Consider Pod campers as little RVs in that they share most of the handy options that make caravans nice however in an undeniably smaller package deal. Similar to caravans, most pod campers have laborious partitions to guard these sleeping inside from the weather. Additionally, like caravans, there is no such thing as a set-up. You merely park the pod, drop the legs and climb in.
Whereas not everybody will admire the compact measurement of a pod camper, there’s no denying the benefits. Their compact measurement means they’re lighter to tow and might match down slim tracks. This lets you take them extra locations than their bigger counterparts. It’s additionally loads simpler to discover a place to retailer them whenever you’re at dwelling. As you’ll anticipate, the compact measurement can be mirrored in a considerably lower cost tag than a full-sized caravan.
Additionally, pod campers simply look actually cool!
Whereas there are a lot of pod campers in the marketplace, we’re evaluating stats on two standard but similar-priced fashions: the Jayco JPOD-X and the Lumberjack Enfield.
Let’s begin with the fundamental specs on each pod campers:
| Specs | Lumberjack Enfield | Jayco JPOD-X |
|---|---|---|
| Value: | From $32,990 | From $31,723 |
| Sleeps: | Sleeps 2 on a double mattress (4 with a rooftop tent) |
Sleeps 2 on a double mattress (4 with a rooftop tent) |
| Tare: | Approx. 1000kg | 980kg |
| ATM: | Approx. 1500kg | 1175kg |
| Dimensions closed: | 4.80m(L) x 2.25m(W) x 2.2m(H) | 4.39m(L) x 2.3m(H). The width is N/A |
| Suspension: | Off-road impartial suspension system. Heavy responsibility coil springs and shock absorbers. | JTECH Suspension impartial coil |
| Brakes: | Electrical brakes and handbrake | N/A |
| Chassis/drawbar: | Sizzling dip galvanised. Drawbar bolted and welded to the body | Sizzling dip galvanised. |
| Tyres: | 16-inch all-terrain tyres + 1 spare | 185/R14 highway-terrain + 1 spare |
| Coupling: | Cruisemaster D035 with receiver | D035 |
| Awning: | Normal 2m x 2.5m | 270-degree batwing |
| Water tank: | 65L | 80L |
Establishing the pod campers
The arrange for each pod campers is comparable in that you simply drop the legs and climb in for an excellent night time’s sleep. The JPOD-X has two legs on the again and depends on the jockey wheel on the entrance. Nevertheless, the Lumberjack Enfield has 4 legs, taking the stress of the jockey wheel. Any rooftop tent (RTT) mounted on both pod camper would require further setup. Given the JPOD-X’s low ATM, any RTT would eat a big chunk of your weight allowance.
The format
Each resemble a conventional teardrop-style camper in that the kitchen is constructed right into a hatch within the again. You can’t entry the kitchen from contained in the pod camper. Nor are you able to rise up in both of them. You’ll discover an entry door with fly screens to the sleeping space on both aspect of each pod campers.
Offroad functionality
The JPOD-X has Jayco’s personal JTECH impartial coil suspension, checker plate safety, and a D035 hitch. Nevertheless, it’s essential to notice that Jayco isn’t advertising this as an off-road pod camper
As compared, Lumberjack is advertising the Enfield as an off-road pod. This camper options off-road impartial suspension, heavy-duty coil springs and shocks, a D035 hitch and Black Raptorcoat on the decrease physique.
So, we’re not speaking about the identical degree of off-road sophistication because the likes of the Bruder EXP-4, however these pod campers are nonetheless a step up from any strictly onroad choices.
Cupboard space
By nature, storage in pod campers (or lack of it) is at all times going to be a difficulty; nonetheless, they each do a reasonably good job at making use of accessible area.
The Lumberjack Enfield has a big toolbox on the entrance with a devoted fridge slide and room on high of the field to strap something that may deal with the climate. Cargo railings will be discovered on the highest for a rooftop tent or enjoyable stuff, like kayaks. Inside there’s a small cabinet and 4 pigeon holes. Within the kitchen space, you’ll discover one other three drawers and three cabinets.
