The recreational vehicles market abounds with great campers and travel trailers, but some offerings are simply too big for those who love spontaneous trips and want to have the freedom to wander where and when they please. This is where the Go Pod Pioneer comes in.
Go Pods are compact, lightweight, all-weather micro-tourers that offer a hassle-free solution to adventure seekers who want to experience the great outdoors in comfort. This caravan was built with the best features possible in a compact footprint to offer outdoor enthusiasts an easily towable/maneuverable rig they can truly call a home away from home.
Go Pods have been around for almost twenty years and are available exclusively via Lancashire-based Red Lion Caravans, one of the oldest and best-known caravan retailers in the UK. For 2024, the manufacturer has introduced the Go Pod Pioneer, a new model that builds on the foundation set by previous versions and provides the right balance between the comfort of caravanning and the fun of camping.
The brand-new Pioneer iteration is a great camper van alternative with more customization options and practicality than previous models. It is designed with the UK's unpredictable weather conditions in mind and has a teardrop-shaped GRP shell manufactured in Portugal. It is a one-piece shell that basically eliminates the risk of seam leaks.
The distinctive body shape makes it very aerodynamic, which reduces fuel consumption, while the fiberglass construction makes it lightweight (an MTPLM of just 750 kg or 1,650 lbs), making it easy to tow even with small engined cars like the Fiat 500 or Vauxhall Corsa.
Photo: Go-Pod
Moreover, it features a marine-grade plywood base, wood skeleton frame, and quality insulation. It is built on a galvanized steel chassis rated to 1,000 kg, and its AL-KO braking system makes it easy to tow. In terms of dimensions, the Go Pod Pioneer has a total exterior length of 4.2 meters (13.9 feet) and a width of two meters (6.5 feet), meaning it fits comfortably inside most garages and parking spaces.
A front locker accessible from the outside can be found under the large smiley-shaped window (it holds the gas cylinders), while access inside the pod is offered by a 60-cm (two-foot) wide entrance door at the back.
Designed with comfort and convenience in mind, this charming travel trailer impresses with a stylish interior that focuses on practicality with modern appliances and quality materials. It comes with an ingenious layout that comprises a compact kitchenette, a U-shaped lounge area that transforms into a comfortable sleeping area, and ample storage space.
Everything looks cozy and inviting inside, and though everything is squeezed inside an internal body length of just over two meters (6.5 feet), it doesn't feel cramped at all, thanks to the great use of space.
Photo: Go-Pod
The kitchen facilities are located near the entrance and offer impressive features for a travel trailer this size. There is a decently-sized stainless steel sink with an integrated two-burner gas hob, and a microwave oven can be added as an option. The cooktop/sink setup has a glass cover to keep everything neat and clean when not in use. A flip-up countertop extension comes in handy for meal prep, and two small overhead cabinets offer more storage space.
Across from the kitchenette, there is a 12V Dometic compressor fridge with extra counter space above and a nifty slide-out pantry rack next to it.
Next up is the versatile wraparound seating area with storage under all three seats and a removable center table. The multifunctional space serves as a lounge/dining area by day and a sleeping space by night. The plush benches can be turned either into two single beds or a king-sized double to comfortably accommodate two individuals.
An appealing feature can be spotted above the kitchen area in the form of a pop-up roof section that increases standing height to 1.83 meters (6 feet) inside the camper.
Photo: Go-Pod
Another great addition is a pair of cabinets just inside the entrance door that maximize the use of space. The upper one is a shelved cabinet/wardrobe for storing clothes and other belongings, and the floor-level one holds a portable toilet.
The manufacturer offers a selection of furniture and upholstery finishes, as well as a comprehensive list of accessories so that each customer can customize the Go Pod Pioneer to fit their own particular style of camping. For instance, since camping is more about enjoying the outdoors, owners can add optional awnings and canopies to extend the living area to the outside.
An 85Ah leisure battery, net storage pockets in the lounge, LED ambient lighting strips over the windows and in the footwell, ceiling spotlights, and two adjustable side windows with blackout blinds are also part of the package.
The 2024 Go Pod Pioneer micro-camper is competitively priced at £19,995 (approx. $25,350) for the standard model. For the moment, the Go-Pod is only available in Europe, so if you live in a European country and are looking for a weekend escape or a longer getaway, this compact travel trailer can provide you with the ultimate blend of comfort and convenience.
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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