Best Small Campers: TOP-10

Freedom of movement, independence from hotel bookings and the chance to wake up with a sea view or greet the sunrise in the mountains in comfort – these are the values that have made mobile travel incredibly popular. The most practical mini camper format has become a real find for travel lovers: a compact convertible motorhome. This category includes vehicles with an overall body length of up to 6 meters and a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tonnes. The main advantage of this format is that a regular category B driver's license is enough to drive such a vehicle. The car does not fall into the category of heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

A mini campervan is ideal for couples, solo travelers and fans of spontaneous weekend trips. Moreover, it can serve as the family's only car – you use it for everyday city errands all week, and on Friday evening you head out of town with a full-fledged bed and a functional camping kitchen right in the cabin.

Types of small campers

Road-trip solutions amaze with their variety and ergonomics. In these vehicles, a bedroom, a kitchen and even facilities fit together harmoniously in bodies of all sizes.

All small campers can be divided into three main classes:

1. Mini camper based on a compact van. This is the lightest, most maneuverable and most affordable class. They are based on popular commercial and family compact vans such as the Volkswagen Caddy, Dacia Jogger, Renault Kangoo and Citroën Berlingo. The bed is created by folding down the rear seats when needed and unfolding a special removable convertible module, while the camping kitchen is located in the trunk.
2. Campervan with a pop-up roof. The classic European format based on minibuses such as the Volkswagen California, Ford Transit Custom Nugget and Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo. Thanks to the lifting tent roof, a body up to 2 meters high can accommodate two full sleeping levels (for 4 people) and lets adults stand upright inside the cabin when parked.
3. Campervan based on a panel van (about 5.4 m long). Vehicles based on the Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer or Citroën Jumper. These are full-fledged homes on wheels with a fixed high roof, in which designers manage to fit not only a bedroom and a kitchen but also a separate bathroom with a shower and toilet.

TOP-10 small campers

In our review, we take a detailed look at ten of the best models on the market that have won widespread recognition among road-trippers across Europe.

Dacia Jogger Sleep Pack

The Dacia Jogger with the brand's factory Sleep Pack kit is the most affordable way to get into road-trip culture. It is an ultra-compact small camper in which every centimeter of space is used as efficiently as possible.

• Base. Dacia Jogger (high-capacity station wagon).
• Length. 4.55 m.
• Berths. 2 people (folding double bed measuring 190 x 130 cm).
• Kitchen. A folding wooden module in the trunk that doubles as a storage box (220 liters) and a stand for a portable gas stove.
• Bathroom. None.
• Approximate price. New – from €20,000 (including the €1,500 Sleep Pack module); used – from €15,000.

This is the most impressive convertible motorhome. The patented wooden box weighs only 50 kg and can be removed in a few minutes, returning the car to the status of a regular 5- or 7-seat family wagon. You can check current offers and find a similar Dacia Jogger for sale on the auction website.

Volkswagen Caddy California

A factory micro camper from the German group that replaced the Caddy Beach in the lineup. It is built on the modern MQB platform, which guarantees comfort and excellent handling.

• Base. Volkswagen Caddy (fifth generation).
• Length. 4.50 m (standard version) / 4.85 m (Maxi version).
• Berths. 2 people (folding bed with a quality spring mattress, 198 x 107 cm).
• Kitchen. A pull-out mini kitchen in the trunk with a single gas burner, a wind guard and a compartment for kitchen utensils.
• Bathroom. None.
• Approximate price. New – from €33,000; used – from €22,000.

A distinctive feature of the Caddy California is the high-quality folding mattress with Disc-spring pocket springs, which ensures comfortable sleep, as well as the fold-out panoramic curtain bags on the rear side windows that serve as roomy organizers.

Renault Kangoo Maxi

A French compact van with an extended wheelbase that often becomes the ideal base for custom convertible living modules.

