Photo courtesy of Caravan Outfitter.New Atlus released a look at Caravan Outfitter’s Alpaca camper, the company’s first foray into full-size camper vans.
The automotive market has left Caravan Outfitter with zero mini-camper van platforms, after discontinuing the Nissan NV200, Mercedes Metris and Ford Transit Connect. But the Washington company isn’t complaining, turning those extra-sour lemons into delicious Mercedes-Benz Sprinter lemonade. Its first foray into full-size camper vans upsizes the small, multifunctional practicality of a mini-camper, providing two beds under one factory roof, seating space for five, and plenty of open, uncluttered floor space for cargo and camp life. And it manages to keep the price down to entry level — as far as U.S. Sprinter campers go.
With the Alpaca, Caravan Outfitter set out to create a van loaded with a value/versatility proposition comparable to its previous mini-camper models. More specifically, it set out to build a family-ready van that could be used as both a weekend adventure camper and an everyday driver, much the way customers used the Mercedes Backroads and Ford Free Bird.
So many of the American Sprinter conversions we’ve looked at over the years are optimized for, if not limited entirely to, two passengers, offering only two drive seats and one double bed. European Sprinter campers often incorporate space for four people, but with a narrow two-seat rear bench directly behind the cab and the remainder of the van filled out with permanent camper equipment, they’re far from inviting for everyday commuting or errands.
Modular camper equipment is one effective solution we’ve seen that bridges the gap, but Caravan Outfitter goes a slightly different route, creating a lighter camper floor plan that doesn’t so heavily impact the Sprinter’s everyday utility. The Alpaca certainly isn’t as luxurious as a European Sprinter camper or American custom, but it does offer a nice mix of everyday simplicity, flexible space and always-ready camper capability.
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