Nowadays, the undisputed queens of caravanning are camper vans (especially medium-sized and large-volume ones), followed by motorhomes and caravans. However, due to their characteristics, the equipment and the comforts they offer, these custom-made motorhomes are not always options for all budgets nor do they adapt to all tastes.
For those who prioritize practicality, do not have a large budget and do not want to give up the countless advantages of this lifestyle, fortunately there are more and more interesting alternatives beyond the second-hand recreational vehicle market. Among the most popular we find roof tents, kits and prefabricated modules that allow us to camp from a car to a pick-up to a van.
Small cars or larger SUVs, SUVs and even sports cars: roof tents, in any of their versions, have more and more followers. And, in addition to being a very affordable and practical option for camperizing any vehicle in a short time, they have a very low maintenance cost and require less work.
Likewise, as they are removable solutions, they do not need approval or undergo periodic technical inspections. Rooftop tents are mainly divided into two types: rigid and soft (with or without ladder). There are ones for two and even up to four people and, as a general rule, they are assembled and disassembled in minutes. To choose well, we only have to make sure that the anchors that the roof tent has are suitable for our vehicle and that its total weight does not exceed the maximum load capacity indicated by the manufacturer (both static and the roof itself). , as dynamic).
In addition to the possibilities offered by companies specialized in this type of accessories such as Thule (a very popular brand for its roof boxes) or Autohome, car brands such as MINI, Land Rover or Porsche already have their own options. Also large stores specialized in sports and outdoor activities, such as Decathlon. The price of the most basic ones starts between 1,000 and 2,000 euros, while the most complete ones prepared for off-road adventure can exceed 5,000.
There are as many options as there are users, so the final cost will depend greatly on the specifications and accessories with which you want to complete them, such as compact outdoor kitchens or portable showers and toilets. When traveling with these tents, it is essential to take into account their characteristics and to verify the camping and overnight rules of the places we are going to visit.
Another alternative to traditional caravanning that is increasingly popular in Europe, although at the moment it is not widely seen in Spain, is the camperization of pick-ups by installing roof tents, tents in the box or a combination of both that maximizes the living space for these vehicles with plenty of off-road capabilities. Specialized manufacturers like iKamper have models from less than 1,000 euros to 4,600.
You can also opt for prefabricated modules to camp a pick-up, whether more basic like those offered by Dacia for its cars or more elaborate like those manufactured by the Spanish company VanCubic for large-volume vans. These types of solutions, in addition to allowing dual use for the vehicle, offer great versatility and ease of assembly.
An example of this are the foldable and lightweight housing modules assembled by the North American company Cubic Series. Starting at around 32,000 euros, they offer the most complete standard equipment, including a seating area with seats and a folding table, a bed for two, a cassette-type toilet, a kitchen, wardrobes, solar panels, USB sockets or clean and gray water tanks. Among the long list of available options there is even a 27” TV.
To enter the world of camping and camping, in addition to these alternatives that increasingly have more followers, it is also worth highlighting the cute and light tent trailers and mini-caravans. The first, more popularly known as “Comanches”, start at 3,000 euros, although the most complete ones can be around 8,000 euros.
For their part, mini-caravans, as a general rule, have a price that ranges between approximately 12,000 and 22,000 euros, depending on the brand and model. Much lighter and more manageable than conventional caravans, logically they will also have fewer amenities, but they have the essentials for traveling sporadically and are much cheaper. It is just a matter of evaluating the pros and cons of each option and thus we will find the alternative to traditional caravanning that best suits us and our budget.