• Base. Renault Kangoo Maxi / Grand Kangoo.
• Length. 4.60-4.91 m.
• Berths. 2 people.
• Kitchen. Portable modular units (for example, from Egoe or Ququq kits) with a sink, water canisters and a stove.
• Bathroom. None.
• Approximate price. New – from €28,000; used – from €12,000.

The main advantage of the Kangoo Maxi is its sliding side doors without a center pillar (in the Open Sesame versions) and a huge cabin volume. The most cost-effective way to buy a used Renault Kangoo mini camper is through auctions.

For many, this model is the ideal option for self-sufficient travel for four people. It is built on the body of a regular compact minibus.

• Base. Volkswagen Transporter / Multivan (T6.1 / T7).
• Length. 4.90-5.17 m.
• Berths. 4 people (two in the cabin on a fold-out sofa and two under the pop-up roof).
• Kitchen. A full kitchen unit along the left side with a two-burner stove, a sink, a 42-liter compressor fridge and a folding table (in the Ocean / Coast versions).
• Bathroom. None.
• Approximate price. New – from €65,000; used – from €35,000.

You can find a suitable Volkswagen California at an online auction – on the used market, this mini camper always holds its value well.

Citroën Berlingo XL

The French compact van with the extended XL body has become hugely popular among fans of mini caravanning.

• Base. Citroën Berlingo XL.
• Length. 4.75 m.
• Berths. 2 people.
• Kitchen. A removable kitchen unit in the trunk with 10-liter fresh and waste water tanks and a gas burner.
• Bathroom. None.
• Approximate price. New – from €26,000; used – from €14,000.

The spacious cabin with a flat floor and high ceiling lets you turn the Berlingo XL into a comfortable small camper in just a few minutes. Auctions offer a large selection of proven used Citroën Berlingo cars.

Ford Transit Custom Nugget

The main and most serious rival to the German California, developed in close collaboration with the legendary coachbuilder Westfalia.

• Base. Ford Transit Custom.
• Length. 4.97 m (standard) / 5.34 m (Plus version).
• Berths. 4 people.
• Kitchen. A unique L-shaped kitchen at the rear of the motorhome, fully separated from the sleeping area.
• Bathroom. In the extended version – the Nugget Plus with a toilet (a built-in fixed cassette toilet and a folding washbasin are installed at the rear).
• Approximate price. New – from €62,000; used – from €38,000.

This is one of the most compact campervans on the market with basic sanitary facilities. You can find a quality Ford Transit base for a motorhome at European auctions.

Renault Trafic Ahorn Camp Van Big City

A full-fledged city camper based on the Renault Trafic from the well-known German company Ahorn Camp.

• Base. Renault Trafic.
• Length. 5.40 m.
• Berths. 4 people (convertible sofa + pop-up roof).
• Kitchen. A side kitchen unit with a stove, a sink and a compressor fridge.
• Bathroom. A rear sanitary area – a shower, a cassette toilet and a washbasin fit into about 1 m².
• Approximate price. New – from €55,000; used – from €38,000.

Ahorn Camp engineers achieved a real technical breakthrough by fitting a full shower with hot water and a cassette toilet into a body just 5.4 meters long while keeping the pop-up roof. You can view the full range of Renault Trafic vehicles available for purchase in the website catalog.

Fiat Ducato

The absolute bestseller and the base for most European campervans (Pössl, Knaus, Weinsberg). In the shortest L1H2 version, it offers the ideal combination of size and comfort.

• Base. Fiat Ducato L2H2.
• Length. 5.41 m.
• Berths. 2-4 people (depending on the living space layout).
• Kitchen. A full kitchen module by the sliding door with a 70-90 liter compressor fridge.
• Bathroom. Separate bathroom (toilet, shower).
• Approximate price. New – from €65,000; used – from €25,000.

The impressive width of the Ducato body makes it possible to fit a full double bed across the cabin, saving precious space for the bathroom. A reliable and practical used Fiat Ducato is the classic choice for most buyers in this vehicle category.

