Keystone Unveils the Near-Perfect Outback OBX: The "Biggest Little Camper in the World"

One team making a successful effort to bring durable and off-road-ready travel trailers to this ever-shifting game is Keystone RV. Their newest addition to their family? None other than the Outback OBX. To give you an idea of what we're up against here, I like to call it the RVing equivalent of Reno, Nevada, in that it's small but full of big features. In short, we can call it the biggest little camper in the world.

Now, to kick things off for the OBX, Keystone RV is calling this machine "the Ultimate small off-road RV," which isn't very far off from my own opinion of the OBX. To be able to stand up to those words, Keystone crafts each OBX using nothing more than an NXG frame from Norco. Throw on a Dexter torsion axle, and this seems to be all we need for off-road adventures. Is it, though?

Personally, the OBX will be able to handle off-road use; it's just not specified what roads we can ditch. What I've learned while dealing with RVs is that this sort of axle is only mediocre in handling true off-road use. Sure, dirt roads shouldn't be a problem, but once we take on uneven paths and encounter large rocks or stones, we may want to opt for an independent suspension setup, which is an option from Keystone; do it and leave the cares behind.

But the real question is how the OBX will cater to our needs and wants once we've trudged across fields of plant matter, mud, and hidden holes. What I loved about Keystone and its growing lineup is the fact that they're listening to customer needs.

New for 2024, Keystone introduces their 440i SolarFlex setup, composed of two 220 W panels, a 30 A Victron controller, a 2,000 W inverter, and a few others. Do go for the two-battery option and relax, knowing you've got the juice to last you until the next sunny day.

Keystone also extends all this solar magic to appliances in the OBX. For example, the fridge is solar-compatible, and so is the 18,000 BTU Furrion AC unit and entertainment system. Who knows what else you can power with the 440i setup?

Now, as I dove deeper into the OBX, I realized that Keystone is very serious about the outdoor living lifestyle it places at its future owner's disposal. As standard, the manufacturer adds an integrated awning to keep you in the shade as you scurry around your unit while you're using the outdoor grill and galley, showering under the eyes of god, or just kicking back and listening to some tunes, blasting through the outdoor speakers.

Since most of what we need outdoors is already in place, why not go a step further and whip out the dining set you have stored in the pass-through storage bay, throw up a tent, and even kick the kids out for a night or two? What, parents are humans too, and wish for some alone time as well. What better place to get it than out in the middle of nowhere?

Speaking of kicking the kids out, each OBX may come across as rather small in comparison to other Keystone machines, but inside, there's more than enough room to accommodate up to five, maybe even six guests, made possible by a full bed at the front, a modular dinette in the center of the model, and best of all, a bunk bed feature tucked away in the left rear corner of the OBX.

All that's basically set up in an L formation, and the remainder of the space is reserved for all the little knick-knacks we typically need inside of a mobile home. Standard, an indoor galley is also in place, even though the exterior one I mentioned is also there, and finally, a large bathroom with separate features.

Since there are little to no images of the interior of the OBX, I've decided to add a video below, flashing all the little interior nooks and crannies that make up this unit. After watching, take the time to picture yourself in the middle of the action.

While this would typically be the stage at which I tie off an article about a camper or travel trailer, the OBX presents even more still. One of the final design features that I'm happy Keystone added to the OBX is the presence of a heated and enclosed belly with heated holding tanks. Yes, this means that some exploration into the colder months is possible and that alone is something that not every travel trailer can achieve.

But how much is all this magic going to cost us? Here's yet another area of interest that's sure to grab your attention. Overall, Keystone is showcasing a starting price tag of $28,493, but by the time units are turn-key, you'll find one around $35K in local dealerships around the US. That's not bad at all and a reason why the OBX should be on your list of travel trailers to consider for the upcoming glamping season.