Best Caravans

Types of caravans

While there are plenty of types of caravans to choose from, conventional caravans and pop-top caravans are the two most popular choices.

Conventional caravans

These have a solid roof and solid walls, neither of which can be adjusted. They’re also the most common type of caravan on the market.

Pop-top caravans

Pop-top (or pop-up) caravans have a roof that can be lifted up or lowered. When the roof is raised, vinyl or canvas walls protect the interior of the van.

Other types of caravans

• Pop-out caravans: These have a slide-out section that usually has sleeping berths or seating, allowing them to stay compact while being a great family caravan.
• Fifth wheeler caravans: Fifth wheelers are the largest type of caravan you can find, and you’ll find these have the space to house luxurious interior features. Because of their size, you’ll need a sturdy vehicle to tow them, and you may find that not all caravan parks accept these vans.
• Teardrop caravans: These are small caravans that are used by those who have a smaller towing vehicle or don’t need to carry all that much. They’ll usually have enough space for 2 people to sleep in as well as a kitchenette.

What to consider when choosing a caravan

Weight and towing capacity

First-time caravan buyers will likely be confused at all the weights they need to consider when buying one. All of these weights are to ensure you can legally and safely tow your caravan.

These are the measurements you’ll need to check:

• Your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity.
• The tare weight of your caravan. This is the weight of an empty trailer (but including 10L of fuel).
• The Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) of your caravan. This is the legal maximum weight of your caravan with a load, and is the combination of the tare weight and its payload (the maximum weight of cargo that can be loaded onto the trailer).
• Your vehicle’s Gross Combination Mass (GCM). This is the maximum combined weight of the car and the caravan.
• The ball weight, which is the maximum amount of pressure you can put on your vehicle’s towball.

Check with both your vehicle and caravan manufacturer about weights. You can also weigh both at a public weighbridge.

If you find that most caravans don’t suit your current towing capabilities and you don’t want to upgrade your vehicle, you may want to consider opting for a more lightweight camper trailer.

Size

Most caravans in Australia are somewhere between 11 and 24ft (even here, we generally measure caravans by feet). An 11ft camper usually sleeps 1 one person, while couples can often be comfortable in one between 19 to 20ft. Longer caravans are usually recommended for larger groups, with some caravans accommodating up to 7 people.

Check how easy your caravan will be to store, particularly if it needs to be parked in a garage or another kind of enclosed space. However, you shouldn’t settle for too tight a fit, as you’ll need a bit of swing room when making a turn out of the garage.

How large you decide to go will generally depend on your vehicle’s towing capacity, the number of sleeping berths you need the van to have, and what kind of interior features and components you want in your van.

Design

Just because you’re planning to live in a box doesn’t mean that you need to sign away a life of comfort. Well thought-out layouts can make even the smallest caravans feel spacious, and caravan manufacturers often offer a variety of layouts within a single model or range.

Think about how many campers you need your van to sleep and what kind of activities you want to do in your van - some people like space, while others prefer a cosier home that forces them to relax outdoors more often.

Also consider the colour of your van - the majority are white because they're cooler and white wall sheeting is more widely prouced, making them cheaper to purchase if you need repairs done.

Features

While most caravans come with sleeping berths, a kitchenette, a toilet and shower, and a living area, there are some extra features that you might want to look for when you shop. Deciding what features you want or need largely depends on personal preference - here are a few common ones for you to consider.

You should also consider the following:

• Water tank capacity. It’s generally a good idea to have at least 100L of fresh water on your caravan, particularly if you plan on free camping or travelling through National Parks.
• Battery. You should have at least one battery of 100A/H or higher.
• Grey water tank. A grey water tank helps you leave no trace, and while not all caravans have them as a standard feature, they’re an environmentally responsible fitting to have.

The more bells and whistles you want your caravan to have, the larger and heavier you should expect your caravan to be.

Build quality

Whether you want a caravan for the odd trip away or plan on making it your permanent home, you should look for a sturdy, well constructed van. Most caravans are made from either aluminium or fibreglass - neither is inherently better than the other, but both materials have benefits and drawbacks.

You can also look out for the joints between panels - usually, the fewer there are, the less likely your van will leak.

Price

Buying a caravan can set you back anywhere from $40,000 to upwards of $120,000, while a second hand caravan can still cost you anywhere from $20,000.

Cheap caravans under $50,000 will generally be smaller in size and won’t sleep more than 4 people. Spending between $50,000 and $70,000 will usually get you a longer caravan with a larger dinette and bathroom, as well as more durable and stylish finishes.

Spending more than this can get you an off-road or luxury caravan, and these models will often include features like a full kitchen, top-grade suspension, and swanky upholstery.

Tips for when you shop

There are a few things to keep in mind when visiting caravan and camper trailer shops.

• You can sometimes score a better deal for a caravan in the summer (ideally December or January) as campers are already off on holiday and RV sales are generally quite low.
• Ask the caravan dealer what kind of ongoing customer service they provide, taking note of relevant warranties, whether they offer roadside assistance and where they source parts. This will give you a good indication of where you can get help, and how long you’d have to wait if you need repairs.
• Inspect a caravan closely when you’re shopping around as well as during the handover after you’ve purchased one. Checking the finishes, how secure the furniture and appliances are, and how comfortable the caravan is can save you having to make a detour to a service centre in the middle of your holiday.

One way to try before you buy is to rent a caravan for your next weekend getaway - if you have a few trips planned, you can road test different models to see which style and layout suits your needs.

Whether you’re perusing through new or used caravans for sale, knowing what to look for will help you get on the road with a camper that’s just right for you.