If there is something outdoor enthusiasts know very well, it is that the countless acres of mostly untouched wilderness around the globe are not beyond reach. With the right rig, even folks with very few outdoor skills can venture deeper into the backcountry.
With the increasing demand for capable, truly rugged campers, the market for overland travel trailers is now stronger than ever. There are plenty of models that have been adapted for off-road use, and then there are models designed specifically for tackling the wilderness, places that don't even come close to resembling civilization, in extreme comfort. The fully-expandable Berg Off-Road CX6 belongs to the latter category.
Designed and built by South Africa-based Berg Off-Road, a startup founded by passionate off-road enthusiasts who understand adventurers' need for exploration in a safe environment, the CX6 is touted as the ultimate home base for weekend, weeklong or even overland adventures for large families.
This compact home away from home is durable, adequately equipped to withstand any climate, and capable of traversing the most challenging terrain. It travels relatively small, measuring 5.3 meters (17.4 feet) in length, from drawbar to spare wheel, 2 meters (6.5 feet) in width, and 2.2 meters (7.2 feet) in height in transportation mode, with a total weight of around 1 ton. But once you arrive at camp, it literally explodes in size, expanding into nearly every direction and turning into a comfortable camper that sleeps up to six and offers a full-blown base camp for even more individuals during the day.
Photo: Berg Off-Road
The CX6 off-road-capable travel trailer boasts a tough yet lightweight construction, with a honeycomb fiberglass body mounted atop a heavy-duty ladder frame chassis that rolls on two 16-inch steel wheels wrapped in 33-inch mud terrain tires. Mudflaps, underbody stone protectors, leaf springs at the end of a solid 2.5-ton axle, and dampers are also part of the construction to ensure the utmost reliability. It features a sleek and aerodynamic design and is reportedly built with eco-friendly materials and engineered for minimal environmental impact.
Touted as the quintessential family-oriented off-road trailer, the CX6 offers unmatched convenience with generous and comfortable bedding, a full bathroom, a well-appointed pull-out kitchen, and more. It's like a Swiss army knife in the world of travel trailers, packing everything an outdoorsy family needs for both comfortable trips. In order to create an ample living space without compromising on maneuverability or towing convenience, the trailer boasts various panels and compartments that open up.
The most impressive section is the 6.6-foot (2-meter) long king-size bed that resides inside a unit that slides out from the rear panel of the trailer. What sets it apart from other designs is the fact that it pulls entirely out of the body, and the panel above the bed opens up like a solid rooftop tent, allowing for plenty of headroom to sit up comfortably in bed.
Photo: Berg Off-Road
Once the slide-out bed is open, two single beds with an aisle in between are revealed underneath. These measure 28 by 79 inches (70 x 200 cm) and can also double as couches for an interior lounging space. Two more singles are available optionally in the lateral fold-out panels with windows. At 28 x 69 inches (70 x 200 cm), the side-folding single beds are a touch shorter than the interior ones, but they can still accommodate many adults and children. As mentioned in the beginning, this family-friendly camper can sleep a total of six people, with the sleeping quarters also including multi-layer hotel-quality mattresses, some storage options, and adjustable lighting.
The Berg Off-Road CX6 comes with a multi-dimensional outdoor kitchen that is centered around a main slide-out at the front of the trailer. It features a storage cupboard, drawers, and a faucet with a sink that pops out on the outer end. A slide-out fridge, a Cadac two-plate portable gas stove, Victorinox knives, stainless steel pots and pans, as well as dishes and cutlery for six are also part of the kitchen setup.
When the kitchen is fully pulled out, the space inside the CX6 caravan becomes a full-width wet bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower. This is quite an ingenious feature that Berg Off-Road says is unique in the world of travel trailers, so they have patented the idea. The sloped roof above the bathroom opens up for a refreshing open-air showering experience.
Photo: Berg Off-Road
What's more, the CX6 comes standard with a Berg 180-degree batwing awning housed in a solid aluminum box. When the awning is deployed, it creates a huge outdoor living area with comfortable shade, making it perfect for the African bush.
Other standard features include a 1,000-watt inverter to support off-grid power, a 150-liter fresh water tank with a pump, a 14-liter gas/electric Hansen water heater, a lockable spare wheel, a shore power hookup, and a DC to DC charging system. Obviously, a long roster of accessories is available to further enhance the camping experience, including lithium batteries, solar panels, air conditioning, recovery tracks and mounts in black, a tool kit for emergencies, and annex and awning tents.
Designed specifically for strenuous duty in remote locations with generous accommodation and plenty of practical features in a compact footprint, the Berg Off-Road CX6 travel trailer is a lesson in space efficiency. The ingenious caravan retails for R529,950 (around $28,000) in South Africa and is expected to become available in the US as well in late 2024. However, the estimated MSRP in the region is $50,000.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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