At a Glance: Citroen Berlingo Feel XL 1.5 BlueHDi 130 Flip Camping Box (2020) // Almost like a motorhome

So a larger or smaller conversion van sounds like an interesting alternative. Even better - a private car with a sleeping area and a kitchen. I can use this machine every day. On the weekends I take her with my loved one on a trip, and I no longer care where we sleep, because we have a bed with us. Definitely a great item for active couples. But let me say from the start. Berlingo with Travel Box Flipthe way I tested this is not and cannot be a motorhome. It is a car with a bed and a kitchenette.

In addition, any converted van or motorhome based on a van offers significantly more comfort and usability. It's pretty logical - a motorhome for two cars simply offers more storage space. Of course, this makes it much more difficult to use instead of a personal car. Therefore, in any case, volume is the key to success and comfort.

But that doesn't mean you can't have a good time traveling in your private vehicle that offers a bed and kitchen. The Berlingo XL version with a length of 4750 mm is a very good base for such a passenger car with a "backpack" called the Flipbox. Slovenian company production module Sipras, LLC from Kamnik and costs 2.800 euros plus 239 euros for the 21 liter refrigerator (optional), it offers at least a little bit of RV comfort.

They are a company with a lot of experience in this field, as they have been converting vans into motorhomes and selling motorhome equipment since 1997. It was clear to me that they knew how things were serviced as soon as I opened the back door. Berling serves as a comfortable roof over your head. The pull-out kitchen unit has a work table and space for a hob with one burner on the left side, as well as a small area for dishes and plates.... On the right, two drawers slide out of the trunk. The lower one conceals a sink with a pop-up tap and a 12 V submersible pump, while the upper one has room for crockery and some staples.

In the middle, there is space for a small refrigerator connected to a 12V outlet. In terms of performance, of course, it cannot compete with a gas refrigerator in a motorhome and is therefore more than an emergency solution. But such a solution will be great if you buy all the products on a regular basis, as well as quickly consume them. The production of both wooden parts from plywood is of high quality, and the closure is roller shutters.

The entire Flipbox is attached to the back of the car "floating", which means it is not bolted anywhere but is firmly inserted into the car and therefore can be pulled out of bed very quickly.... A big plus for everyday use when the right trunk appears. It is a little different when you ride the Flipbox up a large hill than the speed bump. When I wasn't particularly careful when driving up the hill (I was driving just as fast as I would otherwise in my private car), things jumped up a bit in the last part. Even otherwise, it turned out that this additional load had an impact on driving performance, since I drove a little faster around the corner.

But in any case, it is clear that the Berlingo is not a car for a very dynamic ride, it is more convincing in comfort, transparency and spaciousness. It is because of the size and the very good solution for converting the back bench into a bed that it impressed me with how much space it offers to sleep. I made the bed, which two adults can easily lie on, in three steps. First I had to lean forward and knock the back of the bench, then I pulled out the aluminum structure and in the third step I folded the three soft pieces into the bed.

There is not much room for pillows and bedding, but I put it all in the space between the left and right drawers.... Unfortunately, Berlingo does not have the ventilation and insulation that motorhomes have, so sleeping in it when the temperature is no longer right can be quite a challenge.

I also lacked space for luggage, although the Berlingo XL has a trunk of 1050 liters.. When I assembled the bed, there was little space left under the aluminum frame. In short, luggage is a problem: with a full Flipbox system that completely fills the trunk, you'll be kept to a minimum. So for more serious travel, I highly recommend using a roof rack where I would put two more chairs and a folding table.

With a bit of improvisation, flexibility and finding pleasant days without rain, when it's not too hot or too cold., the Flip camping box is the perfect solution for the feeling of traveling on wheels. However, it has another, perhaps to many, key advantage over a motorhome, as you can drive with it to areas that are otherwise off-limits to motorhomes. Not to mention the narrow streets and roads.

Citroen Berlingo Feel XL 1.5 BlueHDi 130 Flip camping box (2020)

Basic data

Technical information

engine:	4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbodiesel - displacement 1.499 cm3 - maximum power 96 kW (130 hp) at 3750 rpm; maximum torque 300 Nm at 1.750 rpm.
Energy transfer:	the engine is driven by the front wheels - 6-speed manual transmission.
Mass:	empty vehicle 1.510 kg - permissible total weight 2040 kg, equipment weight Flip camping box 60 kg.
External dimensions:	length 4753 mm - width 2107 mm - height 1849 mm - wheelbase 40352 mm - fuel tank 53 l.
Inner dimensions:	Bed length 2000 mm - width 1440 mm, refrigerator 21 l 12 V, homologated for 5 passengers, preparation for isofix seat
Box:	850 / l 2.693