With a 10.3 kWh battery pack and up to 900W of solar panels, the 20Xe is built for adventure
- Airstream has unveiled the new Basecamp 20Xe, a rugged travel trailer with all-terrain tires.
- Designed for boondocking, it features 600W solar panels and a 10.3 kWh lithium battery pack.
- Thanks to the beefy battery, owners can use air conditioning and a microwave off-grid.
Boondocking has exploded in popularity as many campers would rather enjoy nature than a crowded campground. Airstream has embraced this trend and they’re expanding their lineup to include the new Basecamp 20Xe.
Essentially an off-grid version of the Basecamp 20, the company’s latest travel trailer features a 10.3 kWh Battle Born lithium battery bank as well as 600W worth of roof-mounted solar panels. They’re joined by a fully inverted 30A electrical system with a 3,000W inverter.
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Thanks to these upgrades, the Basecamp 20Xe is a comfortable home away from home. Even when owners are off-grid, they can use the optional microwave and air conditioner. There are also multiple outlets to keep your gear and devices charged up and ready to go on an adventure.
While the solar panels help to extend your stay in the outdoors, owners looking to maximize their time off-grid will be thankful for an upgraded solar prewire port. This enables customers to easily add an additional 300W worth of solar panels.
Since running out of juice could make for a chilly night, the combined water heater and furnace system can operate on electricity, propane, or a mix of both. The latter two are enabled by a 20-pound propane tank.
Another big concern when going off-grid is water use, so Airstream took that into consideration as customers can order an optional composting toilet. There’s also a “recirculating feature” in the wet bath that reduces water waste by “redirecting cold water from the hot water heater into the fresh tank until it reaches the desired temperature.”
Since the Basecamp 20Xe is designed for adventure, it comes standard with the Airstream X package. It adds a 3-inch (76 mm) lift, all-terrain tires, and black protective-coated trim to guard against scrapes from brush and branches.
The interior carries over from the Basecamp 20 and features a convertible dinette up front as well as two rear benches that can be transformed into a bed. This enables the trailer to sleep up to four people, despite its compact dimensions.
Other highlights include a sink and a single-burner induction cooktop, which is removable and can be used inside or out. They’re joined by a three-speaker JBL audio system, LED lights, and what appears to be a refrigerator/freezer.
The company didn’t mention pricing, but the Basecamp 20 starts at $56,900 and the extras presumably push the cost significantly higher. However, some customers will undoubtedly enjoy the added freedom.
As Airstream President and CEO Bob Wheeler put it, “The Basecamp Xe is testament to the fact that travelers today want the freedom to take whatever kind of trip they have in mind. With this truly electric-first travel trailer, we’re pushing the benchmark ahead and enabling Airstream owners with the flexibility to maximize their travel adventures.”
