If you’re dreaming of packing your bags and hitting the road for a European adventure, this sleek newly announced mini-caravan may be the very vehicle for you.
Called the Carapate, the camper weighs in at approximately 450kg, meaning that it can be towed by most cars. As well as being designed to be manoeuvrable in all seasons, the French-made vehicle offers good storage and comfort, and comes with three sliding panoramic windows, one skylight with a mosquito net and a blackout blind, a sliding drawer that is accessible from both inside and outside, a folding shelf, two closed storage spaces at the back, a technical cupboard and a three-piece removable mattress made from high density foam.
The Carapate can also be upgraded with different options depending on what is needed, offering waterproof electrical power supplies, solar energy panels, a specialised charging panel, canvas storage pouches, expanded cooking options, and an additional mattress for children.
“We are passionate about micro-architecture and unusual lodgings. We have over 12 years of experience in design and interior architecture. For the Carapate, we did not want to redesign a teardrop trailer that we know and love. We wanted to find a new line inspired by different worlds, and also propose innovations such as our indoor-outdoor kitchen, modular mattresses and windows with panoramic views,” Jean-Marie Reymond of Carapate told Lonely Planet.
Jean-Marie also said that the interest in the trailers has been encouraging, with people of all ages and backgrounds inquiring about them. The company is currently working on finding agencies that can rent the trailers out, first focusing on Nantes in western France before exploring national options. Prices are currently being finalised, with a representative stating that the caravans will cost between €14,000 and €18,000.
