America won’t be getting the new Mercedes-Benz X-Class pickup truck anytime soon, and Mercedes isn’t making it any easier for those wanting a three-pointed star on their midsize truck. The German automaker, along with two aftermarket companies, is showcasing several camping concept options. The first, designed by the coachbuilder Tischer, is a slide-in camper specifically designed for the X-Class. The second is a bed-mounted kitchen unit from VanEssa.

The Tischer camper transforms the X-Class into a mobile home that can traverse some pretty rough terrain. Though built for a mid-size truck, the camper is still five feet wide and has 6.5-feet of headroom. It boasts room for three, a kitchen with a three-burner stove, a sink, and bathroom complete with a shower and toilet. Impressively, there are also two beds.

For those not wanting a full camper, VanEssa showcased its mobile kitchen unit. It mounts in the X-Class’ cargo bed and slides out when in use. It includes a sink, a cool box, a stove, and storage for cooking and eating utensils. There is even another pull-out module for more storage. The VanEssa system is protected by a nifty tonneau cover made from teak wood, just like the deck of a yacht. The cover can be lifted to a 45-degree angle for loading supplies into the bed.

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Mercedes-Benz’s Other Glamping Projects

If you’re really adverse to sleeping in the dirt and not “roughing it” when camping, then the Mercedes lineup of Marco Polo vans might be the right amount of glamorous for your next outing.

The campers are based on the V-Class van; the Marco Polo edition is built in conjunction with Westfalia, the famed camper builder best known for its association with the Volkswagen Bus. Westfalia transforms the V-Class into a comfortable all-in-one camper with a pop-up roof tall enough for adults to easily have walking space. A compact kitchen is included, along with seats that convert into a bed.

The Marco Polo also has a trick audio system, too. It has two modes for different uses: Driving mode pumps sound into the cockpit area for the driver and front passenger, while the Living mode fills the living space with sound.

Those wanting some exterior styling to their Marco Polo, Mercedes has three “special edition” models to choose from. There is the standard Marco Polo edition colored in Mountain Crystal White, the Marco Polo Horizon Edition in Brilliant Silver, and the Marco Polo Activity Edition in Flint Grey.

What’s more, Mercedes is building a right-hand drive version in 2018.

On Exhibition

All three campers will be shown at the Caravan, Motor, Touristik (CMT) show in Stuttgart, Germany from January 13 through the 21 at booth 7C11 in hall 7 of the convention center.

References

Mercedes-Benz X-Class

Read our full review on the 2018 Mercedes-benz X-Class.

Read more Mercedes-Benz news.