Buy Romotow T8 Online Rotating Glamping RV

One of the wildest camper concepts we’ve looked at is finally a reality. The Romotow caravan was originally revealed over a decade ago and had all the makings of being a one-and-done concept. It was created by an architecture and design firm, existed only as renderings at the time of introduction, and looked entirely like a flight of fancy.

But in late 2018, word arose that the Romotow was headed for production. And now, another four years later, it’s here. The production-ready version remains true to the original concept – an amenity-loaded mobile that’s a cross between an expandable travel trailer and a tiny home with an observatory and covered porch.

W2, the firm behind the Romotow design, and its manufacturing partner ACM Motorhomes held the world premiere of the Romotow at the Covi Motorhome, Caravan, and Outdoor Supershow in Auckland, New Zealand earlier this month. Despite the Romotow having existed in the virtual world for 11 years and counting, this was the first public showing of the actual prototype we last saw W2 working on in 2020.

While many concept RVs and automobiles get simplified and dulled down on their way to market, W2 stuck to its original blueprint, keeping the Romotow T8 as wild and impressive as it was on paper in 2012.

The 30.5-foot (9.3-m) dual-axle caravan’s main cabin nests inside of the open deck area on the ride to camp before swiveling out to create a two-part space with a large covered deck and a four- to six-sleeper main cabin. The automated hydraulic system pushes the cabin outward and swings it out 90 degrees.

You can easily place camping furniture there to enjoy the views and even choose to include removable mesh sidewalls to keep out bugs.

W2

The floor plan inside has a roomy dining area in the rounded front cabin, surrounded by wraparound windows. This scenic area doubles as a sleeping space, as the dinette converts over to two single beds or one double bed. A lift-away double bed is available for two added berths.

Just behind the dining lounge, the kitchenette comes in a buyer’s choice of two available styles: a two-counter design with a center aisle and under-counter fridge/freezer or a single-counter variant with a tall fridge/freezer. The dual-counter version sees the sink and gas range on separate counters, while the single-counter plan has them side by side.

The main cabin includes a spacious dining lounge that is surrounded by wraparound windows.

W2

Whichever kitchen the buyer chooses, an L-shaped dry bathroom with a corner toilet, sink, and shower stands behind it. The bedroom is at the very rear, closed off via its door. It includes a closet and can be ordered with a single king-size bed or two single beds.

The patio features composite teak-look deck flooring and paneling and is primarily an open space upon which owners can place camping furniture. Options include a fold-down bench seat or table inside the rounded front nose and removable canvas/mesh sidewalls to keep the pests out.

W2

The T8 is powered by a 200-Ah lithium battery charged with help from a roof-mounted 395-W solar array. A C-Zone integrated control system with an accompanying app offers monitoring and control of electrical components and other hardware. Buyers can also add more battery capacity, additional solar panels, and an inverter. Entertainment options include pop-up or wall-mounted 32-in 4K smart TVs, an outdoor projector system with a pull-down 82-in screen, and a multi-zone Fusion sound system.

The 7,495-lb (3,400-kg, gross weight) Romotow T8 rides on a mild-steel tube chassis and tandem Cruisemaster ATX spring suspension. An automated chassis system levels the trailer out at camp. The cabin has an aluminum structure and includes insulated composite walls, flooring, and roofing. The standard package brings along 300-L fresh and gray water tanks and a Truma Combi space/water heater. An air conditioner is available optionally.

Good things do come to those who wait—especially if you’re in the market for a unique luxury travel trailer.

W2’s rotating Romotow T8 caravan has finally become a reality more than a decade after it was first announced, according to New Atlas. Even better: The New Zealand-based architecture and design firm has opened up the order books for its futuristic RV.

W2 first showed off the Romotow in a series of simple computer renderings way back in 2012. It wasn’t until 2018 that the firm unveiled an actual physical prototype of the trailer. The RV garnered plenty of attention thanks to its rotating design, but it was this same feature that led to skepticism about whether or not the trailer would ever go into production.

Five years later, though, a finished version, which will be built by ACM Motorhomes, is here, and it looks remarkably similar to the concept it’s based on.

The 30.5-foot trailer caravan consists of two major elements—a fixed chassis and a smaller living space that fits just inside of it. When the trailer is parked, the cabin slides out and can be rotated 90 degrees like a swiveling USB stick. Is the feature, which is handled by the trailer’s automated hydraulic system, necessary? No. Is it cool? Undoubtedly. When the living area is rotated, the chassis can also be used as a covered deck with an integrated fold-out table or a bench.

It can also be used as a sleeping area, as the dinette converts over to two single beds or one double bed.

The Romotow’s living area does more than just rotate, though. The cabin features a spacious and modern design, with a fully stocked kitchenette and dining area—including wraparound windows—and a bathroom with a stand-up shower and separate toilet. The large main bedroom is available with either two single beds or a double bed.

You can also add a lift-up double bed to the living room, which bumps the sleeping capacity up to six. Other options include upgraded appliances, wall-mounted TVs, an outdoor projector system, and a multi-zone sound system. The cabin’s many features, as well as its hydraulic rotation system, are powered by a 200-Ah lithium battery that gets help from a 395-watt assortment of roof-mounted solar panels.

The dining benches can comfortably seat up to six people.

W2 is taking orders for Romotow T8 now through its website. Pricing for the stylish trailer starts at $268,500. You can reserve a rotating caravan of your very own now with a $6,300 deposit.

The Romotow T8 starts at NZ$429,000 (approx. US$268,500), and the price escalates quickly once the buyer starts adding on options. AMC Motorhomes will build the caravans in New Zealand, and W2 is focusing on the New Zealand and Australian markets, though it does encourage those in other countries to contact it. Securing a place in the build queue requires a non-refundable NZ$10,000 deposit (US$6,300).