ModconRV Hybrid range

This range of Hybrid camper trailer crossovers has been around for while and we finally managed to spend some time evaluating them. Impressive, for the money.

The C3 with clip-on ensuite

The 2025 ModconRV Hybrid range consisted of three models: C3, C3 Plus and C5. All were designed around a forward-located queen bed and two 1.9-metre-long bunks (one folding) and so could accommodate two to four people.

The C3 was the most compact and had a clip-on external ensuite, where the C3 Plus and C5 had an internal en suite with shower, flushing toilet and folding hand basin. (We liked the way the hand basin waste water joined the flushing cistern, so there was no real waste.)

Both C3 versions had a tilting roof that provided adequate headroom opposite the entrance doorway, while the C5 had a full-length lifting roof. The C3 roof-tilt was very easy for one person to raise and lower, and the C5’s raised and lowered electrically.

All ModconRV Hybrids used a hot-dipped galvanised chassis, with the drawbar running under the chassis all the way back to the trailing arm suspension hangers. Cross braces further strengthened the drawbar. The chassis and underside was further protected by rubberised paint

The independent trailing arm suspension featured the now-mandatory dual shock absorbers each side and heavy duty springs.

With more than 20 years experience in making off-road campers, ModconRV ensured there was enough protection for the water and gas plumbing, and electrical wiring, and positioned them as high as possible along and inside the drawbar and chassis.

The entire underbody was sealed against dust ingress.

Water tanks were 5mm thick and so didn’t require covers. (Covers around water tanks can cause problems if a pebble manages to find its way between cover and tank, eventually wearing a hole in the tank.)

The bodywork was formed from bonded foam-cored fibreglass panels and the floor was made from honeycomb PVC, with a high degree of impact resistance.

All the Hybrids were set up for outside cooking and had a robust slide-out kitchen, with a folding stainless steel prep bench and three burner stove and sink. The cooktop butted up to the fridge slide and the prep bench sat under the shelving in a pantry with lift-up lid. Excellent, we reckoned.

This cooking and outdoor seating area was awning covered: Darche 270-degree wrap-arounds in the case of the C3 and C3 Plus, and a Fiamma roll-out awning for the C5. 

All ModconRV Hybrids had lithium batteries – 200Ah standard in the C3 models and 600Ah in the C5. There were ample 240V and 12V power points inside and outside. Solar charging was provided, but panels were optional on the C3s and a standard 500W on the C5 roof.

On and off road

We had a brief evaluation of a ModconRV C3 Plus, courtesy of NSW distributor Camperact. Behind a Ford Ranger ute it towed quite happily, but we could feel the effect of its 240kg ball weight on the Ranger’s rear suspension – and this was an empty C3 Plus. 

A loaded one, with perhaps a fridge mounted on the generous slide, full front storage bins, an additional 200Ah lithium battery, two full jerry cans and two gas bottles in the forward bins would have seen that ball weight rise well over the 300kg mark. That would be within the tow vehicle maker’s specifications, but it’s relatively high for a cross over camper trailer.

On the subject of weight, the C3 Plus had a claimed tare weight of 1950kg and an ATM of 2500kg, so that’s allowing only a tad over a half-tonne of payload. Add the stuff we’ve already mentioned, plus the weight of fridge contents, toys, clothing, camping gear, food and grog, and 200 litres of water…

It’s obviously possible to have a legally loaded C3 Plus, but care about how much ‘stuff’ you packed would be needed. 

After our brief evaluation, we’re sure people would find this Hybrid quite pleasant to live with. It set up quickly, although two pairs of hands were needed to make the awning deploy and fold away easily. The kitchen slid out smoothly and was very easy to organise, in front of the large pantry.

With the interior set up for just sleeping it would be possible to have the queen bed and both bunks left ‘made’ all the time. If the weather dictated a retreat indoors, the lower bunk and queen beds could make seating and there was a drop-down desk-top at the end of the bed that could double as a table. Alternatively, with it folded up, there was room for a folding table and a couple of camp chairs on the floor space.

ModconRV answered the need for more interior living room with the C5 that had full headroom throughout, an internal kitchen as well as the outdoor one and a dinette for four that was revealed by lifting the bed.

The C5 also had an increased ATM of 2800kg, so despite its additional equipment and size, preserved a half-tonne payload capacity.

But there was more comfort available if you needed it: ModconRV also made the Cruiser series of single- and dual-axle, off-road caravans.

In mid-2025 the RRPs for the base model C3, C3 Plus and C5 Hybrids were: $55,990; $61,990 and $79,990, respectively.