Best lightweight and small caravans for couples

Caravans for couples

Not many years ago, the phrase ‘caravans for couples’ meant two-berths. Now, with the rise in the number of small, lightweight caravans that have fixed double beds, the choice in the small caravans for couples category has broadened. While there is a good selection of classic two-berth caravans available, couples have much more to consider than whether they would like an end shower room or an end kitchen.

So, firstly, a snapshot guide to small caravans and lightweight caravans...

Small caravans can be loosely defined as those that have an overall length (also known as shipping length) of 6m or less. Lightweight caravans can be defined as those with an MTPLM (all-up, laden weight, Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass) of around 1,450kg.

Now, a selection of small, lightweight caravans for couples to consider:

Swift Basecamp

(Photo courtesy of Swift)

The Swift Basecamp is a compact, ultra-lightweight tourer with head-turning graphics and bags of practicality; built for adventures!

The Basecamp's bright orange graphics and formidable appearance make sure you get noticed if you own one.

It's explicitly designed to be your base for activities, with a rear door so that you can load bikes inside. The settees fold upwards to create space, and there are securing brackets for your bikes.

Basecamp comes with Swift's Command control system which enables you to turn on the lights and heating for a welcoming return to your caravan after your day's adventures. The kitchen has all you need – a three-burner hob, fridge, oven and grill.

An icon of small, lightweight caravans designed for adventure, the Swift Basecamp comes in three layouts. There’s a two-berth, a three-berth and a four-berth. All three have doors at the rear, and are designed so that you can wheel cycles inside. The settees that transform into a double bed at the front fold upwards, and there are securing points for cycles at each side.

Basecamp 2 is 5.1m in overall length and has an MTPLM of 1,043kg. The kitchen is on the nearside, with the combined shower/toilet compartment opposite.

Basecamp 3 is also ideal for couples. The kitchen in this model is on the offside, with the shower/toilet compartment behind it. On the nearside is a dining area for two (this can be transformed into a single bed). So this model, new for 2023, gives a couple the advantage of a dining area.

Basecamp 3’s overall length is 5.59m. Its MTPLM is yet to be announced.

Basecamp 4 has an overall length of 5.59m and an MTPLM of 1,186kg. Its layout is identical to Basecamp 3 except that it has a bunk above the side dining area. This model is ideal for couples who sometimes take children with them on holiday; perfect for extended family or grandchildren.

Swift's Sprite Range

(Photo courtesy of Swift)

Swift’s Sprite range also offers two lightweight, small caravans for couples.

Sprite Compact, introduced in 2022, is the smallest and lightest caravan in the Sprite range. It is 5.37m in overall length. Its MTPLM is 1,094kg. And it is narrower than the other models in the Sprite range, at 2.03m. The Sprite Compact has a classic end-kitchen, two-berth layout, with settees long enough to be used as single beds and this area transforms into a double bed. The kitchen is at the rear with the combined toilet/shower compartment alongside it.

Sprite Alpine 2

The Sprite Alpine 2 is a traditional small, lightweight caravan for couples, with the classic two-berth, offside kitchen, end shower room layout. The lounge transforms into a double bed or can be used as twin beds. It’s a standard width (wider than the Sprite Compact), at 2.25m. Its MTPLM is 1,218kg. Its overall length is 6.05m.

Sprite Alpine 4

Also a caravan designed for couples, this time with a fixed double bed, the Sprite Alpine 4 is a four-berth, so giving a couple the advantage of versatility – and, importantly, there is no need to transform the lounge into a double bed.

Erwin Hymer Group

From the Erwin Hymer Group, and, like the Sprites we feature here, built in Britain, in County Durham, the Xplore 422 is a lightweight caravan for couples, with an MTPLM of 1,099kg and an overall length of 5.87m. It has a kitchen at the rear on the nearside and, alongside it, a door that leads to the shower room, at the rear on the offside, containing a separate shower.

Carpento

(Photo courtesy of Carpento)

Built in Turkey and imported to Britain by Freedom Caravans of Staffordshire, the Carpento range offers super lightweight, small caravans, one of which is a two-berth.

