Discover Europe with the CARLA Wohnis

The story

The CARLA isn’t just for commercial use. You can also use it to make a very personal dream come true.

That’s exactly what two enthusiastic campers from Lake Constance had in mind. Camping has always been a part of Sonja and Christian’s lives—first with their parents, then as a couple, and later as a family with a travel trailer. Once the kids were grown, a new idea took shape: Why not tow a trailer for themselves instead of a kids’ trailer?

They decided on a bicycle trailer.

During their research, they came across many DIY solutions. They were immediately excited by the idea, but one question remained: How could they build a bicycle trailer that was stable, safe, and reliable without having to constantly worry about breakdowns while on the road?

That’s how they came up with CARLA CARGO.

What convinced them most of all was the sturdy construction, the high load capacity, and the three-wheel design. Because a CARLA can be unhitched and simply stands on its own—without tipping over, without supports, and without a complicated setup.

The idea turned into two CARLAs, two trailer bodies, and finally two very unique “CARLA homes.”

After seven months of construction, many evenings after work, and weekends spent in the workshop, the dream was complete: two bicycle trailers based on the CARLA.

The challenge

A bicycle trailer has to do a lot of things at once. It needs to be light enough to be pulled by a bicycle, but sturdy enough for longer trips. It should provide a place to sleep, storage space, and shelter from the weather—while also handling safely on the road.

The biggest challenge was the sleeping length. At 1.60 meters, the CARLA’s cargo area was too short to sleep in while fully stretched out. With a lot of planning, tinkering, and craftsmanship, a solution was finally developed with a sleeping length of 1.85 meters—a perfect fit.

The structure consists of poplar plywood and Styrofoam in a sandwich construction and weighs about 60 kilograms. This made one thing clear: the chassis had to be reliable, the brakes had to work, and the trailer had to feel safe even on longer trips.

Especially in mountainous regions, in changing weather, and on longer trips, nothing should wobble, break, or become unstable.

The solution

With the CARLA, the two found exactly the right foundation for their bicycle trailer home.

Its sturdy construction, three wheels, and reliable overrun brake make the CARLA the ideal foundation for their “Wohnis.” It’s safe to ride, easy to maneuver, and simple to park at any time. For short breaks, they unhitch the bike trailer—and it stands stably on its own right away.

Today, Sonja and Christian are on the road almost every nice weekend. Their CARLA “Wohnis” are ready to go in the garage and can roll out on a whim. Along the way, they discover places that would be nearly impossible to reach by car and trailer: river bike paths, old railroad tracks, small natural campsites, and quiet trails off the beaten path of traditional camping routes.

They especially appreciate the freedom to stop at a beautiful spot at any time, open the large trailer door, and enjoy a picnic with a view. Overnight, the batteries are charged at the campground, and the next morning they continue on their way with renewed energy.