Dubbed the Cramper Van, the world’s smallest, lightest RV can seat up to four close friends in a pinch although one of the seats folds down over the two-ring hob and sink.
It’s the cramper van!
The invention of custom car fanatic Andy Saunders, owner of Kampers Kars in Poole, Dorset, Cramper Van is a mash-up of an old Bedford Bambi van and a Butlins-style pedal cart.
Saunders, 50, has made a name for himself creating weird and wonderful custom cars including a Picasso-inspired multi-colored Citroen 2CV, a mini Mini, and a 21-inch tall car.
Saunders chopped six feet off the front of a Bedford campervan and attached it to the pedal cart before refitting the interior.
The only other thing that sets it aside from its bigger brothers is its lack of an engine, instead relying on pedal power to pull it along.
With four foot by four foot living space, the Cramper Van is filled with seats, stove, table, and bed.
Despite its confined size the pedal-powered mini mobile home still has room to squeeze in four seats, a stove, a sink, a table, and a bed.
The roof space extends out by 2 feet 6 inches providing sufficient room for a small bed.
It is officially classed as a bicycle so doesn’t have to be registered to go out on the roads although it must be fitted with lights if it is going out after dark.
The pedal-powered mobile home took Saunders just two weeks to construct and cost £1,000 ($1,500) in materials.
It’s the cramper van!
The mini camper really wasn’t planned—it was just one of those things that popped into my head, which is how the best ideas come about, according to Saunders.
“One of my salesmen was talking about a pedal bike and I just thought why not combine it with a camper van,” he said.
“The idea evolved at the speed of light and within 15 minutes we had sourced a pedal bike and a camper van.
“We had this old scrap Bedford Bambi camper that had been sitting around for about four years which was perfect for the camper section.
“It can be pedaled but you do have to have legs like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
You certainly wouldn’t want to go camping in it around too many hills.
The van has a sink plumbed in and a gas hob as well as a very small table.
“We wanted the camper to be finished to the highest quality,” said Sanders.
“Inside it’s fully insulated and upholstered, it has a twin hob to cook on, a sink to wash up in.
“It has four seats although you have to make sure you’re finished cooking because one of those seats is on the hob.
“It’s got a big side window and even a small bed—you have to tuck up a bit but it’s perfect for a power nap.
“It is a little cramped but it’s all good fun—everyone who sees it says ‘Wow!’” Sanders concluded.
Wow, indeed!
No word, yet, on whether Sanders plans to make the Cramper available for sale or take the concept to construction.
It’s the cramper van!
Details
Kampers & Kars
Regular maintenance and testing is essential to ensure your safety and keep your motorhome in perfect working order.
A wide range of repairs to all makes of motor caravans and repairs to gas equipment and appliances.
Kampers and Kars offer courtesy loan cars for the duration your vehicle is being serviced or repaired,
Address: Kampers & Kars, Pottery Service Station, 228 Ringwood Road, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset, UK 14 0RS
Phone: 01202 748267 or 730624
Website: kampersandkars.co.uk
Worth Pondering…
If you can imagine it, you can achieve it.
If you can dream it, you can become it.
—William Arthur Ward
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If you enjoy these articles and want to read more on RV travels and lifestyle, visit my website: Vogel Talks RVing.
Angela Johnson
Wow, that's a cute idea