Love retro style? Then the camper trailer of your dreams is about to appear in the States. NüCamp RV have signed a deal with an extremely innovative, high quality UK company, Barefoot Caravans to produce a US version of its iconic egg shaped retro camper trailer. The first models are due to roll off the production line in early 2020 and as NüCamp points out, “the Barefoot Travel Trailer is a unique, nostalgic, and spacious unit.” The curvy fiberglass body and the free-flowing interior make up this gem. It’s a head-turner, conversation starter, and is just right for the camper who likes to stand out, according to the company.
So what makes the Barefoot Caravan so desirable? It is quite simply totally different to any other camper trailer, offering an incredible quality and facilities within a very compact unit. All aspects of the design are bespoke, created specifically for Barefoot Caravans.
Cathy Chamberlain is the CEO and founder of Barefoot Caravans. She says, “Our customers all love the design of the Barefoot, the spacious interior and the fact that it is compact and easy to tow. The most popular color at the moment is Duck Egg blue with duck egg blue and cream seats. Now we have red and cream seats in a cream demonstrator; many customers are getting bolder in their color choices.”
The European version is approximately 16 feet long, and sleeps two people. The U-shaped seating and dining area quickly transforms into a six-foot by six-foot bed. Solid oak countertops feature in the kitchen area, which has an integral two burner stove, fridge, sink and storage facilities including a wardrobe and numerous cubbyholes. Despite the size of the van, there is also a decent sized bathroom complete with shower, toilet, mirror and sink. Also included as part of the integral package are numerous extras such as a heating & hot water system, USB sockets, a wine rack, energy saving LED lights, screens and blackout blinds on the windows, plus retro styled 13 inch hubcaps.
To review, the Barefoot is available in pale grey, Cotswold Cream and Duck Egg Blue. Other colors can be provided as a bespoke extra, allowing buyers to match the color of their tow car or simply reflect personal tastes. Inside, the upholstery color choices include Duck Egg, Stone, Navy Blue, Lime Green, Grey and Orange. Curtains are made up in retro style fabric patterns. They also provide a retro radio with every van. The Roberts Revival DAB radio comes in classic retro shades of red, black, stone, orange and Duck Egg blue. The sheer amount of color combinations means that owners can create a really bespoke, personal version of the Barefoot Camper, which is unique to them, without necessarily having to spend anything extra in terms of the price. UK buyers pay $32,700 for a high quality Barefoot Caravan complete with all their personal choices in terms of color. The only variation on this price is if a buyer wants a non-standard exterior color, and this results in an extra charge of $769.
Founder of Barefoot Caravans Cathy Chamberlain with her nicely designed and quality camper. [Photo/Cathy Chamberlain]
Cathy believes they have achieved their aim of providing luxury camping within a very compact unit. The use of solid oak for the countertops was regarded as extremely important because it immediately stresses the quality that is being provided. There is no fake wood anywhere within the vehicle. The curved body shape includes a curved front window, making it look really special; achieving a sleek modern appearance with retro influences.
She reveals, “The idea behind the Barefoot followed my own personal search for a cool caravan to take for trips away and to music festivals. It was particularly inspired after a wet weekend camping in 2011! When I couldn’t find a caravan that I liked (there is nothing like the Barefoot), I decided to design and build one. I knew that I wanted a retro styled caravan that was curved and aerodynamic, that looked great from the outside as well as the inside.”
Cathy searched and found the perfect help she needed to fulfill her design. “I realized that fiberglass would be the best material to give me the curves that I wanted in a single molded body that would be completely waterproof and last for years. Having spoken with various boat builders and other companies that worked with fiberglass, I met my fantastic business partners at Watsonian sidecars, who make very cool retro sidecars. We worked on the design together and through contacts they had at Coventry University, we offered work placements to 3 students from the Automotive and Transport Design Course. The students, Tom, Lewis and Matt were great at coming up with new design ideas and translating our final design to CAD.”
When it came to promoting the van to the UK public, Cathy had the inspired idea of contacting a reality TV program to film the creation of the new concept. George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces series has been running on UK TV Channel Four since 2012. It aims to show how the smallest of spaces can be turned into unusual homes or uses. For example, the first episode featured an underground bathroom turned into an apartment; and a couple who had invested all their savings in converting a bus into their travel accommodation.
Amazing Spaces were fascinated by Cathy’s unique concept, and decided to use it on the program. Filming took place throughout the development process during 2015 and 2016, starting with development of the Barefoot body at Cheltenham Laminators, before moving to Graham Edwards Trailers in York where the bespoke chassis was designed, refined, laser cut, welded and assembled. More filming covered the design and interior fit out before the ‘big reveal’ of the first demonstrator Barefoot Caravan took place amid the pretty surroundings of Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire.
Not surprisingly, that first production was quickly sold and more vans were soon manufactured. Barefoot Caravans exhibit at all the major caravan shows in the UK, such as the Birmingham NEC Motorhome & Caravan Show, and are very popular with visitors. According to Cathy, “We get absolutely mobbed at the shows. We love showing people around the Barefoot and they love it too!”
Demand quickly outstripped supply, resulting in the creation of waiting lists. The next delivery slots are set for September 2019. All the main components of the Barefoot Caravan are made in Britain, as Barefoot is proud of embracing the best of British manufacturing. It is assembled at their premises in the Cotswolds.
Cathy tells The Buzz, “We sell our Barefoot Caravans predominatly in the UK at the moment, although there are a few units in Germany and France. We have had huge interest from the USA, Canada, Australia, South Korea and much of Europe. We are delighted to have found NüCamp as a partner to manufacture Barefoot Caravans for the North American market and we will soon have news of Barefoot Caravans reaching Australia.”
Specification details for the US version of the Barefoot Camper are not yet available. They say that there will be adaptations of the concept, but that nothing more can be said at present. NüCamp RV CEO Scott Hubble comments, “We are excited to combine the unique Barefoot design with the hallmark NüCamp quality.”
Any one wanting to get a head start on progress should visit NuCamp RV's website.