There are countless travel trailer and camper designs out there in the world, but today we’re going to take a closer look at the European units, i.e. those available in North America, which is a rare case in my opinion. Here’s what you can expect from the Siesta S3 from Noah Trailers.
Folks, the sturdy, rugged machine you see in the image gallery is none other than the Siesta S3 from Noah Trailers. It’s a travel trailer designed to give North Americans the tools to explore the wild world around them. But don’t get us wrong, Noah originated in Europe, so expect to encounter a machine that’s a bit different in terms of style and features.
How different is it? One image in the gallery shows a fully-fledged campsite with annexes and rooftop tents centred around S3. Frankly, it looks like an adult-sized, boxy fort, with emphasis on the word “fort”.
Photo: Noah’s trailer
Well, the S3 starts with a galvanized steel chassis, and Noah has added independent coil spring suspension to take on America’s toughest roads and trails. Heck, you might even be able to carve out some yourself.
Using the base set, Noah creates the seamless shell we see. I say seamless because the manufacturer built the S3 with just one piece of fiberglass body. What does this mean for people like you and me? It means a lot, actually.
Firstly, this type of construction is ideal for withstanding the elements as sand, dirt, mud and water cannot get inside the unit unless there is a crack or leak somewhere. As a result, the unit is designed to last for a long time.
But there’s a catch to this kind of build: they’re often expensive, and I understand why. But to my surprise, I was able to track down a 2024 S3 unit, which retails for around $35,000, depending on features and options. Honestly, that’s a very good price for this kind of mobile habitat.
Photo: Noah’s trailer
All of this is made possible by the fact that Noah manufactures these units in a country that has recently seen an explosion in campervan popularity: none other than Turkey. The country has been churning out design after design in recent years, with much of what we see owing to German influence. The two countries have a long history of working together across countless industries, including RVs and travel trailers.
One thing the S3 doesn’t lack is storage space. While the manufacturer’s website has a few typos that can make it hard to read, Noah states that the S3 has an overall “cargo capacity” (storage space) of 950 quarts. That’s 237 gallons of space. This is made possible by the lateral lockers we see, the nose cone box, and the overhead space made possible by the roof-mounted rack.
Also on the outside, the S3 has a galley at the very back, which they call a teardrop. With that in mind, lift the rear hatch and you’ll find a cooler, a sink, a faucet, a slide-out stove, and some countertop space and shelves for utensils and other items.
Before you step inside and head to the fairly simple sleeping area, take a moment during your busy day to imagine yourself inside this unit. Even better, imagine yourself as the owner of this unit. With that being said, what would your campsite look like?
Photo: Noah’s trailer
Do you want to build an annex and expand your accommodation beyond the four rooms (with rooftop tent)? Do you have solar panels to soak up free energy from the sun? As you can see, the S3 also lists electric bikes and kayaks, which means that whatever you have in mind, you can make it happen with the S3.
Inside this sleeping quarters on wheels you’ll find a large sleeping area spanning the full width of the S3, plus further cabinets and shelves for personal belongings. At one end of the cabin you’ll find a row of LED lighting that casts a healthy glow, as well as a view of the entertainment centre.
There’s just one problem with the S3: the manufacturer’s website doesn’t say much about its off-grid capabilities, only mentioning 14 gallons of fresh water as standard equipment. The rest seems to be all optional, but looking at the images, you can see that the “options” on the S3 cost a pretty penny. Still, $35,000 (€32,200) at current exchange rates isn’t bad, right?
All you really have to do from here is find a local dealer that might have it in stock, hop in, enjoy the Turkish craftsmanship, and go from there. Just remember to have your checkbook ready, and if things are as good as you think they are, you might just leave the store with your new camper.
