Outdoors

Gallery: The cutest mini camper vans and micro trailers of CMT 2020

Gallery: The cutest mini camper vans and micro trailers of CMT 2020
At 514 cm long, this Westfalia Jules Verne Elegance is a little longer than our usual mini-campervan cutoff, but we include it since Westfalia manages to pack in a small bathroom, making it one of the smallest vans we've seen with working bathroom
At 514 cm long, this Westfalia Jules Verne Elegance is a little longer than our usual mini-campervan cutoff, but we include it since Westfalia manages to pack in a small bathroom, making it one of the smallest vans we've seen with working bathroom
View 36 Images
Our favorite overland rig of the show, a Suzuki Jimney with a hardshell roof-top tent and awning, on show at the booth of Genesis Imports
1/36
Our favorite overland rig of the show, a Suzuki Jimney with a hardshell roof-top tent and awning, on show at the booth of Genesis Imports
The Go-Pod features a single-piece fiberglass body, small pop-up roof and two-sleeper cabin
2/36
The Go-Pod features a single-piece fiberglass body, small pop-up roof and two-sleeper cabin
The Go-Pod makes the trip over from the UK
3/36
The Go-Pod makes the trip over from the UK
The Go-Pod's dinette transforms into a double bed
4/36
The Go-Pod's dinette transforms into a double bed
No wet bath in the Go-Pod, but this little cabinet stores a portable toilet so you don't get caught with no place to go
5/36
No wet bath in the Go-Pod, but this little cabinet stores a portable toilet so you don't get caught with no place to go
Compact fridge in the Go-Pod micro tourer
6/36
Compact fridge in the Go-Pod micro tourer
Go-Pod dual-burner stove and sink
7/36
Go-Pod dual-burner stove and sink
Inside the cabin of the Kupler teardrop trailer
8/36
Inside the cabin of the Kupler teardrop trailer
One of the pop-up trailers at the show, the Isabella Camp-Let features an outdoor kitchen designed to be used under the canopy
9/36
One of the pop-up trailers at the show, the Isabella Camp-Let features an outdoor kitchen designed to be used under the canopy
Isabella Camp-Let trailer
10/36
Isabella Camp-Let trailer
The Isabella Camp-Let packs small and expands out into an impressive outdoor living space
11/36
The Isabella Camp-Let packs small and expands out into an impressive outdoor living space
12/36
The Adria Active gets updated thanks to the refreshed Renault Trafic that it's based on
13/36
The Adria Active gets updated thanks to the refreshed Renault Trafic that it's based on
Adria Active kitchen with dual-burner stove and sink
14/36
Adria Active kitchen with dual-burner stove and sink
Adria Active fridge
15/36
Adria Active fridge
Inside the Adria Active
16/36
Inside the Adria Active
At just under 5 m, the Adria Active is a versatile small camper van for four
17/36
At just under 5 m, the Adria Active is a versatile small camper van for four
Mercedes X-Class with roof-top tent
18/36
Mercedes X-Class with roof-top tent
The removable kitchen block of the Crosscamp van
19/36
The removable kitchen block of the Crosscamp van
Erwin Hymer Group brand Crosscamp offers a versatile 495-cm (195-in) modular camper van based on a Toyota Proace Verso
20/36
Erwin Hymer Group brand Crosscamp offers a versatile 495-cm (195-in) modular camper van based on a Toyota Proace Verso
A greener breed of mini-campervan, the Dethleffs Globevan e.Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid with 31 miles of all-electric driving range
21/36
A greener breed of mini-campervan, the Dethleffs Globevan e.Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid with 31 miles of all-electric driving range
Dethleffs Globevan e.Hybrid sleeps four on its folding bed and pop-up sleeper roof
22/36
Dethleffs Globevan e.Hybrid sleeps four on its folding bed and pop-up sleeper roof
Volkswagen's Caddy Beach is a classic mini-campervan
23/36
Volkswagen's Caddy Beach is a classic mini-campervan
VW Caddy Beach
24/36
VW Caddy Beach
MFC's SM Module is the latest camper-in-a-box kit to catch our attention
25/36
MFC's SM Module is the latest camper-in-a-box kit to catch our attention
MFC's SM Module is designed specifically for small vans like this Fiat Doblo
26/36
MFC's SM Module is designed specifically for small vans like this Fiat Doblo
At 514 cm long, this Westfalia Jules Verne Elegance is a little longer than our usual mini-campervan cutoff, but we include it since Westfalia manages to pack in a small bathroom, making it one of the smallest vans we've seen with working bathroom
27/36
At 514 cm long, this Westfalia Jules Verne Elegance is a little longer than our usual mini-campervan cutoff, but we include it since Westfalia manages to pack in a small bathroom, making it one of the smallest vans we've seen with working bathroom
Rear bathroom in the Westfalia Jules Verne Elegance
28/36
Rear bathroom in the Westfalia Jules Verne Elegance
The Westfalia-built Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo becomes the world's smallest smart home at CMT 2020
29/36
The Westfalia-built Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo becomes the world's smallest smart home at CMT 2020
Beauer's X-Van is a power-expansion sleeper module for small vans
30/36
Beauer's X-Van is a power-expansion sleeper module for small vans
Beauer adds some extra sleeping space to the 495-cm (195-in) Peugeot Traveler
31/36
Beauer adds some extra sleeping space to the 495-cm (195-in) Peugeot Traveler
Beauer X-Van bed
32/36
Beauer X-Van bed
Kupler teardrop trailer - we like the tagline, though we're not sure it's in line with the younger campers currently driving the industry, including trends like teardrop trailers
33/36
Kupler teardrop trailer - we like the tagline, though we're not sure it's in line with the younger campers currently driving the industry, including trends like teardrop trailers
An unlikely Fiat 500 camper
34/36
An unlikely Fiat 500 camper
The Kupler trailer has under-bed storage
35/36
The Kupler trailer has under-bed storage
Kupler teardrop galley
36/36
Kupler teardrop galley
View gallery - 36 images

