Our Future Camping Solution: Ford Ranger and Moser Caravan

In our last article, we shared the thought process behind choosing the best approach for a flexible, comfortable, off-road, and winter-capable long-term camping setup.

Our Decision

After months of research, we concluded that the Australian way of camping ticks most of our boxes. A rugged off-road caravan paired with a cleverly equipped tow vehicle offers both the flexibility and the comfort we’re after. The next step was finding a setup that fulfilled our specific requirements—which turned out to be much harder than we expected.

The Caravan: Moser Fahrzeugbau

We were inspired by the Australian style of caravanning but needed something suited for European roads and capable of handling the harsh winters of Northern Europe. Most European caravans are designed for summer vacations on paved roads—not off-road adventures in freezing temperatures.

After a long search, we discovered Moser Fahrzeugbau in Germany. They build custom, off-road-capable caravans with insulation and construction comparable to expedition vehicles. Solid, durable, and built for all seasons.

Single axle model from Moser Fahrzeugbau, similar to what we have ordered. 

We visited Moser in summer 2023 and placed our order in December 2023. Delivery is expected in the first half of 2026. We’ll share more about our Moser caravan once the build progresses.

The Tow Vehicle: Ford Ranger Wildtrak

When it came to tow vehicles, we narrowed it down to two options: the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger. Initially, we leaned toward the Hilux, known for its durability and global popularity. But after test-driving both, we were surprised by how modern and spacious the Ranger felt in comparison.

Further research showed that the Ford Ranger has surpassed the Hilux in Australian sales. If Australians—arguably the most experienced off-road campers—trust the Ranger, that was good enough for us.

We chose the Ford Ranger Wildtrak with the powerful 3.0L V6 engine and placed our order in January 2024. The vehicle arrived in October 2024.

Our Ford Ranger Wildtrak, with the new rims and tires. 

The Canopy: Australian-Style in Europe

We didn’t want a standard pickup bed. Instead, we wanted an Australian-style canopy setup—the kind that replaces the bed entirely with a flatbed and adds a full-size canopy. This provides much better access and allows us to include essential features like a fridge, basic cooking gear, and storage.

Why bother with this if we already have a caravan? The answer is flexibility. While our Moser caravan will be off-road capable, there may be situations where we have to leave it behind. In those cases, we still want to cook, store food, and be self-sufficient.

Australian style canopy

After a year of searching, we found Pepec, a small company in southern Germany building Australian-style canopies. We visited them in fall 2024 and ordered soon after. More on the canopy once it’s installed, which is planned for April 2025.

The Rear Seat Delete: Making Room for Storage 

One downside of the Ford Ranger is limited configuration flexibility. We wanted the strong V6 engine, which only comes in the dual cab version with full-size rear seats—something we don’t need as a couple.

Since single and extra cab versions aren’t available with the V6, we had to get the dual cab. To reclaim that space, we opted for a rear seat delete, turning the rear cabin into a practical storage area. Here is a detailed post about the finished rear seat delete: Ford Ranger Rear Seat Delete.

The Rooftop Tent: A Backkup Sleeping Option

For trips where we can’t take the caravan, we still need a place to sleep. Setting up a tent on the ground didn’t appeal to us, especially as we get older. Our solution: a rooftop tent mounted on top of the canopy. We haven’t finalized the brand yet but will share our decision once it’s made.

Other Modifications

We had Moesch Offroad install an Old Man Emu MT64 suspension system for improved off-road performance. We swapped the standard 18” aluminum rims for 17” Goss wheels with BF Goodrich AT KO2 (265/70R17) tires. This upgrade increases the Ranger’s maximum weight capacity to 3.5 tonnes.

We also replaced the standard side mirrors with ClearView towing mirrors, which are essential for safe caravan towing. Clip-on mirrors, commonly used in Europe, aren’t ideal for rugged conditions. ClearView’s full replacements are tried and tested in the Australian outback.

Future plans include:

• Replacing the standard fuel tank with a larger long-range tank
• Adding a snorkel for water crossings
• Installing additional off-road lighting

These upgrades will depend on overall vehicle weight and final setup.

Final Thoughts

Our future camping setup is built around flexibility, off-road capability, and comfort in all seasons. With a rugged Ford Ranger Wildtrak and a custom-built Moser caravan, we’re confident this system will support us through long-term travel—whether we’re deep in the wilderness or navigating snowy mountain roads.

Stay tuned as we continue to document the build process and share real-world experiences once we hit the road!