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. Identical to caravans, most pod campers have onerous 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.Â
Whereas not everybody will recognize the compact measurement of a pod camper, there’s no denying the benefits. Their compact measurement means they’re lighter to tow and may 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 once you’re at residence. As you’d count on, the compact measurement can also be mirrored in a considerably cheaper price tag than a full-sized caravan.Â
Additionally, pod campers simply look actually cool!
Whereas there are various pod campers available on the market, we’re evaluating stats on two in style 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 |
---|---|---|
Worth:Â | From $32,990 | From $31,723 |
Sleeps: | Sleeps 2Â on a double mattress (4 with a rooftop tent) | Sleeps 2Â 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)Â | 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: | Commonplace 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 night time’s sleep. The JPOD-X has two legs on the again and depends on the jockey wheel on the entrance. Nonetheless, the Lumberjack Enfield has 4 legs, taking the strain 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 not entry the kitchen from contained in the pod camper. Nor are you able to arise 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. Nonetheless, it’s essential to notice that Jayco isn’t advertising this as an off-road pod camper
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 stage 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 all the time going to be a problem; nonetheless, they each do a fairly good job at making use of accessible house.
The Lumberjack Enfield has a big toolbox on the entrance with a devoted fridge slide and room on prime 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.
Compared, the Jayco JPOD-X has a top-opening software field on the entrance, overhead storage compartments, aspect mattress and under-bed storage on the within, and cabinet/shelf house within the kitchen space. Cargo railings for enjoyable stuff are additionally discovered on the roof.
Cooking in pod campers is all the time alfresco
Each pod campers have some severe professionals and cons with their kitchens, however as anticipated, you possibly can count on 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 all the galley space on the again free for the upright fridge and a little bit of bench house on your elements and utensils when cooking. A useful prep/storage desk folds out on the tip of the slide. Having the fridge on the again within the kitchen space is useful, nevertheless it does eat into your space for storing fairly a bit. The water is plumbed in, however if you need a steady scorching water system on your kitchen, that’s an additional.
Very similar to Lumberjack’s earlier mannequin, the Sheoak, prep house is a bit restricted within the kitchen. Nonetheless, the Enfield does have a drop-down desk and the power to suit a reducing board to the sink, which considerably alleviates that downside. The fridge being up the opposite finish of the van is just a little inconvenient, however this additionally means you acquire extra space for storing within the kitchen, which is all the time welcome. Plus, given the small nature of the pod camper, it’s only some 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 might probably’t be opened so it is advisable be sure you have every part 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 need scorching water, you’ll want to make use of a conveyable exterior scorching water system.
Electrical
As you’d count on with pod campers, the electrics are easy. Lumberjack Enfield comes customary 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 primary management panel.
The Jayco JPOD-X additionally has a built-in battery administration system with 240V charger however solely supply a 100Ah AGM battery with Lithium being an non-compulsory further. 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 customary.
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 tough to vary form or improve the dimensions.
JPOD-X comes customary 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 just a little 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 will probably be a problem for a lot of as will the kitchen format within the Enfield. Not having the ability to open your attracts when you mild the fuel cooktop wears skinny very fast. Should you might take all the professionals of each and merge them into one, I’d be one blissful camper.
Having owned each a Jayco prior to now 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 prior to now that have been each mounted underneath guarantee. At this value level, I don’t actually count on any much less however Jayco’s large dealership and being Aussie-made can also be one thing to think about.
If you’re desirous about one in every of these campers, ensure to examine them out for your self at both a present, or by reserving an appointment at a seller earlier than making a call.
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