Military-Born in the Heart of America: The "Severe-Duty" XV-3 Camper Is Something Else

Folks, Schutt Industries has been around since 1998, but what makes them different from other camper manufacturers in the US, actually, the whole world, is the fact that their background is steeped in producing cargo-handling gear for the military, and you know those people don't care how big the rock is, you have to get over it and to the other side.

Well, it would appear that this is precisely the mentality Schutt had in mind when they designed and built their XVenture brand and the XV-3, the rather bare-bones machine you see in the image gallery. But, appearances can be deceiving; allow me to me point out that a standard XV-3 starts off at no more than $17,925 (€16,900 at current exchange rates), so by the time you're done adding things like a roof-top tent and a few others, you might end up around the $25K ballpark, possibly a tad more.

Now, the XV-3 is a tad different than the sort of campers most of us are used to, mainly because there is no actual living space. This means that this beauty is for those of us who like things as raw as possible, the flint and knife kind of folks, which, if you're like me, you're already drooling. In short, this unit is all about offering us a solid home base to work with for our next outdoor and subsequent adventures.

Overall, each trailer is built out of nothing more than aluminum, ensuring that it's light and can take a beating from the elements. Best of all, Schutt wanted to make sure you can just hook this thing up to your vehicle and drive off the lot, no matter your destination; it's DOT-compliant in 50 states.

Throw a torsion axle underneath with 15 inches of clearance, route wiring through the chassis tubes, add LRR (Low Rolling Resistance) tires, and we're set for more systems and features. Considering this bugger has a curb weight of 850 lbs (386 kg) and can take an extra 1,500 lbs (680 kg) until it reaches its GVWR, time to go nuts with extras.

But, before you do, take note of a few other standard goods in place, such as a power center, a 50 Ah deep cycle battery and charger, 12 V ports, and a 110 V shoreline power port. The cross bar kit, water heater, and a few others are also included in that base price I mentioned. However, to really make this thing suitable for living off-grid, you're going to need some extra bucks.

For example, the roof-top tent is not standard, and the slide-out galley block is optional, too. Then there's the need for solar panels and maybe even a bigger battery. Oh, and water, an essential ingredient of life itself, can be acquired by purchasing a 22 gals (83 l) water system and having Schutt integrate it into your unit.

In order to understand precisely the sort of lifestyle we can lead with such a unit, let's take a little trip through LaLa-land and picture ourselves in the possession of one of these babies. This starts with you grabbing your off-road-ready vehicle, hooking up your dream, grabbing your significant other, and off you go.

Sure, a torsion axle isn't exactly the sort of suspension I was expecting from a battle-born camper - wishing for an A-arm over here - but it's going to be more than enough to help you cross little brooks and streams, take a dirt road, and even ride over some stones, maybe even create your own path.

After trekking across the US to reach your destination, park your vehicle, stabilize the XV-3, and start preparing the place you'll be calling home for the next couple of days. Considering that the central cabin space is all about storage for whatever you may need, it's time to roll back the TruXedo titanium cover and start taking out your table, chairs, grill, gas can, fishing gear, shower tent, and fridge/freezer. Don't forget your portable solar panel.

But what about sleep? Well, this subject can be approached from a wide variety of angles, including one where you've replaced that roof-top tent with a ground-level option (much cheaper), and the rack system can be used for things like e-bikes or some kayaks. It appears as though Schutt wanted to simply give us a solid base with which we can create an array of campsites as different as the people who own their units. Did they succeed? I think so.

At the end of the day, even if we have to add a few extras here and there to really transform the XV-3 into a "complete" machine - depending on your definition of comfort and a life lived to the fullest - Schutt Industries clearly knows what most of us want and even need. Take the time to weigh your options, and you'll find that very few crews can achieve what Schutt has with these beauties.