Designed for travel adventures without limits, Basecamp Xe arrives with powerful off grid capability, Airstream’s iconic handmade craftsmanship, and all the comforts of home. It expands the capability of the popular Basecamp 20 model line with 600W of rooftop solar panels, a 10.3kWh lithium Battle Born® battery pack, and a 3,000W inverter. The fully inverted system delivers power to all the outlets while on battery power and can run all trailer functions – as well as the optional air conditioner and optional microwave – even when off grid. And because Airstreamers want versatility and travel freedom when they hit the road, the trailer features a 20-pound propane tank that supports outdoor grilling while acting as a backup fuel source for the furnace and hot water heater.
Basecamp Xe is a travel trailer that will take you down the road to your favorite fishing spot or a few thousand miles in search of Airstream experiences that feed your desire to see what’s over the next hill.
Watch our new short film, Airstream on the Fly and experience the magic of a bayou Basecamp Xe adventure with fly fishing angler, Shyanne Orvis. Then, start dreaming of where you’ll go on your own Airstream adventure.
Airstream’s Legacy of Travel Independence
More than 70 years ago, Airstream introduced what’s believed to be the first self-contained recreational vehicle that didn’t rely on campground hookups. In the decades since, the brand has continually improved on that concept. Recent conceptual projects like the eStream Concept Travel Trailer as well as production models like the Trade Wind® Travel Trailer have pushed the boundary even farther. Now, with Basecamp Xe, Airstream takes another major step forward in travel independence.
An Airstream Basecamp Xe Adventure with Shy on the Fly
For fly fishing angler Shyanne Orvis (@shyonthefly), adventure called and led her to the bayou of southern Louisiana to meet up at the home of her friend and mentor Meredith McCord – an accomplished fly fisher with numerous records to her name. Every winter and early spring, huge bull redfish make their way into the shallow waters of the bayou in search of plentiful shrimp while anglers from around the world make the journey south in hopes of catching these aggressive and exciting fish.
With the Basecamp Xe parked on Meredith’s property, Shy and her family got the best of both worlds – the opportunity for old friends to catch up (with minimal impact to the host) and the chance to hit the water together in search of a bucket list fish. After a long day on the water, Shy and her family had a comfortable place to stay with everything they needed – a fully-stocked kitchen, a wet bath, and all the power necessary to make it happen.
"When you’re lugging kids around you have to have all these things,” said Shy of what it’s like taking adventurous trips with a two-year-old in tow. “But with the Basecamp we didn’t have to worry about any of that – you have everything you need to make your kids comfortable.”
Expanding on the Popular Basecamp 20
The Basecamp 20Xe is designed for extended off-grid adventures of all sizes – from epic boondocking trips into the outdoors to weekend stays with friends or family. Its electric-first design features a fully inverted 30A electrical system combined with 600W of rooftop solar panels and a 10.3kWh lithium Battle Born® battery pack supported by a 3,000W inverter.
All Electric Appliances and Off-Grid Capabilities
From the refrigerator and microwave to the water heater, furnace, and induction cooktop in the galley, the appliances in Basecamp Xe are all powered by electricity. The trailer's powerful inverter and huge lithium battery bank allow owners to operate all functions even when far from shore power. Like the innovative Airstream Trade Wind® Travel Trailer that preceded it, Basecamp Xe can run the air conditioner and microwave while boondocking in the backcountry or dry camping en route to your next location. (It’s important to note that appliance run times will vary depending on variables like local weather conditions and owner operation.)
A Fully Inverted System for Powering Your Modern Life
The fully inverted electrical system is fed by the lithium battery bank and provides ample power to every outlet. This setup ensures that every outlet is functional for charging laptops, phones, and other essential devices, and operating a variety of high-power appliances while off grid. When parked in the sun, the 600W of rooftop-mounted solar panels harvest the abundant (and free) power of the sun during the daytime and feed charge back into the battery bank for use later. An upgraded prewire port allows for connecting an additional 300W of portable solar panels to boost solar harvesting capabilities. Taken together, this powerful off-grid ready electrical system will get you closer to the action that ever before.
Comfort No Matter How Far You Roam
For Shy and her family, the Basecamp Xe was truly a remote base camp for an epic adventure with a dear friend.
“The Basecamp is this place to come back to,” said Shy. “We can go out and we can spend the day on the water – we can go and spend time with friends, but then also be able to come back and be in our own comfort and have that solitude and not have to disrupt those around us.”
Adventures require energy, and with Basecamp Xe everyone can refuel ahead of the next adventure while relaxing and recharging in a private space that’s close to friends. An expansive galley provides space for cooking a nutritious meal and storing snacks for hungry kids and adults alike. And an onboard wet bath (with a shower, sink, and bathroom combined in one efficient space) makes it easy to clean up at the end of the day.
The Joy of a No-Impact Visit with Friends and Family
Travel independence isn’t just about being comfortable – it’s also about ensuring that you’re making a minimal impact on the world around you. When boondocking in a friend’s driveway or on their property, that means being close enough to have fun and catch up – but not so close that your host has to make up a guest room or entertain 24/7.
“I didn't have to do a thing,” said Meredith of hosting Shy and her family at her home in Louisiana. “They were the easiest guests I think I've ever had thanks to the Basecamp.”
While the dream of off-grid adventures often features epic vistas and rugged landscapes, the reality of Airstreaming off grid looks different on every trip.
Electric and Off-Grid Features Working Together
The Basecamp Xe’s Truma Combi eco plus system combines the water heater and furnace functions into one electric-first system that utilizes the lithium battery bank while heating water for the sink or shower and warming the interior cabin. In the wet bath, a Showermi$er recirculates cold water back into the fresh water tank until the desired temperature has been achieved, reducing wastage of precious water resources while boondocking. An optional composting toilet is available for additional water conservation. For cooking flexibility, a portable induction cooktop can be used in the galley or can be removed and used outdoors via a 110V outlet.
Rugged and Adventure-Ready Design
Built for tough terrain, the Basecamp 20Xe comes standard with a 3-inch lift, rugged tires, and black protective-coated stone guards for extra protection against brush and branches. The LP shroud design includes additional storage for gear and houses a grill-sized 20-pound propane tank that feeds an exterior propane hookup for outdoor grilling. And – because adventurous travel can present a variety of situations – propane can also be utilized for interior heating and hot water functions. The versatile Truma Combi eco plus system can run on all electric, all gas, or a mixture of both for ultimate versatility in challenging weather and adverse climates.
Shy’s fly fishing adventure took advantage of the Basecamp Xe’s functionality and gear storage features. She deposited wet fishing gear in the dedicated wet storage compartment just inside the rear door. And with plenty of storage areas inside the trailer, there was room for her rods, reels, fishing tackle, and all the outdoor clothing necessary for staying comfortable while out on the water – not to mention the gear necessary for bringing along her family.
A Functional and Comfortable Basecamp Xe Interior
The 20-foot floor plan of the Basecamp 20Xe is designed for versatility, accommodating families, couples, and solo adventurers. Two décors are available: Sandstone Canyon and Granite Ridge.
Like its 20-foot Basecamp 20X sibling, Basecamp 20Xe offers a dedicated sleeping space in the back and a convertible dinette up front for additional sleeping options. The shower includes L-Track mounting points for hanging wet gear, while an optional composting toilet and microwave add convenience. The Bluetooth-enabled sound system with three speakers enhances the entertainment experience, and smart storage solutions maximize usability without compromising comfort.
Want to learn more about the new all-electric Basecamp Xe? Download a brochure and dive into the details of this innovative, off-grid, electric-first Airstream travel trailer.
