Earlier this year, South African company Berg Offroad introduced a new camper trailer model, the CX6, which garnered attention for its small, towable footprint and large capacity, accommodating up to six people. Now, Berg Offroad has unveiled the CX3, a squaredrop camper designed for a smaller group, yet offering innovative design elements that make it highly functional and comfortable for up to three campers. The CX3 expands in all directions, providing off-grid adventurers with a compact yet versatile living space, complete with a full kitchen, bathroom, and multiple sleeping areas.
Compact yet expansive design
Despite its smaller sleeping capacity compared to the CX6, the CX3 is actually slightly larger. It measures 537 cm (17.6 ft) in length, making it about 3 cm longer than the CX6. It also stands 1 cm taller, with a height of 228 cm (7.5 ft). However, the CX3’s width remains unchanged at 205 cm (6.7 ft). This modest size increase may not seem significant at first glance, but Berg Offroad has used the extra space to enhance comfort rather than increase sleeping capacity.
While the CX6 can accommodate six people, the CX3 is designed for couples or small groups of up to three. Berg’s design choice focuses on comfort and convenience, making the CX3 a camper for those who prioritize space and features over maximum occupancy.
The CX3’s expansion mechanism is a key feature. The roof pops up with the help of struts, creating standing height inside the trailer. Additionally, the front panel of the trailer folds forward, opening up the top half of the full-width bathroom. The bathroom is equipped with canvas walls and a removable fabric roof and includes a shower, toilet, and corner sink, providing essential amenities for off-grid living.
Sleeping arrangements
Sleeping arrangements in the CX3 differ from the larger CX6. The CX3 features a right-side expansion that houses a queen-size mattress. The standard setup includes canvas walls, but Berg offers an optional hard-sided module, as seen in the launch model. This module has sides that fold, flip, and swing out around the mattress, securely locking in place. The resulting “semi-island” design of the queen bed allows space on one side for easy entry and exit, while the foot of the bed remains open, enabling both campers to get in and out without disturbing each other.
In addition to the queen bed, the rear expansion can include an optional hard-wall sleeper module, which houses a single mattress, making it possible to accommodate a third camper. Alternatively, the standard version of this expansion features a fold-out dining table with a fabric window covering over the opening to the trailer’s interior. This flexibility allows for a more customized setup depending on the number of occupants and desired layout.
Outdoor kitchen and dining
The CX3 is equipped with a full-featured outdoor kitchen, taking up the entire left side of the trailer. A two-part rear hatch opens to reveal the kitchen space. The lower half of the hatch folds down to create a long worktop, while the upper half flips up to reveal a pass-through to the trailer’s interior. This setup includes a fold-down tablet, which turns the edge of the queen bed into a scenic breakfast bar or dining nook. For those who prefer to cook outdoors, the kitchen includes several shelves and an optional 20-L microwave.
The primary kitchen unit slides out from the bathroom area and includes a dual-burner Cadac stove, a sink connected to a 150-L freshwater tank, and storage for dishes, flatware, cooking tools, and utensils. There’s also an available Flex CF-95 top-loader fridge/freezer for keeping food and beverages cool. For those needing extra cold storage, additional drawer fridges can be installed on the main kitchen slide-out or inside the trailer.
All of these kitchen and cooling amenities are powered by an onboard electrical system, which includes a 1,200-W Victron inverter, a Victron solar charge controller, and a 220-V shore power hookup. Buyers can choose between one or two 108-Ah lithium batteries, and solar panel setups are available for those planning longer off-grid adventures.
Off-grid features and accessories
The CX3 is built to handle rugged off-road conditions. Weighing in at 950 kg (2,095 lbs) tare, the camper is constructed with a galvanized steel ladder frame, a 2.5-ton braked axle, and leaf spring suspension. It rides on 17-in wheels wrapped in 255/70R17 BFGoodrich trail-terrain tires. The body itself is made from a mix of aluminum, fiberglass, and stainless steel hardware. Buyers looking to shave off a little more weight can opt for carbon fiber body panels.
Other notable off-grid features include a retractable garden hose, a Hansen gas/electric water heater, traction boards, and a 180-degree batwing awning that provides shade over the kitchen area. The CX3 also comes stocked with place settings and a variety of cookware, including a set of cube-shaped, stackable pots with detachable handles that maximize storage space.
Customization options
Berg Offroad offers several customization options for the CX3, allowing buyers to tailor the trailer to their specific needs. In addition to the optional hard-sided modules and fridge setups, buyers can choose to add up to three annex tents, each of which sleeps three people. These annexes can create a modular camp setup, turning the CX3 into a mini “condo” for larger groups. Awning walls and bicycle racks for the nose box are also available for those who need extra gear storage or shelter.
Pricing and availability
The CX3 is priced slightly lower than the CX6, with a starting price of ZAR549,950, which is approximately US$30,940. Additional options, such as the annex tents and hard-sided modules, can raise the final cost. While the CX3 is currently available in South Africa, Berg Offroad has hinted at plans to bring its trailers to the United States, though there is no firm timeline for availability in North America.
Source: Berg Off-Road
