I don’t know about you, but after a couple of glasses of wine of an evening we often muse: “What would it be like to travel around Australia in a caravan? Could we join the band of Grey Nomads doing the same thing.”
Actually at some point in there my hubby inserts the word TENT which I scratch out immediately.
But you know in Australia, it’s a really popular thing to do. When the kids fly the nest and you have some time on your hands, possibly when you retire just before grand children arrive – it’s a great time to have an old age gap year!
I’ve chatted to people who have sold the family home and taken off for a couple of years, some people do it during ‘long service leave’ and go for a few months or a year, others rent out the house buy a caravan or campervan and travel at will for six months or so.
My friend Jill Harrison loves getting out on the open road, and she and her hubby take off into the bush regularly.
“What I like about camping with an off-road camper or off-road caravan, is the ability to get a little off the beaten track and find those special camp sites tucked away in out of the way places where there are none or not many other people to share your camping area. We are so lucky in Western Australia (and all over Australia) to have so many fantastic National Parks and Reserves where you can camp out in the bush and get totally away from the stresses of modern city life. Jill Harrison writes for Go Camping & 4WD Adventures Australia and On the Road magazine and also writes about her life in Western Australia at Life Images By Jill.
There’s something pretty spectacular about having the freedom to explore your country in the comfort of your own ‘home’ on wheels. For many, purchasing a caravan is the perfect opportunity to be as adventurous as you want – when you want.
But the choice of mobile homes and caravans is huge … and often expensive. So how do you choose the right caravan?
Table of Contents
How to choose the right caravan for your nomadic lifestyle
Which caravan will suit your needs and lifestyle best?
No doubt your mind is whizzing with questions.
Guest Poster Jayde Ferguson has put together a comprehensive list to help you find the right caravan.
1. What Caravan Size is Right for Me?
The first consideration you’ll need to make is determining what size caravan is going to best suit you. Generally, the smaller the size the easier it is to tow and store when not in use. The most popular sized caravans can range between 3.3 metres (11 foot) to 7.3 metres (24 foot) and should be shaped around how often you intend to use it, the space you have to store it and how comfortable you want to make it.
Anything smaller than 3.3 metres tends to be too uncomfortable for most buyers. Whilst the primary benefit of owning your caravan is definitely the freedom that comes with it, some buyers are drawn to owning a luxury home on wheels. In that case, you’ll want something big enough to come complete with its own en-suite, hot water and full sized kitchen.
On the flip side, some adventurers just want a caravan that’s reliable enough to enjoy long distance touring. Travelling light can definitely have its rewards too so determining your needs first will help decide the ideal size for you.
2. What will I Need in the Internal Fit Out?
When choosing a caravan and what you’ll need internally, it’s important you don’t just think about your first trip. Plan forward, because in a couple of years you may find you want to take a longer or more adventurous journey with it.
If you’ve decided to adopt the caravan as a second home, then the internal fit out is as equally essential as the size. The longer your trip, the more you’ll need a better designed floor plan and fittings that bring in the day-to day necessities. In today’s market, the most popular configuration is a 4.6 – 4.9 metre pop-top caravan with an island double bed, a small lounge seat and front kitchen. That doesn’t mean to say this floor plan is right for you though. Custom building is another option too if you can’t find the exact floor plan you like.
3. What Features Should I Consider?
Buying a caravan means being faced with an alluring range of luxury (or essential!) features – this is the fun part! The size and style of your van will definitely influence what you can and can’t do, but there will still be oodles of options to keep you deciding.
The choice of features will vary significantly depending on your lifestyle and needs. Again, it goes back to what you really want to use your new van for. Most features in a generic design have been previously suggested by experienced travellers, so they’re going to worthwhile and offer a good level of comfort. Anything extra depends on just how luxurious you want to be on the road.
You’ll also want to consider the van’s finish internally. If you’re going to be using for long trips quite regularly, durable genuine timber is ideal. Some features can also be added down the track so be sure to ask about this too. This article provides some great information about essential and additional parts for your van.
