Mars launches Space X Air

We've already seen inflatable campers, as well as a number of auto-opening and closing hard-floor canvas campers.

But now budget RV brand Mars Campers has combined the two with official 'lift off' of its latest Space X Air dual fold canvas camper at the 2022 Victorian Caravan Supershow at the Melbourne Showgrounds last week.

Dubbed "Australia’s first automatic opening, automatic stabilising and automatic inflating dual fold camper," the new Space X Air builds on Mars' entry-level Space X family camper with push-button opening and closing of the two double beds at each end, the inflatable 'poles' supporting the main tent and the four drop-down stabiliser legs

After manually unlatching the top sections and swinging out the rear tyre holder, it's simply a matter of pressing the various switches and buttons located in a control panel on the external offside wall to raise the electric actuator powered roof lids before inflating the main tent.

There are also separate switches for the four fold-down stabilizer legs, with individual adjustment for each corner. A main compressor is used to inflate the tent in around 30 seconds, with another compressor quietly keeping the inflatable poles at optimum pressure when camping.

It's not completely sweat-free, with some stabiliser bars to put in place to support the bed ends as well as removable alloy entry steps to insert, and there's some careful canvas tucking required when packing up.

Mars says the Chinese-built Space X Air can sleep up to four adults and two children with double beds at each end, and a big six-to-eight seater central club-style lounge with dining table that converts to another double bed.

For free camping there are two 100Ah AGM batteries with a 30A charger and 1000W inverter, and two 100 litre fresh water tanks.

The Space X Air is also set up for some off-road travel with a hot dipped galvanised chassis, checkerplate body protection including a front stone guard, independent trailing arm coil suspension, McHitch off-road coupling, Ark heavy duty jockey wheel, 12in electric brakes, and 16in alloy wheel and mud terrain tyres, and there are front and rear toolboxes including space for two 9kg gas bottles and jerry cans.

Cooking is on an external stainless slide-out kitchen with three burner gas cooker and sink with mixer tap, with there's another slide-out for a portable fridge.

Other standard features include high density foam mattresses, internal/external lighting, 20 litre internal bar fridge, audio entertainment, and various electrical sockets. There are also a few storage options inside, as well as an annexe with steel and inflatable pole supports.

A portable or fixed hot water unit is one of a handful of options available.

The Space X Air was advertised at the show for $39,990 plus on-roads, or $8000 more than the basic Space X dual fold camper. The Tare weight is listed at 1950kg (or 50kg more than the Space X), with an ATM of 2600kg.