More and more outdoorsy families looking to disconnect from the daily grind and explore the backcountry are in search of campers that are built as tough as they come and offer them comfortable sleeping and living spaces. They want adventure machines capable of tackling difficult terrain while also ensuring maximum comfort on extended journeys.
The RV market abounds with family-friendly camping rigs, but few are as versatile as hybrid caravans, and Mars Campers' Ranger X Family MKII model is proof of that. Designed for adventure-seekers and offroad enthusiasts who want to venture deeper into the backcountry, this family-oriented rig is a cross between a caravan and a camper trailer. As such, it offers clients the best of both worlds - the practicality and towing ability of a camper trailer and the luxuries and comfort of a hard-walled caravan.
Though it may not sound familiar to some of you, Mars Campers is a well-known name in the Australian RV industry. The brand entered the market in 2006 and has since been building durable and advanced camping rigs that deliver great quality and exceptional value. The company has manufacturing facilities both locally and overseas and makes on and off-road camper trailers in a variety of styles to cater to their customers' diverse needs. Their extensive range has something for everyone, from inexperienced first-time adventurers to savvy outdoorsmen.
The Ranger X Family MKII model is a thoughtfully crafted hybrid caravan with an electronic pop-top that offers a balanced mix of style, comfort, and ruggedness. It is designed with families in mind, aiming to enable them to make the most of the great outdoors while lounging in luxury and enjoying a home-like atmosphere even when they are miles away from home.
Photo: Mars Campers
Built on a 4-in hot-dipped-galvanised chassis, this hybrid caravan boasts a steel frame clad in composite aluminum with enamel finish and comes fitted with a 3.5-tonne Hitchmaster DO35 coupling, which is considered the best on the market at the moment, as well as independent suspension. It can be towed by most mid-size 4WDs, which makes it easy to go on spontaneous trips. With a tare weight of 1,700 kg (about 3,750 pounds) and a Gross Trailer Mass of 2,300 kg (5,070 pounds), it offers a reasonable payload capacity of 750 kg (1,650 pounds).
Touted as the perfect companion for off-road adventures, this hybrid caravan measures 5850 mm (19.2 feet) in length, 2000 mm (6.6 feet) in width, and 2050 mm (6.7 feet) in height. Thanks to its generous size, it can easily accommodate a group of four in a king-size bed and bunk twins and offers full standing height inside (199 cm or 6.5 feet with the roof lifted). It is not the most compact travel trailer out there, but its low-profile design in travel mode makes it easy to tow and allows it to fit seamlessly into your garage.
Photo: Mars Campers
The interior layout is simple yet efficient, making for a cozy mobile living space for a family of four. As you enter, you have the bathroom, which comes complete with a sink, toilet, and adjustable shower upfront, the bunk beds at your left, and two storage-integrated steps leading up to the king-size bed at the rear. In a neat move, the top bunk can be lowered when not in use to create a nice seating space across the front. In this configuration, the interior is also a bit more open.
The control panel, with controls, indicators, and switches for everything from the electric pop-top and the air conditioner to the LED lights and the sound system, is placed conveniently next to the entrance.
On the outside, you'll find a sliding compartment next to the door that can house an 80-liter fridge/coolbox. On the other side, there is a TV bracket and two waterproof exterior speakers for outdoor entertainment, plus another storage compartment.
But the most exciting feature of this adventure rig is certainly the kitchen. While similar travel trailers have slide-out kitchens, Mars Campers ups the ante with a huge built-in stainless steel kitchen with outdoor access. It is smartly configured with plenty of counter space, ample storage compartments for all your cooking essentials, a little pantry, a cutlery drawer, a built-in fridge, a three-burner cooktop, and a small sink with hot and cold water. It might be the best outdoor kitchen in a camper we've seen so far, with all the appliances and cooking gear at your fingertips.
Photo: Mars Campers
It's also worth pointing out that this family camper comes with ample external storage. Apart from a dedicated storage compartment on one side, there is a large front toolbox that can store two 9-kg gas cylinder holders and two 20-liter Jerry can holders, a storage box above it perfect for fishing rods, outdoor sports equipment, and more, plus a series of storage lockers along both sides of the camper and a tunnel boot.
For extended off-grid adventures, Mars Campers equipped the trailer with 400W worth of rooftop solar panels, two 135Ah lithium batteries, and a 2000W Pure Sine Wave inverter, as well as a 120-liter and a 75-liter freshwater tank, and a 75-liter gray water tank.
In keeping with the outdoor living focus of the design, the Mars Campers Ranger X comes standard with a roll-out 4-meter awning and an external ensuite area. Other noteworthy features include four rock sliders, a twin spare tire holder at the rear, a Dometic Reverse cycle AC under the main bed, and a 24" LED TV with removable bracket.
With its innovative design, full-standing height interior, coveted creature comforts like the huge kitchen, onboard shower and toilet, and generous storage, the Mars Campers Ranger X Family MKII camper is a great choice for stress-free family adventures. Cost-wise, this magnificent hybrid caravan starts at AUD $54,990 (approx. USD $35,800 at current exchange rates).
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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