Hogzilla 4x4 Is an Expandable Canopy Camper With Slide-Out Bed and Oodles of Storage

Today, we're going to explore the Hogzilla 4x4 Xpander Canopy Camper, a revolutionary pickup camper that combines comfort and mobility for outdoor exploration. This unique camping solution looks like a flatbed canopy in travel mode and turns into a generous habitat for indoor and outdoor living once you arrive at your campsite, with a slide-out bedroom, a well-kitted-out outdoor kitchen, and oodles of storage. This makes it perfect for free-spirited, spontaneous individuals who want to be able to get up and go on a moment's notice.

The Hogzilla 4x4 comes from South Africa, so it was built to take on some of the wildest, most remote African destinations. Hogzilla 4x4 is a spinoff brand of Modular Adventures, and the Xpander Canopy is the name of its truck camping system, which was launched in 2023 and is now available for order. In the picture gallery, you can see it installed on a Toyota Hilux, but the company says its modular design fits most pickup truck models on the market, and it also allows owners to retain the regular functionality of their vehicle when the camper is removed.

The Xpander canopy is built with sturdiness and durability in mind, being made of high-quality materials such as aircraft-grade aluminum and reinforced PVC canvas. It's worth mentioning that, unlike travel trailers or caravans, this camper canopy is essentially made to carry gear, and it only expands into a base camp once you unfold it at your destination.

Its distinctive design includes a slide-out rear bed, a built-in kitchen unit, a spare wheel carrier rack, free open storage space inside, and various storage compartments for all your camping equipment. A privacy room for toilet and shower needs and a 360-degree awning for some much-needed shade are also part of the package.

The slide-out bedroom is the main highlight of the Hogzilla and the feature that makes it a truly livable camper. It measures 78 x 56 inches (198 x 143 cm), which aligns with a South African king size, meaning it can easily sleep two adults and a child or a pet. It is built on a skeletal aluminum frame and boasts reinforced PVC canvas walls and mosquito mesh to make it weatherproof. It can be set up in a matter of minutes and is accessible via a removable side ladder. For those who want more protection and privacy, optional full-length aluminum gullwing doors are available.

The front part of the canopy on the passenger side is dedicated to the kitchen setup, which comes with everything you need for outdoor cooking. It includes a fridge slide-out section that can accommodate models up to 80 liters, a drop-down stove table with a Cadac dual-burner stove, a slide-out pantry, and a decently-sized fold-down worktop for meal prep. Additionally, there are dry food storage shelves, a cutlery drawer, and fixed shelves inside the canopy, making it easy to keep your kitchen essentials organized.

For water needs, the manufacturer added two flat 40-liter water tanks that fit neatly against the interior canopy wall.

The driver-side of the canopy is entirely occupied by storage compartments and utilities, including the electrical hardware, a 6-liter gas water heater, and a 100-Ah lithium battery. Plenty of upper and lower storage cubbies and drawers ensure there is enough space for your personal belongings, outdoor sports gear, and camping equipment.

For extra gear and cargo, Modular Adventures equipped the canopy with not one but two roof racks - one above the vehicle's cab and another topping the Xpander canopy.

The Hogzilla Xpander Camper comes with 270- and 180-degree weather-tight awnings that seamlessly zip together as one unit to create wraparound coverage and offer shade and shelter from the elements. A privacy tent on the driver's side designed for toilet and shower needs is a standard inclusion and can be used with the outdoor shower and a portable toilet.

This ingenious camping solution is also highly customizable, so it can cater to diverse needs and preferences. As such, customers can add various bolt-on units like bike racks, as well as solar panels, awnings, and other accessories meant to enhance their camping experience.

Modular Adventures offers the basic Hogzilla 4x4 Xpander Canopy Camper, which includes the flatbed, empty canopy, slide-out bedroom with mattress, and spare tire carrier, for just R220,550 (approx. $11,775 at current exchange rates). A fully-equipped unit with everything mentioned above will set you back R378,550 ($20,200).

An Xpander Mini model without the slide-out bedroom has been revealed recently, offering a slide-out kitchen, fold-down worktops, and storage compartments, all mounted on a heavy-duty sliding tray.