China is a massive country, so it’s only natural that campers is a big deal. While brands like BYD and Xiaomi have been stealing the spotlight in recent years, what many people outside China might not realize is that camper trucks and vans are also a huge thing over there. There are plenty of domestic brands, and today, we’re looking at one in particular: Armadillo.
Armadillo, a brand under Zhejiang Ruiye Special Vehicle Co., Ltd, specializes in transforming trucks into adventure-ready campers. It has a range of models, but the one that caught our attention is the Armadillo Crawler S Unimog 4X4 Camper Truck. As the name suggests, it’s based on the legendary Mercedes-Benz Unimog, specifically the U4023, introduced in 2013. I have a thing for Unimogs. I once had a short stint repairing and maintaining them, and let me tell you, it was pure joy.
These things are built like tanks. They don’t need flashy marketing gimmicks to prove their toughness—their flexible ladder-frame design alone allows them to take on just about any mission. Thanks to its tubular cross-members, the Unimog delivers incredible torsional flexibility off-road, making it ideal for extreme terrains and, in this case, a rugged camper setup.
Powering this beast is a 5.2L turbocharged diesel engine churning out 170 kW (228 HP or 231 PS) and a chassis-twisting 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque at 2,200 RPM. These figures suggest it’s running a stock motor, which speaks volumes about the confidence the Chinese camper manufacturer has in this platform.
The Armadillo Crawler S Unimog 4X4 Camper Truck boasts 485 mm of minimum ground clearance, along with an impressive 44-degree approach angle and 34-degree departure angle. Fuel capacity stands at 320L, with an optional 75L auxiliary tank for those who crave longer, uninterrupted adventures. It’s worth mention that it has a 60L pure titanium gray water tank, with level sensor and manual drain valve, plus a 70L pure titanium black water tank, also with level sensor and manual drain valve.
It rolls on Dunlop 405/70R20.5 tires, spare included. Despite its compact stature—5,995 mm (19.7 feet) long and 2,490 mm (8.2 feet) wide—it towers at 3,490 mm (11.5 feet) and tips the scales at 7,950 kilograms (a hefty 17,527 pounds).
Inside, you’ll find a bathroom, kitchenette, and smart storage solutions. At the rear, there’s a single bed (1,900 x 1,050 mm) that converts into a dining area, plus a “lift” double bed (2,000 x 1,280 mm), making it suitable for three grown adults. The bathroom features a stand-up shower, basin, and electric suction toilet, while the kitchenette is fully equipped with an induction stove, range hood, sink, microwave oven, 133 L refrigerator, and a full set of kitchenware.
On the electrical front, it packs a 24V/920 Ah lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, a 5 kW inverter/charger, and a power management system with all the bells and whistles, including a city power outlet, indoor lighting, exhaust fan switches, and an outdoor power interface. Climate control is covered by a full AC and heating system, complete with a 4 kW oil heater. Entertainment-wise, there’s a TV, a 5G wireless router, and Bose speakers because, even in the wild, quality sound matters.
All of this is housed inside a frameless, hot-pressed, all-carbon fiber sandwich structure, making this camper both durable and lightweight. And in case you’re wondering, yes, the Armadillo Crawler S Unimog 4X4 Camper Truck is real, and yes, you can own one—if you have 5.39 million yuan (~740K USD) lying around.
Images: Armadillo [CH].