4. How am I Going to Tow the Caravan?
The size of your caravan will play a huge part in how you’re going to safely tow it. Check the tow capacity of your current vehicle to help set the ‘maximum weight’ of your desired caravan. This will narrow down some options for you too. The shape and height will also influence the towing performance of your van.
If that dream van you’ve got your heart set on cannot be towed by your current vehicle, you’ll need to weigh up the costs and options of using another vehicle to use your caravan. If you’re unsure about how your choices will affect the towing performance, it’s best to speak directly with the caravan dealer.
5. Will a Pop-Top or Caravan Trailer be Useful for Me?
Modernised pop-tops are perfect if you’re going to be storing your new van under a carport or low-roofed garage. They’re designed for the roof to be folded down when stored or whilst being towed, but are only available in small and medium sized caravans. For towing performance, pop-top caravans are definitely preferred. When the top of your caravan is closed it offers less wind resistance for a much safer and secure towing. This is ideal for longer trips.
Camper trailers tend to be a popular choice for older couples that are looking for simple characteristics. The downfall with these though, is you lose the advantage to pull up anywhere and relax in your van – unless you’re prepared to set the caravan up each time.
6. What’s the Best Type of Suspension?
There are a few different types of suspension which will determine how smooth your ride will be. Obviously if you’re going for true comfort, you’re going to want a van with top suspension. Again, it’s ideal to think about what journeys you’re going to what to take in the future and how these roads will weigh up with the suspension of your van.
A few examples are an independent suspension, or a basic solid axle and leaf spring. Independent suspension is kinder to your van and will offer fewer problems down the track, but basic suspension can still be suitable depending on what you’ll be using it for.
7. Should I Purchase an Off-Road Caravan?
Whilst most genuine caravans are designed to cope with the rough roads and adventures, the most common models are considered ‘outback caravans’. If your travels require something a little more rugged, then you may want to consider an off-road caravan instead.
Basically, they are similar in design but have added protection to keep you and your van safe. Think properties like special dust-proofing, extended bumper bars and a more ‘beefed-up version’ of the standard models. If you’re unsure, it’s best to speak with the dealer about your lifestyle and adventure plans.
Author Bio
This post was written by Jayde Ferguson, who writes for Caravan Camper Megastore – Australia’s extensive range of caravans and campers to suit virtually any budget or requirement. You can catch her on Google+.
So would you, could you take off around Australia or anywhere else in a mobile home? Caravan, tent, or campervan – do tell!
Thank you for pointing out that you should choose features based on your lifestyle. My parents are retiring and we are wanting to get them a caravan they can travel the county in. I know they are going to want something that has a pop top. I’ll have to do some research and find the best caravan for them.
Hi Ellie, yes research is key because everyone has different needs when they take off on the open road.
Hi Ellie, I hope you find a suitable caravan for your parents.
You make a good point that you should figure out exactly how much your current vehicle can tow so that you can know how heavy your caravan should be. My family has always loved camping, but now that my parents are older, they need more luxuries than a tent can provide. Your tips should help them be able to get a good caravan. After that, we’ll just have to help them find parks they can go to.
Thanks for the information on choosing the right caravan. My youngest sister recently moved out of my parents’ home, and now my dad is looking into buying a caravan. From what you’ve said, it sounds like a pop-top is the caravan for him as he plans on storing it under his carport. He only needs a small caravan, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
My best friend sold her apartment contract and bought a caravan. She is in love with it. She already had a large truck, so she had no problem getting a hitch to tow it where she wanted. She loves it so much I can’t help but be interested in it myself! Great article.
These are some great questions and answers! I’ve always loved the idea of, as you say, exploring in your own little home. It definitely provides that free feeling that I’m always looking for, while maintaining a certain level of comfort. I have great memories of travelling in caravans as a child, and I hope to be able to share that with my own children someday.
Yes it’s having that elusive freedom teemed with comfort that’s so beguiling, hey Jane.
