During the Dakar Rally, rally teams push their limits to chase down speed across endless dunes, and although their attention is on the thrill of racing, their support workers require some solid comforts to eat, crash, and recover after extremely tough stages. Shiver Offroad devised a mobile housing option that will accompany the rally across even the hardest terrain. This mansion on wheels is made up of a heavy-duty MAN 6×6 truck with an expandable pod from Expandable Trailers.
When compact, it’ 31.4 feet long, 8.4 feet wide, and 9.8 feet tall. The internal floor space measures 183 square feet. However, when they require additional space, the width expands to 15.8 feet and the living space increases to 452 square feet, all thanks to some clever hydraulic systems that can complete the process in just 15 minutes. It lowers the pod to the ground, the truck drives away, and the sides just slide apart, and the floor levels itself.
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A stylish spiraling staircase in the back leads to a full-length rooftop deck with safety railings, the type of place where you can relax and enjoy the desert views. On the other side of the pod, six full-size bunk beds are lined up, each with reading lights, power outlets, and plenty of storage pockets for all of the gear. Team members can rest comfortably after a hard day in the desert.
The kitchen is the true workhorse in the center of the space, with an L-shaped layout featuring an induction stove, fridge, sink, and plenty of storage. You may prepare a dinner from scratch without leaving the coziness of your campervan. The floor-to-ceiling glass panels let plenty of natural light into the rear lounge space. There is a bar-height table that seats four people, as well as separate coffee spots or quieter conversation sections with lower chairs and tiny tables sprinkled around.
Bathroom facilities are kept simple and distinct, with one room for the loo, another for the shower, and a designated area for washing and drying your clothes. You can clean your filthy trail wear in seconds, and with full climate control, the interior is comfortable whether it’s sandstorms or frigid tundra. A generator and battery bank provide power, allowing the device to operate autonomously for several days.
The MAN chassis drives through rugged terrain with all-wheel drive, tows the pod during transfers, and then detaches for expansion. It allows the crew to keep moving without having to break out the tent or stay in faraway hotels. Shiver Offroad uses this motorhome to support its Dakar buggies across thousands of miles of desert. Crews walk in, fatigued and dusty, but entering this RV is like a breath of fresh air: a clean, tidy room to recharge and prepare for the next journey.
If you’re interested in purchasing one of these 30-foot base pods, they start about $312,300 before you add any furnishings or the truck chassis; custom builds like this one will naturally cost more because of all the rally-specific amenities the team requires. In a sport like the Dakar Rally, a little home comfort can go a long way; this extendable system puts that isolated desert comfort right where the teams need it most.
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