Japanese RVs are as bonkers as they are cute

"tapzz" (tapzz) 02/05/2015 at 08:29 • Filed to: Jalopnik East, kei, rv

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I promised myself I would never do an 'ain't Japan weird?' post. But then Honda does a kei sized articulated RV rig, and it's all downhill into candy coloured lala land from there. Sumimasen, Japan.

So, after !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , Honda isn't done tempting us with demented keis on the N platform. The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is indeed a minute trucklet made from an N-BOX with 50cm cut out of the wheelbase, and a platform where the boot used to be. As Google translate puts it: "Dare obtained by subtract a space, and then propose a new value."

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

(Photo credit: Honda)

The new value proposed in that space is the N-CAMP. Yes, really. Check out the flower vases:

(Photo credit: Honda)

It's meant to be big enough for two, with a bed upstairs and a flexible space downstairs.

While the N-TRUCK / N-CAMP combo is a concept, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! where it'll shine shows that making campers out of keis like the N-BOX is perfectly normal. The "White House N-BOX+Neo" sleeps four and comes with a heater, for example:

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(Photo credit: White House Camper)

Though for my money, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is just cooler:

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(Photo credit: Karucan)

In the unlikely event that neither option gives quite enough space for you, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! :

(Photo credit: Karucan)

Another solution to create more space is, of course, enlengthening your miniature truck into a triple axle motorhome such as this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! :

(Photo credit: Mikami)










If this all seems a bit impossible for the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, there is !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that should be legal, and, as luck would have it, it's based on every Jalop's favourite:

(Photo credit: car-taka)

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 08:36

1

A Prius campervan? I'd buy that.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 08:39

7

Give it to me! Give it to me noooooowwwww!!!!!!

Wheelerguy > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 08:42

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So, this or that Honda with a Grom in it?

If you ask me, I'd like both.

RazoE > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 09:40

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This is the one they talked about on Top Gear. Its even more hideous from this angle..=/

tapzz > Wheelerguy 02/05/2015 at 09:44

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If you've got a regular sized parking bay, you probably could.

tapzz > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 02/05/2015 at 09:46

10

It worked with Saabs:

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 09:49

5

Yeah, the Toppola was quite popular here for a while, even more so in Sweden. I kinda want one of those.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 09:58

0

Sleeps four people? What?

carcrasher88 > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 10:02

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I thought these were carrots at first...

BlurpleToyotaDishwasher > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 02/05/2015 at 10:05

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two in the roof tent and all the seats in the car fold flat for the other two. I guess all your luggage would have to go outside though.

tapzz > carcrasher88 02/05/2015 at 10:06

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G0od point: if there'd be a rain water collection bin as well as vegetable growing features, you'd have a completely self-sufficient van!

BlurpleToyotaDishwasher > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 10:11

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This isn't really a Japan-only thing. There used to be quite a few campers based on the Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet and the like in the UK back in the day.
This sort of thing:

tapzz > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 02/05/2015 at 10:11

7

Yup: two upstairs, and two downstairs. I'm thinking the ones upstairs will be kids. Kat Callahan was impressed by how roomy the largely identical N-SLASH was...

tapzz > BlurpleToyotaDishwasher 02/05/2015 at 10:16

1

True, and one little company in Bristol still services the slide-on, slide-off GRP Romahomes. The pop up tents and origami cabin on a kei truck are kinda new, though. As are the 660cc articulated and tandem axle lorries ;-)

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 10:18

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I just can't see anybody stretching out for the length of that roof. It would have to be kids.

DeltawingGothamDeserves > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 10:30

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This looks comfy as shit.

alan > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 15:13

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actually kind of interesting. i would consider it for my hunting hobby. its like bringing a tent where ever you go.

alan > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 15:14

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that brings sleeping at the wheel to a whole new meaning

alan > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 15:14

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imagine you are asleep late at night and you reach up and hit the horn. i think it would scare the heck out of me

alan > BlurpleToyotaDishwasher 02/05/2015 at 15:15

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i actually really want one of those now

timgray > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 02/05/2015 at 15:19

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Sleeps four Japanese people, or 1/2 american.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 02/05/2015 at 15:22

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throw that on a wrangler frame and that would be one cool offroader

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 15:27

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It's all well and good...until you hit a headwind.

The Guy who Drives ( A Aw11 Named Inari) > BlurpleToyotaDishwasher 02/05/2015 at 15:28

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I am glad you mentioned this and same to the fellow below me on the RomaHomes, I found a couple nifty ones on the Youtube. I seriously want to do a conversion the the minitrucks or a kei-van. Perfect for little romps and more way comfortable than a Four Wheeler and a pup-tent in your duffle bag, along with a pack of beef jerky and a keltec and that catalog of summit racing you've had since the millennium.

Oh, I seem have touched onto my camping escapades, carry on.

TedC001 > DeltawingGothamDeserves 02/05/2015 at 15:41

2

How comfy is shit?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 15:41

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Larger than all Tokyo apartments!

Icantthinkofanythingwitty > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 15:44

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There are more than a few reasons that Americans don't have to be too jealous. Some states will let you do almost whatever you want to a vehicle to begin with. I live in South Florida, and it appears to be possible to buy a massive RV or Houseboat big enough to live in for the price of some of these things.

MultiplaOrgasms > TedC001 02/05/2015 at 15:47

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Very.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 16:20

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Like a Sir

wilderthanthehate > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 16:38

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Those curtains make it look like the the side airbags are deployed.

MysticStick > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 16:59

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They have literally used ketchup bottles as tail lights.

