Today’s RV review is of the SylvanSport VAST. This is a fascinating travel trailer that is really something different in so many ways.
To my way of thinking, most RVs are designed like smaller movable houses. The interiors, features and design are essentially traditional living components with a box around them. In other words, rather than being designed like vehicles that you can sleep in, they’re designed like little apartments that happen to be mobile.
What’s inside the SylvanSport VAST™
The SylvanSport VAST™ is a unique take on a trailer for the outdoor life. Essentially, it looks like a green box trailer with huge windows on the side. Inside it’s much more than that. The first thing that surprises people is that the VAST features two actual queen-sized beds.
One of those two beds is comprised of an L-shaped lounge bench that slides rearward and has a folding back rest which, when made flat, turns it into that promised sleeping surface. The second is on a power lift mechanism and motors down from the ceiling. The two beds are stacked sort of like bunk beds when they’re in sleeping position.
But wait, there’s more. On the camp side is a huge polycarbonate dual-pane window along with another of these windows on the rear lift gate. Yes, lift gate. Like in your SUV.
Those windows can be tilted upward and locked into place so, essentially, you have a huge pass-through port into the side of the trailer. I can’t be the only one who thought of a coffee trailer or catering trailer.
These windows have both a screen and a privacy shade that disappears or can be deployed individually or as a pair such that you could have half the window covered by the shade and the other half covered by the screen.
As having a lift gate might imply, the VAST can store a bunch of cargo in the back. This single-axle trailer also can store some of those adventure toys you’re wanting to bring with you. But the interior isn’t the only place to store stuff.
There are also sliding racks on the road side of the trailer where you can hang kayaks or surf boards or things of that nature.
Further, there are slotted rails to secure gear on the outside. These exist on the interior, as well.
Kitchen magic
Surprisingly, I haven’t gotten to all the innovations in this trailer just yet. The biggest one is the kitchen, which is on a downward-sliding system. When the kitchen is “up” you can access the two-burner stove, sink and 12-volt cooler-style fridge, along with the microwave inside the trailer, as you would expect in a travel trailer.
But you can then slide the entire kitchen down so that it’s outside the trailer, and now you have that same kitchen outside. Same functionality and all, and the downward sliding mechanism means that it’s all at the proper height as well. It’s absolutely brilliant.
More magic in the SylvanSport VAST
When that kitchen is in the down position, the bathroom transforms from a simple toilet and fold-down sink to a full dry bathroom with a walk-in shower.
When the kitchen is up, even in road mode, you still have a proper toilet and sink in the bathroom, albeit a drop-down sink. But not a wet bath, despite the smaller size of this trailer. This has to be one of the more brilliant uses of space conversion I have seen in the RV industry. But SylvanSport is a company that truly thinks outside the box.
Another nifty thing in the shower is a retractable clothes line. So if you bring in wet swimsuits or whatever, you can let them dry in the shower.
Outside the box
Speaking of thinking in this outside space, there are racks on the road side of the trailer so you can tote kayaks or bicycles and that sort of thing out here. Again, this means that you have full use of the interior of the trailer despite the fact that you also brought two kayaks along.
Having the racks on the side also means that you don’t have to figure out how to lift the kayaks onto the roof of the trailer, as you would with so many other rigs that have racks on the outside.
That big hatchback at the back translates into storage inside. The bed/couch can slide forward, leaving enough space in the rear for a couple of eBikes, for example. Or whatever adventure gear you have.
Yet, you still haven’t lost the functionality of the interior. There is still as much seating in here as there was before you loaded that gear, just slightly less space but not too small to not be functional.
Other innovations
When I got to speak with Tom Dempsey, the lead visionary at SylvanSport, he also mentioned that this trailer is outfitted with the NoDirtyWater filtration system—which is an advanced water filtration system. This one is built in.