Often the campers that leave the biggest impressions are the smallest vehicles of the pack. It's difficult enough to fit a tiny home in a large van, so it's even more impressive when it's done in a tiny van or trailer. As we walked the halls of this year's CMT show, we were repeatedly lured into booths by small, sleek campers with ingenious packaging. Some of the biggest sights of the show were those vehicles with the smallest footprints, an intriguing collection of mini-campervans under 5 meters long, tiny trailers, and conversion kits for smaller vehicles.

Go-Pod micro tourer

The Go-Pod features a single-piece fiberglass body, small pop-up roof and two-sleeper cabin
The Go-Pod features a single-piece fiberglass body, small pop-up roof and two-sleeper cabin

The most adorable mini-camper of the show, the Go-Pod made the trip over from the UK to CMT for the first time. The two-sleeper caravan has been around the UK market for years now, under at least two different names, but still looks as fresh as the day the first model rolled out of the factory thanks to its smooth, high teardrop-shaped single-piece fiberglass shell. With a base weight of 545 kg (1,200 lb), the Go-Pod is designed to tow along comfortably behind vehicles of all sizes. Through its rear door, the pop-up offers more space than the average teardrop, with 1.84 m (6 ft) of standing height. The interior includes a convertible dinette/double bed and full kitchen block. Space is too tight for a proper bathroom, but the trailer does come standard with a portable toilet hidden away in a lower cabinet. The €12,995 (approx. US$14,325) standard model comes complete with a dual-burner stove, fridge, sink and camping toilet, and the €14,995 ($16,525) deluxe model adds in a 100W solar panel, awning, heater and tongue box. The trailer ships to various countries around Europe.

Kupler mini caravan

Kupler teardrop trailer - we like the tagline, though we're not sure it's in line with the younger campers currently driving the industry, including trends like teardrop trailers
Kupler teardrop trailer - we like the tagline, though we're not sure it's in line with the younger campers currently driving the industry, including trends like teardrop trailers

Right next to the Go-Pod stood an even smaller teardrop trailer, the Kupler mini caravan, a 400-kg (880-lb) towable that stands under 6 feet tall. Hailing from Estonia, the Kupler is inspired by classic teardrops of the 1930s and keeps things sleeker and simpler than other modern tears. Its kitchen packs a small sink, space for a cooler, long worktop, and single-burner stove that sits on a detachable side table. The cabin is dedicated to the 140 x 200-cm (55 x 79-in) mattress and upper cabinets, and more storage is available in compartments hidden below the mattress. Prices start at €9,990 ($11,000), and options include a lithium battery, 12V thermoelectric or compressor fridge and a bicycle carrier.

Adria Active

At just under 5 m, the Adria Active is a versatile small camper van for four
At just under 5 m, the Adria Active is a versatile small camper van for four

The Adria Active "multipurpose camper" is a versatile mini powerhouse that bridges the divide between camper van and everyday driver. As a camper it can sleep four people; as a minivan it can transport six. The Renault Trafic that underpins the Active got a refresh last year, so Adria's versatile 499-cm (196-in) MPC looks more modern than ever. We particularly like the neatly integrated side kitchen concealed below full-length, console-matching lids that make it a simple, inconspicuous sideboard and armrest. Below those lids, the usual dual-burner stove, sink and small fridge patiently await mealtime. According to the pricing sheet at the show, the van starts at €47,299 ($52,150) with 119-hp 2.0-liter dCi engine.

MFC SM Module

MFC's SM Module is the latest camper-in-a-box kit to catch our attention
MFC's SM Module is the latest camper-in-a-box kit to catch our attention

We checked out the MFC modular, multipurpose Fiat Doblo conversion at last year's Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, and for CMT, the Ukrainian shop had an even simpler, more compact mini-camper kit on display. Its SM Module works with a variety of small vans, including the Doblo, the VW Caddy and the Mercedes Citan, bringing a kitchen and bed within a single box. It's one of the simpler trunk-mounted camper-in-a-box kits out there, skipping the hard-plumbed stove and sink for a combination of single-burner portable stove and 12L water jug and bowl. We particularly like how the face of the right drawer is carved out to accommodate the jug spout so all you have to do is pull the sink basin drawer out. A folding mattress atop the kitchen provides sleeping space under the van roof, and an included set of legs lets the kitchen jump out of the trunk for outdoor use. At €2,690 ($2,975), the SM Module costs less than some roof-top tents and even comes standard with an 18L compressor fridge.

See more of the small, smaller and smallest campers of CMT 2020 in the photo gallery.

View gallery - 36 images
No comments
0 comments
There are no comments. Be the first!