Size matters. And that's definitely the case when it comes to outdoor recreation vehicles. Some like
it big, some like it compact, and there's a vast range sitting in between each extreme.
While the average length of a touring caravan sits between 19 and 20 feet,
today, we're interested in the smaller size, mini-campers, and caravans.
I'm Glenn, and let's get to it.
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Designed for active adventurers and nomads alike, the Mini Freestyle 270
is the smallest mini caravan engineered by the French manufacturer, Trigano.
At just 13 feet in length, the 270 is unassuming, especially from the outside.
But once you open the large rear load door, the amount of functional space is quite impressive.
The central aisle features a rail so you can bring your motorbike or bicycles along
for the adventure. Pull your bike out at your campsite, and you're left with a roomy interior.
It comes equipped with a dinette at the front that converts into a double bed,
a kitchen module, and a pop-up roof that extends your headroom past 6' 3".
Power comes courtesy of a 230V transformer, switch, and charger
that powers three internal sockets. Still, under 15ft at 14.5ft in length,
the premium model in the range is the Mini Freestyle 300 Racing Edition. One main difference
between the 270 and the 300 Racer is that your motorbike doesn't have to sleep outside at night.
The extra cabin length means, depending on your bed configuration, you can snuggle your ride all
night long if that's what tickles your fancy. The 300 also features a portable toilet as
well as an internal, removable, heated shower system that operates in the aisle
with a tray and shower curtain. It's packed away easily when you're done!
While the 300 does come with a pre-installed battery as standard,
there's no word on whether solar and inverter options can be added as an extra.
For travelers with an eye for DIY and love of customization,
Woodenwidget is a fascinating company. You won't find a retail store or partners selling
their campers or caravans. They sell detailed plans and instructions to build your own.
Think of them as the IKEA of the outdoor world with plans of everything from cabins
to bikes to canoes and campers. One such design is the Slidavan
lightweight telescopic caravan. At only 660 pounds and 10 and a half feet in length,
this super lightweight trailer can be towed by almost any car on the market.
The first thing you'll notice is the unique telescopic design.
Woodenwidget decided to dispense with a pop-up roof, going with a pop-up body shell instead
to double the interior space quickly and easily. The unique curved roof gives a total of six
feet of headroom at its extended height. Inside there are two settee bunks for two
single berths or their convertible to a double bed. There are also modules for a kitchenette, sink,
and storage galore. Woodenwidget says that
the Slidavan can be built by even the most novice people in around 200 hours, costing
about 3,500 Euros in materials to complete. But the coolest part about the Slidavan is
its customization. Woodenwidget gives you the plans for the bare bones, but it's up to you
to let your innovative and creative mind work. Eager enthusiasts have added hydraulic lifts,
solar systems, outdoor showers, and even climate control.
What would you install in your very own custom Slidavan? Let us know in the comments!
Speaking of custom caravans. An honorable mention has to go to this rustic-yet-functional Modern
Gypsy Vardo Camp Wagon. Looking like a cross between a Scandinavian sauna and
a 19th-century wagon, this 15ft long camper was hand-crafted with marine-grade plywood, redwood,
pine beadboard, and cedar trim throughout. The XL bed can sleep up to two people with plenty
of configurable storage below and throughout the kitchen cabinetry. A 10amp solar system and
marine battery power the LED lightings, USB and 12V cigarette ports, and 4 110V outlets.
Kip Caravans has a long history stretching back to 1934. Initially an investor in stagecoaches,
founder Jan Kip built himself a caravan in 1947, which was just meant for his personal use.
The caravan became famous in his hometown of Hoogeveen in the Netherlands,
and he went on to build 20 more the following year for private buyers. By 1949, the first
standard Kip caravans were being produced and rolled out to dealers across Europe.
More than 70 years on, Kip manufactures innovative,
functional campers for the 21st century. One such camper is the Kip Shelter.
