Large and expensive RVs are fine and dandy as they are packed with all sorts of features that make camping trips as comfy and convenient as home, but some outdoor enthusiasts prefer to travel light and don't really want or need all the bells and whistles for an enjoyable camping experience.
Ultra-light, compact travel trailers are a remarkable option for the latter category of adventurers. By shedding extravagant, over-the-top features, these campers encourage people to focus more on enjoying the beauty of nature and spend more time outdoors. Not to mention, they enable a nimbler towing experience.
Today, we'll cast a spotlight on the 2024 Campmaster Duo, a compact two-berth travel trailer perfect for those who have shorter must-have lists for their camping trips. This camper is manufactured by Manchester-based Camperlands, a company that is better known for offering camping accessories, awnings, and trailer tents and has only recently ventured into lightweight travel trailers.
This cute, little mobile habitat has an overall length of just over 4.6 meters (15 feet) and a width of just two meters (6.6 feet), including the wheel arches, but has plenty to offer. It comes with all the core camping amenities and balances quality and affordability to appeal even to the most budget-conscious adventurers. With a base price under the £12,000 mark (US$15,180), the Campmaster Duo is one of the most affordable compact caravans available in Great Britain.
Photo: Camperlands
Camperlands offers two versions of the new caravan - the basic Campmaster Duo and a slightly-improved Duo GLX model that comes with some extra features and costs £1,300 (US$1,644) more.
With its boxy shape and lively side decals, the Campmaster Duo exudes a bit of retro flair on the road. In terms of construction, the pint-sized travel trailer boasts a timber-free, rot-proof framework on a Knott galvanized chassis and a fiberglass outer and inner shell with 30mm of Styrofoam insulation in between, ensuring durability and a particularly long life-span.
It's worth mentioning that the Knott chassis is slightly higher than the Al-Ko, which is usually used on UK-manufactured caravans. This means is offers better ground clearance, but don't worry as a step to get inside is supplied as standard.
Impressively, the trailer touches the scales at just 599 kg or 1,320 pounds (unladen weight), meaning it can be towed by almost any car without affecting the tow car's fuel economy too much. With a maximum gross weight of 750 kg (1,650 lbs), it comes with a carrying capacity of 151 kg (333 lbs), so you can still take plenty of food, water, clothes, and other stuff with you on the road.
Photo: Camperlands
Notable features on the outside include a lockable fiberglass front storage box (standard on the GLX, optional on the basic Duo) and a large Isabella Shade sun canopy. Alternatively, you can opt for a two-bike rack and a Dometic Leggera Air inflatable awning.
As you probably expect, space is at a premium inside this compact camper, so the interior is all about functionality. However, it still provides essential features, including a sleeping space, a small galley, space for a portable toilet, and an impressive amount of storage.
As you step inside, to the left, you will find the small kitchenette. It's the most minimalist cooking space you can ever imagine, but the basic worktop is surprisingly generous and can easily hold an induction hob. A stainless steel sink and a cabinet for storing cooking essentials are also included. Over the sink, a couple of stainless steel holders can hold mugs or glasses, while an upper cabinet and open shelving add extra storage space. The GLX model also comes with a Dometic coolbox that fits neatly under the worktop.
Opposite the kitchen block, there is a large cabinet by the door that can be used as a full-height hanging wardrobe. It can also store the optional leisure battery or a Porta Potti toilet. Also on this side, there is an electric radiator heater.
Photo: Camperlands
The front half of the trailer is occupied by a fixed 1.88 x 1.50m (6.16 x 5 foot) bed that comes with a movable backrest to allow for seating. The greatest perk of having such a large permanent bed is that you get plenty of storage space underneath, with easy access from both outside and inside the trailer.
Plenty of natural light gets inside through a large side window, a back window, and a Heki in the roof. If you go for the Duo GLX version, you also get some nifty features that will certainly enhance your camping experience, including a four-piece mirror set in the kitchen area, a leisure battery box with charge indicator, and a portable solar panel.
All in all, the budget-friendly Campmaster Duo travel trailer is perfect for the minimalist camper who doesn't prioritize luxury but still wants a comfortable place to sleep at night and basic cooking facilities.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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