Bicycle caravan - camping with muscle power

Camping by bike – close to nature, original and also somehow romantic. While most people sleep under the stars or in a tent, another sleeping option for cyclists is currently establishing itself on the market: the bicycle caravan. These camping trailers are particularly suitable for those who appreciate the charm of flexibility, resource-saving travel and individual journeys, but at the same time enjoy a little extra comfort.

What is a bicycle caravan?

A mini caravan that you can attach to your bike, e-bike or pedelec. This gives you complete flexibility and allows you to spend the night wherever you like – weather protection included.

The most frequently asked questions about bicycle caravans

Which bike can I use to tow a camping trailer? Can I ride it on cycle paths? What should I look out for when buying? We will give you the most important answers to these and other questions below.

Which two-wheelers can I use to tow a bicycle caravan? Bicycle, e-bike, pedelec?

The popular answer: “It depends!” – could also be given here, albeit with considerable reservations. It is generally advisable to tow bicycle caravans with an e-bike or pedelec. Only very well-trained cyclists can safely pull a bicycle caravan (with pleasure) over longer distances if the weight of the trailer is in favorable proportion to the road surface.

In the case of e-bikes, caravan manufacturers usually recommend a model with a motor that has a high torque and a high capacity – because the caravan needs a lot of energy, especially when riding uphill. You can find more information on bike types and basic equipment in this article.

What do I have to consider with regard to road traffic law?

With your bike-caravan combination, you can ride both on cycle paths and roads – just like with a normal bike. And another piece of good news: the bicycle caravan does not require TÜV approval or a permit to be registered on the road. In this article, we have listed the best apps for cycle routes.

How much does a bicycle caravan weigh?

Of course, the campers are comparatively light, but they still weigh around 50 to almost 90 kilograms when empty, i.e. without a load. The payload is then specified accordingly by the manufacturer.

How much does a camping trailer for a bike cost?

The prices are as varied as the caravans themselves. The cheapest of the models presented here starts at just under 3,500 euros, but as is so often the case, there are virtually no upper limits.

What should I look out for when buying a caravan for my bike?

The range of products on the market is certainly manageable at the moment, but there are a number of models that differ in key respects. If you are interested in such a camper, you should consider the following questions in order to carry out targeted research:

• How many people should the caravan be designed for?

• What is the maximum weight of the trailer to ensure that you feel comfortable riding it and that it is compatible with your bike?

• Do you need electricity on the road? If so, how much electricity do you use?

• Do you mainly ride on roads, off-road or on completely different paths? Which tires are suitable and how much ground clearance should the bike trailer have?

• How much budget have you allowed for?

Where can I buy a bike trailer?

You can find bike caravans on the Internet in online stores, directly on manufacturers’ websites, on second-hand exchanges such as eBay or classified ads, or in specialist stores.

Bicycle caravans – a selection of models

The market for bicycle caravans is still quite small, and yet there are already very different models available. Below we present a few variants, sorted in ascending order according to the unladen weight of the small campers.

Micro-caravan B-Turtle

This camping trailer from Austrian manufacturer B-Turtle combines camping and transportation in one. The multifunctional bike trailer is a bike caravan that offers space for two adults and can also be used as a cargo trailer in everyday life if required. The trailer is connected to the bike with a Weber coupling, and the packed tent structure made of cotton blend fabric is stowed on the 120-liter transport tub.

When the tent is pitched, the sleeping area of 210 x 130 cm offers comfortable space for two people, 73 cm above the ground. The B-Turtle tent is waterproof, wind and storm resistant, breathable and can also provide additional protection from the sun and weather with an optional outer cover with blacked-out window film.

Brief overview:

• Dimensions (LxWxH): 110 x 79 x 58 cm (bike trailer, without tent)

• Number of persons: 2

• Empty weight: 29 kg

• Load during the journey: not specified

• Price (as of June 2023): from 3,499 euros

Find out more about the B-Turtle bicycle caravan in this video.

Martha

The manufacturer maxmess-design from Wernigerode in the Harz Mountains has focused on environmentally friendly travel in its development of the bicycle caravan with the model name Martha, while at the same time offering comfort thanks to its light weight. Thanks to the use of aluminum and 3D-printed parts, Martha is very light and at the same time highly resilient.

The low overall height, the 24-inch wheels and the 32-centimeter ground clearance ensure comfortable riding – whether in strong winds or on bumpy roads. If the climb is steeper, the motor assistance of the e-bike is worthwhile – but sporty riders can also get on well with Martha on a conventional bike.

Three porthole windows, a panoramic window and a hinged roof hatch provide sufficient light in the bicycle caravan. The interior of the caravan is fully insulated, lined and well equipped: storage compartments, an organizer, self-sufficient power supply from a 30 Ah power bank, USB charging points, LED lighting, fan – and the designers are currently developing a heating option for use in winter too.

