I haven’t looked across the pond in a while, but occasionally some sort of RV I see over there is something I think our industry should consider bringing over here. Such is the case with the Holland-built TakeOff from Easy Caravanning.
This little pop-up trailer is one of the best examples of that sort of trailer that I’ve seen. Now, before you scroll on because you had a pop-up and thought it was more frustrating than anything, that’s what I like about this model. It solves a lot of problems inherent in the design.
The TakeOff is a nifty clamshell sort of pop-up trailer that opens almost like the trunk of a car. Do we all remember cars? They were what so many of us drove before SUVs came along.
Can we have a moment of silence for cars?
Okay, now that that’s done, probably the worst thing about any pop-up trailer is getting the top up. Usually it’s several steps including one or two cursing rounds just to get things in “camp” mode. Another big disadvantage of them is that you can’t just simply load the cabinets or the fridge or make a quick stop at the store along the way without that whole up-and-down thing.
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That’s what makes this rig so unique
The whole top of it is on an “X”-style hinge. If you need to quickly get inside, a single person can swing up the top and get to the cooler. It’s located in the rear of the trailer by the entrance. While it’s not as convenient as having that cooler in the cargo area of your SUV, it’s not far from it and getting to it is quite easy.
Further, one of the things I like about traveling with my travel trailer is that when the coffee I got 200 miles ago kicks in, there’s a bathroom readily available—and it’s just following me around.
There is an optional cartridge-based portable toilet in this trailer so that’s true here, as well. You won’t be doing the potty dance more than one or two steps before the top is up and you’re ready to go. It’s a pretty slick little trailer.
Camp mode
Once you do get to your campsite and the top is up, there’s a tent that forms much of the walls on all four sides.
The interior layout is pretty smart, too.
Toward the door, which is at the rear, there are two cabinets. One can hold a kitchenette which can be removed and used outside or inside. On the other side is a cabinet that holds an optional 12-volt cooler.
Several handy configurations in the TakeOff
Next up is a very flexible convertible surface. That surface can be twin beds along the walls of the trailer, or they could be two couches for day use. A table can slot between the couches.
But you can take the forward-most section and turn it into a bed, leaving enough of the two couches to be a two-person dinette. So someone can be sitting at the dinette while another someone takes a nap.
Or you can have the whole thing become one large, nearly-king-sized bed. So this would work equally well for a couple traveling, or two friends, each with their own beds.
There are two places for storage. One of those is inside the trailer under the front bed section, and the other is in a compartment on the front.
There are three versions of the trailer available to customers—from fairly basic to rather well-outfitted.
The TakeOff could be popular in the U.S.
The shape and very light weight of this trailer make it ideal for the smaller cars that are popular in Europe. But I can see this also being popular here as it just works so well.
Pop-up trailers are sort of like legislation in so many ways. In theory, that new law is going to solve so many problems but, really, it creates problems and eventually proves to be something we dislike after all. However, the way this trailer is designed I think it would actually prove to be popular in the long run—with no unexpected consequences other than lots more camping for the owners.
(Sorry, folks. I don’t have a chart for this trailer.)
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Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a lifelong RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. You can find his writing here and at StressLessCamping where he also has a podcast about the RV life with his wife.
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
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I thought at first that this was just a concept with computer generated pictures. The link at the first paragraph, goes to their website and there are videos and an interesting one with the designer and owner.
Great job, I love how you mix it up a little showing what else is out there. I enjoy seeing the innovativeness from the out of the box thinkers. Keep them coming, but it will trigger the haters that can’t see that the world does not revolve around them. Thanks for the excellent work and contribution.
Thank YOU for absolutely making my day. I’m always happy to serve the readers here and I try to get everybody at some point even though there are lots of different tastes.
As the owner of an old Coleman Popup and an Aliner Popup, this is a nice design. Easy to set up, easy to tow, probably a low price, good for couples young and old.
Unfortunately I don’t think the price is low, about $25000 on their website and who knows what it would end up costing here. Cool rig though.
You seem to have priced the most expensive version and not corrected for the European habit of including sales tax in prices. A base trailer is about $18K, that would be under $15K w/o GST (sales tax). Not cheap but not $25,000 by a long shot.
Neat little trailer! While it wouldn’t be for me, I can see it be an attractive option for a lot of younger couples.
This almost looks like one of those U-Haul pod trailers you see in their back lot (because no one ever rents them). You could just lift the top up, hang some mosquito screening around it, and BINGO. An RV.
That is brilliant! Did you know U-Haul used to make travel trailers?
Holy cow, Tony! No, I didn’t know U-Haul rented trailers. I’ve never seen one. They look exactly like a Casitas or a Scamp. Or any of the other ‘eggs’ out there. I looked at all the pics and read the story. Pretty cool. Now I’ll keep an eye out. The story didn’t say if they just rented them out west or all over the country.
It’s a really cool concept. But note that they’re showing it being towed by a Fiat 500. That car doesn’t come with any kind of trailer hitch, because Fiat specifically says it is not capable of towing. Period. So that photo is brazen misdirection. Sorry to see it.
That is certainly the situation in the USA with Fiat that they specifically say the car is not capable of towing.
Is that also true in Europe where this trailer is from and the literature produced?