History

HISTORY: KEY DATES AND EVENTS

  • The inspiration for the TipTop came from the United States, where the Teardrop, the teardrop-shaped mini-caravan with a separate bedroom and kitchen in the back (to keep the smells out), was born in the 1930s.It became popular in the 1950s.
  • In 2012, during a trip Alain made to California for the nautical industry, he spotted them and got the trigger for Europe.He soon got in touch with someone who had the technical skills to manufacture them for Europe, as importing them across the Atlantic was impossible: too expensive and incompatible with European standards.
  • In 2012-2013: the first drawings and sketches of the TipTop caravan “made in Europe” by Alain and Ludo were produced.
  • In 2013, sales start first in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and then in Germany and Austria.
  • 2014 : it is the launch of the TipTop teardrop concept in France : 4 sold through the Savager’s Company. In 2015 : 11 sold. In 2016 : 17 TipTop sold without giving too much of a “go!”
  • 2017: TipTop takes a real turn! Alain decided to devote himself entirely to TipTop mini-caravans and set up TipTop Europe Ltd. A story that will mark the History of TipTop.
  • 2018launch of the Ty Nid Top. This new Teardrop was a great success with more than 10 models sold very quickly but unfortunately the production did not follow.
  • 2019: Arrival of the beautiful mini-caravan “Barefoot” on the French market. It comes to us straight from Great Britain. TipTop Europe has the exclusive rights to this model in France. In addition, 2019 marks the launch of a TipTop made in France for SUV models.
  • 2020 : Intense development of new TipTop models! Manufacturing is repatriated to France. Despite the cancellation of the 2020 trade fairs, we have had very good discussions with all of them.
  • 2021-2022 : Installation of the company in our new premises in La Gacilly (56) ! Launch of a new range of mini-caravans “made in France”!

The TipTop adventure is just beginning!

OUR OLD MODELS

TIPTOP TY NID TOP : The nest for travelling

It was sold in 2018 and 2019 in about 15 units. The idea was to make a rental product but it was quickly appreciated as a mainstream product !


The adventure continues with this ingenious TipTop which is no different from its big sisters. Its teardrop shape gives it a cocooning look and its fittings, its mobile bedroom and its kitchenette are judiciously thought out. Its size is not a hindrance because the Ty Nid Top has all the comfort one could hope for, it is a real cosy nest! It has been thought out and designed so that everything is optimised… This Ty Nid Top is bold !

Technical description :
  • Width: 1.92 metres
  • Length: 3.98 metres
  • Height: 1.72 metres
  • Weight : 450kg
  • Wheels: 14″ (185/70/R14)
  • Structure/Insulation: 25mm pure Polyurethane sandwich panel body
  • Color : White or Grey (only for plus pack)
  • Interior lining: Fabrics
  • <Furniture: Polyester with wooden doors
  • Trailer: Knott braked, galvanised chassis with suspension
  • Driving licence required: B licence (France)
  • Fittings : available fittings* depending on the pack chosen: Initial or Plus. *packs can be modified subject to technical validation.

TIPTOP FREERIDER: an Off-Road mini-caravan!

The best-selling model (50 units), it is the one that has evolved the most in 2016 and 2017… It has been able to dabble on all the roads of Europe, even in Iceland, to the delight of its owners! The towing vehicles are often Defenders, Jeep Wranglers and Toyota 4×4s.

The TipTop Freerider mini-caravan pushes any limit behind a 4WD. On a stony mountain road or a muddy path or on tracks, it takes you bivouacking where no other can go !

