First launched in 1956, the Airstream Caravel has long been a favorite for travelers seeking a lightweight, agile trailer. Its name—borrowed from the swift, windward-sailing ships of early European explorers—reflects Airstream founder Wally Byam’s love of the sea and his own nautical adventures. The newest iteration of Caravel (launched in Model Year 2020) honors that legacy, ready to carry you toward your own windward journeys.
Inside, Caravel’s galley is designed to inspire, with upscale touches like a stainless-steel gas stove with cast-iron burners, a sleek Baraldi® vent, and a matching rectangular stainless-steel sink and faucet. It features spacious sleeping areas, convertible dinettes, and fully-plumbed lavatories that put everything you need in one convenient, efficient space.
Best of all, Caravel is a nimble, easy-to-tow single-axle model line, with a 16-foot model that can be towed by many SUVs. In addition to the 16RB model, Caravel is also available in 20FB and 22FB floor plans–each unique features and storage perks.
Caravel Creates a Whole New Version of Shoulder Season
LauraRose and her husband Seth own a 16RB Caravel and couldn’t be more excited about it. Both in their 50s, they are self-employed and often work on the weekends so that they can camp mid-week to avoid crowded campgrounds. Along with their Icelandic Sheepdog, Epli, they love exploring the quieter side of Oregon’s state parks.
“We love shoulder season camping,” LauraRose said. “Which in Western Oregon means basically all winter. Sometimes it’s wet, but not icy. We have a lot of very old state parks in Oregon that are not set up for big rigs, so we love the fact that we can fit into almost any camp site.”
The Caravel comes with an electronic thermostat to control Airstream's patented Quietstream ducted climate control system. In warm weather, it easily and quickly cools the cabin in relative silence. It also features a heat pump that, when camping on shore power, pulls ambient heat from the air to warm the travel trailer without using the furnace (and without causing as much condensation). And if you do really need to warm up, the onboard furnace is ready for cold-weather trips, too.
Like many Airstream owners, LauraRose and Seth embark on a variety of adventures. They're frequent musical festival campers, using their Caravel to get close to the action while having their own luxury hotel room on wheels. “I love having quiet space to escape from the hubbub,” LauraRose said. “Not to mention not having to use event port-a -potties!”
Pets, Friends, Aesthetics and Many Benefits Beyond Camping
Gary, 36, and his partner Nick, 41, are also new Caravel owners. Gary describes them both as "aesthetically minded,” and says they have always loved the Airstream look.
“Clean, classic, timeless,” he said.
The Caravel is practical for their lifestyle. “Aerodynamics were a big factor since we tow with a Rivian (EV),” Gary said. “We wanted something compact but still premium, and the Caravel hit that sweet spot. The range hood and windows were a big deciding factor.”
The couple loves traveling the west coast with their husky, Maeby. “We’re planning a California-to-Washington trip soon to visit family,” Gary said. “Not having to leave our dog at home while we fly up is a huge bonus.”
Gary and Nick are also planning a couple of winter-at-the-beach trips this year, and are looking forward to staying warm and dry with their Caravel.
Besides their own travels, Gary and Nick are planning to park their Caravel at home as a guest space for when friends visit, so that everyone has their own space. “It will be perfect for house guests,” Gary said.
So far the two have been very impressed with several features. “The lithium batteries we added have been a game changer—plenty of power without worry,” Gary said. “We also love the backup camera. It's perfect for maneuvering tight spots.” But by far, their favorite feature is the large rear windows. “Waking up by the ocean just feels unreal.”
All Caravel Travel Trailers come with panoramic windows up front, and the 16-foot Caravel also has panoramic windows in the rear that wrap around the sleeping space. They deliver exceptional views and allow light to fill the living space, and the central windows are designed to have a large opening radius so that more breeze can flow throughout the cabin. This premium trailer also comes with side and window awnings in an attractive stripe pattern for optimal enjoyment no matter the weather.
The decision was clear for LauraRose and Seth, and for Gary and Nick, and they’re all so glad they jumped on the opportunity to become Airstream owners this year.
“The Caravel feels solid and built to last,” Gary said. “We’re looking forward to many more trips to come.”
The Caravel is a nod to its name’s history, but in a premium edition with modern features that make you feel right at home. It's ready for any adventure you can dream up–and also plenty of lazy days just soaking up the views.
Dive into the details of this nimble, single-axle trailer line and discover how the magic of Caravel can make your travel dreams come true.
Ready to see Caravel for yourself? Locate your nearest Airstream dealer and plan your visit today.
