This Camper Triples in Size With the Push of a Button

Have you ever dreamed of packing up the essentials, hopping in a van and driving across the country? Of replacing the noise and the traffic of the city with open roads and epic views? Of going to bed or waking up in a new location every day?

If that sounds like you, then a camper van trip might be your perfect vacation. But how do you choose which van is right for you? The classic VW van from all the movies seems kind of small and cramped, but a massive RV just looks awkward and clunky to drive around in.

A company in France may have the perfect solution: the BeauEr3X.

A Magic Trailer

The BeauEr3X looks like an ordinary travel trailer at first glance, but with just one push of a button it expands to three times its size in sixty seconds [1].

The concept was created in 2009 with one idea: a small but expandable caravan that has everything like a big one : easy to tow on the road and quick to unfold with all the comforts of a large one [2].

The trailer starts at forty three square feet, which is about the size of an average car, and expands to a 129-square-foot living space [1].

The design is based off of a sliding telescope, wherein all three parts fit inside themselves and can be pulled apart to reach full length. In the folded position, furniture fit together in their opposite, and when it is unfolded, the furniture is set up automatically without any manipulation. One person can unfold all pieces with minimal effort in twenty seconds [2].

The design of the trailer limits its size, meaning that the trailer is the same width as a standard car. This decreases the wind resistance you would normally have with a trailer, and makes it easier and safer to drive [2]. 

Despite its small size, the 3X design come with everything you need for your adventure. The trailer is equipped with a kitchen, bath, bedroom and living area. The kitchen includes a sink and a cook-top, and you can choose from various add-ons, like a microwave or an oven [1].

Van Life Ain’t Cheap

Of course, innovation comes with a hefty price tag, and the BeauEr3X is no different. The base model starts at $33 250, but if you want an upgraded model with more home comforts (ie- a living room sofa bed, black out curtains, heaters, air conditioning, a shower, solar panels, a dry toilet, etc.) be prepared to spend upwards of $50 000 [1].

The company offers a few other models with different price points. The 3XPlus starts at 118 square feet and expands and expands to 300 square feet, and ranges in price from $66 615 to $80 000 [1]. For a slightly cheaper option, you can go with the 2X model, which doubles in size to ninety square feet and starts at $25 466 [1].

Is #vanlife For Me?

Before you run out and buy yourself a camper van, it is important to think about whether or not this kind of travel is right for you. Instagram is full of glamorous photos of couples with cozy blankets watching the sun rise out of the back of their van with a cup of coffee, or a pair of friends sitting on top of their retro van on the side of a mountain, but these photos, of course, don’t tell the whole truth. As with any kind of travel, there are a few things to consider before planning your trip.

1. How do you feel about small spaces? Even large camper vans or RVs can feel small after several days or weeks. Be honest with yourself – are you comfortable living in cramped quarters? If you tend to feel claustrophobic after a while, you may want to reconsider [3].
2. Do you get antsy on long car trips? The reality is, when you’re on a camper van trip you spend a fair amount of time on the road. If long drives aren’t your thing, you’d be better off with a different type of vacation [3].
3. Do you appreciate a little luxury when you travel? Depending on the type of van or camper you have, you may not have 24/7 access to certain amenities, like a toilet or a shower. Some find this fun and adventurous, some find it inconvenient and dirty [3].
4. Who are you travelling with? You probably love your friends, family, significant other, or whoever you’re travelling with, but can you see yourself spending hours and hours in tight quarters with them? A fun cross-country road trip can quickly turn into a warzone if you start getting on each other’s nerves, so choose your travel companions wisely [3].
5. How price-sensitive are you? A camper van might seem like a cheap option at first, but there can be a lot of hidden expenses that pop up that you weren’t expecting. A popped tire or a small mechanical issue can set you back a few hundred dollars, and if you have no bathroom on board, stopping somewhere and paying to use a bathroom every few hours can add up [4].

Tips For Your Next Camper Van Trip

So you’ve decided a camper van road trip is exactly the type of vacation you want. Excellent! Here are a few tips to help make sure your trip is a success:

1. Be sure you can drive it. Driving a camper van, or even driving a car towing a trailer, can be much more difficult than operating a standard vehicle. Make sure you know what kind of van you’re getting, especially whether its standard or automatic. You’re trip will be no fun if you can’t even leave the lot [5].
2. Plan, but be flexible. You can alleviate some stress if you have mapped out a few good stopping points before your trip. That being said, don’t be married to your plan. If you see something cool, stop. If the family you met at the last campsite told you about some awesome lookout point or attraction, consider going off-route to see it. The point of having a home on wheels is to be flexible, so take advantage of it [5].
3. Bring someone you really like. You’re going to be spending a lot of time with this person, so choose your van buddy wisely [5].
4. Check your gear before you go. Make sure you know exactly what comes with your trailer of camper before you leave, and go over everything to make sure it is all there. This is important so that you know what you have to bring. It’s not a great way to start your trip when you head to bed on the first night only to realize that you have no bed sheets or blankets [5].
5. Do some meal planning. You don’t have to have every meal of every day planned out, but going in with zero plan will probably result in you rummaging around in an empty cooler at eight at night. Come up with a rough idea of how many meals you will need, and create a shopping list based off of that number, considering your amount of storage space. And don’t forget snacks- lots and lots of snacks [5].
6. Don’t overpack. You’ll probably realize during your trip that you actually need a lot less than you think. You have limited space in a camper, so think twice before you pack three bathing suits and four sweatshirts [5].
7. Don’t forget the essentials. That being said, make sure you pack wisely and include all of the things you know you will need. Here are some suggestions:

• Baby wipes
• Shampoo
• A decent knife
• A cutting board
• Sandwich bags and containers
• Broom
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Can opener [5]

Great Destinations for a Camper Van Trip

So you want to go on a camper van trip, but don’t know where? Here are a few great spots for a good old fashioned road trip:

For Newbies: Highway 101 in California: California is a perfect place for beginners. The weather is usually pretty agreeable, the roads are wide and easy to navigate, and the scenery along the iconic Big Sur is breathtaking [6].

If you’re not afraid of the weather: Scotland’s North Coast 500: This route is lined with campsites and includes a drive along Scotland’s highest highway, the mountain pass of Bealach na Bà. Scotland is known for unpredictable weather, though, so pack your wellies! [6]

For the ultimate pleasure-seeker: East Coast Australia: Start out in Sydney and follow the coastline, stopping at every surf town and pristine beach you can find. You could spend weeks travelling up and down the coast and still not stop at every site this incredible country has to offer [6].

For the hikers: New Zealand: Australia’s neighbour has long been regarded as one of the best, if not the best, countries for camper van travel. It’s got glaciers, mountains, and beaches, and never-ending trails for the outdoor-lover. Drive, park, hike, repeat [6].

If you don’t mind the cold: Alberta, Canada: Icefields parkway is a 230 kilometer route perfect for camper vans. It has it all- glaciers, fields of wildflowers, mountains, and waterfalls. Just choose your time of year wisely- winter temperatures can get extremely cold, and the summer time can get very hot [6].

The Adventure of a Lifetime

If you’ve made it all the way to the end of this article, chances are you are the perfect candidate for a camper van vacation. And while you may not be able to afford something quite so spectacular as the BeauEr3X, you can still have an incredible trip with a cheaper option… as long as you plan for it.