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RV

Tiny / lightweight caravan

Under 1,000 kg, towed by a petrol car.

In short

A tiny or lightweight caravan is a small trailer designed so that an ordinary petrol car can tow it: usually under 1,000 kg, often under 800 kg, and unbraked. Light-alloy bodies and composite panels are spreading this category across Europe.

Typical valueNotes
Weight (unladen)400–1,000 kg unladen
Travel height when closedUsually under 2.0 m travel height
Towing vehicleMost petrol-engined cars
Overall length3–5 m overall

What these vehicles look like

Strengths

  • Tows behind almost any car
  • Parks almost anywhere
  • Cheap fuel consumption

Limitations

  • Very little storage space
  • Tiring in bad weather and high winds
  • Limited standing headroom

Best for

Pairs travelling togetherA second family carShort breaks in the UK

What it is

Lightweight construction is the whole idea. An aluminium frame, composite panels and a small battery keep the caravan under many cars' braking limits, which removes the need for trailer brakes and makes the combination far easier to tow.

Why people choose it

Tiny does not mean cheap to fit out. Insulation, a heating source and a chemical toilet still cost money, so a well-equipped 900 kg unit can cost as much as a bare 1,600 kg one.

What to check before you buy

Be careful about the real weight. Manufacturers publish an unladen weight; a battery, a full water tank and a heavy roof box will push you over the limit quickly. Weigh the caravan as you will actually travel.

Also calledPequeña caravana (ES: small caravan)