Martine van der Klauw
EditorMartine dreams of back-to-basics camping but travels by caravan with her husband and their two children. She writes about caravans and campsites for Campingtrend.
Three striking and compact caravans spotted at the Caravan Salon
At the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf this year, there is once again a number of striking and compact caravans. The Tosbiq 260, the Urban Badger, and the Karoo show how manufacturers are dealing smartly with limited space. These three models combine a low weight with a surprising amount of living space and handy features.
What makes the Tosbiq 260 a special mini-caravan?
The Tosbiq 260 is a Turkish mini-caravan with a body length of just 2.60 metres and a total length of around 4.10 metres including the drawbar. Yet it feels surprisingly spacious inside, partly thanks to the headroom of 1.97 metres. And you also notice its compact character on the road: depending on the version, the Tosbiq 260 weighs around 700 to 800 kilos.
The small caravan turns out to be surprisingly well-equipped. At the back is a seating area that converts into a bed of 195 × 130 centimetres. Above it is a second, fold-up bed of 195 × 60 centimetres, intended for a third person and with a load capacity of up to 40 kilos. During the day, you fold the bed up, keeping the space extra open. At the front, you will find a compact kitchen with a sink, induction hob, and 12V fridge with freezer compartment. A wet room with a Porta Potti and sink is also included. In addition, the Tosbiq 260 can be equipped with a diesel heater, solar panels with a battery system, a fresh water tank, and an outdoor shower, among other things. And as if that weren’t enough, you can also customise the caravan to your own taste, with various colours, wood finishes, and upholstery. It is precisely this combination of small size, practical layout, and a surprising amount of equipment that makes us want to highlight it.
Who is the rugged Urban Badger suitable for?
The Urban Badger (pictured above this article) is a compact off-road caravan for adventurous campers who love to travel off the beaten track. This compact caravan combines a rugged look with a surprisingly complete concept. The base is formed by an aluminium monocoque, featuring 35 millimetres of insulation. With a length of 5.06 metres, a width of 2.28 metres, and a height of 2.03 metres, it remains compact enough for spontaneous trips, while the off-road wheels and braked KNOTT axle make it clear that it can hold its own off the beaten track. It has a kerb weight of just 740 kilos.
Inside, the Urban Badger is set up for two people. The seating area with opposing benches and a height-adjustable table converts at night into a double bed of 180 × 130 centimetres. Thanks to the warm wood tones, ambient lighting, and the panoramic skylight, the compact living space still feels pleasant. Practical amenities have also been considered: a 42-litre Indel B fridge, a Porta Potti, and a 100 Ah LiFePO4 battery are part of the equipment. You cook outside in the integrated kitchen with a sink and hob. With the 270° awning, a bike rack for two bikes, and an outdoor shower, the Urban Badger is fully geared towards campers who love the outdoors and want to travel as independently as possible.
How innovative is the Finnish Karoo caravan?
The Finnish Karoo is a streamlined prototype caravan with an extendable outdoor kitchen and a fold-up interior for sports equipment. It’s the kind of caravan that naturally makes you stop and stare. The striking shape is not only meant to give the caravan its own face, but above all to improve aerodynamics. Karoo promises low energy and fuel consumption while driving. This is interesting for electric towing vehicles. The Karoo is 5.30 metres long, 2.09 metres wide, and 2.31 metres high and has a maximum permitted weight of 1,500 kilos.
The Karoo Camper is packed with smart solutions. A large side-opening hatch forms a connection, as it were, between inside and outside. Behind it is the kitchen, which you can slide outwards. Inside, there is a comfortable sofa that turns into a bed at night. Conveniently, you can easily fold the seats up against the wall while travelling, creating space to bring along bikes, for example. There is also a pull-out projection screen for a projector. The first series production is planned for spring 2027. The fully equipped Karoo is reportedly set to cost around 38,000 euros.
Even more mini-caravans on Campingtrend
The Tosbiq, Urban Badger, and Karoo are not the only small or eye-catching caravans we came across at the Caravan Salon. In the coming weeks, we will take a closer look at these and other models. From clever layouts and surprising solutions to weight, equipment, and price: we will examine what these compact caravan concepts have to offer in practice.
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