When you’re looking for a travel trailer for the family, what are the main things you should consider? It can be a difficult process narrowing down what works best for your family. You may consider things like sleeping capacity, quality of components, and weight of the RV. Today, I want to show you why I think the MDC XL15-4E is one of the best options out there for families craving adventure and looking to create lifelong memories.
Today I will give you some reasons why I think the MDC 15 is the perfect compact trailer for a family of 4.
The MDC XL15-4E Off-Grid Camping in Utah
FAMILY-FRIENDLY DESIGN
One of the coolest features of the MDC XL15-4E is that it is a hybrid camper. This means that during storage and towing, it is more compact, and when you get to camp, you open it up to create a large, spacious interior. The “E” in the camper’s name stands for electric, because the canvas rooftop pops up using electric motors, making the process simpler than ever.
The back also pops out with gas-assisted struts on the tires and roof. Personally, I have done this whole process with just one finger in about a minute—setting up this camper is simple and easy. I have had experience with other hybrid campers that lack the electronic raising roof and gas-assisted struts, which can sometimes turn setting up the trailer into a tedious workout. At ROA, we believe camping is about creating lifelong memories with your family, not about spending too much time just setting up your camper.
MDC 15 Exterior Pop Out
SLEEPING SPACES
Once you open up your camper, you’ll have a KING-size bed in the rear for mom and dad (and maybe a small child can squeeze in), and bunk beds for two in the front of the camper. I love the way MDC has designed this floor plan to be perfect for families.
The bunk beds are wide and long, making them spacious enough that even an adult could sleep there. Each bunk has its own reading light so the kids can stay up reading without keeping the rest of the family awake. With this floor plan and sleeping arrangements, it is ideal for a family of four.
As I hinted at earlier, you could always fit a small child on the king bed with mom and dad if you have a family of five. For very small children, the booth can be used as a small bed.
Inside view from the rear of the interior
COOKING SPACES
In the Australian Outback, cooking for the family outside is part of the experience. The MDC 15’s outside kitchen design elevates the outdoor cooking experience to a new level that feels just right while camping. The outdoor kitchen is secured with one push latch and an additional locking mechanism, secured with a 1/4 inch steel bracket.
When you pull this kitchen out, you’ll notice its sleek stainless steel design, which is highly resistant to corrosion. While cooking, you’ll enjoy the 3-burner Thetford stove, which has higher BTU outputs than we’ve ever seen on an RV stovetop burner. The large burner outputs 9,800 BTU, while the smaller burners have an output of 6,300 BTU. To put that in context, most off-road RVs come equipped with stovetops that reach a maximum output of 5,800 BTU. This means even the smaller burners on the MDC Thetford stove have more output than the large burners on other comparable overland trailers. This stove will cook what you need quickly, just like your stove at home!
After cooking those delicious burgers, you’ll love having the outdoor sink that is plumbed directly into the water lines with cold and hot water. Just above the sink, there’s a utility rack that can be used to hold spices, sauces, or to dry your dishes at the end of the night.
Outdoor Kitchen on the MDC XL15-4E
Not only do you get an incredible outdoor cooking space, but you also get an indoor kitchen! Just next to the front door, you’ll find another kitchen space with a 3-burner Thetford stove and a sink plumbed with hot and cold water. Many people ask, “Why waste the space with an indoor kitchen if you have an outside one already?” There are two reasons: weather and convenience.
If it’s stormy, cold, blistering hot, or any other kind of unpleasant conditions, you don’t want to be cooking outside battling the elements. Bring it inside and use the same high-output stove! The other reason is convenience. Sometimes, you just want to enjoy a lazy morning and stay in your pajamas and slippers while you warm up some water for coffee. You can do that with the indoor kitchen.
Overall, you’ll love the options the MDC 15 gives you with the indoor and outdoor kitchen areas.
Interior Kitchen Space on MDC 15
AWNING AND ANNEX ROOM
People often get a camper like the MDC XL15-4E to spend more time with their loved ones and to enjoy the great outdoors. This camper features a 13’8″ electric awning that deploys with just the push of a button, providing protection from the sun and any precipitation. The awning covers the entire passenger side, including the outdoor kitchen and storage compartments.