As compared, the Jayco JPOD-X has a top-opening device field on the entrance, overhead storage compartments, aspect mattress and under-bed storage on the within, and cabinet/shelf area within the kitchen space. Cargo railings for enjoyable stuff are additionally discovered on the roof.
Cooking in pod campers is at all times alfresco
Each pod campers have some severe professionals and cons with their kitchens, however as anticipated, you possibly can anticipate to be cooking and consuming outdoor.
The Jayco JPOD-X has a kitchen slide with a two-burner cooktop and sink that slides again into the van when not in use. This leaves the whole galley space on the again free for the upright fridge and a little bit of bench area on your substances and utensils when cooking. A useful prep/storage desk folds out on the top of the slide. Having the fridge on the again within the kitchen space is useful, however it does eat into your space for storing fairly a bit. The water is plumbed in, however if you would like a steady sizzling water system on your kitchen, that’s an additional.
Very like Lumberjack’s earlier mannequin, the Sheoak, prep area is a bit restricted within the kitchen. Nevertheless, the Enfield does have a drop-down desk and the flexibility to suit a chopping board to the sink, which considerably alleviates that downside. The fridge being up the opposite finish of the van is a little bit inconvenient, however this additionally means you achieve extra space for storing within the kitchen, which is at all times welcome. Plus, given the small nature of the pod camper, it’s just a few steps to the opposite finish of the van.
One little niggle with the Lumberjack is that when the fuel cooker is about up, the storage drawers behind it will possibly’t be opened so it is advisable be sure to have all the things you want out of these drawers earlier than you begin cooking. Just like the Jayco JPOD-X, the water is plumbed in, however if you would like sizzling water, you’ll want to make use of a transportable exterior sizzling water system.
Electrical
As you’ll anticipate with pod campers, the electrics are easy. Lumberjack Enfield comes normal with a REDARC Battery Administration System with photo voltaic reg, charging and Bluetooth controls in addition to Anderson Plug automotive connection, 1 x 150ah Lithium battery, 240V reference to a number of GPO factors, a number of 12v sockets, devoted fridge socket and an inside important management panel.
The Jayco JPOD-X additionally has a built-in battery administration system with 240V charger however solely provide a 100Ah AGM battery with Lithium being an non-obligatory additional. The water tank and battery will be monitored by way of Bluetooth. Just like the Enfield, you’ll discover strategically positioned charging factors round. Of curiosity is that 200W of roof-mounted photo voltaic comes as normal.
Luxuries
The lumberjack has a TV mounted inside with a Bluetooth stereo system. The 2 aspect doorways function block-out flyscreen panels and there are two wall air flow followers. One main irk is that the TV is sq. formed. It’s additionally in a recess which makes it troublesome to alter form or improve the dimensions.
JPOD-X comes normal with a Sirocco fan and an inner-spring mattress with room to mount a regular-shaped TV.
The decision
On condition that each pod campers are available at a little bit over $30,000, their professionals and cons sort of weigh one another out. So its actually going to boil all the way down to your private preferences. The small payload within the Jayco might be a difficulty for a lot of as will the kitchen format within the Enfield. Not with the ability to open your attracts when you gentle the fuel cooktop wears skinny very fast. If you happen to might take all the professionals of each and merge them into one, I’d be one pleased camper.
Having owned each a Jayco previously and being a curent proprietor of a Lumberjack (albeit not these explicit fashions), my expertise has been that the standard of construct between each manufacturers is on par. I’ve had niggly issues with each manufacturers previously that have been each fastened below guarantee. At this value level, I don’t actually anticipate any much less however Jayco’s large dealership and being Aussie-made can be one thing to contemplate.
In case you are serious about one in every of these campers, be sure that to verify them out for your self at both a present, or by reserving an appointment at a vendor earlier than making a call.
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