Freedom in a small package: Why Karen chose our compact Micro Camper

Meet Bee – Karen’s shiny new Micro Camper, proudly nicknamed Le Petit (“the little one”) as part of the Orange family. She might be smaller than a full Trouvaille, but she’s got a personality that’s just as big!

“I’d been researching vans like, forever, but never quite found the right one.” says Karen. “I didn’t want too big or too small – it had to be easy to drive round country roads. The automatic was a big plus because I shattered my heel last year. If I’d had an automatic car then, I’d have been out and about a lot faster.”

Bee is built on a Toyota Proace – the first one we’ve converted – and she’s a rare automatic too.

With keyless entry and start, alloy wheels, and a high spec throughout, she’s an absolute breeze to drive. “Instead of my car, I’m using it all the time,” Karen laughs. “I’m properly getting used to it now.”

And you can’t miss Bee when she’s out and about.

With her deep black paintwork, bold pink-and-orange graphics, and sleek 2.6m black Fiamma wind-out awning, she’s a real head-turner. 

“Everyone that’s seen it loves it,” says Karen. “Even the plumber fixing my bathroom tap was impressed – he spent the entire night watching Orange’s YouTube videos!”

Watch Richard tour Karen's Micro Camper!

Clever inside and out

Step inside and you’ll find Misty Blue units with a cashmere wood finish – calm, light, and stylish.

There’s a big wardrobe you can reach from inside or through the back, a single seat conversion, a diesel heater, a compressor fridge, and heaps of storage drawers. 

The pop-top roof has a zip-out scenic canvas for those big open-air views, plus a Froli sprung roof bed with our custom mattress pad.

“Roxie, my dog, was straight in – ‘this is my bed, mum – you always go upstairs at night so off you pop!’”

Bee’s clear factory glass keeps everything bright and airy inside, and her layout means you can still get to the fridge and loo even with the bed made up. Handy when you’re mid-brew!

Day trips, dog bowls and brew stops

Karen hasn’t camped overnight just yet – Bee had to pop back for an AdBlue sensor fix – but she’s already packed in plenty of adventures.

There’s been a first-day outing to Spout Force and Whinlatter for tea and cake (“rookie error – no water except in the dog bowl!”), a couple of lovely trips to Ennerdale with a brew by the lake, and her first go at cooking on gas in the van.

“It’s just nicer having a brew with a view in Bee instead of going straight home,” Karen says. 

“With the twin sliders, I use the one behind the kitchen as a shelf. Supplies in baskets that need to move if I want the other door open, but it’s extra handy storage.”

And while she jokes about fairy lights getting in the way of the roof bed, she’s already feeling the benefits of van life.

“I’m so much happier having Bee. It’s my freedom to get out and bumble about a bit more, and escape normality. I feel healthier because I’m not stressing on the small stuff.

After my heel injury, I’m up to 8 or 9 miles walking without aching – but having Bee means I can rest up and then carry on. Perfect.”

Why Orange Campers?

Karen first saw us at our April open day. “I loved Chris and Michelle’s van straight off – but it was a bit bigger than I need, and not automatic."

"I was looking for a camper forever. Nothing fitted. Orange kept cropping up in my searches, so I had a proper look. I phoned about a used one for sale, but it had sold.

I went to the open day with Roxie. We were both sold on the brand.

You can just tell when people care about what they do, and I wanted [Orange] to make me a van.”

Try a Micro Camper for yourself

Bee might be Karen’s pride and joy now, but you don’t have to take her word for it – you can hire your very own Micro Camper and see how it fits your adventures.

Our compact-but-mighty Micro Camper is just 4.96m long and 1.93m high (with pop top), but it’s packed with everything you need: crash-tested RIB seats that turn into a double bed, a reinforced roof bed, loads of storage, a 50l fridge/freezer, and a portaloo.

It’s fully stocked with organic bedding, Devon wool duvets, a fully equipped kitchen (yes, Sonya’s made sure every gadget you’ll wish for is in there!), and even a campervan cookbook.

Hire is £145 per night (three-night minimum), and right now you can get three nights for the price of two. It’s the perfect “try before you buy” option.

Hire our Micro Camper for yourself

And if you fall in love?

Order any Orange Campers MWB or Micro Camper before 30th September and you’ll get a free wind-out Fiamma awning worth just under £1,000, fully fitted.

View our Micro Campers