Compact caravans can be an attractive choice for anyone who is looking for easier manoeuvring, without having to compromise on having showers, kitchens, lounges and, well, luxury. With an increasing amount of choice on the market, we’re here to help you find the best small caravan for your needs.

Whether it’s towing weight or caravan storage that limits your choice, right now there’s a whole host of cool and tiny caravans for you to choose from. Our judging panel at the Practical Caravan Awards 2024 have picked out the best small caravans on the market for 2024, as well as sharing our number one pick.

You can also see our top picks of this type of caravan from recent years, featuring models from some of the best caravan manufacturers, such as Swift, Eriba, and more.

This year, we selected the La Mancelle Fantaisy 360 CL as the best small caravan on the market. We’re really impressed by the payload it offers, as well as the quality of kit it comes with.

The best small caravan is:

La Mancelle Fantaisy 360 CL

La Mancelle Fantaisy 360 CL
  • Price: £27,995
  • Berths: 3
  • MTPLM: 1420kg
  • MiRO: 978kg
  • Payload: 442kg
  • Shipping length: 5.53m
  • Width: 2.05m

Reason to buy:

  • Excellent payload and quality of kit

Reason to avoid:

  • No separate shower cubicle

So what did we look for when judging the best caravan in this category? The winner had to be small, of course – less than 6m in length – but also offer a tempting combination of practical caravan layout, excellent kit level and a value-for-money price.

The new La Mancelle Fantaisy 360 CL, exclusively imported to the UK from France by Marquis Leisure, ticked all the boxes and more. We were the first members of the press to see the range, and we were smitten from the start.

The Fantaisy 360 CL has a tried, tested and loved layout, with a transverse bed across the rear, a comfortable dinette up front that converts into a single bed, and a side washroom and kitchen.

But it’s the kit that really impresses: the van is packed with goodies, including an onboard water tank, Al-Ko AKS 3004 stabiliser, exterior BBQ and 230V mains points, combined gas oven and grill, Dometic cooker hood, Al-Ko heavy-duty corner steadies, and a huge payload, ideal for packing all your essential caravan accessories.

On the shortlist for the best small caravan are:

Adria Action 391 PT

Adria Action 391PT

  • Price: from £25,780.00
  • Berths: 4
  • MTPLM: 1300kg
  • MIRO: TBC
  • Payload: TBC
  • Shipping length: 5.97m
  • Width: 2.20m

Reason to buy:

  • A small caravan, ideal for sports, and for four people

Reason to avoid:

  • Side door can make loading bikes a bit trickier

Adria’s new sports-oriented tourer packs a lot into its 4.31m of internal length – and not just sleeping places for four people! You get a kitchen with a two-burner hob and 140-litre fridge, a good size wardrobe. The corner washroom isn’t bad either: the shower shares space with the washing area, but the washbasin folds away to make the most of this area.

Spec isn’t bad, either. You get full LED lighting, Bluetooth-connected speakers, a TV aerial (check out our best caravan TV guide if you need a television for your tourer), and plenty of USB ports. And the interior design is modern and funky and certainly not basic.

Yes, it is still a caravan aimed mainly at those looking to use their tourer merely as a base for outdoor activity, but you can still have some comfort when you come “home” for a break.

Campmaster Duo

Campmaster Duo

  • Price: £11,699
  • Berths: 2
  • MTPLM: 750kg
  • MIRO: 615kg
  • Payload: 135kg
  • Shipping length: 4.60m
  • Width: 2.00m

Reason to buy:

  • A large fixed bed in a lightweight caravan

Reason to avoid:

  • It’s very basic

If you are willing to sacrifice a proper washroom to get yourself a tiny caravan that shouldn’t make you trade up your car and which you could possibly store on your drive, then the Duo is the van for you. The cost shouldn’t hurt you either – this budget caravan has a great price. However, you might want to pay another £1,300 to the the GLX version with a few more creature comforts.

Inside here you still get a huge bed and plenty of storage, full LED lighting and a fairly basic kitchen.

Once you are on site you can set up the Isabella awning that has been specially designed to fit this caravan, so you shouldn’t have any compatibility issues to worry about either.