Once the awning is out, you can set up a full annex room that nearly doubles the width of the trailer, giving you a fully enclosed living space outside the camper. This annex stretches from the back to the front of the camper on the passenger side. The great thing about the annex is that it comes included with the purchase of your camper! By setting up the annex, you can even accommodate more people outside by setting up some cots, or they can rough it on the ground since the annex includes a PVC ground cover.
The annex is an incredible feature that can make your MDC 15 feel like a completely different camper! See an example below of the annex room on the Australian model.
3D Virtual Tour of MDC XL15-4E
STORAGE SPACE
Bringing the family out to adventure in the great outdoors can be lots of fun, but where do you keep all their stuff? With a family of four or more, you need to bring books, DVDs, toys, clothes, snacks, and more! Let’s dive into the storage space available on the MDC 15.
First, you get a double set of drawers and a large cabinet right below the bunk beds, making it a great spot to store the kids’ clothes, toys, and books. This space under the bunks includes six drawers, providing plenty of space for two kids to store their shirts, pants, socks, and undergarments. The large cabinet next to the drawers is perfect for storing books, games, and toys. MDC’s thoughtful storage design ensures these drawers are easily accessible from the bunk beds.
In your kitchen area, you get even more storage. Under the sink, there is a small drawer for utensils like spatulas and tongs. Below the sink drawer, a large cabinet can store larger items like a blender, toaster, or pots. Under the stove, there is a large drawer suitable for baking sheets, utensils, or cooking supplies.
The cabinet below the stove has two sliding racks that make a great pantry space for snacks. The best part is you can access it from the inside AND the outside! So, if you’re on the road and need a quick snack, you can open the outside compartment, grab your granola bar, and keep going without having to enter the camper. This small feature makes a big difference on extended trips.
The kitchen area also includes a large wardrobe/cabinet space between the main bed area and the kitchen, perfect for parents to keep their clothes and personal items.
Other outside storage includes a driver-side compartment that is carpeted, typically used to store the annex and outdoor shower room pieces. If you aren’t planning to use the annex, you can remove those items and gain extra storage space. The MDC 15 also comes with a front storage locker that holds the propane and has two compartments ideal for jerry cans, camping chairs, and other items that don’t need to be sealed against the elements.
With the MDC XL15-4E, everybody in the family has a place to store their things.
Storage cabinets in MDC 15
OFF-GRID CAPABILITY
It takes power to keep a family going! More people means more devices and more charging. With the MDC 15, you get 200 amp hours of lithium battery from day one. This lithium battery is paired with 700 watts of glass, elevated solar panels on the roof. Everything is managed through the BMPro system, which helps regulate input and output from your batteries so you never need to worry about overcharging. You can see the status of your batteries at any given moment, including how much power you are currently using.
This off-grid system also includes a 2000W Aims inverter, allowing you to use 120V appliances anywhere you camp. 120V is the standard outlet you see in residential homes, which means you can use items like a blender, toaster, or charge your laptop. As a camera enthusiast, I find it perfect for charging camera gear.
I’ve personally tested the MDC XL15-4E electrical system for weeks, including several days completely off-grid. As one of the camera guys at ROA Off-Road, we have dozens of batteries that need charging every night, along with laptops, phones, and radios. Initially, I was concerned that 200 amps of lithium might not be enough for our high power demand, but I was pleasantly surprised. We were able to charge laptops, batteries, and more overnight using the inverter without any issues.
The 700 watts of solar is mounted efficiently, elevated off the roof to allow airflow underneath, keeping the panels cool and working at optimal efficiency. The solar panels do an excellent job of recharging the battery during the day.
700 Watts of Solar
IS THE MDC XL15-4E FOR ME?
I’ve detailed the features of the MDC XL15-4E off-road family camper, but who is it really for? If I had to narrow it down, I would say it’s perfect for a family of 4-5 with a full-size 1/2 ton truck like a Ford F150 or GMC Sierra 1500. It’s ideal for people who want to expand their camping opportunities and get away from crowded campgrounds to find off-grid sites where true quality time can be spent with family.
If you think the MDC XL15-4E is for you, feel free to contact us at (801) 860-0035 and check out the video below to see it for yourself!