Caravan, camper trailer, campervan or motorhome; what’s the right choice for your family?

CARAVANS

Australia has one of the biggest ranges of caravans, with the Treasurer reporting that, in 2021, we have more than 200 manufacturers. This means that there’s a great caravan out there to suit every family at plenty of different price points. We’ve broken down the two main types of caravans so you can find the right one for you.

First up, there’s the classic caravan, which is probably the first image that comes to mind when you think of caravaning. They’re sturdy, with four walls, a full height roof, and can have between one and three axles. They vary in length, but some can go all the way to 10 metres long, meaning many of them have a decent amount of storage. They’ll also vary in the amenities they offer depending on their size and price, with kitchens being a standard inclusion, with others including toilets, showers and even air conditioning.

This brings us to pop-up caravans, or pop-out caravans. While both makes offer similar features in terms of amenities and storage to the classic caravan, they function in different ways. The roof of a pop-up caravan will move up and down, the idea being the roof pops up when in use to give the user more headroom, and down when in tow or being stored. A pop-up caravan is more fuel efficient than a regular caravan because it’s lighter and has less wind-resistance when it’s being towed. It will also be easier to store because of the lower roof height. The pop-out caravan extends on both ends of the caravan, meaning it’s great for bigger families or groups who need to squeeze an additional bed in.

When comparing the traditional caravan to pop-ups and pop-outs, while the latter two are easier to tow and store, they are more prone to leaks, and have less structural integrity and storage, all while costing more than a regular caravan.

CAMPER TRAILER

Imagine if your caravan could fold itself neatly into a compact trailer. That’s a camper trailer. You get the best of both worlds; all the space you need when you’re set up, but you can pack it all down when it’s time to go.

In the most basic camper trailers, you essentially have a canvas tent that folds in and out of a trailer. These are called soft-floor campers, because the tent section folds out into the ground. The other end of the spectrum is the hard-floor camper, and they’re a bit more expensive. In these, the lid of the trailer folds out to become a hard floor, with some offering spacious living areas and fold out beds. These can even have a kitchen and showers fitted to the outside of the trailer.

Camper trailers are a great option for families that want the basic comforts of a caravan and also want the manoeuvrability of something smaller so they go on the more rugged adventures. Taking only a few minutes to set up, camper trailers are as close as you can get to a caravan without the hefty price tag and towing bulk. They’re a great choice for families and those who have cars with a smaller towing capacity.

CAMPERVAN

You’ve probably heard of ‘van life’. A lifestyle that sees people dropping everything to travel around the country in a van. Depending on how your van is kitted out, this lifestyle can have its pros and cons for longer trips and weekends away with the family

Campervans are a lot smaller than a motorhome, and offer a lot less luxuries and comforts than their bigger counterparts. They can be built in the body of a commercial van - something that people often do themselves - or factory built by a manufacturer. The main thing the need to think about when considering a campervan is its small size. This can work to your advantage as you can get to spots that bigger options can’t. You also have the benefit of easy parking and can use the van for day-to-day use. But, with the smaller size, you don’t have room for many family members. You’ll be less likely to go on longer trips if you’re all squished in. In addition, you might miss out on a few features and facilities, like an inbuilt toilet, shower or kitchen, and sleeping quarters will be pretty tight. 

MOTORHOME

This is about as luxurious as it gets. However, you might miss out on a few of the reasons you wanted mobile accommodation in the first place.

There are a heap of benefits that come with a motorhome; they have more luxurious interiors, cost less to travel with, you don’t have to tow them, and they’re much more self-sufficient with the features and amenities they offer. Once you’ve reversed into the campsite, you’re good to go. You just need to unlock the door and set up the camp chairs. But, when you need transportation to go exploring nearby or to pick up some milk for your cereal, you have to pack up the whole camp and head out, motorhome and all.

Starting on the smaller side, most motorhomes will generally have a bed across the back which might convert into a lounge or dining area, and then a small kitchen with storage. When you get to the bigger ones, you may have additional features like toilets, showers, air conditioning, heating and a laundry or space for a washer or dryer. And when you get to the even bigger ones - coach-built vehicles based on small commercial trucks - you can get expansive living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms.

WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU?

When it’s time to decide what’s right for your family, you should ask yourself a few questions. Will you be travelling for a long period of time? Do you have a large family? Maybe a motorhome is right for you. Do you only have a small storage space? Do you want to go off road a bit? Perhaps a camper trailer would be great for your family. Do you want something in between all of that? You might consider going with a caravan or a campervan.

In the end, you'll just have to decide what’s more important to you; accessibility or comfort? Because the bigger you go, the more comfort you have, however you’ll lose some of that manoeuvrability you need to see some of Australia’s must see locations.  

To see if a product is right for you, always consider the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations available from nrma.com.au. Insurance issued by Insurance Australia ABN 11 000 016 722 trading as NRMA Insurance.