Mountain Trail launches tough baby hybrid

Mountain Trail RV is the latest Aussie caravan manufacturer to release a premium compact, pod-style off-road caravan onto the market.

Following in the tyre tracks of Crusader, Rhinomax, Bruder and Australian Off-Road, the 11ft XVR Pod is the new entry level model in Mountain Trail's fixed roof, full composite off-road caravan range.

Designed for easy towing and storage, the lithium-powered and electronic air-sprung XVR measures just 5223mm long overall, 1973mm wide and 2190mm high, with a Tare weight of 1580kg and a payload of 670kg.

It features dual entry doors -- one on each side, with a step -- and a rear outdoor kitchen featuring a dual induction cooktop, a sink, and two stainless-steel drawers.

A 130-litre upright fridge, 23 litre microwave, Redarc Redvision Total Vehicle Management System, 270 degree awning, and 215 litres fresh water capacity, are also part of the standard package.

The new hardcore pod camper boasts comfortable all-weather sleeping for two with room for a child at the bed end, and a queen-size pillow-top inner-spring bed that comes with 190 litres of slide-out under bed drawer storage.

Additional storage is provided in the capacious A-frame mounted storage boot and it also comes standard with a 100kg rated roof rack.

The XVR is designed for comfortable extended living in rough off-road terrain, with its electronic height-adjustable air suspension and a 360Ah lithium battery fed by 645 watts of rooftop solar panels linked to a 3000W pure sine wave inverter to power onboard appliances.

Given its off-road ability, electric dust suppression is standard.

There's no internal ensuite, but an external drop down shower unit including a portable toilet is provided, along with diesel-powered water and space heating. Air-conditioning is optional.

It's sold with a five year warranty on its chassis and in-house designed and manufactured suspension, plus a two-year factory warranty.

Late last year, Mountain Trail Managing Director Nick Edwards told caravancampingsales that the XVR Pod will initially be offered with 'early bird' pricing from $89,990, with pricing set to rise to over $100,000 when it officially goes on sale in early-2024.