Honda has designed a lightweight ‘Base Station’ travel trailer

Honda has revealed a concept for a lightweight travel trailer, aimed at making outdoor activities more accessible.

The Base Station Prototype is the work of Honda designers and engineers at two of the company’s research and design (R&D) centers.

Teams located in California and Ohio collaborated on the project. Part of the Base Station’s brief was to be light enough for towing by the best-selling vehicles in the United States. 

Thanks to clever packaging and weight-saving construction, the Base Station can be hauled by popular family SUVs such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. 

Honda’s forthcoming all-electric 0-Series SUV could also tow the Base Station, making the trailer EV-compatible.

Small of stature, big on space

Honda made use of its “man maximum/machine minimum” design philosophy, aiming to maximize interior space without giving the trailer overbearing exterior dimensions.

The Base Station Prototype has space to accommodate a family of four inside. Sleeping options include a large futon-style couch that folds out to provide a queen-sized bed, plus an optional bunk bed for kids. 

There are five large side windows to allow plenty of natural light into the trailer. These are removable, and can be replaced with extra accessories as required. They also have ambient lighting surrounds to make late-night camping easier. 

A section at the rear of the Base Station can be raised to create seven feet of standing space inside. Even so, the trailer can still be stored in a standard residential garage or parking space.

Made with the Honda CR-V in mind

On the inside, Honda engineers have given the Base Station an array of amenities, including air conditioning, an outside shower, and an external kitchen complete with running water and an induction stove.

There is also a lithium battery to provide power, with integrated solar panels for a charging boost. A campsite electrical hookup, or a Honda generator, can be attached as well.

“Base Station is a perfect example of what can happen when you let a team of researchers, designers and engineers pursue bold new ideas to create new value for our customers,” said Jane Nakagawa, vice president of the American Honda R&D Business Unit. 

“Just like the Motocompacto, Base Station is the product of fresh and innovative thinking. We designed it to make camping more accessible and enjoyable for families across America.”

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