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| The Karucam unfolds like a desk full of hidden drawers to reveal a neat little office that converts into a bedroom |
OVER 30 tiny camper vans were on display amid the bigger vans at
the Camping Car Show in Tokyo last week.
The tiny camper vans are built to meet the strict keijidÅsha, or Kei car limitations that Tokyo places on cars.
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| The Karucam inside, a bit beige, but perfect for field work. |
A Kei car cannot exceed 11,2 feet in length, 4,9 ft in width or 6,6
ft in height and may only have a 660cc engine limited to 63 horsepower.
There are no limits to the power inside the mini camper vans. As
one builder’s explanation translates: “Since the 30W solar panels charging a
105Ah battery are standard equipment, you can use home appliances such as a
microwave oven or stove and of 2 000 Watts easily can be cooked on the go. And in a
collision you only have to worry about spilling the tea.
As the maker says: “It
is safe even when disaster by any chance can also usually ride.”
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| Above and blow, we mean BELOW: Shuterutojapan promises a comfortable ride in its CAMPMASTER mini van, which has a modern interior the company describes as a “cool adult space.” (Don’t go knocking if its rocking! |
The interiors make use of every inch to fit in all the comforts of
home, including a basin in the case of the Oka Motors, where female staff built
a camper for moms in which they say “you want to stay forever”. In the Dog-kun,
there is space for all the pets, including birds.
A Dahaitsu van was inspired by the image of a small crew ship. A
roof tent doubles the volume while a tiny rear “deck”, with “a French-made
kitchen wood deck” has a tiny slide-out basin with water pump alongside the
slide out two plate gas stove. The expanding Karucam doubles its volume by
sliding out an entire wall and lifting the roof.
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| Honda's idea of a mini trailer combo had websites around the world abuzz. But unless you are into a menage a trois, the sleeping arrangements can be a bit cramped in there. |