Peugeot Rifter

A modern, high-tech compact van that replaced the Partner. An excellent base for ultra-compact motorhomes for two.

• Base. Peugeot Rifter Long.
• Length. 4.75 m.
• Berths. 2 people.
• Kitchen. Portable removable modules (for example, CampBox) with a stove and a washbasin with running water.
• Bathroom. None (a portable Porta Potti toilet can be added).
• Approximate price. New – from €27,000; used – from €16,000.

High ground clearance and 4x4 all-wheel drive in the Trek versions by Dangel let the Rifter easily reach secluded natural spots, while the signature i-Cockpit interior makes the trip comfortable. At the auction, Peugeot Rifter cars are available in a wide variety of trim levels.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

The ideal base for comfortable, high-tech campervans with excellent expedition-class off-road capability (from coachbuilders such as Hymer, CS-Reisemobile and others).

• Base. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (compact SWB wheelbase).
• Length. 5.93 m.
• Berths. 2-4 people.
• Kitchen. A spacious kitchen area with premium appliances.
• Bathroom. A full shower cubicle with a toilet and hot water.
• Approximate price. New – from €85,000; used – from €45,000.

The Sprinter offers excellent ride comfort and comes with powerful diesel engines and optional 4x4 all-wheel drive, making it the best choice for traveling on any road. A commercial or passenger Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is the ideal base for building a custom motorhome.

All these models, as well as hundreds of other commercial vehicles and ready-made campervans, can be ordered with delivery on the international car platform PLC Auction, which offers cars for sale from all over Europe, the USA, Canada, Korea and the UAE.

TOP-10 small campers comparison table

The smallest camper in the world

One of the most striking concepts of our time is the Microlino Camper – an electric microcar in the style of the legendary Isetta. Despite its short length (just 2.5 meters), a special inflatable tent module and a folding camping kit were developed for it, turning the electric car into a single sleeping spot for overnight stays in nature.

Small camper with a toilet and bathroom: which models to choose

Every traveler dreams of having a small camper with a bathroom, so as not to depend on campsites and to feel comfortable even in the wild.

Minimum camper length to fit a bathroom

In production European motorhomes, a fully separate sanitary area with a shower, a washbasin and a fixed toilet can only be arranged in bodies at least 5.4 meters long. The real technological minimum for this purpose is the size of large vans such as the Renault Trafic Ahorn Camp and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. In the category of shorter mid-size minivans up to 5.4 m long (for example, the Ford Nugget Plus), a full shower cannot be fitted due to lack of space, so a small toilet area separated by a light screen is used instead. In ultra-compact vehicles up to 5 meters long (Citroën Berlingo XL, the short Ford Nugget), there is no fixed bathroom at all (owners use a portable cassette toilet hidden in a furniture drawer and an external outdoor shower).

How is a "wet" bathroom different from a separate one?

Compact campervans use a so-called "wet bath". This is a combined sealed module where the shower tray also serves as the floor of the entire cubicle, and you shower right over the toilet and sink. In a separate bathroom, the shower cubicle is more spacious and fully isolated from the toilet and sink (by a curtain or a glass or plastic partition). Water does not get on the toilet or the toilet paper.

What to do if there is no fixed bathroom?

If your mini campervan is based on a compact van (Caddy, Berlingo) or a minibus with a pop-up roof, there is no need to be disappointed. Owners use two alternative solutions:

• Portable chemical toilet (Porta Potti). A compact portable unit with two tanks that can easily be hidden in a trunk recess or under a seat and used as needed.
• Dry separating toilet (Dry-separating toilet / Composting toilet). A modern eco-friendly trend in the world of road-tripping. It separates liquid and solid waste, requires no expensive chemicals, does not produce unpleasant odors and is very easy to empty.

How much does a small camper cost: new and used

Price range by model class

Budget class (modular mini campers based on the Caddy, Berlingo, Jogger):

• New vehicle with a module: €20,000 – €35,000.
• Used campers: €10,000 – €22,000.