This sleek teardrop camper aims to blend caravan and tent living to enjoy both the
outdoors and secure comfort on a night's sleep. The Kip Shelter range comes in three models,
the Basic, the luxurious Plus, and the rugged Off-road.
The primary shelter features a spacious dinette that converts into a double bed,
loads of storage, and a pop-up roof that extends the headroom to 6 and a half feet.
The Plus model features a large front window for the perfect view and is stocked with
premium extras, including an indoor or outdoor kitchen, a 20L fridge, underfloor heating,
and pipelines for gas and plumbing. For the road less traveled, the Off-road model
comes equipped with all the features of the Plus minus the window but adds in a raised chassis,
extra carrying capacity, and stable corner steadies.
And if you're all about that view, Kip created a one-off concept camper they dubbed the "Shelter
Panoramic." It's a camper, that's more window than a camper. Most amenities, including the kitchen,
shower, and storage, have been moved to the outside to maximize the space inside.
Sleeping two or housing a bike or three, the Shelter Panoramic may just be a concept for now.
Still, if Kip feels like there is enough interest,
it may just decide on launching the line for real.
Are you a glamper, or do you like to sleep rough? What are your must-have inclusions
for your camper or mini-van? Let us know in the comments!
American company Airstream has been producing its iconic aluminum travel trailers since the 1930s.
Synonymous with legendary road trips, wild American adventures,
and braving the hectic highways, Airstreams have been featured in countless movies, TV shows and
even find themselves displayed in museums for their cultural significance!
Their latest range of shiny, reflective, single-axle caravans, adorably named Bambi,
have been produced since 2019. Bambi comes in an assortment of sizes and floorplans,
one of which is 2021 16RB, measuring exactly 16 feet in length.
The surprisingly roomy interior sleeps four,
two in the rear double bed and another two snugly in the convertible dinette space.
In the center of the Bambi is a large clothes storage area and a kitchen equipped with a stove,
sink, microwave, and refrigerator. Across the hall is a full-featured European-style wet bathroom
complete with a sink, toilet, and shower that can be converted to work outside as well.
Also included as standard is an LED HD TV with an antenna, air conditioning,
and an integrated Bluetooth stereo system. While not standard, there is the option to
add a 90W solar package complete with inverter and AGM batteries.
The only complaint with the Bambi 16RB is that reversing can be a little
tricky. Vision can be poor, and reversing sensors and cameras don't come standard.
Maybe just bring a friend along who is good at directing.
It doesn't get much more rugged than the South African wilderness when it comes to brutal,
unforgiving terrain.
For over 30 years, Conqueror Off-Road Campers have been crafting durable military-grade equipment to
withstand the harsh South African environment. In fact, their first clients were the military
before they expanded into the leisure and camping industry.
The UEV-14 is a robust, feature-packed camper built for toughness,
reliability, and a surprising level of luxury.
Featuring a lightweight aluminum frame, reinforced composite panels, and epoxy coating,
the UEV-14 sits on an independent D-arm with double shock absorbers,
16" aluminum rims, corner stabilizer jacks, and an auto-reverse coupler with run-in braking.
Once you expand the sleeping module and enter via the rear access door,
you'll find a patented and industry-first Side Foldout Double Bed,
dimmable LED lighting, an optional media center, and plenty of interior storage.
Back outside and every compartment seems to contain
another well-engineered and discrete amenity.
A 270-degree "insta-awning" descends from the
roof and assembles within seconds using integrated dropdown poles.
An external kitchen comes complete with a two-burner stove, pantry, hot and cold
water plumbing, cutlery, and fridge storage, as well as a fully retractable prep space.
The outdoor heated shower comes equipped with a private cubicle and auto-shutoff water pump.
Other compartments house external bins, jerry cans, tools, and supplies as needed.
For power, two deep cycle batteries with 12V DC charging come standard,
but an additional solar package is needed if you want to go both off-road and off-grid.
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