At the Caravan Salon, Campwerk is showing off innovations that take camping to a whole new level: from a full-blown pickup camper cabin that sets itself up electrically in three minutes at the push of a button, to a hardshell roof tent weighing just 58 kilograms.
Nele met up with Campwerk managing director Michael at the show to check out the highlights from a company that's been shaping the scene for over twelve years now.
The Litestri: when aircraft engineering meets roof tent tech
The most exciting new roof tent by far is the Litestri – a hardshell roof tent that sets a new benchmark with a base weight of just 58 kilograms (not counting the 6 kg ladder). The inspiration for this lightweight came straight from aviation: instead of heavy fiberglass or aluminum lid panels, Campwerk uses its patented CortFlex technology. A high-performance fabric is stretched tight over a sturdy frame.
This design cuts about three-quarters of the usual lid weight without sacrificing stability or weatherproofing. That means a genuine hardshell is now a realistic option even for cars with a low dynamic roof load. A flat roof rack is already included, and you can optionally upgrade it with an integrated 300-watt solar panel.
Despite its compact size, the tent's steep wedge shape gives you decent headroom inside, so you can kneel comfortably while securing things or getting changed. The regular retail price is 2,800 euros, with show deals starting at 1,980 euros.
Pop-top or hardshell? Time for some new terms
In our chat, Michael clears up some outdated industry jargon: labels like "softside" and "hardside" barely capture the range of models out there today. The real difference lies in the mechanism: classic pop-top roof tents fold open 180 degrees, doubling the sleeping area on the roof, while wedge-shaped roof tents only open on one side.
A good example of maximizing space is the OrthFrame Max: thanks to its folding design, it sleeps up to four people. For campers traveling with a dog, Michael has also developed a handy dog ramp that attaches to the ladder and gives four-legged friends their own steps – great even for heavier breeds like Newfoundlands. The OrthFrame Max costs around 2,590 euros.
Pickup camper cabins: fully automatic luxury on the truck bed
One of the show's highlights is the electric pickup camper cabin from the Wildland brand. These systems were developed by John, a passionate photographer and visionary who already built one of the first electric roof tents back in 2010.
At the show, Campwerk is presenting the Wingman X and Trunk models. Both cabins set themselves up fully automatically at the push of a button in just three minutes. One major perk: when folded down, the truck bed stays fully usable, and the low driving height still lets you fit into regular underground parking garages.
Wingman X: the double-decker solution with a toilet option
The Wingman X impresses with its two-story scissor mechanism: it creates a sheltered seating area on the truck bed, which can optionally be fitted with a compact toilet. One big advantage of the Wingman X is that it leaves the vehicle's roof uncovered.
That means you can still mount a roof rack or solar panels there, and they'll stay usable even with the cabin extended. The base version starts at around 9,000 euros. The high-end Wingman Symphony variant with a built-in Dolby sound system costs 12,900 euros (show price: 10,980 euros).
Trunk: a folding mechanism for maximum space
The Trunk works on a different principle: with this model, a second cabin folds forward, creating a kind of porch over the driver's cab. This does cover the vehicle's roof. Since a fixed solar panel on the roof wouldn't make much sense here, it's best paired with portable solar bags. Pricing for the Trunk is in a similar range to the Wingman.
Comfort down to the last detail: lighting, blackout, and entertainment
Both cabin systems come loaded with features: the mosquito nets on the windows can be sealed weatherproof from the inside, protecting against cold or rain. Both also include integrated interior lighting, plus the optional audio system in the Symphony edition.
The cabins can either be mounted by Campwerk for 490 euros or installed yourself. No drilling into the vehicle is needed, since the system is secured with a clamp mechanism.
Conclusion: Innovation meets practicality
At Caravan Salon, Campwerk shows off practical innovations for different travel needs: lightweight construction makes hardshell roof tents accessible even for lighter cars, while the fully automatic camper cabins combine the comfort of a cabin with the flexibility of a pickup.
Campwerk is exhibiting at Caravan Salon in Hall 3 at the main stand D70-01 and in Hall 7A. Outside of trade fair dates, the main showroom in Velbert (near Düsseldorf) is open to visitors. The other decentralized locations across Germany open on select days each month by appointment. More information at www.campwerk.de.
You can listen to the full conversation between Nele and Michael here:
Podcast · Episode 420
0 Kommentare
Noch keine Kommentare — sei die/der Erste und teile deine Erfahrung!
Danke!
Dein Kommentar wartet auf Freischaltung und erscheint, sobald er moderiert wurde.