If some years ago, "the bigger, the better" used to be the slogan for many camper trailer manufacturers, things have changed lately and we've seen a shift in popularity for more minimalistic options. Smaller, lighter, and easier to set up trailers are all the rage these days, as they are not only easier to tow and manhandle but also offer more campsite accessibility.
The newly revealed ARB Earth Camper is living proof that explorers can still use a lighter travel trailer as their adventure companion and not miss out on the excitement of the caravanning lifestyle. The all-new Earth Camper has been introduced as a pre-production model and is a high-quality, hard-shell, compact camper that features a pod-style design and is capable of going off the beaten path.
Before going into the specifics of what this new contender in the caravanning realm has to offer, let's learn a few things about its maker. ARB is an Australia-based manufacturer and distributor of high-quality 4×4 accessories that has nearly five decades of expertise in the off-road and overland markets. They have a vast international presence, with offices in Europe, the US, and the Middle East, and are known to offer products that are made with quality, reliability, and practicality in mind, above all else.
The Earth Camper is their first travel trailer, and given their extensive experience in the field, this foray into the camping segment seems like a natural progression for the brand. As it turns out, the company first started exploring the idea of producing a compact travel trailer back in 2016. Since then, ARB has been busy designing and testing the Earth Camper to get it ready for release. It's not yet available for purchase, but the company has provided all the necessary details for potential customers to know what to expect from it.
The ARB Earth Camper is a luxury, feature-rich camper trailer that will enable outdoor enthusiasts to go further and stay longer, thanks to its off-grid capability. Versatility is another important characteristic of this camper, as it can easily go from an overnight crash pad to a comfortable living solution for extended stays. The cherry on top of the proverbial cake is its ability to handle difficult terrain and go just about anywhere.
The company packed it full of features to create the ultimate outdoor experience, including various awnings and side curtains, a spacious sleeping and living space, a freestanding slide kitchen, various storage solutions, and more, all of which combine to turn the trailer into a veritable encampment. Since we don't want to take up too much of your time, we will only touch on the most outstanding features in this piece.
The base the Earth Camper is built on is a massive, mandrel-bent and welded steel-tube chassis meant to provide improved rigidity and extraordinary flex-free support to the composite body panels. The exoskeleton-style setup goes all around and up over the camper's shell.
"Whilst significantly more challenging to manufacture, a round tube chassis is inherently stronger than a traditional rectangular chassis as there are no weak points from corners. This provides consistent strength along interior and exterior surfaces and offers superior resistance to flexing under load," mentions the manufacturer.
Photo: ARB
The camper trailer is paired with a long-travel independent suspension and Old Man Emu shocks. As standard, it comes with electric brakes and rides on 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 32-inch Maxxis all-terrain tires. An ARK jockey wheel and deployable rear leveling stabilizers will keep the trailer level and steady when unhitched.
For protection against impact damage, ARB equipped the camper with a rock guard shield and paint protection film at the front of the camper shell, as well as mud flaps and a large aluminum skid plate underneath.
Though designed to be light, the trailer is still as tough and durable as they get. The body panels are made of repairable fiberglass reinforced polymer (FRP), with a well-insulated interior that also boasts ARB's dust suppression system. The 100% wood-free design ensures its longevity in all kinds of climates.
The most notable feature in terms of design is the enormous clamshell back. This camper style has been very popular in Australia for years, but it only recently started to be adopted in North America as well.
The rear door folds down at the push of a button to reveal a raised, hard floor. A door then gives you access to the sleeping quarters, which include a queen-size bed that is ready for use in a minute. If you want a full camp, a tent can be installed around the floor to create a sitting and dining space with a drawer and table that pull out from under the bed area.
Apart from the slide-out drawer, internal storage options include bedside storage nooks, wall storage nets, and a bedhead organizer.
Another impressive asset of the Earth Camper is the full kitchen setup. It slides out of the left side of the trailer and is equipped with a three-burner stove, a sink and tap, and a huge 96-liter fridge/freezer. The camper's practicality on this side is enhanced by a big pull-out pantry with a countertop and a slide-out cutlery drawer. Moreover, the entire kitchen area is protected from the elements by a freestanding awning.
Internal tanks provide 140 liters (36 gallons) of running water, with the pump powered by the onboard 100Ah lithium battery. An additional 20-liter jerry can is found in a storage nook. This means owners will have more available water than most full-size trailers and campers can provide. The stove and hot water systems, on the other hand, are powered by propane.
A 120W solar panel is installed on the roof, along with a platform roof rack, but the company also offers an external Anderson plug for running a portable solar panel.
Besides the extensive list of standard features on the Earth Camper, a series of quality upgrades are also available, such as awning walls, a diesel heater, and an optional toilet and shower enclosure tucked away inside an extendable tent.
Given the high quality and functionality of ARB's Earth Camper, it's no surprise the company will retail it at a premium price. The robust and highly capable trailer will start at $74,500 AUD, including metro freight and pre-delivery. This translates to roughly $50,000 USD at current exchange rates. Expect an optioned-up version of the camper to retail for around $90,000 AUD ($60,000 USD).
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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