Tinkervan teams up with Peugeot to create camper versions of the new Traveller and Rifter

For some time now, vans have stopped being simply the perfect ally for work and have become a transport option in their own right. Just take a look at the wide variety available on the market today, increasingly similar to a conventional car. The new generation of large vans follows the same trend, although their progress has perhaps been slowed to a greater extent by the rise of large SUVs.

Regardless of their size, vans today enjoy widespread acceptance as a leisure vehicle thanks to their various features, but especially their superior load capacity and customisation potential, which make them the ideal companion for anyone who enjoys nature. Moreover, this also makes them a perfectly valid option for those seeking a more affordable alternative to large motorhomes.

In this segment we find long-established models such as the Volkswagen Transporter California or the Mercedes-Benz V-Class Marco Polo, which will now be joined by two more competitors that also offer a wide range of customisation options: the new Peugeot Traveller and Rifter. The French manufacturer has also chosen to “camperise” its two new vans in collaboration with Tinkervan, a Spanish converter that, in just 14 years, has built a name for itself among these specialist builders.

For both camper models, the Traveller and the Rifter, Peugeot opts for the Long version, which, with its larger dimensions, allows for greater customisation. Best of all, despite being vehicles with special equipment, we do not lose any of the functions and equipment found in their conventional siblings, and on the outside they look like just another vehicle in the range when the pop-up roof is not raised.

It is once we step inside that, within minutes, they transform into vehicles for enjoying nature and leisure activities, offering three clearly differentiated spaces, mainly in the Peugeot Traveller: a bedroom in the pop-up roof, a bed made from the rear seats, and a “lounge”, which is made even more practical by the folding table and the swivelling front seats for added comfort.

Three equipment levels for every need

The model that offers the most possibilities and equipment options is the Peugeot Traveller, where, depending on which of the three equipment levels you choose, you will have a greater or lesser number of options. Regardless of this, every equipment level shares the pop-up roof, one of the largest in its segment, with interior dimensions of 2,400 mm at the front, allowing you to stand comfortably, as well as a minimum height of 400 mm at the rear of the bed; it also includes a comfortable bed and two side windows and one front window for natural light and ventilation.

In terms of equipment, the basic trim, called Happy, includes a 100 Ah AGM auxiliary battery, which is charged while the vehicle is running; it also features 12 V and USB sockets throughout the cabin, as well as LED lights in the two-tone interior, with which you can choose between soft or white lighting depending on your needs.

An intermediate step is the Sunset trim, the perfect option for those who want to go one step further in “camperisation” but do not want to give up versatility for everyday use the rest of the year. This trim adds parking heating by Webasto, installed underneath the Traveller, with a timer fitted inside and a Height Kit, which also provides heating when sleeping in the pop-up roof; plus a 220 V power inverter up to 550 W, allowing you to plug in small electronic devices.

The top level is found in the Dreams trim, which will delight those seeking a more complete “camper” experience, combining everyday modularity with very comprehensive equipment. In the boot you will find a rear cabinet with two compartments and a 40-litre fridge in the upper load area; a kitchen module for compact gas cylinders for preparing hot meals at any time; a water tank filled with canisters that can be refilled at any tap or fountain; and an outdoor shower.

Best of all, all this equipment can be removed from the vehicle without any problem, so that whenever you wish, your Peugeot Traveller can return to being a comfortable five-seat vehicle for even more comfortable everyday use.

Technical specifications of the cars in this article

Small Passenger VanPeugeot Rifter11 versions · from 29,085 €

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Passenger VanPeugeot Traveller6 versions · from 42,655 €