Dominique builds smallest camper in the Netherlands from Citroën C1
Campers come in all shapes and sizes. From bus camper to large truck, everything is possible. Dominique Kuyper does have a very special camper van. He converted his Citroën C1 into the smallest motorhome in the Netherlands.
The 28-year-old creative was looking for a motorhome, but didn’t want an expensive one. “I looked at cheaper options and finally came up with this idea,” says Dominique.
Building the smallest camper, not as simple as it seems
Turning your Citroën C1 into a camper is not as easy as it may seem. “In total I have been working on it for 1.5 years. The smallest motorhome in the Netherlands has only been ready since February. […] You start by removing the back seat and the upholstery. Then I placed a sturdy wooden plate in it. I built the interior on this.”
The camper is equipped with a retractable stove, refrigerator, luggage rack and tool compartment. “In addition to the roof tent, I also bought a large day tent (300 x 300 x 250 cm), so that you also have a bit of living space during the day”, Dominique.
Adjustments to the suspension of the Citroën C1
Not only procedures were carried out on the smallest motorhome in the Netherlands. “In order to be able to drive in it safely, and to avoid having the idea that you are at sea while sleeping, other springs have been installed. […] I notice that when I now drive on unpaved roads, I sometimes hit a stone. That is why the undercarriage is created and it gets tires,” says the campsite owner.
Dominique has so far – for the chassis upgrade – spent about 4000 euros on his Citroën C1 camper. “Including car, it cost me 6000 euros. […] The biggest expense was the roof tent. There are even more expensive roof tents from 3 to 4 thousand euros. But they are unnecessary for me.”
Can you just screw a roof tent onto your Citroën C1?
Is a roof tent on a C1 allowed? “It’s a bizarre thought that you can safely camp on the roof of such a small car. The maximum static load of a Citroen C1 is approximately 250 kilograms. If you have an average build and good roof racks, it’s easy. […] The tent only weighs 50 kilograms, so we can go in with two people,” explains Dominique.
“With 130 kilometers per hour and hard profits, the camper is still fine to drive. The tent is a big flycatcher. It also doesn’t matter much in terms of fuel consumption. I use about 10 percent more,” he says.
“It is important that you film the roof tent in a slim manner. In any case, the wind has to pass over your roof tent. If I were to slide 10 centimeters forward, a vortex of wind is created. This results in even higher consumption,” says Dominique
Not as luxurious as a real camper
If you are used to sleeping in a motorhome, it is even like going on holiday with the Citroën C1. For example, Dominique says: “A motorhome has an interior, air conditioning, a heater, insulation and sockets. A tent does not offer all that.”
“The car is not made for this. It is a small car without towing or carrying capacity. If you are going to use that car for trips of 3000 kilometers, it must be suitable. That is already possible without major investments.”
Building the smallest camper is cheap
The creative also wants to convert cars to other cars of his own concept. “Only adjusting the suspension, a stove and a roof tent, costs about 2500 euros excluding the car. You can then safely hit the road. […] However, I want to get to places with my Citroën C1 where only Land Rovers and Jeeps currently drive, then you have to upgrade the chassis.”
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