This is one of them. It's called Qixing RV, and for now, it's only available in its home country of China, and it's made by a company with the same name. Qixing RV was founded 20 years ago, and in recent years, it's specialized in hardtop pop-up campers like the double-floor luxury vehicle that debuted late last year as a 2024 model year.
Its layout and ability to expand into a campsite aren’t exactly unusual, though there are a few things that make it stand out. In 2021, a concept called the SAIC Maxus Life Home V90 Villa Edition was shown to the public at trade shows nationwide, before eventually going into production. It may very well be the one that started it all.
The Qixing RV uses the same approach as an expanding camper, to offer familiar comforts but with a touch of luxury (*”luxury” is a relative term here). The Qixing RV is a classic case of “business in front, party in the back” but vertically: it is a real family caravan on the ground floor and a luxurious living room on top. The latter becomes available only after setting up the camp.
Photo: Qixing RV
Built on a Ford chassis, the Qixing RV, or Star Milk River Motorhome Villa Ford by its other name, can accommodate a total of six people, with seatbelted seats for six more while traveling. Its compact dimensions while traveling ensure ease of use and quick maneuverability; the camper is 595 cm (234 in) long, 245 cm (96.5 in) wide and 309 cm (121.6 in) high and has an empty weight of 4,750 kg (10,472 lb), with a gross weight of 5,250 kg (11,574 lb).
At camp, the Qixing camper pops out and lifts up, more than doubling the living space. There’s a large slide-out in back that will become the master bedroom with a king-size mattress and a pop-up hardtop that becomes the second floor. A staircase leads to this area, which can function as an entertainment lounge with a pull-down projector, a party spot, or a full-size bedroom for extra guests.
At the front, just above the cabin, is a recessed seating area, open to the elements on the sides but protected from the sun. This area can be closed off with curtains and separated from the lounge with a divider, in line with the official description of this as a “romantic terrace.”
Photo: Qixing RV
According to the same description, this terrace can become a “pool with fish spa” which would be the coolest and most unexpected feature ever seen on a camper, unless it's a translation error.
The entire second floor is equipped with automatic safety railings and air conditioning, as well as walls that appear to be inspired by nature and that are supposed to reproduce, at least visually, the feeling of being outdoors.
The ground floor is as compact as you might imagine, but still has all the must-haves on the caravan checklist. There's a dinette with seating for four that converts to a double bed, a small kitchen, and an equally small bathroom.
Photo: Qixing RV
The kitchen has a bathroom-style sink, perhaps because it's the same sink that serves the wet bathroom, where, for space reasons, you'll only find the toilet and shower. A single-burner stovetop is visible in the promotional materials, but you could supplement that with a portable unit. On the other hand, you have two medium-sized refrigerators and what seems like a considerable amount of storage options.
Features of this rolling villa include a Daikin AC unit, an air heater, safety driving features, a rearview camera, and a 300W roof-mounted solar panel connected to a 400Ah battery and 3,000W inverter. You can optionally upgrade to 1,600W of solar and an 800Ah battery for extended range, or add a parking support leg for added stability. Qixing RV also says it can work with the customer to create a fully customized interior, though we assume that means keeping the original layout.
The Qixing RV also features a 120-liter (31.7 gallon) fresh water tank, 60-liter (15.8 gallon) hot water tank, and 70-liter (18.5 gallon) grey water tank, 220V/12V outlets, and RV-style hookups for water and electricity. Outside, it offers an outdoor kitchen with a fold-out table that doubles as a prep space, and a generous pass-through garage for additional storage.
Photo: Qixing RV
The body of this campervan is alloy, but the top is fiberglass. The description says nothing about the expansion mechanism, but automation is a safe bet. However, they do point out that it has been tested for all-season use and is reliable in terms of water and cold resistance.
The Qixing RV retails for $128,000 to $158,000, but since it's only available in its home country, that part is perhaps the least relevant.
Some Chinese-made RVs have started to make their way overseas, like the Deddle RV we recently covered. They also offer 6-berth capacity in a very compact footprint and use slide-outs to maximize living space at the campsite, but they have yet to add a second floor on top, with a fish spa, no less! This makes the Qixing RV something of a unicorn.