Full review: Campmaster Duo

The best small caravans from recent years:

John Sootheran talks us through his pick of the small caravans from recent years, featuring models from Swift, Eriba, Knaus, Campmaster and more.

Swift Basecamp 2

Swift Basecamp 2
The Swift Basecamp 2
  • Price from £21,995
  • Berths 2
  • Exterior length 5.10m
  • Interior length 3.42m
  • Internal headroom 1.95m
  • Width 2.28m
  • MiRO 932kg
  • MTPLM 1043kg

When a major UK manufacturer enters the small caravan market, people immediately sit up and take notice.

Swift’s Basecamp brought stylish and comfortable caravanning to the masses back in 2016. It combines compact proportions for easy towing with a handsome profile and some groovy graphics, to make touring more appealing to those who find the traditional ‘white box’ a bit too bland.

Basecamp is ideal for anyone who loves the great outdoors, but demands a certain level of luxury and comfort – that is, not a tent.

Inside Swift Basecamp 2

It comes fitted with a shower room and toilet, a kitchen with a three-burner gas hob, a Duplex Thetford oven and a fridge, along with a comfortable lounge area that turns into a large double bed.

I’ve toured extensively in the Basecamp, and can confirm it’s very easy to tow and manoeuvre, and attracts admiring glances wherever it goes. Impressively, it features full-scale headroom (1.95m) and a large rear door, making it easy to transport a bike or paddle board inside (and it has fold-up sofas and tie-down loops in the floor).

Basecamp comes in other versions too, including the Swift Basecamp 3, the Swift Basecamp 6 and a 4-berth too – it’s a miracle of modern packing and that’s before you attach the Vango awning that more than doubles your living space.

Eriba Triton 420

Eriba Triton 420
The Eriba Triton 420
  • Price from £21,240
  • Berths 2
  • Exterior length 5.28m
  • Interior length 4.16m
  • Internal headroom 1.95m (with roof extended)
  • Width 2.00m
  • MiRO 855kg
  • MTPLM 1000-1300kg (depending on spec)

The Eriba has earned design-classic status and as such, these tourers hold their price very well. Inside, they have a traditional caravan layout, but with all of the facilities squeezed into the model’s compact and easily towable dimensions.

Like Basecamp, the Triton 420 will attract admiring (probably even envious) looks from passers-by, and it delivers plenty of home comforts. These include a surprisingly huge bed (bigger than a UK king-size), 3500W gas heating, a compact shower room and toilet combo, a well-planned kitchen with storage, a fridge and a two-burner hob, and even fresh-water tanks.

Kitchen in Eriba Triton 420

To achieve the full internal height of 1.95m, the pop-up roof has to be popped and I must admit, at 6′ 2″, I do find the interior a little claustrophobic. However, for anyone up to 6ft tall, this caravan’s a little gem.

The cosy lounge/bedroom benefits from three large windows, and is the ideal space for two to chill out on the long sofas or the oversized make-up bed.

The 420 is available in silver or white, and is one of those designs that weill never date – in fact, it probably gets cooler with age.

T@B L400 TD

T@B L400 TD
  • Price from £21,350 base model (£22,650 for Mexican Sunset)
  • Berths 2-4
  • Exterior length 5.97m
  • Internal headroom 1.98m max
  • Width 2.25m
  • MiRO 982kg
  • MTPLM 1200kg

This classic German teardrop tourer combines superb build quality with a clever interior.

The aerodynamic shape should help to minimise fuel consumption, while the interior delivers everything the caravanner needs: a compact kitchenette on the sidewall, with a shower room/toilet opposite, next to the wardrobe There’s a dining area at one end and a sizeable double bed at the other. The sloping roof dictates that the shorter inhabitant sleeps on the wall side of the fixed bed. The dining area makes up into a second bed for one adult or two smaller children.

I like the idea of turning the front dinette into a huge, flat chill-out area with throws and cushions.

