For several years now, Mink Campers has been receiving award after award with its out-of-the-box, modern, and lightweight design; most people remember the S model. Well, this time around, we dive deeper into the X, the bigger and off-road-worthy brother of the original Icelandic wonder.
While the Mink body and camper shell style are still in place with this version, one important difference is that this version is equipped to offer a bit more leeway in terms of exploring off-road. I’m not saying it’s equipped for rock crawling—it’s not—but you should have no trouble accessing hidden beaches and riding off the beaten path if you feel like it.
This is made possible in part by a higher ground clearance that the X has in comparison to the S. In all, 3 cm (1.2 in) of extra clearance is in place, but it’s not clear exactly how this height is achieved. I think it might simply be down to larger AT tires. This, however, does add an extra 30 kg (66 lbs) of weight to the X as opposed to the S. The larger fenders are also to thank for the extra weight.
Photo: Mink
As for the rest of this beauty, it brings all the same Mink features the world has grown to love, but with a more outdoor-adapted exterior; the grey and black matte coating is supposed to handle a bit more abuse than that classic yellow exterior we all know.
Now, if you don’t know much about the Mink, then the remainder of this article is sure to give you a clear example of why this crew was able to hit the ground running in an industry that was already dominated by countless crews with decades of history.
Overall, the shell we see is crafted out of nothing more than ABS plastic, leading to a unit that’s not only going to last as long as a plastic bottle, but it’s also light as hell, with the X weighing only 750 kg (1,653 lbs). Oh, and then there’s the fact that this sort of plastic can be recycled, not to mention using recycled plastics to actually craft the shell itself; it’s not clear if this is the case with Mink, but you get the idea.
Photo: Mink
From there, 2 cm (0.8 in) of insulation is added to the mix, a moonroof overhead, a couple of side doors with two windows, and all that’s then dropped on a reinforced and galvanized steel chassis. Oh, and in classic teardrop camper style, the gallery is located outside and at the rear of the unit; the interior is just for sleeping and lounging around.
Speaking of the galley, it’s also important to note the manner in which Mink executes theirs. I would like to consider it the most no-frill and effective galley possible for a camper like this. While Mink doesn’t place a whole bunch of features at our disposal as standard, the way they designed it is based on removable bins and drawers that are integrated right into the countertop or at face level. Neat, easy to use, and can meet the needs of an array of clients. As standard, there’s a 36-liter (9.5 gals) ice chest and induction stove thrown in. One system I found no mention of was plumbing, so you’ll probably need to bring along water and a portable shower if you’re planning longer trips.
Once you’ve had your fill of the outside world, or it’s simply time for bed, you and your significant other can climb inside your X perched high above the world on some mountain ridge and prepare to go to sleep. Yes, “prepare” because once you’re inside, you’re sure to be amazed and dazzled by the view of the night sky from within your unit, and that’s bound to keep you awake for another couple of hours or so.
Photo: Mink
As you lie there, making wishes upon a star, a memory foam mattress will take the load off your bones, while a canvas bunk bed is there for a child or pet. LED mood lights are also one of the features you can tamper with to give your interior the right glow, and a battery monitor helps you keep track of the juice you have left before needing to whip out a set of portable solar panels again or go for the optional panel Mink offers.
But, that’s not all that a Mink has in store. A few tricks up this brand’s sleeve are a neat airflow system that keeps everything condensation-free and warm when desired and cool when necessary and an optional heating system. The front of the frame can also support a cargo platform, and a bike or ski rack can also be brought along.
The question now remains as to how much Mink is asking us to drop on an X. Well, it seems to depend entirely on where you are in the world, but the average is a tad under $30,000 (€28K at current exchange rates). Feel free to comment on whether or not that’s the sort of price you’d be willing to pay for the X.
