Back in 2016, we discussed all the various travel-trailers, camper-vans, and motor-homes LEGO released through the years (see: LEGO Travel-Trailers & Camper-Vans). We went all the way back to the 1970s, when the first LEGO recreational vehicles appeared, then looked through the ’80s and the ’90s, finally finishing in 2016. As we mentioned in that article, there was a big 17-year gap with no campers between the 1990s and 2009, when campers finally became popular again. Since then, LEGO has been steadily releasing campers-vans and travel-trailers in the LEGO City, LEGO Creator, and LEGO Friends lines. Below, we will recap the selection of LEGO campers in these three themes, and also discuss the newest additions. 🙂
➡ LEGO CITY TRAVEL-TRAILERS & CAMPER VANS: The #7639 LEGO City Camper released in 2009 was a big hit, and what started the new trend of LEGO recreational vehicles. The #7639 LEGO City Camper is a Class-C motor-home, with a body built on a standard van chassis, and the sleeping area extending over the cab. The white body with lime-green stripes and palm tree graphic are also quite realistic, and the interior is thoughtfully arranged for two minifig travelers. After the success of this set, LEGO added the #4435 LEGO City Car and Caravan in 2012, a non-motorized travel-trailer that can be pulled by a regular car. Here, also, the shaping, colors, and layout are very nicely done. In 2014, we get a slightly larger Class-C motor-home in the #60057 LEGO City Camper Van set, and in 2016 we get a larger van and smaller travel-trailer in the #60117 LEGO City Van & Caravan set. And this year, LEGO released the #60182 LEGO City Pickup & Caravan, a typical 5th wheel style setup where the camper-van is attached to the back of a flatbed truck. All five of these LEGO City campers are fantastic and surprisingly realistic for their relatively small size. Unfortunately, the cars that pull the non-motorized travel-trailers are not always as realistic. However, you can either rebuild them or swap them out to another vehicle.
➡ LEGO CREATOR TRAVEL-TRAILERS & CAMPER VANS: There have been only two LEGO Creator camper so far; the #31052 LEGO Creator Vacation Getaways from 2016, and the #31079 LEGO Creator Sunshine Surfer Van set in 2018. Both vehicles are scaled larger than the LEGO City campers (8-studs wide instead of 6-studs), which allows even more exterior and interior detailing. As these are LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets, they can be rebuilt into two additional models 3-in-1 model; the #31052 LEGO Creator Vacation Getaways camper rebuilds into a summer home or a yacht, and the #31079 LEGO Creator Sunshine Surfer Van rebuilds into a lifeguard tower with quad bike or a sweet looking beach buggy. I would say that because both of these sets are a larger scale than LEGO City vehicles, they may not look the best in a LEGO City setting, however as standalone models they are excellent.
➡ LEGO FRIENDS TRAVEL-TRAILERS & CAMPER VANS: The first LEGO Friends recreational vehicle was the #3184 LEGO Friends Adventure Camper released in 2012. This set is very similar to the #7639 LEGO City Camper, but a bit more elongated to accommodate the taller LEGO Friends mini-dolls. The color-combination, is not very realistic with all that pink, so it might not look as good in a regular LEGO City setting, but it matches well the general color-scheme of LEGO Friends Heartlake City. The second LEGO Friends camper was the #41034 LEGO Friends Summer Caravan released in 2014 – an adorable little travel-trailer with flowers in the window, and many other sweet details. Again, not too realistic for LEGO City, but very nice for Heartlake City. The most recent LEGO Friends recreational vehicle is the large and very detailed #41339 LEGO Friends’ Mia’s Camper Van. We talked about this set previously (see: 2018 LEGO Friends Sets Review). The size and style of this motor-home is similar to the LEGO Creator campers, so it actually pairs better with those, rather than the earlier LEGO Friends campers. The color-combination is an acquired taste, although some LEGO fans point out it’s almost like a LEGO Friends version of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine!
I’m really happy to see that LEGO continues to make travel-trailers and camper-vans. I love camping, and the caravan lifestyle, so it’s nice to see all the different type of campers in LEGO form. I know the sets are very popular with other LEGO fans as well, and you often see them added to people’s LEGO City layouts. My personal favorites are the LEGO City campers, simply because they are the most realistic without being too big. And they also fit in LEGO City settings the best. The LEGO Creator campers and LEGO Friends campers are very nice as well, and they come with even more detailing and play-features. It’s great to have so many choices for minifigs with a good dose of wanderlust.
And of course no discussion on LEGO campers would be complete without mentioning the ultimate LEGO camper, the #10220 LEGO Volkswagen T1 Camper Van released in 2011. Although it is not minifigure-scale, it is definitely the most realistic camper made by LEGO, and is still available at the Online LEGO Shop. Some of the older LEGO City, LEGO Creator, and LEGO Friends campers are already retired, but you should still be able to find them at various retailers and online outlets. And the most recent sets are available at the Online LEGO Shop.
What do you think? How do you like the LEGO travel-trailers and camper-vans released so far? Do you collect them? Or just have some of them? And what do you think of the most recent releases? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
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