This Accessible Adventure-Ready Camper Is a Rugged Challenge to Van Life

Unless you spring for something adventurous like a Mitsubishi Delica, a VW Syncro or an all-wheel-drive Sprinter, your van life travels probably won’t extend very far beyond the pavement. However, even those vehicles’ off-road capabilities pale in comparison to something more dedicated, such as a converted truck.

Unfortunately, more affordable options are often cramped, spartan or DIY, while those that are well-equipped are consequently astronomically expensive. Either way you go, you’re making some a compromise in the pursuit of improved off-road performance.

Supertramp

With this in mind, luxury camper outfitter Supertramp has created an adventure-ready rig that might just be the goldilocks solution the market needs.

Truck-based off-road chops

It’s called the Paragon, and it follows the Megatron that debuted last fall. As a more accessible alternative, it brings a lower asking price (we’ll get to that later), but it’s not lacking in its capabilities.

Supertramp

That’s because, like its bigger sibling, the Paragon isn’t a slide-in camper design such as Supertramp’s LT or HT; rather, it’s a complete, integrated system. It’s built on a Ford F-350 long-bed platform, and it’s available in single, extended and crew cab configurations.

Moreover, Supertramp worked with Carli Suspension to develop a ride tuned specifically for the camper’s weight, stance and real-world applications. Accordingly, along with a set of custom-valved shocks, the Paragon rides on an Alcan leaf setup that’s equally at home on- and off-road.

With power coming from Ford’s 7.3-liter Godzilla V8, the F-350 also brings four-wheel drive and a locking rear differential to the Paragon package. To top it all off, it rides on some 18-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch Toyo all-terrain rubber, and it sports Ford’s camper package as well as a tire pressure monitoring system.

Supertramp

Suffice to say, then, in being based on a full-size heavy-duty truck, Supertramp’s offering promises superior toughness and off-road capabilities compared to all but the most hardcore adventure vans. Of course, that’s only half the battle.

Packed with creature comforts

The other big challenge comes in making such a setup liveable. Thankfully, Supertramp is no stranger to creating these kinds of rolling adventure palaces.

Supertramp

For one, the Paragon is roomy. As part of its interior provisions, the camper offers a full seven feet of standing space, and it comes with a built-in garage that’s capable of stowing two extra-large-sized mountain bikes — 29-inch wheels and all. 

To that end, sleeping accommodations take the form of a standard king bed, and there’s a rear dinette that converts into either an additional full-size or an L-shaped couch. Hell, with the abundance of light from the windows, it makes some apartments seem cramped.

Supertramp also equips the Paragon with all the creature comforts you could ever need. Along with a full wet bath, you’ll find an integrated Truma heater, a 130L Isotherm fridge, an induction cooktop and up to 1,080Ah of battery capacity. 

Supertramp

Rounded out by essentials like a 40-gallon fresh water tank, Victron solar charging and some Maxxair fans, it’s made only better by its insulated four-season shell.

Availability and pricing 

With a starting price of $189,000, the Paragon is still a far cry from being an adventure vehicle for the masses. Still, Supertramp is asking comparable money to competitors in the segment like Winnebago, and the option is also heaps more affordable than the $495,795 Megatron.

If you’d like to learn more or spec your own, you can head to the Supertramp website. Builds are now open for order.

Supertramp Paragon

• Starts at $189,000

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