New hardcore micro-camper sleeps four inside

Hard-core, hard-shell micro-camper trailers are usually built and sold in Australia, South Africa and the USA, but that's about to change with an impressive new compact off-road model recently launched in the UK.

While not unlike the Australian-built BRS Sherpa and Bruder EXP-4 in both design and concept, the all-new Valkari Overland X1 offers a few more interior living arrangements including the option of a second raised bed to sleep a family of four inside.

The Valkari Expedition Series X1 is the brainchild of off-road enthusiast and entrepreneur Nevil Slade who runs successful sheet metal fabrication and race car simulator businesses in the UK.

During the UK's COVID-19 lockdown, Slade turned his talents to designing and building a high quality, family-friendly compact off-road camper that could be towed behind serious 4x4 vehicles like his Jeep Wrangler.

"Its been an interesting year for sure, I like many have been facing my own challenges, but good has come out of it in many ways, to start with, we are happy to be launching another new business," Slade said recently on social media.

He describes the Valkari X1 as the "the ultimate off-road, off-grid habitat, giving you the tools required for self-sufficient mobile adventures... or just a place to call home for the night".

The compact 3080m (12ft 5in) hard body camper features a pop-top roof as well as a teardrop camper-style top-hinged rear door that opens to reveal a kitchen area with slide-out stainless sink with hot/cold tap, another slide-out for a fridge and shelves and bench space for a portable stove, food preparation and storage.

There is a small security door on both sides as well as a front sliding window, while inside Slade has managed to squeeze in a dinette and padded bench seating that convert to a 1900mm x 1450mm double bed, with an optional raised bed section for a couple of kids in the pop-up roof section.

Externally, there are holders for gas bottles, jerry cans and shovels, as well as an external locker with hot water unit for outside showers.

The Valkari X1 is built to last with a hot dipped galvanised chassis and aluminium welded frame, with 25mmm thick dual layer aluminium composite panels for the body.

It rides on heavy-duty off-road coil/shocks suspension, with 16in black alloy wheels and chunky mud tyres, electric brakes, and underbody mounted 120L stainless steel freshwater and 80L grey water tanks.

Externally, the UK-built camper also gets three stabiliser legs and an off-road jockey wheel, foldaway aluminium entry steps, a PVC waterproof external awning, and a 100kg rated roof storage rack.

There's also a drawbar-mounted storage box, along with some built-in cabinetry and under-seat storage areas inside.

Other standard features include a 12V water pump, TV/audio entertainment system, USB charging points, LED lights, and a twin 100Ah battery system with 30A DC charger and 2000W inverter.

Buyers will be able to option up the Valkari X1 with solar panels, air-conditioning, diesel heating, an outside shower tent, portable toilet and a spare wheel.

Pricing for the Valkari X1 is expected to start at £16,999 (around AUD$31,000). Tare weight will be around 1100kg with an ATM of 1600kg, and it will measure 4900mm long, 2180mm wide and 2300mm tall overall.

No word of if and when it will make its way down under, but the cleverly designed camper was recently displayed at the Adventure Overland Show at Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse, and prospective buyers are invited to register their interest at the Valkari Overland website.