Brief overview:

• Dimensions (LxWxH): 250 x 90 x 134 cm

• Number of persons: 1

• Empty weight: 52 kg

• Load during the journey: not specified

• Price (as of June 2023): from 4,850 euros

Scout 970

Bicycle caravan and trailer in one: CreaContruct from Bremerhaven offers two interesting bicycle caravans, the Scout 770 and Scout 970, which can also be used as a separate trailer after a short conversion. The special feature: The camper attachment can also be installed on any other suitable trailer base, so you don’t necessarily have to buy the manufacturer’s trailer.

For the construction of the Scout 970, as well as the smaller Scout 770, the manufacturer uses aluminum honeycomb panels and sandwich panels, promising low weight and high strength at the same time. A hydraulic disc brake is installed in this bicycle trailer as an overrun brake for comfortable braking.

The Scout 970 should take about 10 minutes to set up. You can also attach a small awning to extend the living space if required. The tent can be folded and stored in the storage space.

Brief overview of the Scout 970:

• Dimensions (LxWxH): 327 x 97 x 185 cm

• Number of persons: 2

• Empty weight: 75 kg

• Load during the journey: max. 25 kg

• Price (as of June 2023): from 4,400 euros (camper attachment), from 7,330 euros (camper attachment incl. trailer)

Wide Path Camper

With 2.8 square meters of living space, this model from Danish manufacturer Wide Path Camper is theoretically designed for two people, depending on how well the two of you can sleep on the mattress measuring just under 2 x 1 meter. The interior with a headroom of 1.42 meters can be converted into a small living/sitting area during the day. For a self-sufficient power supply, you can order the solar package – consisting of a 47 W solar cell and a 20 Ah battery – as an option.

You can stow your luggage in the rear area of the Wide Path Camper – 300 liters of storage space can accommodate a lot. While the camper measures 2.85 meters in length when unfolded, it can be folded down to just 1.50 meters while driving. An overrun brake also ensures safe driving and braking.

Brief overview:

• Dimensions (LxWxH): 285 x 97 x 175 cm (unfolded)

• Number of persons: 2

• Empty weight: 88 kg

• Load during the journey: max. 50 kg

• Price (as of June 2023): from 4,000 euros

Two special variants of bicycle caravans – “in the broadest sense”

BeTriton

We don’t want to leave this somewhat bizarre amphibious bicycle camper van from Latvia unmentioned in our presentation. You don’t need your own bike for the BeTriton, it’s already included in the package. A 250 W electric motor assists with driving and, according to the manufacturer, has a range of around 100 kilometers. During the day, the seating area is located in the sliding dome; at night, you can convert it into a sleeping area. If there are obstacles such as a lake or river on your route – no problem!

The BeTriton can be converted into a boat in just a few minutes. To do this, the two wheels on the rear axle are folded in and replaced by small rubber pontoons that provide the lift. The boat motor with 2,150 watts is said to have a range of around 30 kilometers.

The BeTriton is currently (as of June 2023) available for pre-order – both as a finished vehicle (from 19,500 euros) and as a do-it-yourself kit including instructions (from 5,500 euros). Delivery is scheduled for this year. For the BeTriton you need the moped test certificate (L2e) in Germany.

In this video you can find out more about this very special boat trike camper trailer, the BeTriton.

SpaceCamper Bike

Not a bicycle caravan, but a motorhome on two wheels: The SpaceCamper Bike is a mixture of cargo bike and bicycle-tent combination. It can be used in everyday life for shopping or transporting goods, and is also a comfortable companion on bike tours, as the variable lying surface can replace a tent.

And a word about the Mody Plast Bike-Camper

According to media reports, the manufacturer of bicycle caravans has had to cease production due to a persistent shortage of materials. An inquiry on our part as to whether this is still up to date has not yet been answered. There was a choice of three basic versions of the Bike-Camper: Tourer, Trekking and Outdoor – the Tourer for paved roads with classic road tires, the Trekking version also for forest and field paths and the Outdoor model with 120 mm fat tires.

DIY: Build your own bicycle caravan

Can you build a bicycle caravan yourself? Of course! Depending on your manual skills and personal motivation, building your own is certainly one way of owning a (low-cost) bicycle caravan. There is information, building tips, instructions (some for a fee) and videos on the Internet that provide ideas for building bicycle caravans. You can find a few examples below:

Build your own bicycle caravan – construction (from the Woodibiker video series)

Build your own bike caravan – weight, costs, plans (from the Woodibiker video series)

Building a bike camper out of wood, part 1 (more parts on offer)

Building a Camper (in English, detailed instructions)

Your dream mobile wasn’t there yet? In this article you will find the most beautiful mini mobile homes for bike nomads.

Conclusion

Off into nature! Bicycle caravans are a real alternative to traveling by bike and tent – but also the somewhat more expensive option. These and other models will enrich the niche of the camping market and offer all passionate campers who like to travel without a motor a wonderful opportunity for individual travel by bike.

Letzte Aktualisierung der Preise am 2025-09-17 / Affiliate Links / Bilder von der Amazon Product Advertising API