The German company Kompanja has created what looks to be the ultimate in relaxation when you are traveling the country or full-timing – a personal movie theater in the comfort of your own RV.
The concept was unveiled at the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon in September, instantly attracting interest from around the world. Kompanja’s co-founder Christoph Kneer comments, “I live in my van full-time and yes, I needed a cinema in there.”
A small startup company, Kompanja specializes in doing things differently and creatively. Even though it has only been trading for 2 ½ years, it has been making an incredible impact, encouraging people to look at camper vans in an entirely new way. Christoph Kneer explains, “We are a young German conversion company that so far has specialized in converting Renault Trafics to everyday-use microcampers. The idea is that the customer needs to own only one vehicle, which can convert from a 6-7 person transporter, to a storage van, to an RV within minutes.”
It’s important to note, Kompanja is not a business that manufacturers caravans or recreational vehicles. Instead they undertake innovative conversions. Their vehicle of choice is a Renault Trafic, unlike most companies who opt for a VW Transporter. Reasons for this are simple. Renault manufacturers offer a lot of style (not surprisingly given its French heritage) and even the most basic van has a lot of extras such as a 123-hp diesel engine, front airbags, air conditioning, Bluetooth radio, hill start assist and rear parking assist. Vehicle upgrades include navigation systems, LED daytime running lights, and a 143-hp diesel engine. On top of that is the actual style of the vehicle. It is like a box, broad shouldered and spacious. Unlike VW Transporters, the Renault Trafic doesn’t taper at the roof thus making it easier to include pop-up roof beds and other facilities such as a movie theater! It does give extra space, as a comparison between a Kompanja Renault Trafic roof bed (53” x 77”) and a Volkswagon California’s 47”x79” reveals an extra 6” bed width has been created.
“The Trafic has a wider roof than the VW and most other vans, allowing for more space in general,” says Christoph. That gives us extra room for our conversion and extra space for the cinema projection screen. The concept could work in a VW but the screen would be much smaller.
He adds, “The idea for the cinematic atmosphere came to us on the road, we just spend a lot of time in our campers. We made it happen with an LED projector, some magnets and a special screen that allows front and back projection.
The movie theater can be used with battery or with the landline connection of the van. If used with the battery, it can run for about 6 hours on highest quality mode. The screen and the projector are mounted with pre-installed magnetic points. Setting up the cinema takes about three minutes. The cinema has four different set ups: it can be used to project to the inside of the pop-up roof for a private viewing, or on three different points so that you can watch it from outside the van.
As Christoph points out, it is very eco-friendly and cost effective to run. All the electricity is provided by solar panels or generated through daily use of the van.
Kompanja’s achievements have been considerable in just two short years. They have shown that a simple van can be transformed beyond expectations. It can be turned into a camper van, a movie projector and even an office. These are the ultimate, flexible and versatile transportation solutions.
Friends watching sports game outdoors with the help of LED projector and special viewing screen on the camper. [Photo/Kompanja]
It has been achieved by ensuring that every inch of space within a Kompanja conversion is utilized to the maximum. Inside the van, virtually everything is removable and adaptable. Swivel driver seats swing round to join the individual rear seats in a comfortable living area complete with removable dining table, and small kitchen complete with refrigerator and single burner stove. The kitchen area can be accessed from the inside or outside depending on your preference (and the weather!). The rear seats can be removed if you need storage space within the van. General storage units and slide outs are located in the living area.
A double bed folds out across the living area, with a variable width depending on whether you choose to use bedside cabinets – or have none at all. An additional two people can be accommodated on the Bivouac Bed. With the tail gate open, you can even sleep in the vehicle open to the stars. Alternatively, you can attach a tent around the tailgate to provide an overnight shelter.
And what of the cost? A base camper conversion costs around $49,000 with an added $1,690 for the projector system. The Bivouac Bed costs around $630 and there is a long list of possible extras such as diesel heating, exterior awning and pop-up roof.
Kompanja is definitely ambitious. Christoph reveals, “We have a very special, highly practical conversion system. Every country that already has the Renault Trafic on its market is potentially interesting at the moment, but for the States we would probably have to look for another conversion platform.”
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