Redefining the tent trailer
Designing a new Holtkamper camping equipment concept
B.B. Dollé (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
E.D. van Grondelle – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
M.C. Haans – Mentor (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
Floris Holtkamp – Mentor
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Abstract
This report presents the graduation project which was conducted for the MSc Integrated Product Design at the Delft technical university of Technology. The project was performed in collaboration with Holtkamper. The Project means to design an innovative camping equipment concept, that responds to the changing camping landscape, integrates user and owner experience, while building on the strong heritage of Holtkamper brand.
The camping equipment landscape currently experiences limited innovation, while the demand grows for experience-driven and nature oriented travel. At the same time it is seen that the campers (kampeerders) are shifting towards reconnecting with nature and escaping the fast-paced digital world. This creates a growing imbalance between the current products, and evolving user needs. This project aims to build on this imbalance.
To address this challenge, a multi layered research was conducted, consisting of context analysis, user/owner research, and a future vision generation which used the Vision in Product (ViP) design method. The outcomes present identified tensions within the camping and travel landscape; user tensions and desires related to functionality, product handling, spontaneous travel, and usability. Design drivers were synthesised from the research to guide the consecutive design process.
Through ideation, concepting, and development activities, the Holtkamper Glider concept was created. It introduces a new approach to tent trailer travel and camping, by enabling new, spontaneous and nature oriented use cases. The key to this is embedded in the compact and modular architecture. Core features include a single motion set up, reduced weather and rain dependence through integrated drying and ventilation. And lastly an adaptable modular layout that allows adapts to the user and use case.
The concept demonstrates how camping equipment can evolve towards more flexible, experience-driven, and future-relevant solutions. While not intended as a production-ready design, the Glider concept provides actionable directions and inspiration for future Holtkamper products and the broader camping equipment landscape.