Honda is stepping into the lightweight RV market with a small, modular camper designed to bring comfort and flexibility to modern campers, and it’s towable by an EV.
Honda reveals the Base Station Prototype, a compact, modular towable RV built for convenience and comfort. Features include a fold-down queen futon, optional solar array, and interchangeable kitchen or shower modules.
Pricing and production timelines have not been confirmed; Honda aims to “democratize camping” for a wide audience.
For millions of Americans, camping is no longer about sleeping on the ground with only a backpack and a tent. While many still enjoy hiking in and out of campsites, a growing number prefer bringing some creature comforts along the way.
This shift has fueled demand for small, towable RVs such as the Scamp Lite and Airstream Basecamp, and Honda appears ready to stake its claim in the space.
The company today revealed the Base Station Prototype, a small, modular camper it believes could “revolutionize and redefine the towable EV space.”
“Base Station is a perfect example of what can happen when you let a team of researchers, designers and engineers pursue bold new ideas to create new value for our customers,” said Jane Nakagawa, vice president of the American Honda R&D Business Unit, during a preview of the camper.
Honda emphasized that the Base Station is small enough to fit in a typical garage or parking space, weighing under 1,500 pounds, making it towable by even subcompact crossovers and sedans.
The design is intentionally futuristic: the camper folds into a compact, aerodynamic form but expands quickly into a roomy interior with a 7-foot ceiling and space for up to four occupants. The interior includes a fold-down queen-size futon, with an optional bunk bed for children.
Base Station demonstrates a variety of innovative touches, from the LED light ring surrounding its large side window to its modular design. Owners can choose from modules such as a fold-out kitchenette or shower, which can be swapped in and out without power tools, according to development team leader Dillon Kane.
“The goal is to democratize camping with a light, towable camper you can tow with a compact crossover or EV,” Kane explained during a sneak peek at Honda’s R&D center in Torrance, California.
Beyond its modular kitchen and shower, Base Station can be equipped with a full climate control system. Plug it into power at an RV park or travel off-grid and enjoy many comforts of home.
A roof-mounted solar array provides sustainable energy, while the design allows for an optional lithium-ion battery backup system, eliminating the need for a generator during nighttime or inclement weather. Kane noted that the battery system should provide enough power “to get you through a long weekend.”
Honda’s Base Station aims to compete with lightweight RVs priced between roughly $17,000 for a stripped-down Scamp Lite 13’ model and over $54,000 for a fully equipped Airstream Basecamp 16X.
Final development is ongoing, and Honda has not confirmed a production timeline. Still, the R&D team’s comments make it clear the company is eager to launch the camper. “We will share more information in the coming months, including our future intentions on building Base Station,” Woelfer said.
