Outdoors

Stylish caravan cabriolet peels back its roof to connect with nature

Stylish caravan cabriolet peels back its roof to connect with nature
Lume's all-new Traveler caravan
Lume's all-new Traveler caravan
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The Traveler features insulated aluminum sandwich construction with exposed rivets
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The Traveler features insulated aluminum sandwich construction with exposed rivets 
Lume will be showing the Traveler at this month's Caravan Salon
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Lume will be showing the Traveler at this month's Caravan Salon
The Traveler looks similar to a horse or cargo trailer, but Lume gives it just enough individual flair to make it stand out when driving by
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The Traveler looks similar to a horse or cargo trailer, but Lume gives it just enough individual flair to make it stand out when driving by
The Lume Traveler has an impressive outdoor kitchen with dual gas burners, cool box, sink and gas BBQ hookup
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The Lume Traveler has an impressive outdoor kitchen with dual gas burners, cool box, sink and gas BBQ hookup
Lume Traveler caravan
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Lume Traveler caravan
It's hard to see in this picture, but the Lume galley has a second burner diagonal to the front one, toward the corner
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It's hard to see in this picture, but the Lume galley has a second burner diagonal to the front one, toward the corner
The Traveler's kitchen is a nice blend of style and function
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The Traveler's kitchen is a nice blend of style and function
The Lume Traveler rides on 15-in wheels
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The Lume Traveler rides on 15-in wheels
The Traveler is designed to get you closer to nature, cooking, eating and living outside
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The Traveler is designed to get you closer to nature, cooking, eating and living outside
The No. 1 limited edition Traveler offers high-end specs like teak flooring and wool felt upholstery
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The No. 1 limited edition Traveler offers high-end specs like teak flooring and wool felt upholstery
Lume offers three trims: the empty Shell, the Basic and the flagship No. 1
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Lume offers three trims: the empty Shell, the Basic and the flagship No. 1
Lume's all-new Traveler caravan
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Lume's all-new Traveler caravan
Lume's all-new Traveler caravan
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Lume's all-new Traveler caravan
Lume's all-new Traveler caravan
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Lume's all-new Traveler caravan
The Traveler weighs around 2,200 lb in No. 1 trim
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The Traveler weighs around 2,200 lb in No. 1 trim
A 100-watt solar panel is available optionally or standard, depending on model
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A 100-watt solar panel is available optionally or standard, depending on model
It looks like Lume will offer plenty of interior color options
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It looks like Lume will offer plenty of interior color options
The roll-up felt shades add a classic touch
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The roll-up felt shades add a classic touch
The wool felt side wall upholstery leads to the leather rear wall of the Traveler No. 1
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The wool felt side wall upholstery leads to the leather rear wall of the Traveler No. 1
The highlight of the Lume Traveler: a retractable soft-top that brings occupants a little closer to the natural world
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The highlight of the Lume Traveler: a retractable soft-top that brings occupants a little closer to the natural world 
Enjoying the view out of the cabriolet top
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Enjoying the view out of the cabriolet top
The Traveler includes a large, well-equipped tailgate galley
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The Traveler includes a large, well-equipped tailgate galley
This photo better shows the dual PITT burners
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This photo better shows the dual PITT burners
Inside the Lume Traveler No. 1
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Inside the Lume Traveler No. 1 
The cool box slides out on a drawer
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The cool box slides out on a drawer
Inside the new Lume Traveler
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Inside the new Lume Traveler
Lume Traveler outdoor kitchen
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Lume Traveler outdoor kitchen
Enjoying the open air views in the Lume Traveler
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Enjoying the open air views in the Lume Traveler
View gallery - 28 images

The Düsseldorf Caravan Salon is charging full-steam ahead, which means the next few weeks should see the debut of some of the sleekest, most groundbreaking motorhome and caravan designs of the year. One such design is the all-new Lume Traveler, a smooth-cornered box trailer with an interesting twist – it's a convertible. The fabric soft-top pulls away to connect occupants with nature, bringing in fresh air and unimpeded views of starry night skies.

European media outlets have compared the Lume Traveler to both an Airstream and a horse trailer. Both comparisons are apt, but the Traveler also has some serious presence all its own – even before you get to the convertible roof. Rivets and lower body strakes help to give the distinctively boxy but smooth aluminum shell plenty of character. And unlike an Airstream or horse trailer, the Traveler's oversized rear hatch opens up access to a spacious outdoor kitchen.

The kitchen area features a clean design more reminiscent of a modern luxury apartment than a camper. The PITT gas burners are integrated seamlessly atop the stainless steel worktop, while on the opposite side, a wash basin, faucet emerging from the backsplash and cutting board lid combine to create a sink. The 40-L cool box slides out from a drawer below the counter, and other lower and upper storage areas hold cookware, dishes and tools. A gas connection allows the owner to throw a gas grill into the outdoor meal prep mix.

