Thule Outset is an ‘Innovative’ Tow Bar-Mounted Tent

July 30, 2024

Thule South Africa will soon introduce the Outset, an “innovative”, tow bar-mounted tent, to its comprehensive range of adventure-focused camping equipment.

Image: Thule

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Thule’s local portfolio comprises an array of outdoor-ready camping equipment, including a range of rooftop tents. However, come mid-August 2024, the local arm of the Swedish company will offer outdoor enthusiasts with a new camping solution. It comes in the shape of the Outset, an “innovative” tent you can mount to your vehicle’s tow bar. Here’s what you can expect…

According to Jamie Owen, Marketing Manager at Thule South Africa, with the Outset, the firm “wanted to create a completely new way to camp” with “something that turns an everyday vehicle into a luxury adventure vehicle”.

Owen added, “At Thule, design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating practical, strong, and dependable products. The Thule design language involves strong forms and crisp transitions. That’s why the tent’s design features, accentuated edges, and articulated shapes communicate both strength and softness.”

Image: Thule

So, what is the Outset’s design features? Well, let’s first take a look at how it is attached to your vehicle’s tow bar. According to the firm, it takes only one person to attach the Outset to a tow bar. All it takes is wheeling it up to your vehicle, attach it, pull down the handle to secure it, and lock it in place. In addition, as the tent is attached to the back to the vehicle — instead of fixing it to the roof — the vehicle’s fuel or, in the case of an electric vehicle, electricity consumption aren’t influenced by that much.

Upon setting up the Outset, the elevated tent, which features a “plush” mattress, provides easy ingress and egress, and a panoramic view of the surrounds. In addition, you can detach it from the tow bar.

“The birth of an innovation often begins with a spark of inspiration. For [the] Thule Outset, that spark was a desire to revolutionise camping solutions.”