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RV

Streamlined aluminium caravan

The aluminium egg: low drag, strong resale value.

In short

The streamlined aluminium caravan — Airstream being the best-known brand — uses a riveted aluminium shell with a rounded profile. Typical length 4.5–10 m, weight from about 900 kg up to 3,000 kg.

Typical valueNotes
Overall length4.5–10 m overall
Unladen weight900–3,000 kg unladen
Body shellRiveted aluminium shell, effectively a monocoque
Resale valueStrong used-market value in North America

What these vehicles look like

Strengths

  • Low drag and a stable tow
  • Long-lasting aluminium shell
  • Strong resale value

Limitations

  • Rounded floor plan, with dead space at both ends
  • Model-specific repair parts
  • Premium price when new

Best for

Long-distance touring in EuropeKeeping a vehicle for 15 years or more

What it is

The shape is not decoration. A rounded, smooth-sided aluminium shell has far less wind resistance than a boxy caravan, which means a calmer ride, less sway and better fuel economy on long runs — which is why this shape has stayed in production since the 1930s and why British owners still seek it out.

Why people choose it

Durability is the other reason people buy one. A riveted aluminium skin does not rot the way timber-cored sidewalls do, so a well-kept twenty-year-old unit can still be structurally sound.

What to check before you buy

The compromises: the interior layout rarely changes between models, repair parts are model-specific, and the rounded profile wastes floor area at both ends.

Also calledAirstream (the best-known brand) · Caravana aerodinámica (es)