Another nifty thing is the lighting on the ceiling of the trailer. Yeah, yeah, it lights up. But you can also tie it to your smartphone and change colors and such. Further, you could even set it up to react to the music that’s playing, if that’s your thing. I dig this.
Boondocking and travel access
Typically, RVs that have sliding rooms and such have limited functionality when those sliding rooms are brought in for travel. I suppose that’s true here, because when the kitchen is in you don’t have access to the shower. But you still have access to the rest of the rig.
Another nifty thing is that sliding the lounge forward doesn’t eliminate its function. It just opens up the space behind the lounge for storage, and it’s large enough that a couple of bicycles could go back here.
Since I last looked at the VAST, something that has changed significantly is the amount of solar and battery reserves in this trailer. Now the roof is covered with some 800 watts of solar feeding two 100 amp hour lithium batteries.
Considering how efficient the 12-volt cooler is in this rig, you should be good to go in almost any weather.
What’s missing in the SylvanSport VAST
While a lot of RV manufacturers make a lot of noise about innovation because they painted their cabinets black this year (yuck), this truly is an innovative trailer. The kitchen, the variable interior space, the outside racks, the build methodology. It’s different. And better.
But this isn’t the trailer for you if you’re a schnickelfritz. You’ll be sad because there is no hanging storage. In fact, there’s not a lot of designated interior storage. You could use totes and there’s certainly space for those, but this isn’t for everybody.
There is a big storage bay at the front of the trailer so all that stuff we trailer folk need such as Anderson wedges and water hoses and such can go up here. The space is plastic so no worries about rust. That storage cabinet also is on a sliding mount so you can slide it forward. That’s where you’ll find the propane tanks as well as the spare tire. This keeps the spare in great shape and also keeps naughty campers from helping themselves to your propane tanks.
In summary
If you want to be inspired by the kind of innovation that goes along with this trailer, I had the privilege of interviewing Tom Dempsey, which you can hear here. That company also announced an all-electric motorhome long before Winnebago and Thor made mention of theirs. I also love the gadgets from this company, including the WayLight. In fact, there is a provision to hang two WayLights and charge them in this trailer.
Considering the relatively small exterior size of this rig yet incredible functionality it features, this might be one of the most innovative RVs you can get. There are a few downsides but, for the right customer, this is truly an incredible trailer.
More about these RV reviews
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. They are based on information from a single unit and may not reflect your actual experience. Shop your RV and dealership carefully before making a buying decision. 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.
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a life long RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. He also works closely with a number of RV manufacturers to get an inside look at how things are done and is a brand ambassador for Rockwood Mini Lite with his wife, Peggy.
You can also check out his RV podcast with his wife, Peggy.
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Thank you, Tony! 🙂 Fascinating RV, great review! While this doesn’t fit my style of travel (i.e., old-man self-indulgence), it seems perfect for the twenty- and thirty-somethings as I understand them. It is wonderful that there is a company such as SylvanSport to apply some pressure on other RV manufacturers to innovate, or at least copy some of these features. The kitchen flexibility is sheer genius! Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
I do enjoy reading and seeing all this innovation stuffed into one little box. There are some great ideas put into play. It would never be for me, however. With all these mini-RV types it always seems to me that the designers forgot to include actual people in the design. You have to ‘scrunch’ in when it comes to actually spending time inside (whether it’s to get out of inclement weather or go to bed). Just my observation . . .
All I can say about this is WOW! I hope the rest of the Rv industry is watching! This is the most innovation I have seen on anything Rv! Of course the price reflects that also, but you get what you pay for in this unit! Great (Vast?) design and engineering VAST!
I agree! As I was watching the video Design and Engineering were the first to pop into my mind. This puts “normal?” RV manufacturers to shame.
This trailer is really cool! If I were younger…
$70,000 for “well equipped”. Excuse me?!! And 4,400lb dry weight. You’d need a Highlander, at least, to tow it. Great if you’re going to live out of it as a nomad; I guess. Not practical for a family of four who do long weekends 8-12 times a year.