Redtail Overland's Skyloft Van Is a Top-Shelf Two-Story Camper for Luxury Overlanding

Redtail Overland is mostly known in the recreational vehicle market for its innovative Skyloft rooftop tent (RTT), which was revealed in 2020. It instantly attracted a lot of attention because it offered amenities never before seen in a rooftop tent, including a rigid, fully-insulated carbon fiber construction, an integrated heater, dual pane windows, off-grid power, and more. However, the hard-sided RTT came with a price tag to match - $20,000 - so it didn't have the commercial success the company hoped for.

Now, the company is no longer selling the Redtail Skyloft as a separate camping solution. Instead, after seeing the high interest it elicited in the van life world, Redtail has decided to integrate it as an exclusive feature on a cutting-edge land yacht outfitted with the latest features in the luxury RV space called the Skyloft Van.

Built on a Mercedes-Benz 3500 XD AWD 170" high roof cargo van, the ultra-modern camper is designed to comfortably accommodate a travel-loving family of four. It's worth noting that the Redtail team didn't simply add the rooftop camper on top of a regular Mercedes-Benz adventure van. They took care of the entire conversion themselves to ensure the final product offers the same premium quality, thoughtful design, and exceptional attention to detail as the Skyloft itself.

The integration of the rooftop camper improves both practicality and comfort, with prospective customers able to enjoy a full-fledged separate bedroom upstairs and more room on the ground level for living and dining. The interior feels lush and contemporary with wood veneers throughout, porcelain countertops, and a combination of ambient and direct lighting for a warm and inviting atmosphere. As the company puts it, the Skyloft Van is designed to ensure "an ultra-luxe experience from top to bottom."

Redtail's climate-controlled hard-sided RTT served as a starting point for the build. It is an integral part of the campervan, with an interior hatch offering access up top. When not deployed, it neatly packs into a compact package measuring 110 inches in length, 60 inches in width, and 11 inches in height (2.8 m x 1.5 m x 30 cm).

Since this cutting-edge RTT comes with fully insulated hard walls, lockable doors, impact-resistant windows, dimmable interior lighting, and even heat and AC systems controlled via a dedicated thermostat, it makes winter camping look like an appealing prospect for those who haven't tried it yet.

Fitted with a comfortable 78 x 55 x 3.5-inch (198 x 140 x 9 cm) foam mattress, the Skyloft adds two extra sleeping berths and creates that special feeling of home for the time spent on the road. That plush mattress and a full-height panoramic window at the rear that opens completely to provide those inside fantastic views of the surroundings will certainly make this upstairs bedroom the most coveted space in the van for future owners.

When it comes to the downstairs living quarters, there isn't really anything revolutionary about Redtail's layout, but it does impress with its luxurious look and modern creature comforts. There is not one but two lounging areas, a makeshift one up front comprising the van's front and second-row seats plus a flip-up work table that can also be used as a desk and a proper one at the rear of the van.

The latter is placed on a raised platform, two steps up from the Sprinter's floor, and includes a U-shaped sofa/dining bench and a swivel table in the middle, mounted on an adjustable-height pedestal. This multifunctional space acts as a living room and dining area during the day, and the central table drops down to create a double bed when night comes. The designers added a wall-mounted smart TV for entertainment, but it can swivel out of the way when not in use.

The center of the van is occupied by a wet bath and a compact yet functional galley. The bathroom looks like your regular van washroom with a cassette toilet, a shower with removable teak floor, and a large mirror on the door.

The finely crafted kitchen looks luxurious with wood-veneered foam-core cabinetry, porcelain countertops, and ultra-modern appliances. Though you cannot see it, there is a dual-burner induction cooktop integrated directly below the main counter, meaning you just have to place the pots and pans on the countertop when you want to cook. A convection microwave oven and a Vitrifrigo double-drawer fridge/freezer are also neatly integrated on the opposite side of the van.

Storage needs are also well catered to with plenty of clever small-space ideas, such as drawers under the second-row seats, various cabinets, and the garage space under the raised lounge, which is great for storing sports gear, camping equipment, and larger luggage.

Designed for expedition and outdoor adventures, the Skyloft Van rides on all-terrain 35" tires so that owners can embark on remote adventures in the middle of the wilderness. The van also comes with upgraded suspension, skid plate, custom front bumper, front and rear winches, off-road lighting, a motorized awning with wind sensor, bike racks, and more.

Users will enjoy the utmost comfort inside the van regardless of the season, thanks to a diesel heating system that provides floor heating in the main van, split-zone air heating, and a 12,000-BTU air conditioning system. A 151-liter fresh water tank, 113-liter waste water tank, on-demand hot water, and UV and carbon purification system are also part of the package. The electrical system includes 330 watts of solar panels, a 14-kWh lithium battery, and a 3,200-W inverter.

With its high design, cutting-edge tech, and elevated level of luxury, you know the Skyloft Van is bound to cost a pretty penny. Redtail Overland says the base price for a turnkey van is a whopping $530,000, which is way more than what most camping lovers are willing to spend on their home away from home. But then again, Redtail built it as a niche product and only plans to produce a few units per year.