I must admit I get quite envious of caravans when we’re camping in our tent! Although they can’t get to many of the places we can. I loved having a campervan in NZ and could easily revert to that way of life.
Hi Annabel, yes I reckon a campervan would be a fun way to go around New Zealand – it’s on our bucket list 😉
This is not for me, Jo. I think caravanning actually restricts where you can go. Unless you are happy parked precariously on the side of a road, rather than in a caravan park, before you can do any real exploring you have to go to a park, unhitch the van, set up the van etc, etc. Then, you can start looking around if there’s any time left and you haven’t had an almighty row with your husband about your directions getting the van parked in its place! (Even more exciting for a relationship when you try to direct him when its time to hitch up again!)
I am happy with b and b’s or motels; you can explore where you like, change your mind as often as you like – and park where you like without the great monster of a van looking over your shoulder and limiting where you can park.
I know there are small vans. Don’t get me started on them!.
Love all your thoughts about caravanning Denise … and you made me smile! I can’t say that this wouldn’t happen to us too!
I don’t think caravanning would be for me as I would have no where to escape and hide from my husband when he was rabbiting on and on about something, usually his Mustang LOL. I need space x
Ha Ha, Rae! I know exactly how you feel … me too, personal space is precious to me.
Another great post and some great tips. Certainly buying a caravan is a huge investment and a huge decision. So many options to choose from. There always seems to be some sort of compromise that you have to make. Talking to other campers in caravan parks and Caravan and Camping Shows (which are held all around Australia) are a great place to start your search for your new camper or caravan as lots of manufacturers and retailers are on show so you can go from van to van and compare. They often have “show specials” too if you are happy to take away the show demo model. We are going to be upgrading from our camper trailer next year so we will soon be on the look out for our next acquisition.
Thanks for some awesome tips Jill! I love the idea that often manufacturers have ‘show specials’ if you’re happy to take away the show demo model. I’ve heard through the grapevine that caravans and pop ups are less expensive on the East of Australia second hand than they are on the West – do you know anything about that perhaps? Good luck with the search for your next acquisition – please keep me in the loop, won’t you?
My brother and sister in law are on their way back across the Nullarbor today after spending 8 months travelling around Australia. They’ve had an amazing time, when they set off they certainly didn’t intend to be away for this long. I’d love to do it but it’s not something I feel I could do by myself.
I think people do set off and end up staying away longer than expected Pam. I can see that you might not feel comfortable going away for an extended period alone though – although I’m in awe of some of your travelling expeditions 🙂
Well as you know, I recently completed a six month holiday travelling around Australia in a caravan. I thought a caravan would be better that a camper trailer or a campervan because of the ease of setting up and then you can unhitch the car to drive around in to do some sightseeing. A prerequisite for me was an ensuite with toiler, shower and vanity, as we did a lot of free camping where these facilities did not exist. In hindsight it was fully worth spending the extra money to get a van with an ensuite. Size-wise, I thought our 16 foot caravan was ample for two people. We had a wonderful time, so my advise is DO IT!!
Ahhh, thanks for the heads-up and tips Kathy! I can’t believe your 6 months is over already, it only seems like the other day you set off. I’ve loved following your journey and look forward to more posts as you settle back into home again. Yes, a toilet would be a pre-requisite for me too – I can’t hold out all night like I used to, and I’m not going to make any mad dashes to ablution blocks in the dead of night.
When we became retired, we thought we could start camping again. We bought a pop-up camper and headed out for a weekend of what we remembered to be so much fun. Well, after we got set up we didn’t know what to do with ourselves. When we camped with our kids we were too busy and now we were by ourselves and very bored. We may have to take up fishing or ask other retirees how they spend their time camping.
HaHa Neva! I know there’s always that awkward moment when you look at each other and think: “Now what?” I guess it’s a bit like the empty nest syndrome though – on the road in a caravan we just have to get busy doing other things. Fishing, maybe!