ARB and Xgrid Campers Bring Bombproof Australian Earth Camper to US Market
- MM24 News Desk
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
After 50 years as an Australian overlanding pioneer, ARB has launched its rugged Earth Camper pod in the United States through a partnership with Las Vegas-based Xgrid Campers. The hybrid-walled base camp features a unique exoskeleton frame and draws directly from ARB's deep catalog of 4x4 components, creating a trailer built to conquer the world's most unforgiving terrain.
For half a century, ARB has been the go-to name for Australian off-road enthusiasts, equipping vehicles with everything from locking differentials to rooftop tents. While the company only entered the camper market two years ago, it leveraged its extensive engineering experience to create the uniquely robust Earth Camper. Now, American adventurers won't have to gaze enviously across the Pacific, reported New Atlas, as Xgrid Campers brings this Australian innovation stateside.
Xgrid Campers, founded in 2020, has made a business of importing formidable Australian trailers like the BRS Sherpa and Track Tvan. Their latest partnership with ARB represents a significant milestone, introducing a camper that functions as a rolling showcase of the manufacturer's best components. The Earth Camper's most distinctive feature is its welded single-piece exoskeleton, a design born from ARB's decades of experience building bull bars and rock sliders. This external frame reinforces the entire fiberglass body, creating a structure that can withstand relentless punishment on rocky, washed-out tracks.
The rugged foundation continues underneath, where an ARB-developed independent suspension system takes center stage. The setup features extra-long 35-inch (90-cm) trailing arms and Old Man Emu Nitrocharger shocks, positioned vertically to maximize wheel travel and smooth out the ride. This is all connected to 31-inch Maxxis Razr all-terrain tires wrapped around ARB 16-inch alloy wheels, completing a drivetrain designed for stability and capability far beyond the pavem.
When it's time to set up camp, the Earth Camper reveals its clever design. The entire 15.4-foot (4.7-m) trailer's rear end opens electrically, lowering a tall, sharply angled tailgate that feels like the entrance to a secret lair. This hatch becomes the floor for an auxiliary living area, with a flip-up rear wall forming the roof. The connected tent creates a level-floored, above-ground lounge space complete with a slide-out table and storage for folding chairs—a perfect sheltered dining area or a stand-up changing room.
The outdoor kitchen, a revised version of ARB's Slide Kitchen, is a central part of the experience. While the US model misses out on the massive L-shaped configuration available in Australia, it still packs a 3-foot-long (92-cm) stainless steel worktop, a dual-burner gas stove, a collapsible sink, and an utensil drawer. A 96-L Zero fridge/freezer slides out from a nearby cabinet, ensuring food and drinks are always within reach. For shade, a 270-degree awning tucks neatly into a compartment above the side window, minimizing exterior snag points.
What does it take to power this off-grid habitat? The system starts with a 100-Ah lithium battery and a 120-W solar panel, managed by a Redarc system with a bedside display. Buyers can upgrade to a substantial 300 Ah of battery capacity for extended off-grid stays. A 140-L fresh water tank provides hydration and washing water, which can be heated by an optional Joolca Hottap shower system with a privacy curtain.
According to Xgrid Campers, one notable standard addition for the US market is a roof-mounted air conditioner, a valuable asset for sweltering summer expeditions. An optional diesel heater is available for colder climates. The camper's 1-inch-thick (2.5-cm) fiberglass-reinforced polymer walls with a foam core help maintain a comfortable interior temperature regardless of the weather outside.
With a preorder price of $60,900, the Earth Camper positions itself at the premium end of the market. The first US models are expected to arrive in late 2025 or early 2026, offering American overlanders a new, bombproof option for exploring the remote corners of the continent.
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