VanMe, a German camper company that specializes in designing elegant camper vans, has recently branched out into modular camping trailers by creating an incredibly versatile and customizable rig called Bobo that can take you off the beaten track for memorable adventures and then turn into a relaxing base camp with all the essentials covered.
For many outdoor enthusiasts, the ultimate camper is one the size of a bus packing as much luxury and as much space as possible. But owning and traveling with such an RV means one of two things: a big budget for fuel or planning for fewer and shorter trips.
Budget-conscious adventurers who enjoy venturing off the beaten path prefer smaller and lighter rigs that allow them to traverse challenging landscapes with ease and offer them a comfortable space to sleep after a full day of exploring.
Built with adventurers in mind, VanMe's new Bobo product is just that - a squaredrop camper trailer based on an empty cargo trailer that can be filled with the company's array of sliding modules and standing on off-road tires. Modularity is baked into the very core of this camper's design, enhancing its customizability and maneuverability. Modularity continues on the exterior, where it also features a tie-down track for mounting accessories and a top rack for installing a rooftop tent or additional cargo.
Photo: VanMe
Bobo measures just 3 meters (9.8 feet) in length, 1,65 meters (5.4 feet) in width, and 1,73 meters (5.7 feet) in height, but is a true game-changer in the camping trailer world, as it is able to go from cargo trailer to well-equipped camper in a matter of minutes. It starts out as an empty 873-pound (396-kg) trailer with a full-size swinging tailgate on the rear wall for easy loading and a hinged roof that can be lifted with gas struts to facilitate the transport of oversized cargo.
During weekdays, owners can use the trailer as a cargo hauler, and then, when adventure calls, they can install the in-house developed modules, slides, and drawers to turn it into a comprehensive mobile habitat. With a payload of 1,323 pounds (600 kg), the VanMe Bobo is able to satisfy most cargo needs.
To turn the trailer into a full-fledged base camp, the company has created five modules that fit seamlessly inside the cargo box like puzzle pieces. This ingenious system basically allows each owner to selectively deploy specific modules and customize the interior of their campers as they see fit, based on their needs and desires.
The five key modules include a slide-out kitchen container, a power and electricity box, a cargo slide that VanMe calls the "underground parking garage," a sliding module for water canisters, and a block designed for holding a cooler box/fridge and BBQ system.
Photo: VanMe
The kitchen box reveals itself from behind a drop-down door on the passenger side of the trailer. It offers a generous platform for outdoor cooking with a rugged checker plate worktop and storage compartments. There is enough space to place a portable stove or grill, and it also features a pull-out drawer for dishes, pots, pans, and kitchen appliances, as well as a storage space for spices and cooking utensils.
The second module holds all the electrical hardware and sits above the kitchen unit. It is basically a custom-built power station boasting a 100-Ah lithium battery, a Victron inverter/charger, a 20-A charging booster, shore power connectivity, electrical outlets, and adaptable lighting. A hatch door offers access to this power block from the outside, allowing owners to power their kitchen tools and personal gadgets.
The next three modules are all about enhancing the trailer's storage capabilities. Module 3, which the company calls the "underground parking garage," can be mounted on the trailer floor and is large enough to hold luggage, camping gear, and other belongings.
Photo: VanMe
Finally, the last two modules slide atop the previous one and take care of water storage and refrigeration. Module 4 is long and narrow and houses two 20-L water canisters, while the fifth box can fit a 50-L fridge/freezer, along with a portable grill or a standard plastic Euro storage box.
All the compartments will be secured to the tie-down track on the floor of the trailer with hardware built into the modules themselves. When your journey is over, you can remove them the same way and go back to using the trailer as a usual cargo hauler.
Due to its compact size, when all the modules are neatly packed inside, the Bobo camper can be towed through the narrowest of places in the wild and also allows for easy parking and storage. Moreover, the company says the trailer's robust design means you can even leave it at your campsite and enjoy day trips with just the tow vehicle.
As you can see, the VanMe-designed modules endow the trailer with exceptional storage, cooking, and power capabilities. But what about overnight accommodation? An optional Airhome Maggiolina hardshell rooftop tent can be attached to the roof rack to serve as a sleeping area. It measures 51 x 91 inches (130 x 230 cm), so it's spacious enough for two individuals. There is also a bathroom option in the form of a deployable shower room with a dry separating toilet.
Photo: VanMe
Additional accessories like a drop-down side table, cup and bottle holders, traction boards, or extra canisters can be mounted on the tie-down track on the sidewall.
VanMe offers two versions of the Bobo camper, with all five interior modules included. The base Bobo L model is available for €11,999 (approx. $12,715), while the XL version sells for €13,499 ($14,304). The Maggiolina tent will add another €3,793 ($4,019) to the starting price, and customers can also opt for a side awning, roof vent, or solar charging add-on for the electrical kit.
The VanMe Bobo is a great camper trailer for those looking to travel the world and taste the freedom of immersing in nature's beauty. It allows owners to live the outdoor life to the full, and its unique design and unmatched modularity set it apart from the competition.
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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