Mid-range class (campervans with a pop-up roof: California, Nugget, Marco Polo):

• New motorhome: €60,000 – €90,000.
• Used campers: €30,000 – €50,000.

Premium and full-size compact campers (Ducato, Sprinter with a bathroom):

• New motorhome: €65,000 – €120,000+.
• Used campers: €25,000 – €65,000.

How to save on your purchase: the PLC Auction platform

On the local used market (on popular car websites and at dealerships), popular L2H2 models with a shower and toilet sell at heavily inflated prices due to seasonal demand and hidden fees. It is much more cost-effective to buy through the international PLC Auction platform, where you get a motorhome or a van for conversion directly from a European leasing auction without unnecessary intermediaries.

Bidding at auctions through PLC Auction allows you to buy a used campervan or a base van for conversion with savings of up to 20–30% off the average retail market price. The main advantages of this approach:

• Every lot can be checked by VIN, and you can order an on-site inspection by a specialist.
• You get access to numerous trading platforms around the world, which gives you a huge choice.
• The platform fully handles the legal support of the transaction, logistics and assistance with customs clearance.

Why do used camper prices barely drop?

Unlike regular sedans and crossovers, which lose up to 30% of their value in the first three years, used commercial motorhomes and quality campervans show phenomenal residual value. The reasons are simple:

• High and stable demand on the European used market.
• The durability of commercial base chassis and the reliability of diesel engines.
• The high cost of living equipment (fridges, Truma/Webasto heaters, swivel mechanisms, batteries).

What to look for when buying a used camper

In addition to the standard body and engine check, you need to fully inspect the living module, namely:

1. Roof tightness and moisture. Water is the main enemy of any motorhome. Carefully inspect the pop-up roof seals, the tent fabric, and the joints of the body panels and plastic add-ons. Use a moisture meter and look for leaks, dark spots and a musty smell inside the cabin.
2. Gas system and heater. Check that the auxiliary heater (Webasto, Eberspächer, Truma) works. Make sure the gas line is certified (in Europe, this is the EN 1949 mark), the gas regulator has not exceeded its service life under safety regulations, and the gas leak detectors are working.
3. Waste water tank and water supply system. Test the water pump and inspect the fresh and waste water tanks for cracks and deposits. Check whether the drain taps and connections under the sink are leaking.
4. Mileage of the base vehicle. Commercial van engines are very durable, but beyond 250,000 km the buyer will quite likely have to pay for repair or replacement of the fuel injection system, turbocharger and dual-mass flywheel.
5. VIN history check. This is a mandatory step before paying a deposit. A used motorhome may have been rebuilt after a serious accident or a flood, and the only way to find out is to study the van's history. Use the specialized online vehicle history report service checkcar.vin to check the real mileage, service history, accident history and archived auction photos of the vehicle.

Choosing a small camper for yourself

A purchase will only be successful if the motorhome's characteristics fully match your usual travel style:

Option 1: The family's only car + weekly getaways

Your choice: Dacia Jogger Sleep Pack, VW Caddy California or Citroën Berlingo XL.

In this case, you can count on compact dimensions, fuel consumption of 5–6 liters per 100 km, total comfort in city use and a comfortable bed for two, regardless of the conditions outside.

Option 2: Active road trips for a group of 4 / a family with children

Your choice: Volkswagen California, Ford Transit Custom Nugget.

This means four full berths thanks to the pop-up roof, the ability to cook inside the cabin, excellent performance and parking anywhere with a height limit of up to 2 meters.

Option 3: Full self-sufficiency and wild camping

Your choice: Fiat Ducato L2H2, Renault Trafic Ahorn Camp or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

Having your own shower, hot water and toilet gives you complete independence from campsites and public restrooms. You can live in nature for weeks.

A quality small camper is no longer just a means of transport, but a key to absolute freedom and travel without limits on distance or time.