Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Haul your car camping gear smarter and faster with the Orion powered smart wagon

With a 180-pound payload capacity, this next-gen wagon easily transports all your heaviest gear from A to B.

Young couple walking with their dog alongside a Litefar Orion smart wagon.
Litefar

Campers have been hauling their camp loadouts with wagons for almost as long as people have been recreationally camping. But moving your favorite camp gear from A to B can still be a hassle. Hong Kong startup Litefar is looking to upend the wagon world (if there is such a thing) with its Orion powered smart wagon.

The Orion boasts four heavy-duty rubber wheels. Twin 500-watt hub motors (not unlike those found in many of the best e-bikes) power the rear, capable of propelling the wagon at up to 4.4 miles per hour. The speed is user-adjustable via the included LumiMote. This wireless remote has a range of almost 40 feet and features a joystick, an electronic brake button, and even a “hold” feature that essentially locks the Orion in place. The latter feature is particularly useful on hills or slippery terrain. Built-in AI enables additional smart features to, for example, send more power to the rear wheels on steep inclines or lightly apply the brakes when going downhill.

Wireless remote controlling a Litefar Orion powered smart wagon.
Litefar

It’s all powered by a beefy 24,000-mAh battery that Litefar claims will keep the Orion humming for more than six miles. Plus, that same battery doubles as a portable USB power bank for your tech gadgets at camp.

Recommended Videos

Most impressive, however, is just how much it can haul. Litefar is touting a payload capacity of 180 pounds, making it ideal for schlepping your heaviest overlanding and camp gear (think portable solar generators). Plus, it’s designed to tow more than 400 pounds!

Early adopters can secure one of the first Orion powered smart wagons on Kickstarter right now. Against a meager $9,000 goal, the project is already way overfunded, with more than $300,000 and counting at the time of this writing.

Topics
Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
7 camping accessories that take your adventures to the next level
No need to be bored while camping! Try one of these camping accessories.
camping in the fall around campfire.

One of the best parts of camping is to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but that doesn't mean that you have to leave convenience behind. Camping accessories are supplementary items that enhance your camping adventures beyond the basic necessities like tents and sleeping bags, and if your camping experience is starting to feel lackluster, you might just be in luck. Here are our favorite camping accessories to take on the road with you.
Grill basket from Shizzo

Some camp sites have grills, but not all of them do. If you're left with just a camp fire ring to work with, then The Shizzo Grill Basket will give you an option for a nice, hot meal. This set includes the grill basket, a basting brush, grilling gloves, and a portable case. The basket itself is deep and wide enough for all kinds of dishes from hamburgers to steak, seafood, or veggies, and it has a secure locking mechanism so you can easily flip your BBQ-of-choice. Best of all, it's made with high-quality stainless steel so it will pack light and you can easily stick it in the dishwasher when you get back home.

Read more
How to choose the perfect sleeping pad for winter camping (plus, top picks)
Don't go winter camping without a sleeping pad
Woman with a headlamp camping in a winter tent surrounded by snow.

No matter how thick your winter sleeping bag is, you'll lose the battle with the cold if you don't have a sleeping pad. Sleeping pads serve two very important purposes: insulation and comfort, both of which are critical for winter camping. In this article, we'll explain what to look for when you go out to buy your sleeping pad, as well as our best sleeping pad for winter camping.
What to look for in a sleeping pad for winter camping

What is an R-value?
The resistance value, also known as R-value, is the measure of thermal resistance or the effectiveness of your insulating material. In the context of your sleeping pad, it indicates how well the pad prevents heat loss from your body to the cold ground. The higher the R-value, the more effective your sleeping pad will be at keeping you warm. For winter adventures, we recommend a rating of 4.5 for moderate winter conditions, 5 if you're expecting to see temperatures below freezing.
Types of sleeping pads
Air pads are going to be your best bet if you're looking for something super compact, however they come with some drawbacks. Since they are not super durable, you can accidentally puncture a hole in one fairly easily. Blowing them up by mouth will also introduce moisture into the pad, which can reduce its insulating properties. That said, they're pretty comfortable and you can adjust the firmness by deflating the pad to your preference. Most campers recommend putting down a closed-cell sleeping pad below the air pad to keep it from scraping against the ground.

Read more
Orion’s 365 Ford XL camper van has room for five and all your outdoor gear
Live, work, sleep, play — this compact Transit van is one of the smartest camper van builds we've ever seen.
orion 365 ford transit camper van

Ford's Transit van has been a favorite for van-life customizers for years and with good reason. The largest model is like a perfect blank slate: Roomy enough to pack everything you need for life on the road, yet versatile enough to customize every last cubic inch. And that's exactly what Milwaukee's Orion Motors has done with its flagship Orion 365 camper van.
Get the low-down on Orion Motors' 365 Ford XL camper van

At its core, the Orion 365 is "the only camper van on the market that can drive 5+, sleep 5, and still have the space of a cargo van." That's according to Orion Motors, and it's a distinction that clearly separates its flagship build from every other on the market. Every custom Orion 365 begins life as a high-roof, 264-inch Ford Transit Extended Length van — one of the roomiest of its kind, making it a perfect canvas for building out a seriously capable van-life rig.

Read more