T@B L400 TD

T@Bs are well built and have a 10-year body water-ingress warranty. This makes them another of the desirable Continentals that will hold their price – but perhaps steer clear of the louder graphics, which might not age as well. The L400 TD is available in a basic form, or you could go for this eye-catching Mexican Sunset version. Personally, I prefer the graphite and silver Metropolis.

The kitchen offers good worktop, a stylish three-burner hob and a circular sink. There are lots of storage options, too.

The dining area is illuminated by a large front window and two porthole side windows.

Trigano Silver Trend 442

Trigano Silver Trend 442
  • Price from £21,352
  • Berths 3
  • Exterior length 5.91m
  • Interior length 4.88m
  • Internal headroom 1.95m
  • Width 1.98m
  • MiRO 943kg
  • MTPLM 1200kg (depending on spec)

The Silver range isn’t that well known in the UK, but it comes from French manufacturer Trigano, one of the world’s leading experts in leisure vehicle production.

The pop-top tourers are designed to be less than 2m high (with the electronic roof folded down), as this keeps them in a cheaper price bracket for péage toll-road use in their own country. The bonuses are that they’ll also fit inside many domestic garages, and with less wind resistance, they’re very likely to be a fair bit cheaper to tow.

The Trend 442 boasts all of the facilities of a full-sized tourer, and is made using the latest insulating materials and tech. Polyester and Styrofoam construction makes the Trend a true four-season tourer, especially as it has the option of Truma blown-air heating.

Beds in Trigano Silver Trend 442

For sleeping, this van has large twin beds in the rear, which can be converted into a gigantic 190 x 200cm double. Meanwhile, at the front, there’s another make-up single bed, which could be used by one older child or an occasional guest.

The neat, combined shower room/toilet space is well proportioned, and the kitchen has a three-burner hob, sink and fridge.

This cleverly designed little caravan has it all for the couple or young family, especially if they like to tour in France.

Opus Air

Opus Air
The Opus Air
  • Price from £18,995
  • Berths 4
  • Exterior length (closed/open) 4.30m/5.80m
  • Interior length (closed/open)  2.83m/5.70m approx
  • Internal headroom 2.44 max
  • Width (exterior/interior) 2.01m/1.88m
  • Exterior height (towing/open) 1.20m/3.00m approx
  • MiRO 800kg
  • MTPLM 900-1500kg
  • Roof payload 75kg

Strictly speaking the Opus is not a caravan, but it’s so good, I had to include it here. In trailer form, Opus is cool especially if you push the boat out and buy the Off-Road version. It’s also a doddle to tow, with excellent rear vision, particularly if you use a taller SUV. You can even transport your bikes or canoes clamped to the top of the trailer.

Once on pitch, it takes a few minutes to erect the tent-style accommodation: fold out the trailer ‘lids’ and pin the struts in place if you have the Air version, press the pump button (just inside the door), and you have a spacious tent in about 90 seconds. The pole version is semi-erected when the roof sections are folded out, then it takes a moment to extend the poles and tension the fabric.

Inside Opus Air

The lounge is surprisingly spacious, light and comfortable, and the compact kitchen area has a sink, hob, fridge and storage.

To each side of the lounge is a double bed, with fixed mattress, about 1.88m in length.

Opus has all sorts of optional extras, which you can select online. Our favourite is the video projector and screen option (£1199) for watching movies with the family.

Opus really is a brilliant choice for an outdoorsy couple or young family. It’s very easy to set up, tow and store – but you will need to use the campsite’s facilities.

Go-Pod 2.2

Go-Pod 2.2
The Go-Pod 2.2
  • Price £16,495
  • Berths 2
  • Exterior length 4.20m
  • Bed length 1.95m (6′ 2″)
  • Internal headroom 1.84m
  • Width 2.0m
  • MiRO 540kg
  • MTPLM 750kg

Although at first sight, Go-Pods look rather like a simple teardrop caravan, there’s much more to them than you might expect.

For starters, there’s a king-sized bed, which is made up from the relatively roomy lounge area that seats four. You also get built-in dual-fuel heating and a camping toilet.