BlurpleToyotaDishwasher > alan 02/05/2015 at 17:15

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They're kinda ridiculous and pretty terrible in a lot of respects. To describe it as having zero safety would be overly kind and they're pretty bad to drive - the brakes are poor, it's super easy to come close to flipping it, catches crosswinds and has aero that would make a brick laugh, its noisy and going over 60 means thrashing the hell out of it (so it breaks down a lot, too). The shortness of the seats & lack of headrest is also quite annoying (although I guess the fold down passenger seat so you can climb into the back is handy, as is the little picnic table thing on the back of it). Nice and comfy and practical inside when you get there (though if you're over 5ft5 you can only really stand up in kitchen area that overhangs the back of the pickup chassis), but getting anywhere is a real chore.

Still, if you reeaaally want I guess you could import one to the states now (if you can find one with enough original parts), they did them from about... '86 - '92-ish I think. Quite expensive though.

BlurpleToyotaDishwasher > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 02/05/2015 at 17:17

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Nah, headwinds are fine, just takes your top speed down to 55-ish. It's the crosswinds that are the real bastards.

BlurpleToyotaDishwasher > TedC001 02/05/2015 at 17:18

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Warm and soft.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > BlurpleToyotaDishwasher 02/05/2015 at 17:24

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I can see how that would be an issue.

Brian, The Life of > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 17:54

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I want this totes adorbs twin axle wonder!

tapzz > Brian, The Life of 02/05/2015 at 18:11

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Somebody needs to bring that one, and the Honda N-TRUCK semi over to the US for a nationwide tour of truck stops. Just for shits & giggles.

Louis Subearth > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 02/05/2015 at 18:47

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In planning to get one NG900 based 9-3, so a Toppola might be a choice of mobile home aside from making a step van RV or buying an Amerilite.

Louis Subearth > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 18:53

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If RVs can be this tiny, I can turn a Jeep Renegade into a four wheel driven apartment. Cab over bed, full bathroom with shower, tiny kitchen, a couch with tables, and anything modern RVs have.

sidestepper - the fist of fate > MysticStick 02/05/2015 at 18:57

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Not sure if you're joking . . . .

I'm pretty sure those are the original taillights relocated.

tapzz > Louis Subearth 02/05/2015 at 19:23

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Go for it!

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 02/05/2015 at 21:35

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Brass bed even. Well done.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 21:37

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In that color no less.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Louis Subearth 02/05/2015 at 21:38

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People have beat you to it. Some cost as much as a house.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Louis Subearth 02/05/2015 at 21:42

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this one has a standing height kitchen in the jeep and a sleeping all terrain trailer to haul behind.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > alan 02/05/2015 at 22:50

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It's funny you mention that - that exact thing has happened to my brother! One summer we drove to go see my grandparents (a 6 hour drive), and got there a bit later than expected. We didn't want to disturb them, so we (most of us - my parents, myself, and two other siblings) tried to sleep in the car - a 1980 Malibu. While falling asleep my brother hit the horn. Thankfully it didn't really wake either of my grandparents, as they are both pretty hard of hearing.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius 02/05/2015 at 22:52

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Not too shabby. I imagine it costs a pretty penny though.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > tapzz 02/05/2015 at 22:52

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Throw some solar panels on the roof and you'd be set!

aa20xt6 > MysticStick 02/06/2015 at 00:47

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After reading that I had to do a double take to see if they really did. I can almost make out the Heinz logo, definitely a tomato in the middle though. It's more likely a cheaper no-name brand ketchup bottle.

TheHondaBro > tapzz 02/06/2015 at 00:53

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This is the best thing I've seen in a long time. I'd buy one of these over an American RV any day, just because of the Squee factor.

Keaton Belliston > tapzz 02/06/2015 at 01:19

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This lady really needs to get out from under her awning so she can get a tan!!

Keaton Belliston > tapzz 02/06/2015 at 01:20

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Are these real?!!

Keaton Belliston > tapzz 02/06/2015 at 01:22

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It just looks like God is teabagging this Prius...

Keaton Belliston > TedC001 02/06/2015 at 01:24

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Depends on your diet...

tapzz > Keaton Belliston 02/06/2015 at 05:09

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In my experience, a tan is pretty much the last thing most Japanese women want! In summer, they'll either use a parasol, long sleeved tops and a sunhat, or, if they're of a certain age, a golf visor.

tapzz > Keaton Belliston 02/06/2015 at 05:10

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I think the sticker may have been superimposed on the picture. The Daihatsu Hijet crew cab is real though.

SomethingAlmostAlwaysBroken > carcrasher88 02/06/2015 at 06:47

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They sure look like carrots to me too.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > BaconSandwich is tasty. 02/06/2015 at 07:47

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more than one penny. Yes. Even pretty ones.

RedWillDanaher > Louis Subearth 02/06/2015 at 08:40

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Too big. Make it from a Suzuki Samurai instead.

Louis Subearth > RedWillDanaher 02/06/2015 at 14:20

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It would be like a double decker, though it's quite the gamble.

Louis Subearth > Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius 02/06/2015 at 14:27

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No silly, I meant this Renegade.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Louis Subearth 02/06/2015 at 14:28

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Fiat what?

Louis Subearth > Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius 02/06/2015 at 14:30

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Overlook that it's Fiat based and built, and think of the Sports Utility Vehicle it can be if it has a bed, a place to cook food and a john so we don't dig holes and wipe our butts with leaves everywhere.

TotesMaGoats > tapzz 02/06/2015 at 14:59

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I want this at a higher level than anything i've wanted in my life.

ranwhenparked > BlurpleToyotaDishwasher 02/06/2015 at 21:23

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Tandy converted a good number of Reliant Foxes to camper vans too. Off hand, I'd say almost half of the 600 built.