Outdoors

ECOmbo solar-equipped camper designed to keep you comfy off grid

ECOmbo solar-equipped camper designed to keep you comfy off grid
The Ecombo camping trailer is designed for all types of adventure
The Ecombo camping trailer is designed for all types of adventure
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The Ecombo comes standard with a 100W solar panel on the roof
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The Ecombo comes standard with a 100W solar panel on the roof
Traveling off the beaten track in the Ecombo
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Traveling off the beaten track in the Ecombo
The Ecombo is designed for rugged, off-road travel
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The Ecombo is designed for rugged, off-road travel
The Ecombo gets after it
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The Ecombo gets after it
The Ecombo weighs 2,425 lb with empty water tanks
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The Ecombo weighs 2,425 lb with empty water tanks
The large, pop-open window provides sweeping views
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The large, pop-open window provides sweeping views
The Ecombo trailer starts at NZ$60,000
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The Ecombo trailer starts at NZ$60,000
The Ecombo trailer has sleeping, cooking and cleaning capabilities
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The Ecombo trailer has sleeping, cooking and cleaning capabilities
The Ecombo features a side kitchen
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The Ecombo features a side kitchen
Ecombo set up in the bush
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Ecombo set up in the bush
The Ecombo camping trailer is designed for all types of adventure
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The Ecombo camping trailer is designed for all types of adventure
The available canvas extension adds extra coverage
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The available canvas extension adds extra coverage
Ecombo Camper
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Ecombo Camper
Off road with the Ecocombo camping trailer
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Off road with the Ecocombo camping trailer
Closer look at the kitchen
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Closer look at the kitchen
The kitchen includes a refrigerator, dual-burner stove and sink
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The kitchen includes a refrigerator, dual-burner stove and sink
Inside the Ecombo
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Inside the Ecombo
The two-person bedroom has plenty of ventilation
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The two-person bedroom has plenty of ventilation
A front-mounted bike rack is available as an option
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A front-mounted bike rack is available as an option
Ecombo Camper
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Ecombo Camper
Ecombo Camper
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Ecombo Camper
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Designed as a compact, low-fuss way of traveling far away from the grid, the Ecombo trailer has cozy living quarters inside a rugged block that you tow with your 4x4. The camper from New Zealand-based Ecombo offers a panoramic-view bedroom, full kitchen and solar power system to keep you comfy in the remoteness that surrounds you when you put the car in park.

It seems like nearly every camping trailer we've covered lately has come from Oregon. High Camp, Nest and Freespirit were a few of the latest Portland- and Bend-based outfits to pretty up our site. The Ecombo breaks that trend with a vengeance, bringing us some intriguing towable hardware from the opposite side of the world.

The Ecombo was brought to life with the general idea that "you don’t need to rough it just because you are following a path less travelled." That theme is quite evident from the trailer's cozy interior and standard equipment list. The design reminds us of a smaller, lighter Southern Hemisphere answer to the ADAK Trailer.

Inside the Ecombo
Inside the Ecombo

The Ecombo's cozy cabin is secured to a rustproof aluminum off-road chassis. The teardrop-like interior consists of a full-size double bed, some cabinet storage and a large, wide side window for picturesque wilderness viewing. That window also pops open, and there is a fan/vent and secondary window on the roof for added ventilation.

The galley is on the side opposite the large bedroom window, which is a different configuration from the tailgate galleys common on small trailers. The flip-up side panel reveals a compact but well-equipped kitchen with a two-burner stove, stainless steel sink, refrigerator/freezer, countertop space and cupboards.

The kitchen includes a refrigerator, dual-burner stove and sink
The kitchen includes a refrigerator, dual-burner stove and sink

The Ecombo is too small for any kind of interior bathroom space, but it does offer an outdoor hot shower and space for a portable toilet. It comes standard with both fresh and waste water tanks.

One aspect of the Ecombo's design that sets it apart from other small trailers is the standard solar power. Solar is often available as an option on motorhomes and trailers, but every Ecombo rolls out of the factory with a 100-watt solar panel mounted to the roof and 130 Ah battery. That system powers the integrated LED lighting and kitchen and cabin outlets.

The Ecombo comes standard with a 100W solar panel on the roof
The Ecombo comes standard with a 100W solar panel on the roof

The Ecombo measures 13.8 x 6.9 x 8.2 feet (L x W x H, 4.2 x 2.1 x 2.5 m), when including the hitch in the length measurement. It weighs 2,425 lb (1,100 kg) when the water tanks are dry. Storage space is available in the tongue boxes, under-cabin lockers and under-bed storage. The trailer can carry a kayak up on its roof rails, and a bike rack is available as an option.

The Ecombo made its public debut last November, and prices start at a cool NZ$60,000 (US$39,000). It was designed specifically for the New Zealand market and is currently only available there. Options include a canvas extension for increasing weather-protected interior space.

Source: Ecombo

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7 comments
7 comments
ZachMarshall
My god thats a waste of money. I could build that for less then 3000$
javadog
You could buy 2 new base model Casitas for that with more comfort and capabilities and have money left over for your panel. You might have to spring for some LED bulbs, though. The Ecombo does get points for aluminum construction and generous storage. It is pretty heavy for it's size, though. Why is that?
unklmurray
I just went to the ADAK trailer site ,it looked like something really cool ,However when I clicked on the videos on''YouTube'' I became so angry......I would never have nice things to say about them.....each video is 45seconds long ,with very annoying background music, They must not want to sell any of their nice looking trailers........NOT good video programs would be nice to see something more like something they are proud of!!
Don Duncan
Too heavy, short on solar (why not the whole roof?), too expensive. I wouldn't feel safe in that canvas tent on the African plane. What happens when the propane runs out? Why no data on the weight carrying fresh water/waste fluids? Is it water proof when submerged one third?
Laurens
What's all the fuss about?
The whole story is one massive beat-up....
The small trailer with the totally inadequate solar panel is grossly overpriced
Erwinecosmart
Gentlemen,
After 5 years a school, and 40 years in the industry, a solar camper is just simply adapting solar panels to a camper. There is no innovation here, as we have been doing that for years. So please, focus on innovation not adaption of technology.... And innovative camper would be one where the toilet water is distilled back into flushing water and the solar panels would be both thermal DHW and solar PV in one build.... Now that is innovation.. Want to see my plans?
Erwin
Recon7
I bought an M101a1 surplus trailer from the military. (6 of them actually, have sold five already) for about $250. I will replace the the heavy military axle with a modern version saving nearly 900 pounds in weight. I've figured I can outfit it with off the shelf items plus my own fabrications for a grand total of ~$3000 start to finish. Solar, toilet, kitchen .. et.al.
Sure, mine won't look as fancy and smooth but will be equally useful gadget wise and far more robust for off road movement.
If these camper trainer start-ups could get to a price point UNDER $5k USD then they might actually sell some here in the USA.