Good Design For The Great Outdoors: Nest Caravans

This new stylish compact travel trailer is the brainchild of Robert Johans. After years of experience with both RV designing and camping, he was inspired to create the Nest caravan, a 17' long and 6'8" wide, 2000 lb. light-weight, easy to maneuver, monocoque chassis trailer.



EXTERIOR
The infusion-molded composite shells are modern and stylish and available in a two-tone of silver gelcoat top over white, or they can be custom painted to match your midsize SUV, truck or crossover.







Examples of custom paint options:




Johans outfitted the trailer with some of the most-respected and best-performing features from the RV industry: Jalousie windows by Hehr International, MaxxFan deluxe rooftop ventilator and fan, radial ties with 16" inch six spoke HiSpec wheels, Dexter's Tor-Flex suspension axle, Fulton HD hitchjack with dual casters and chrome GoRhino detachable step-bumpers.



Exterior options include a Coleman Mach 8 rooftop air conditioner and heat pump, solar charging kits by Zamp Solar, Flamma Awnings, swing-away Yakima reciever-mount bike rack, a marine-grade transom shower unit, and a back-up camera.

INTERIOR

above: interior with queen size bed, stainless steel sink and backsplash and cork flooring

above: interior with queen size bed, stow away chairs, 2 burner cooktop, 3.0 cu refrigerator and cork flooring



The interior makes a great use of space and offers comforts like a standard full size queen bed with a pillowtop memory foam mattress and quilted cover, 2 fold-away stowable bar chairs, mildew-resistant Hulliner wall coverings, a 3.0 cubic foot NovaCool DC powered refrigerator, stainless steel sink, brushed nickle shower and faucets, a 30 gallon freshwater tank, Thetford "curve' battery-powered flush porta-potty, Ramblewood 2 burner cooktop, OlympiaWave radiant space-heater, natural cork flooring, LED lighting, 120VAC, 12DVC and USB power connectors.




Interior options include integrated solar charging capabilities, Silverleaf Electronics environment monitoring systems with bluetooth, Alde compact 3010 hydronic central heating and hot water system, CD/DVD stereo sound system with iPod or laptop connectivity, convertible bed-to-table and bench lounge set up, bamboo flooring and ancillary batteries.



Built in Bend, Oregon, every Nest is made to order. Standard package pricing is $29,995 USD and deliveries begin in Spring 2014. Pre-order one now for 2014 delivery and get 20% off.

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Nest Caravans

The Victorinox 125th Anniversary Special Edition Airstream Trailer

Airstream, the proud manufacturer of the world's finest travel trailers, has combined creative forces with Victorinox Swiss Army to produce the Victorinox 125th Anniversary Special Edition Airstream.

This limited Special Edition 19 foot travel trailer is unlike any other Airstream ever produced, featuring Victorinox-inspired design elements coupled with Airstream's famous quality construction. The result is a stunning and unique travel trailer that represents the pinnacle of both design and functionality.

Like the legendary Swiss Army Knife, the details of the trailer are precise, clean and sure to last a lifetime. From the solid surface countertops, to the cutting-edge cabinets and hardware, to the luxurious custom bedding ensemble with embroidered wool blanket, and much more. And to ensure you're fully equipped, a collection of Victorinox Swiss Army timepieces, kitchen cutlery, Swiss Army Knives and accessories are included to enhance your camping adventures.

Only 125 have been made. And the cost is $59,000.00 USD







front to back:

bath:

bed:

dinette:

wall clock:

optional rear awning:


The special edition trailer also comes with all these fun Victorinox goodies:




floor plan:



BASIC SPECIFICATIONS
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 4,500 lb.
Sleeping capacity 2 to 4
Actual length 19'2"
Width exterior 8'
Height w/A/C 9'5''
Net Carrying Capacity (NCC) 700lb.
Unit Base Weight (UBW) 3,800 lb.
Hitch Weight w/o Options
or variable weight 580 lbs.
Water Heater (gallons)
w/Electronic Ignition 6
Gray water (gallons) 21
Black water (gallons) 18
Fresh (gallons) 23
LPG (lb.) 60
A/C (BTU) 13,500
Furnace w/Electric
Ignition (BTU) 16,000

about Victorinox:
The pioneering spirit of the company founder, Karl Elsener, as well as his love of his native Switzerland, have been the driving inspiration of Victorinox over the last 125 years. Today, that inspiration takes form in a full selection of Swiss Army Knives, professional-grade kitchen cutlery, beautiful, Swiss-made timepieces, fashionable, functional apparel, rugged travel gear and unmistakable fragrances – each embodies the spirit of the legendary Swiss Army Knife.

About Airstream:
In 1931, Wallace Merle Byam built a small camping trailer in his back yard in Los Angeles. He received so many requests from neighbors that he soon started a small company to build travel trailers that "cruised down the highway like a stream of air", and Airstream was born. The lightweight, aircraft-inspired design soon caught the imagination of a nation eager to explore the open highways and byways that beckoned.

For nearly 80 years Airstream has represented freedom and adventure, providing the perfect outlet for the wanderlust that still is central to the American spirit.

Other fabulous Caravan and trailer designs worth noting:


Tabbert's Paganini Caravan


Airstream's 75th Anniversary Bambi Trailer by Designer David Winick


The MINI and Airstream Trailer by Fritz Hansen.


The Mehrzeller Trailer You Can Tailor

Go Ahead, Call me Trailer Trash: The Bambi Airstream Trailer

Airstream's Bambi Trailer has a 75th Anniversary edition that will make anyone who has ever pooh-poohed a trailer think again. This special edition was designed by vintage trailer restorer, David Winick.

Designed to appeal to even those with the most discriminating tastes, this beauty is outfitted with stainless steel and wood accents, a plasma tv and all the comforts of home. Only 75 of these were made and all are sold.

Just looking at it makes me want to travel the country.

The following photos are courtesy of Airstream and David Winick:









From the airstream brochure:




Unfortuntely, the special edition Bambi trailers have all been sold and can no longer be found at RV dealers on the Airstream site.

Airstream