Full review

Words: Geneve Brand  Photography: Mink Campers

The Mink 2.0 Sports Camper

When first saw this at a recent show (from afar across a field, I hasten to add!), I wondered if it was some kind of tumble dryer, as that’s what the door reminded me of.

On closer inspection, it’s small and super-cute, and a caravan in its own right with some pretty unique and innovative touches including cup holders on the wheel arches for when you're enjoying a drink outside.

What’s included

There’s a double bed with a memory foam mattress, so it sleeps two, with a large skylight above for stargazing. It’s also fitted with a leisure battery, 105W solar panel and even diesel-powered blown-air heating.

The back opens up to reveal a kitchenette, which features a portable gas hob, a 36-litre ice box, a Mink chopping board, 12V and 230V sockets, and a number of storage boxes. An awning can also be added so you'll need to factor that cost in if you're in need of a little more space.

The spec

With no on-board facilities, you'll either need to be OK with using a portable toilet which can be picked up pretty cheaply or, indeed, use the wash block on your campsite. The latter of which may be preferable for most people.

The design is pretty robust – well, it does hail from Iceland – so, there’s a tough ABS shell, full insulation, reinforced Al-Ko chassis and 17in all-terrain alloy wheels. It’s said to feature an anti-snake design, so it’s easy to tow and ideal for first-timers.

When it comes to that all-important weight figure, well, it’s a modest 520kg, but it has a maximum weight of 750kg, which means there’s a decent payload of 230kg to play with. If you've got some extra kit you want to pack, there should be enough room for it.

Moreover, the Mink is actually in stock in the UK, so you could buy one and have it on your driveway in a jiffy. Well, more or less.

Summary

We think it would be ideal for anyone who enjoys adventure holidays and wants a proper roof above their heads rather than canvas – and they’d need to not be too tall as headroom is a little limited, of course. It’s a funky little caravan that would suit someone who loves great design and isn’t afraid of standing out from the crowd.

In recent years, small campers like this, that are a cross between a campervan and a caravan, have experienced a surge in popularity. And unlike larger caravans, there will likely be no need to upgrade to a bigger towcar – electric vehicles, too, will make light work of towing smaller, more compact campers.

The Mink Campers lowdown

The Mink was designed in Iceland and started out as a concept back in 2015. It was dreamed up by two entrepreneurs who wanted to combine the intimacy of a tent with the luxury of a campervan.

After two years of research and development, the first prototype was ready. More fine-tuning followed and, eventually, the 2.0 model we see today was born.

The brand maintains its headquarters in Iceland but has its factory in Latvia, where it produces 60 units a month.

We’ve only started to see this great little caravan it in the UK this year and Broad Lane (in Birmingham) is the sole UK distributor.

The best place to see one in the flesh is at one of our own shows – check out the calendar here.