Technical description :
  • Width: 2.21 metres
  • Length: 4.10 metres
  • Height: 1.78 metres
  • Weight: 550 kg
  • Wheels: 15 inch (235/75/R15) + 1 lockable spare wheel (on the side)
  • Structure/Insulation: 28mm pure Polyurethane sandwich panel body
  • Colour: White or customisable in the colour of your choice, matched with your vehicle for the prestige pack only.
  • Interior lining: Fabrics 3 colours to choose from
  • Furniture: wood 2 possible choices: Oak or Ceruse
  • Trailer: Braked, galvanised and painted Knott chassis with independent wheel suspension
  • Driving licence required: B licence (France)
  • Fittings: Several fittings available* depending on the model and pack chosen. *Packs can be modified subject to technical validation.
  • Lateral left door with window
  • Blackout blind and mosquito net (L size)
  • Roof window with 2-way ventilation
  • Spare wheel with lockable bracket
  • Metallic paint/customisable colour + 3 decorative strips
  • Showerhead connection
  • Room light 3 positions + reading light
  • Solid oak storage unit + dashboard
  • External lighting above the door
  • Front bumper
  • Hitch + Jockey wheel
  • Reinforced shipping fender painted black
  • LED lighting in the kitchen
  • Painted, galvanised, braked Knott chassis with suspension + Hitch
  • Roof window
  • External 230 volt socket
  • Space and storage box under the mattress
  • 12 volt and 230 volt sockets
  • Ventilation in the room
  • Control of water and electricity levels in the room
  • Gas hob + sink in kitchen
  • Storage space under mattress + water tank, battery, charger…
  • 4 front and rear stabilizer feet
  • Structure/ Insulation in pure polyurethane sandwich panel 28 mm

TIPTOP Adventure: a teardrop trailer optimised for adventure

About 20 have been sold since 2014. The idea was to find an all-terrain vehicle that did not consume too much fuel when on the road. The cabin is identical to that of the Freerider and its manoeuvrability has made it very popular. It was often hitched to vans !

The TipTop Adventure mini-caravan takes you off the beaten track for a weekend or a long holiday on the roads of Europe or on a trip to the other end of France. It has everything you need to cover long and short distances.

Do you love nature and adventure? Then a TipTop Adventure mini-caravan is for you!

Technical description :
  • Width: 2 metres
  • Length : 3.84 metres
  • Height: 1.65 metres
  • Weight : 450kg
  • Wheels: 14 inch (185/70/R14) + 1 spare wheel (on the side or below)
  • Structure/Insulation: 28mm pure Polyurethane sandwich panel body
  • Colour: white or customisable in the colour of your choice, matched with your vehicle for the prestige pack only
  • Interior lining: Fabrics 3 colours to choose from
  • Furniture: wood; 2 possible choices: Oak or Ceruse
  • Trailer: galvanised and painted braked Knott chassis with suspension.
  • Driving licence required: B licence (France)
  • Fittings: several fittings available* depending on the pack chosen: Comfort or Prestige. *packs can be modified subject to technical validation.

TIPTOP BONNEVILLE

This model was designed for vintage cars and was very popular at retro events. It was released in 10 copies, often in aluminium and stainless steel finishes.

The TipTop Bonneville mini-caravan will awaken, or awaken, your passion and liven up your weekends at a gathering or just for a ride. You will be able to sleep and cook with ease. We offer 2 versions of the Bonneville mini caravan: a more classic model and a more vintage model, much more retro for the lovers of beautiful objects, for the collectors. The TipTop Bonneville is the way to travel easily and comfortably with your favourite vehicle! There is something for everyone.

Technical description :
  • Width: 2.09 metres
  • Length: 3.84 metres
  • Height: 1.63 metres
  • Weight: 450 kg
  • Wheel :Bonneville Classic version: 14 inches (185/70/R14). Bonneville Vintage version: 15 inches (185/65/R15). 1 spare wheel underneath for each version
  • Structure/Insulation: 28mm pure Polyurethane sandwich panel body
  • Colour:Bonneville Classic version: White (Standard and Comfort packs) or customisable to the colour of your choice, matching your vehicle or Matt Aluminium for the Prestige pack only. Bonneville Vintage version: Metal; choose between Brushed bright or matt stainless steel or matt aluminium.
  • Interior lining: Fabrics 3 colours to choose from
  • Furniture : Bonneville Classic version : Wood ; 2 possible choices : Oak or Ceruse . Bonneville Vintage version : Formica ; 3 possible colours : White or Blue or Red
  • Trailer: galvanised and painted braked Knott chassis with suspension.
  • Driving licence required: B licence (France)
  • Fittings: several fittings available* depending on the model and package chosen.*packages can be modified subject to technical validation.