People are itching to go out and explore, but people aren't exactly in a rush to be spending too much money on a new rig, which would also have to include a new towing vehicle. This is where the Airstream and REI Co-op collaboration comes in.
Based on the idea that many adventurers want to use their daily driver as a towing vehicle during their outings and on the premise that extended autonomy at camp is a must, last year, Airstream announced a partnership with specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op to create the perfect little travel trailer. They called it the REI Co-op Special Edition Basecamp 16X because it used the popular Basecamp 16 layout from Airstream, equipped with the X-Package for enhanced off-road capabilities.
Since putting out a good product and resting on the proverbial laurels is not conducive to progress (or profit), and neither Airstream nor REI is the kind of company that "settles," here is the improved version of that "perfect" towable. The REI Co-op Special Edition Basecamp 20X, introduced at the end of last month, is bigger, tougher, homier, and overall better equipped for the off-road, off-grid lifestyle.
The design of the Special Edition Basecamp 20X is inspired by "an urgent imperative to conserve and safeguard the outdoor spaces we cherish," Bob Wheeler, President and CEO of Airstream, explains. It allows exploration of the great outdoors with reduced impact because it has extended autonomy and in-built sustainable features. With a 3,500-lb (1,587.g-kg) base weight, it can also be towed by a midsize SUV or a light-duty truck, which means the acquisition of a towing vehicle is not mandatory.
Photo: Airstream/REI Co-op
Like its shorter predecessor, the Special Edition Basecamp 20X has the X-Package as standard, so you get a three-inch lift kit, Goodyear Wrangler all-retain tires, and stainless steel front guards to protect the body against stones thrown off by the wheels of the towing vehicle. Also like its predecessor, it comes with the Airstream hatch door for easy access when loading provisions or exploring gear in the rear dinette that serves a multitude of purposes – including that of a garage. The L-track storage system helps with securing gear for transport.
The extra 4 feet (1.2 meters) in the 20-foot (6-meter) floorplan allow for some switching up of the living space to the advantage of those inside. The kitchen has been moved from the front of the trailer to the side, and now there's a larger curved dinette in the rear in its place. Versatility is the word of the day with these collaborative units, so the dinette can turn into a large bed at night.
The single kitchen block features a two-burner stove and a deep stainless steel sink, one with a glass cover and the other with a cutting board slash sink cover made from recycled paper to further maximize counter space. Storage is available underneath in standard removable REI cubbies.
Photo: Airstream/REI Co-op
Opposite the kitchen is the wet bathroom, which features a choice of toilet (traditional gravity-fed or composting) and a shower, with a curtain covering surfaces like the door and the window. Also here is a powerful exhaust fan, a waterproof toilet paper holder, and a rack for towels.
At the end of the trailer is that multi-functional area that could work as a garage. But depending on who's using it, it could also double as a home office, a secondary bedroom, an entertainment lounge, or any half combination of these. Modular furniture offers several layouts by simply adding and removing pieces, and it also offers plenty of storage.
It's here that Airstream and REI added another surprise for the Basecamp 20X model: "hidden" storage for wet gear that can double as an ice box. Because it has a drain, this under-floor space can be loaded up with ice to keep your beverages cold, and that's no small thing on a hot summer day out in the middle of nowhere.
Photo: Airstream/REI Co-op
The Special Edition Basecamp 20X offers storage throughout, including in a special gear locker with adjustable and removable shelves and large overhead nets. A 25-piece REI Co-op product kit, including stuff like dishware and storage cubbies, is offered as standard.
Fabrics and laminates are made from post-consumer (i.e., recycled) materials for a lower environmental impact. Sustainability is also emphasized through the use of sustainably grown wood for the cabinets (birch mostly) and features like a recirculating water heater for on-demand hot water, the optional composting toilet, UV-LED water filtration, and a solar package consisting of 360W of solar cells on the roof and a 200Ah lithium battery bank.
The trailer comes with a 23-gallon (87-liter) freshwater tank, a 28-gallon (106-liter) gray water tank, and another 21 gallons (80 liters) for wastewater, and hookups for the grid that you can use whenever you're at camp.
Photo: Airstream/REI Co-op
You often hear the phrase "the Swiss army knife of…" whatever when describing anything with multi-functionality, and you probably often think that it's a cliché that doesn't quite hold up. Well, the Special Edition Basecamp 20X wants to be the Swiss army knife of off-road, off-grid travel trailers, and it's striving to achieve that through modularity and multi-functionality but also through a compact footprint and a comparatively affordable price tag.
Speaking of pricing, the 20-foot model starts at $62,400.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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