A caravan produced by a company in Turkey turns into a home of more than 20 square meters. How the expansion system works
A caravan that takes up a little over 8 square meters during transport can be transformed, after installation, into a home with an area of more than 20 square meters. The model, presented by a manufacturer in Turkey, provides two side extensions that open like an accordion and increase the living space. The concept isn't entirely new, but it's unique to the current lineup, according to the Auto Evolution website.
The Turkish company Ortsan Kapali Alan Sistemleri, through the Ortsan Outdoor brand, specializes in extendable garages for cars, ATVs and motorcycles, as well as large tents. The experience gained in these areas was the basis for the launch of the Mini House in 2023, when the technology used for expandable shelters was adapted to a caravan.
How the caravan works
The most famous application of the concept was realized in 1985 by the Dutch architect and designer Eduard Böhtlingk, through the prototype De Markies (“Awning”), also known as “The Accordion”. To this day, it remains one of the most acclaimed implementations of the idea.
The way the Mini House expands is similar, but the interior is different.
The caravan is built on a sturdy steel chassis with a single axle, placed closer to the ground for better stability.
The manufacturer does not provide details about the construction of the body, but states that the textile sections are waterproof and very resistant. The Mini House is O2 certified, which means it meets international transport and road traffic standards.
During transport it measures 4 meters long and 2.1 meters wide, occupying only 8.4 square meters. Once extended, the available area exceeds 20 square meters.
The owners benefit from a separate bedroom and a multifunctional space that can serve as a living room, balcony or terrace. The caravan is towed like a classic model.
Kitchen and bathroom in a compact space
The bathroom takes up the entire width of the front, while the kitchen runs almost the entire length of one side.
For such a compact caravan, the kitchen is impressively large. Standard features include a 90-litre 12V fridge, a two-burner gas hob, a round stainless steel sink, plenty of storage space and a pull-out table hidden in a drawer.
And the bathroom is more generous than you might expect, mainly thanks to an entire wall dedicated to cupboards and storage spaces. Because of the extension mechanisms, the side areas do not offer additional spaces for luggage, so storage is done in the kitchen, bathroom and in a compartment located on the wheel.
The company gave a fully equipped example to the Atik family, known on YouTube for testing the latest and most unusual caravans and camping equipment. They spent two days using the Mini House and were able to check the level of comfort and functionality.
Mini House is also designed for extended autonomy. Solar panels with a total power of 470 W are mounted on the roof, connected to a 200 Ah lithium battery and an inverter. The trailer has two tanks of 200 liters each, one for clean water and one for gray water. There is no black water tank as the toilet is a box type and has its own container which needs to be emptied periodically.
A wood-burning stove is also standard. The manufacturer also mentions an air conditioning system, a Webasto diesel heater and a smart TV with integrated multimedia infrastructure. All the functions of the caravan, from the extension of the “wings” to the lighting, heating and air conditioning, can be controlled via a tablet that acts as a command center.
Setting up the campsite requires some additional operations, but they are not complicated and do not require special experience. The more laborious part is setting up the spaces after the expansion, including inflating the bed and rearranging the furniture.
Prices start at 890,000 Turkish Liras, equivalent to about $19,300 at the current exchange rate. The amount does not include taxes, shipping or possible interior customizations, available because each copy is made to order.
