Ten camper vans to inspire travel

1. The VW BUDD-e

VW teased the world fifteen years ago with the promise of a new breed of electric camper vans. The electric microbus concept was a successor to the iconic camper vans that helps define surf culture to this day – but it proved too costly to build. The German car making giant’s latest concept, the BUDD-e forgoes the versatility and distinctive style of its predecessor in favour of a modern take on the MPV. While its bland appearance probably makes the BUDD-e more of a commercially viable proposition than the average concept car, VW is missing an opportunity to revive the spirit of the original kombi. Beleaguered by the diesel emissions scandal,  surely VW would benefit from launching a modern and clean version of the camper vans that came to symbolise the counter culture movement of the 1960s.

2. Nimbus

A concept design nearer the spirit of the original VW camper vans is the Nimbus, a hybrid electric people carrier. With styling that combines elements of the iconic Airstream trailer and VW kombi van with the ruggedness of an overland truck, the Nimbus is far more radical than anything on the market today.

Boasting far more window area, interior space and ground clearance than any other SUV today, the Nimbus hybrid has a 130 Kw (180 hp) motor charged by a micro generator, which between them deliver the equivalent of an estimated 200 mpg.

The dash features a removable internet-enabled touchscreen and passengers get a fridge big enough to hold eight cans of drink.

3. American school bus campervan

Concept designs have a habit of staying just that. If you want to drive your dream campervan, you’re best off building it yourself.

Hank Butitta wanted to work at full scale for the final project of his Architecture masters at the University of Minnesota, but unable to fund the building of a conventional home he bought the bus and converted it into a tiny living space. The American school bus cost the equivalent of £2,000 and had further £4,000 spent on improvements – a modest budget that resulted in an incredibly versatile living space.

4. Fire engine camper vans

This 1956 Commer one-time fire engine has literally been put out to pasture in the grounds of Inshriach House in Scotland. Featuring a reclaimed oak parquet floor, a salvaged snooker table slate to make an upcycled hearth for the wood burning stove and a brass Victorian double bed, the camper van can be rented by the night via the Canopy & Stars website.

This converted 1950s lorry no longer moves, but is an enchanting place to stay for the night

5. The Cramper Van

A designer best known for his custom car creations built this tiny pedal-powered camper van complete with four seats, a cooker, sink, table and bed. Andy Saunders mounted cannibalised bodywork from a Bedford Bambi van to a four-wheeled pedal cart to create what he calls a ‘cramper van’.

6. The Tricycle House

The Tricycle House is pedal-powered recreational vehicle (RV) similar to the Cramper Van, but offers even more comfort because it boasts its own bath and shower.

Each piece of the tiny house is made from lightweight plastic that has been cut with a CNC router, scored, folded and welded into shape. The polypropylene plastic bodywork can expand like an accordion to create more space, and connect to other houses. The translucent plastic allows the interior to be lit by the sun during the day or street lamps at night. The sink, stove, and bathtub are collapsible and stow away at one end of the tiny home.

7. Golden Gate

Jay Nelson combined his love of cycling with stuff he had lying around his house to build Golden Gate – a tiny mobile camper big enough to carry two surfboards on its roof and enough gear to stay away for a weekend. The steep hills around his home town of San Francisco meant he soon upgraded to a small electric motor with a range of 10 miles and a top speed of 20mph.

8. Foldavan

A French boat building company last month unveiled the Foldavan – a lightweight camper that collapses for easy storage and towing.

Wooden Widget already produces a range of collapsible boats and sailing dinghies that can be towed behind a bicycle and the Foldavan shares many of the same design principles. Built from wood, carbon fibre and reinforced PVC cloth, the teardrop-shaped Foldavan has three modes. When being stored, or transported on a car roof rack, it collapses flat. While being towed by a bicycle, it opens to 60 cm – about the same as the width as most handlebars. Once at its destination, it takes less than five minutes to transform the Foldavan into camping mode.

9. The QTvan

The QTvan is a caravan rather than a campervan, but since it’s our design, it gets a special place on this list. Now holder of the Guinness World Record for smallest caravan , the QTvan is towed by a bicycle. It’s tiny interior sleeps one and crams in a television, radio and drinks cabinet.

10. Eco camper vans

Canadian company Verdier Vehicles developed a range of ‘eco pimped’ camper vans with more than a passing resemblance to the original camper van.

The retro-styled hybrid campers might have had the right look to appeal to a new generation of style-conscious campers, but with a price tag of over £80,000 they did not make it beyond the concept stage.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.