet to be confirmed.
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