The Traveler includes a large, well-equipped tailgate galley
The Traveler includes a large, well-equipped tailgate galley

The interior is every bit as impressive as the exterior thanks to the emphasis on natural, modern and sustainable materials. Teak flooring and a leather rear wall create a warm ambiance quite distinct from other caravans. The walls are upholstered in soft, dirt-repellent wool felt, and roll-up felt curtains cover the windows at night. Lume also offers alternative selections, such as oak or linoleum flooring and linen or wood rear wall trim.

With the kitchen outside, the Traveler interior is dedicated to the adjustable double bed. The bed doesn't fill up the entire cabin, as you'd see on a teardrop trailer, and photos show a clear entry path past the foot of the bed, along with a cabinet/dresser unit against the front wall. Buyers can go au naturel or add modern technologies like a 32-in flat screen, Wi-Fi connectivity or a seven-speaker Bose audio system.

Inside the Lume Traveler No. 1
Inside the Lume Traveler No. 1 

As you might have gathered, we would have been inclined to feature the Lume Traveler even without its convertible functionality, owing to its modern, distinctive design. But we reckon it's high time to get to that defining feature.

Made from Sunbrella fabric, the 6 x 3.6-foot (1.85 x 1.1-m) soft panel stretches across most of the roof. The fabric retracts to let in fresh air, open up a full view of the sky and create an all-around more tent-like living experience. Lume's convertible system includes a built-in screen so that you can enjoy the view while still keeping bugs out.

The soft-top doesn't quite stretch from edge to edge because it shares the roof with a 100-watt solar panel that helps to power onboard equipment.

The highlight of the Lume Traveler: a retractable soft-top that brings occupants a little closer to the natural world
The highlight of the Lume Traveler: a retractable soft-top that brings occupants a little closer to the natural world 

The convertible roof helps the Traveler fill a niche between a tent and a more traditional hard-side/roof caravan. It brings sleepers closer to the raw nature just outside the walls and provides an airier, more natural camping experience than the traditional travel trailer without interfering with the superior element protection of four hard sides.

The Lume Traveler features aluminum sandwich panel construction and rides atop a Knott chassis and 15-in wheels shod in 195/70 R15 tires. It weighs in around 2,200 lb (1,000 kg) and measures 17 x 6.6 x 6.9 ft (5.2 x 2 x 2.1 m, Length with drawbar x Width x Height). It can hold up to 770 lb (350 kg) of additional weight.

The Traveler weighs around 2,200 lb in No. 1 trim
The Traveler weighs around 2,200 lb in No. 1 trim

With its standard convertible top and other upmarket amenities, the range-topping, limited-edition Traveler No. 1 fulfills the complete vision of Lume founder Hein van de Laar, who wanted to be able to enjoy nature in home-like comfort. All its style and premium materials don't come cheap, and the flagship trim starts at €46,500 (approx. US$53,600), rising quickly over €50K if you start packaging in options like a polished aluminum exterior (in place of anodized aluminum), Wi-Fi and TV. Lume plans to offer just 50 No. 1 models.

For those looking a little downmarket, Lume also offers the €39,950 (US$46,000) Basic package, which comes standard with a solid roof and more basic equipment and trim than the No. 1. For instance, it trades out the hovering PITT burners for a Systemline dual-burner stove, the teak floor for linoleum, and the wool felt wall trim for anodized aluminum. Buyers can order the premium features and trim, including the convertible fabric roof, individually, alongside No. 1 options like Bose sound and Wi-Fi.

Lume also offers the entry-level €27,250 (US$31,400) Shell model, essentially an empty trailer with walk-in tailgate that customers can build into their own perfect camper, either by themselves or with help from Lume.

Enjoying the open air views in the Lume Traveler
Enjoying the open air views in the Lume Traveler

The Traveler is the latest in the market surge of super-stylish, well-equipped, often high-priced camping trailers that seem to be resonating with the young, style-conscious and adventurous. Other examples we've seen this year alone include the fiberglass Airstream Nest, expanding Tipoon, and icy Mink teardrop.

We'll be attending this year's Düsseldorf show, starting on August 23, and we look forward to seeing what other new trailers and camper vans sprout in this crop of modern, stylish holiday vehicles. Stay tuned for more photos and details about the Lume Traveler and other interesting debuts and show models.

The video clip below shows some quick but pretty Lume Traveler action.

Source: Lume

LUME Traveler mp4

View gallery - 28 images
2 comments
2 comments
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is really nice. It looks bigger - IMO - than it really is. I will be checking it out more.
Zork
Enjoy all the mosquitos