QUQUQ is internationally recognised for their camp boxes which turn a wide range of commercial vans, family estates, and 4x4s into campers. The arguments in favour of the QUQUQ solution include quick installation (literally within minutes), double bed, twin burner stove, fridge, and even a sink complete with running water.
Consequently, it didn’t come as a surprise when QUQUQ announced their latest edition to the range: a camping box for the INEOS Grenadier which potentially makes a rooftop tent redundant insofar as it provides a bed and essential kitchen equipment including a gas stove, sink water tanks, and two chairs.
BOX MATERIAL
The main box structure is made of glued waterproof plywood with a phenolic resin coating, aluminium profiles, steel hinges, and flight case handles. The finish is typical for QUQUQ’s high standards, made in-Germany.
INSTALLATION
Installing the box into the back of a Grenadier is a little more complicated than other vehicles because the rear doors do not open more 90°. Consequently, to put the box into the load area, it is beneficial to have a third pair of hands because the carrying handles are on the left and right sides of the box and there isn’t enough space to squeeze a person between the box and the doors.
Once in position, the box is secured with four ratchet straps.
SPACE
With the box positioned flush with the closed rear doors, the second row seats can be locked in their upright position. However, the bed panels that support the mattress stow just above the headrests, so, from a safety point of view, you shouldn’t use the rear seats for passengers with the QUQUQ installed.
With the second row seats folded down, you do gain extra storage space, but you need to relocate whatever items are there when it’s time to assemble the bed.
BED
The bed construction is typical for QUQUQ and comprises three hinged panels in Z-formation which are unfolded and extended towards the front of the car. This is achieved in one single action with the mattress in place. The forward-most panel is suspended on ropes which are looped around the two legs of each of the front seat headrests.
The mattress comprises three panels of 10 cm thick foam which assembles into a comfortably firm bed 1.20 m wide and 1.90 m long. However, there are two protruding hinges between the first and second supporting panel and close to the outer edges which are quite prominent when the mattress compresses.
KITCHEN
Open the front panel and fold it down to create a shelf capable of supporting 15 kg—enough to prepare and serve food on.
Pull the cooking drawer out of its compartment on the left and you will find a two-burner gas stove with storage beneath for pots, pans and crockery.
The centre section of the kitchen provides a space large enough to house either a Eurobox or a cooler, such as the YETI Hopper Flip 18, along with other items.
The right section has one empty space for small items, storage for the two supplied 10-litre water canisters (one with a tap), and a metal sink.
ENTRANCE
Entering the sleeping quarters is easiest via the back doors. The mattress surface is 144 cm above ground level which doesn’t present a huge problem because you can use the rear bumper as a step. However, the space to wriggle through and onto the mattress is only 50 cm high (or 44 cm at the door latch) and this can be challenging for tall and/or well-built individuals.
Once inside, you need to turn around to close the doors behind you. With two people, it’s a bit tight if you also take into account that the restricted headroom prevents most people from sitting upright.
CONCLUSION
The Grenadier’s interior is not ideal if you want to convert it into sleeping quarters. In order to create a bed 1.90 m long for two people, the driver and front passenger seats need to be pushed all the way to the front and their backs tilted forwards as far as they will go. Even then, the surface of the 10 cm thick mattress needs to be 1.44 m above ground level which in turn limits headroom. But hey, we’re here to sleep, not to sit.
Something that needs to be overcome is the fact that Grenadier rear doors weren’t designed to be closed from the inside and consequently don’t have any handles to pull.
But boiling it all down and accepting that there will always be some compromise, the Grenadier version of the QUQUQ camping box is designed for two people travelling with a minimum of gear—unless they are storing items on the car roof—and provides a kitchen with space for pots, pans, crockery and other items, a sink with water, and a couple of chairs.
Two strong features typical for QUQUQ are, firstly, the Grenadier remains a practical daily driver because the camp box can be removed leaving the load area free. Secondly, if you use window blinds, such as the BlidimaX Black, you can sleep in your car in the middle of a town with nobody being the wiser that you are there—unless you tend to snore loudly.
from €3,190 | QUQUQ