There's a lot to be said in favor of French sophistication – that distinctive style that blends equal parts minimalism, functionality, and that je ne sais quoi that seems to elude proper definition. As it turns out, the French do even RVs with that specific French flair.
Carapate is a French builder of teardrop trailers that go by the same name, instantly recognizable for their retrofuturistic, colorful, and cute design.
The Carapate is the flagship model and was introduced in 2019, two years after the company was founded. We've covered it on a previous occasion, as the model made the rounds in the international media thanks to its very distinctive, eye-catching design that is classic, elegant, and modern at the same time.
Following the successful debut of the Carapate, the company introduced two more models, aiming to cover a wider section of the market: La Carriole and La Caravelle, both lesser specced variants of the original Carapate. La Carriole, whose name translates to "the carriage," is meant as a basic, modular option for whatever adventure you have in mind, especially if said adventure entails towing with your daily driver.
Photo: Carapate
As with most teardrop trailers, the appeal of La Carriole is that you don't have to upgrade your towing vehicle. It's very light – lighter than its predecessor – and very compact, so you can tow it with your daily driver, which means you have the perfect vacation vehicle at your disposal whenever you want it. Storage isn't an issue either since you can just drive La Carriole into the garage and forget about it until you need it again.
The appeal of La Carriole is that you can turn it into whatever you need, too, by means of what Carapate calls "backpacks:" sets of extras you can choose for the unit, adding extra functionality and upgrades.
La Carriole features a galvanized frame and a single braked axle, and comes with an empty weight of 490 kg (1,080 lbs) that you can load up to 800 kg (1,634 lbs). Total length is 3.85 meters (12.6 feet), with 2.42 meters (8 feet) on the inside; the height inside the cabin is just 1.16 meters (3.8 feet), so you'll be able to sit comfortably without having to crouch.
Photo: Carapate
Like the Carapate model, this one, too, comes with a jockey wheel that allows you to move it into location by hand, a sliding panoramic window, and an awning door. Unlike its predecessor, that's the full list of specs, so if you plan on using it for more than just hauling cargo, you'll need one or more of those backpacks.
For example, if you want to turn the trailer into a cozier, airier, and better-lit habitat, you'll want the Butterfly backpack, which adds another lateral door with the same kind of awning opening, a second sliding window, and a blackout leather curtain to go with it.
If your vacation plans include longer stays at camp, you'll need the Marmiton backpack, which includes a collapsible sink, a 12-liter (3-gallon) water fountain with tap and handle, a 2.2kW stove and two gas cartridges, the Corkscrew backpack that includes all the kitchen essentials for 4-people meals, and maybe the Ice Cube backpack, which includes a 40-liter (1.4 cu-ft) Dometic cooler and two gas cartridges.
Photo: Carapate
For sleeping, you can choose between the Feather backpack, which is essentially a two-person mattress, and the Rooftop tent backpack, which is exactly what the name says and allows you to take an entire 4-member family along for the ride.
If you're splurging, you can add style options like two-tone rims or comfort upgrades, like a folding awning that creates a full room outside the trailer. Carapate also offers options for roof racks and bicycle racks, various forms of storage inside and out, and extras meant to protect your privacy, like blackout curtains and locks.
There's even a Carapace backpack that brings a cover for the trailer and a bag for easy storage and transport. Say what you will, but you can't fault Carapate for not thinking of everything.
La Carriole starts at €14,900 ($15,700 at the current exchange rate), which positions it as a more affordable alternative to the flagship Carapate. However, bear in mind that both models come with a limited number of features, so when you start adding any of the options mentioned above, pricing goes up.
Photo: Carapate
For example, the Marmiton package is €170 ($180), the Butterfly spec is €1,490 ($1,580), and the Rooftop tent is another €2,651 ($2,800).
Opting for the full package will add €9,866 ($10,500) to the €14,900 ($15,700) of the trailer. If there's one je ne sais quoi ingredient in the recipe for the French je ne sais quoi, it must be "expensive stuff." At least, in this case, it is. This is a très chic teardrop trailer, without a doubt, but it's far from affordable.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News