Go-Pods don’t have full wash/shower rooms, but they have a functional kitchen with a two-burner gas hob, sink and Dometic CRE50 fridge. Every Go-Pod also comes with an awning to boost your living space quickly and easily. With the roof popped up, there’s enough headroom for most people to stand without stooping while washing up, cooking or getting dressed.

All this sits on a galvanised Al-Ko chassis, guaranteeing excellent towing characteristics, although the Go-Pod is so small and light, you’ll barely know it’s there.

Knaus Sport & Fun

Knaus Sport & Fun
The Knaus Sport & Fun
  • Price £24.050
  • Berths Up to 4
  • Exterior length 6.25m
  • Interior length 4.80m
  • Internal headroom 2.57m
  • Width 2.32m
  • MiRO 1156kg
  • MTPLM 1400kg

It doesn’t get much smarter than Germany’s coolest tiny tourer, the Knaus Sport & Fun. This unusual caravan has three large doors: the rear and side doors provide entry to the interior, while the sizeable third door gives access to the huge ‘garage’ positioned under the raised double bed. The strong glass fibre body has a 10-year water-ingress warranty and houses a kitchen with a three-burner gas hob and a 142-litre fridge, while in the washroom, there’s a shower, handbasin and Dometic swivel cassette toilet.

Heating comes courtesy of the excellent Truma S 3004 heating system, while the Sport & Fun is also fitted with a generous 45-litre fresh-water tank.

This cleverly designed tourer has a separate lounge and bed, with daytime relaxation courtesy of an L-shaped sofa.

Some might find the Continental style interior a little unusual – like many such models, it’s really intended for Europe’s warmer climes, where you’re outside almost all the time. However, I’ve stayed in a Knaus in Yorkshire in March, and I can guarantee it’s a very usable layout for a couple.

See our review of the Knaus Sport&Fun Black Selection from 2023.

Campmaster King

Campmaster King
The Campmaster King
  • Price from £17,499
  • Berths 2
  • Exterior length 4.80m
  • Interior length 3.60m
  • Internal headroom 2.45m
  • Width 2.04m
  • MiRO 690kg
  • MTPLM 750kg

These Portuguese-built vans feel extremely well made and solid. Despite their diminutive proportions, they have many of the facilities that much bigger tourers offer.

They come with a shower room/toilet, a great kitchen and even underfloor heating.

The end kitchen has a Dometic two-burner gas hob that’s integral to the sink, so cleaning is simple. There’s also a sizeable fridge and lots of storage in cupboards and lockers.

The high-quality body construction includes thick insulating foam, making the Campmaster King a real all-year tourer.

The devils’ in the detail, too: the King offers a trio of three-pin plug points and two USB sockets, double-glazed windows and a swivel toilet. Elsewhere, the bed can be used as a large double or two singles. Altogether, this is a highly impressive compact package, and at a very competitive price, too.

Full review: Campmaster King

Barefoot

Barefoot
A Barefoot
  • Price £32,500
  • Berths 2
  • Exterior length 5.08m
  • Interior length 3.56m
  • Internal headroom
  • Width 1.92m
  • MiRO 960kg
  • MTPLM 1200kg

All small caravans are, of course, adorable, but Barefoot has to be the queen of cute.

The aerodynamic, egg-shaped body is formed in one piece from GRP, so there are no panel joints to leak. This body sits on a strong galvanised steel chassis and although it looks compact, there’s a hell of a lot of retro cool design squeezed inside.

Interior of a Barefoot

As well as a lounge area that makes up into a sizeable double bed, there’s a compact kitchen, storage cupboards and lockers, and a separate shower/toilet combo neatly tucked behind a tambour sliding door. All of this practicality is also delivered in what might be described as a ‘retro-aspirational’ way.

Barefoot is light to tow and has good road manners, and because it comes in various delightful pastel shades, we reckon they’ll have more demand than supply, so should almost certainly hold their value well.

Wingamm Rookie 3.5

Wingamm Rookie 3.5
The Wingamm Rookie 3.5
  • Price £22,700

Wingamm’s Rookie has a glass fibre monocoque body housing a rather luxurious interior, with everything that the most exacting caravanner could possibly need.

Written with contributions from Peter Baber

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