The Carpento 310 is the smallest in the range of three, with an overall length of 4.1m and an MTPLM of 750kg. All three have widths of 1.98m. The 310’s lounge makes a double bed. The kitchen is at the rear. The toilet/washbasin/shower room is in the offside corner.

Freedom Caravans

(Photo courtesy of Freedom Caravans)

Also imported by Freedom Caravans of Staffordshire, this time made in Poland, Freedom caravans are ultra-lightweight, small caravans that have a body shape which has largely remained unchanged for generations, making them iconic in their small size class. The body is made of fibreglass.

Freedom Jetstream First Class and Jetstream Twin Sport have an MTPLM of 750kg and an overall length of 4.26m. Width is 2.03m.

Freedom Microlite Sport and Freedom Microlite Discovery are slightly narrower, at 1,94m, and shorter, at 4m. These models have what are called pop-up roofs; with the roof section elevated, the headroom is 1.88m. With the roof down, the total height of the caravan is 2.21m, making them caravans to consider if you are planning on storing one in a garage or other outbuilding.

All are two-berths with rear kitchens.

Eriba

(Photo courtesy of Eriba)

Several models in the German-made Eriba range are ideal small, lightweight caravans for couples.

Among these are the Eriba Touring 310, 430 and 530; all have a double bed at the rear and, at the front, a dining area that can be transformed into a single bed. Lengths are 5.06m, 5.,54m and 5.99m. MTPLM figures are 1,050kg, 1,300kg and 1,400kg. The Eriba Touring 540 has fixed single beds, a length of 5.99m and an MTPLM of 1,400kg.

Eriba caravans are imported by the Erwin Hymer Group. Like Freedom caravans, their body shape is iconic, remaining traditional over several decades. Also like Freedoms, they enjoy a cult following.

T@B

(Photo courtesy of T&B)

Caravans like no other, these are small, lightweight tourers for two, constructed in what is known as a ’teardrop shape’. Made in Germany by Knaus Tabbert, they first appeared in 2004, designed for small cars.

They have seating areas that make into double beds, and rear kitchens.

The T@B 320 comes in Basic and Offroad spec, with MTPLM figures of 800kg (Basic) and 1,000kg (Offroad). Length is 5m. Width is 2.01m.

The T@B 400 has a similar layout, with the addition of a washroom, with a washbasin, toilet and the option of a shower.

Other variants are the Metropolis and Mexican, with different graphics and body colour details.

Adria range

(Photo courtesy of Adria)

Adria Action

The Adria Action 361 LT is the smallest caravan in the Adria range, which are made in Slovenia. The overall length is 5.21m, width is 2.19m and. The MTPLM is 1,100kg.

Settees make a double bed, or can be used as two single beds. The kitchen is at the rear with the combined shower/toilet compartment alongside.

The Adria Action’s curved body shape, large rooflight and small front window mean that these are small, lightweight caravans that have lots of head-turning wow-factor.

Bailey range

(Photo courtesy of Bailey)

Bailey Discovery

Bailey of Bristol’s lightest-weight range is the Discovery. The two-beerh in the range of three models is the D4-2, with seating that transforms into a double bed, an offside kitchen and a rear offside shower/toilet compartment. The MTPLM is 995kg, the body length is 5.6m and the width is 2.2m.

The Bailey Discovery’s rounded rear body shape means that an awning rail runs across the rear as well as along the nearside; a bespoke awning is available.

Bailey Phoenix+ 420

In Bailey’s Phoenix+ range, the two-berth is the 420. Like the Discovery D4-2, the seating transforms into a double bed. The Phoenix+ 420 has a washroom that spans the whole width of the caravan, with a separate shower in the nearside corner. The MTPLM is 1,146kg, the overall length is 5.56m and  the width is 2.21m.

Bailey Phoenix+ 440

Still very much a small, lightweight caravan, the 440 has an MTPLM of 1,347kg and an overall length of 6.88m. Tthis model will appeal to couples to want a fixed double bed, rather than making the bed from the lounge seating.