This compact Japanese caravan is a new take on the classic aluminium trailer

Photography: X-Cabin

Fans of the Airstream will have feelings about the X-Cabin 300 – a Japanese take on the classic aluminium-shell trailer.

The boxy, lightweight camper is the brainchild of Japanese start-up brand X-Cabin, whose parent company is well-established LED lighting specialist Effect Meiji Corporation. Created during the pandemic in 2020, the 300 model takes inspiration from commercial cargo and horse trailers, as well as midcentury icons like the Airstream.

Cabin X 300 is lightweight at 750 kg and 15 ft long and features a matt aluminium shell with shiny riveted corner panels that soften its silhouette. (It looks like the U-haul truck’s more glamorous cousin.) The cabin sits atop a German AL-KO galvanised steel chassis.

Three interior floor plans are available: the ‘Glamp’ layout has a front galley and convertible dinette that folds into a large double bed. The ‘Base’ and ‘Solo’ models are variations with differing sofa bed options.

Prices start from ¥5.8m for the trailer (approximately US$39,550), and the caravan is currently available in Japan. Watch this space for international versions.