Outdoors

Ultra-moddable camping trailer transforms from cargo crate to micro-RV

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Add a rooftop tent and maybe a few rack and side accessories, and your little utility trailer turns into a relaxing base camp that covers all necessities
VanMe
Add a rooftop tent and maybe a few rack and side accessories, and your little utility trailer turns into a relaxing base camp that covers all necessities
VanMe
VanMe's Bobo camping trailer package has a lift-up roof and five modules that mount and stack inside
VanMe
A drop-down side table mounted to the tie-down track creates a coffee and pastry station
VanMe
The slide-out kitchen comes empty, and users can top it with a portable gas stove, grill or other cooking equipment
VanMe
The skinny slide-out on the top left of VanMe's stack is designed to carry two 20-L canisters as an easy-pour fresh water source
VanMe
The last module of the bunch, the upper right slide-out is designed to house a fridge/freezer and transport a grill
VanMe
The Bobo trailer gives you the space and organization to whip up a gourmet meal
VanMe
A 5-kg LPG bottle holder is available as an option
VanMe
No need to grill if a basic dual-burner camping stove will do
VanMe
The kitchen slide-out includes plenty of drawer space
VanMe
The available awning puts some shade over the business side of the VanMe Bobo trailer
VanMe
VanMe Bobo module 1: slide-out kitchen
VanMe
VanMe Bobo module 2: electrical box
VanMe
VanMe Bobo module 3: "Underground car garage" with full-width slide-out and mounting frame
VanMe
VanMe Bobo module 4: slim water canister slide
VanMe
VanMe Bobo module 5: fridge + grill or cargo box slide
VanMe
VanMe Bobo serving up dinner and drinks
VanMe
View gallery - 17 images

German camper innovator VanMe recently took a short break from designing stylish camper vans to introduce one of the more modular camping trailers the world over.

Called the Bobo, the boxy cargo trailer comes loaded with an empty interior that can be filled out with VanMe's custom-fit array of camping slides, boxes and drawers. Outside, it has tie-down track for mounting accessories and a top rack ready for carrying a rooftop tent or more cargo. At the end of the trip, all components can be removed to leave the trailer ready and able to get to work hauling cargo come Monday morning.

VanMe starts its camper build out with an empty 873-lb (396-kg) trailer that stands on off-road tires below step-on fenders. The rear wall is a full-size swinging tailgate designed for easy loading, and the roof is hinged at the front so it can be lifted up with the help of gas struts, providing space for oversized cargo. Payload checks in at 1,323 lb (600 kg)

VanMe actually sells the basic trailer just like that, charging €4,969 (approx. US$5,300) for the 10.1-ft (3.1-m) base version and €7,049 ($7,500) for the 12.5-ft (3.8-m) XL model. From there, the Bobo can serve as an all-terrain tagalong cargo-hauler for work, home improvement and outdoor recreation.

VanMe's Bobo camping trailer package has a lift-up roof and five modules that mount and stack inside
VanMe

To turn the Bobo into a full blown expandable camper, VanMe has developed five modules that fit the interior like puzzle pieces. The first is a slide-out kitchen box that works with a drop-down door on the passenger-side of the trailer to deliver a long surface for outdoor cooking. Owners will have to stock it with their own cooking gear and dishes, but it includes deep storage space for provisions like pots and pans, appliances, dishware, spices and utensils. The rugged checker plate worktop provides space for prepping food and cooking on a portable stove or grill.

Module #2 stacks inside the trailer atop the kitchen box, bringing all the electrical hardware. Essentially a custom-built power block, it's based around a 100-Ah lithium battery and includes a Victron inverter/charger, 20-A charging booster, shore power connection, electrical outlets and gooseneck lighting. It's accessible from outside the trailer via a hatch door above the kitchen, making it handy for plugging in kitchen appliances and tools.

VanMe Bobo module 2: electrical box
VanMe

A cage-like unit VanMe calls the "underground parking garage" (module 3) mounts to the floor in front of the kitchen, bringing with it a cargo slide designed to hold luggage, miscellaneous camping gear or whatever else the owner wants to stuff down low. The upper beams of the cage are used to mount two top slides (modules 4 and 5). The first of those two is a long, narrow slide with a front holder fit to two 20-L water canisters, and the second is designed specifically to accommodate a 50-L fridge/freezer and a portable grill or a standard plastic Euro storage box.

The last module of the bunch, the upper right slide-out is designed to house a fridge/freezer and transport a grill
VanMe

The modules secure to the trailer quickly via the tie-down track on the floor and the tracks and hardware built into the modules themselves. They remove the same way, making it easy to return the trailer to a stripped-down empty cargo-hauler whenever necessary.

With all five modules installed, the interior of the trailer is a functional camper garage with storage, cooking and power capabilities. To gain overnight accommodations, buyers can add the optional Airhome Maggiolina hardshell rooftop tent to the roof rack, bringing in an extra-long 51 x 91-in (130 x 230-cm) sleeping area on which to retire at day's end. For a bathroom option, VanMe offers a deployable shower room with dry separating toilet.

The Bobo trailer gives you the space and organization to whip up a gourmet meal
VanMe

VanMe's full-blown modularity separates the Bobo from similar trailers, such as the larger Blackcamp Freeda, and it continues on the exterior, where a tie-down track on the sidewall is pictured holding accessories like a drop-down side table from Oryx Solutions, a cup/bottle holder and a Bluetooth speaker mount. Buyers could foreseeably use the track for carrying other accessories, such as traction boards, a shovel, Rotopax canisters and more.

VanMe offers the smaller base Bobo camper with all five interior modules for a price of €11,999 ($12,775), the XL version for €13,499 ($14,375). The Maggiolina tent is a €3,793 add-on, and other accessories include a €389 side awning, €699 roof vent and €599 200-W solar charging add-on for the electrical kit.

Source: VanMe

View gallery - 17 images
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1 comment
Karmudjun
My father used to say "That is a lot of sugar for a dime", meaning the $13K trailer with a narrow footprint with the Maggiolina tent, roof vent, and roof power system would be upwards of $20K (US dollars) and might not be stable in certain camp situations where a modicum of wind gusts could be expected. So you could camp in a garage or in some other protected area....or take your chances and if the whole thing gets blown over with you asleep - well you definitely would have a rude awakening. Looks great on paper - but in the wilds I think I'd rather avoid climbing up out of the rain hoping the wind doesn't blow too hard! Yep, I'd want more stability for the price.